NOAA NEPA Document Database

Amendments 117/106 moved all species of squid in the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) from the target species category to the non-target ecosystem component (EC) category. The management measures stipulate a 20% maximum retainable amount (MRA) of squid per target groundfish catch in both FMPs. There are no significant (beneficial or adverse) impacts on squid stocks, salmon PSC or significant (beneficial or adverse) socio-economic impacts on the groundfish fisheries.

The TIG selects three projects at a total estimated cost of $16 million. These projects are intended to partially compensate the public for injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to birds and sturgeon, consistent with the Trustees’ Programmatic Restoration Plan. Two projects include restoration activities for injured migratory bird species that winter in the Gulf of Mexico, but nest in northern latitudes. The Trustees have determined that these bird species may be most effectively restored by enhancing breeding success in areas where these birds nest.

This EA/RIR analyzes management meausres that implement for 2018 for Pacific halibut catch limits in the following International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Areas: Area 2C (Southeast Alaska), Area 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska), Area 3B (Western Gulf of Alaska), and Area 4 (subdivided into five areas, 4A through 4E, in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands of Western Alaska). The measures also include allocations resulting from CSPs for charter and commercial IFQ halibut fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A, charter halibut management measures in Areas 2C and 3A, and allocations resulting from the CSP for the commercial IFQ and CDQ halibut fisheries in Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E.

Experimental fishing permit which looks to study the bycatch of salmonids in the new midwater rockfish fishery. This fishery is emerging due to the recovery of overfished species of rockfish.

NWS proposes to reduce the minimum scan angle of the KMUX WSR-88D from the current minimum of +0.5 deg to -0.2 deg
(the proposed action).

An update assessment was conducted in 2016 with data through 2014 (SEDAR 25 Update 2016). The update indicated the Golden Tilefish stock is undergoing overfishing but is not overfished. The Council intends, through the request for interim action, to reduce overfishing of golden tilefish while permanent management measures and regulations are being developed. In the 2016 Snapper Grouper Biological Opinion, NMFS concluded that the snapper grouper fishery’s continued authorization is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the North Atlantic right whale, loggerhead sea turtle Northwest Atlantic DPS, leatherback sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, green sea turtle North Atlantic DPS, green sea turtle South Atlantic DPS, hawksbill sea turtle, Atlantic sturgeon,smalltooth sawfish U.S. DPS, or Nassau grouper.

The interim measures must be in place by 1/1/2018; permanent measures to end overfishing will be required within one year of this interim rule

This is under an accelerated timeline. The interim measure will include an EA, to be completed by August 2017, and a proposed and final rule, with an effective date of 1/1/2018

NWS proposes to reduce the minimum scan angle of the KMTX WSR-88D from the current minimum of +0.5 deg to 0.0 deg (the proposed action).

NWS proposes to reduce the minimum scan angle of the KICX WSR88D from the current minimum of +0.5 deg to +0.2 deg (the proposed action).

NWS proposes to reduce the minimum scan angle of the 40 KMAX WSR-88D from the current minimum of +0.5 deg to -0.2 deg (the proposed action).

The purpose of the action is to establish management measures for 2016 ocean salmon fisheries off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. No significant impacts are expected.

This RP/EA describes the DWH NRDA restoration planning process, identifies a reasonable range of restoration alternatives to address a portion of the injuries to resources and habitats caused by the DWH oil spill, and proposes from those alternatives a suite of preferred restoration alternatives proposed by the MS TIG. This RP/EA focuses on the restoration of injuries to natural resources and services in the Mississippi Restoration Area, using funds made available in the DWH Consent Decree. This RP/EA focuses on restoration of the following resource types: focus on the following restoration types:
(1) Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitats;
(2) Nutrient Reduction (nonpoint source); and
(3) Birds.

The MS Trustee Implementation Group anticipates the completion of its Final RP/EA and decision document in early spring 2017.

Title: Environmental Assessment/ Regulatory Impact Review for Amendment 114 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Amendment 104 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and Regulatory Amendments: Analysis to Integrate Electronic Monitoring into the North Pacific Observer Program -- Summary: This document analyzes a proposed management change to establish electronic monitoring (EM) as a part of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)’s fisheries research plan for the fixed gear groundfish and halibut fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. The Council’s fisheries research plan is implemented by the North Pacific Observer Program at the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and its purpose is to collect data necessary for the conservation, management, and scientific understanding of the groundfish and halibut fisheries off Alaska. This document analyzes alternatives that would allow an EM system, which consists of a control center to manage the data collection, connected to an array of peripheral components including digital cameras, gear sensors, and a global positioning system receiver, onboard vessels to monitor the harvest and discard of fish and other incidental catch at sea, as a supplement to existing observer coverage.