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17832 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 12, 2024 / Notices Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination In order to issue an IHA, NMFS must find that the specified activity will not have an ‘‘unmitigable adverse impact’’ on the subsistence uses of the affected marine mammal species or stocks by Alaskan Natives. NMFS has defined ‘‘unmitigable adverse impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact resulting from the specified activity: (1) that is likely to reduce the availability of the species to a level insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by (i) causing the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas, (ii) directly displacing subsistence users, or (iii) placing physical barriers between the marine mammals and the subsistence hunters; and (2) that cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other measures to increase the availability of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met. In the Kodiak area sea lions and harbor seals are available for subsistence harvest under the MMPA. Limited subsistence harvests of marine mammals outside of Near Island Channel has occurred in the past, with the most recent recorded/documented harvests of marine mammals in Kodiak in 2011. The planned activity will take place in Near Island Channel, and no activities overlap with current subsistence hunting areas; therefore, there are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals adversely impacted by this action. The planned project is not likely to adversely impact the availability of any marine mammal species or stocks that are commonly used for subsistence purposes or to impact subsistence harvest of marine mammals in the region. Based on the description of the specified activity, the measures described to minimize adverse effects on the availability of marine mammals for subsistence purposes, and the mitigation and monitoring measures, NMFS has determined that there will not be an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses from Trident’s planned activities. Endangered Species Act There are two marine mammal species (Mexico DPS humpback whale and western DPS Steller sea lion) with confirmed occurrence in the project area that are listed as endangered under the ESA. The NMFS Alaska Regional Office issued a Biological Opinion under section 7 of the ESA, on the issuance of an IHA to Trident under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA by the NMFS Office of Protected Resources. The Biological Opinion concluded that the proposed action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of Mexico DPS humpback whales or western DPS Steller sea lions, and is not likely to destroy or adversely modify Mexico DPS humpback whale and western DPS Steller sea lion critical habitat. National Environmental Policy Act To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216–6A, NMFS must evaluate our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA) and alternatives with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no anticipated serious injury or mortality) of the Companion Manual for NAO 216– 6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has determined that the issuance of this IHA qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review. Authorization NMFS has issued an IHA to Trident for the potential harassment of small numbers of six marine mammal species incidental to the Bunkhouse Dock replacement project in Kodiak, Alaska, that includes the previously explained mitigation, monitoring and reporting requirements. Dated: March 6, 2024. Catherin Marzin, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–05163 Filed 3–11–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Evaluation of U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Management Program; Notice of Public Meetings; Request for Comments AGENCY: Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings and opportunity to comment. SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management, will hold three in-person public meetings to solicit input on the performance evaluation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Management Program. NOAA also invites the public to submit written comments. DATES: NOAA will hold in-person public meetings on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 5 p.m. on St. Thomas; on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. on St. John; and on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 5 p.m. on St. Croix. NOAA may close the meetings 10 minutes after the conclusion of public testimony and after responding to any clarifying questions from participants. NOAA will consider all relevant written comments received by Friday, May 24, 2024. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods: • In-Person Public Meeting: Provide oral comments during an in-person public meeting. Æ St. Thomas: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 5 p.m. at Department of Planning and Natural Resources Offices, 4611 Tutu Park Mall, Suite 300, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802; Æ St. John: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. at Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands St. John Annex, 1D Great Cruz Bay Road, Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands 00830; or Æ St. Croix: Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 5 p.m. at University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall, Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. • Email: Send written comments to Michael Migliori, Evaluator, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, at Michael.Migliori@noaa.gov. Include ‘‘Comments on Performance Evaluation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Management Program’’ in the subject line of the message. NOAA will accept anonymous comments; however, the written comments NOAA receives are considered part of the public record, and the entirety of the comment, including the name of the commenter, email address, attachments, and other supporting materials, will be publicly accessible. Sensitive personally identifiable information, such as account numbers and Social Security numbers, should not be included with the comment. Comments that are not related to the performance evaluation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Management Program or that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language will not be considered. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:36 Mar 11, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM 12MRN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 17833 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 12, 2024 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Migliori, Evaluator, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, by email at Michael.Migliori@noaa.gov or by phone at (443) 332–8936. Copies of the previous evaluation findings and Assessment and Strategies may be viewed and downloaded at http:// coast.noaa.gov/czm/evaluations/. A copy of the evaluation notification letter and most recent progress report may be obtained upon request by contacting Michael Migliori. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) requires NOAA to conduct periodic evaluations of federally approved coastal management programs. The evaluation process includes holding one or more public meetings, considering public comments, and consulting with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and members of the public. During the evaluation, NOAA will consider the extent to which the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands has met the national objectives, adhered to the management program approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance under the CZMA. When the evaluation is complete, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the final evaluation findings. (Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1458) Keelin Kuipers, Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2024–05136 Filed 3–11–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD765] North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of web conference. SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Halibut and Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Committee (IFQ Committee) will meet via web conference. DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Alaska Time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be a web conference. Join online through the link at https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/ Details/3037. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1007 W 3rd Ave., Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252; telephone: (907) 271–2809. Instructions for attending the meeting via video conference are given under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Henry, Council staff; phone: (907) 271–2809; email: anna.henry@noaa.gov. For technical support, please contact our admin Council staff, email: npfmc.admin@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda Thursday, March 28, 2024 The IFQ Committee agenda will include: (a) review and provide recommendations on Area 4 vessel cap initial review analysis; and (b) other business. The agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be posted at https://meetings.npfmc.org/ Meeting/Details/3037 prior to the meeting, along with meeting materials. Connection Information You can attend the meeting online using a computer, tablet, or smart phone; or by phone only. Connection information will be posted online at: https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/ Details/3037. Public Comment Public comment letters will be accepted and should be submitted electronically to https://meetings. npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/3037. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 6, 2024. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–05145 Filed 3–11–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD778] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a joint hybrid meeting of its Scallop Committee and Habitat Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 9 a.m. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: This meeting will be held at Hotel Providence, 139 Matheson Street, Providence, RI 02903; telephone: (401) 490–8000. Webinar registration URL information: https://attendee. gotowebinar.com/register/ 7856656431323045470. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cate O’Keefe, Ph.D., Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda The Habitat and Scallop Committees will meet jointly to discuss Scallop and Habitat Plan Development Team analyses of four concept areas for potential scallop access on the Northern Edge of Georges Bank. The Habitat and Scallop Advisory Panels will provide recommendations to their respective committees on considerations for development of management alternatives. The Committees will develop guidance to the Council about development of management alternatives, particularly spatial alternatives for access area configuration. Other business will be discussed, if necessary. Although non-emergency issues not contained on the agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. The public also should be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:36 Mar 11, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM 12MRN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES