NOAA NEPA Document Database

Construct new pier, trestle, and shore support facilities for berthing four NOAA OMAO ships at the Naval Station Newport.

This environmental assessment analyzes the impacts of modifying the boundary of the Klamath Management Zone in Northern California, as defined in the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan.

Construct new laboratory building and sampling tower, expand the existing garage, and construct new equipment platform at the NOAA OAR Atmospheric Baseline Observatory (ABO) located in Barrow, Alaska.

OMAO is proposing to construct a new pier and warehouse building at the former Pier Romeo site to berth (home port) one of its NOAA vessels.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 34. Regulatory Amendment 34 would specify 34 special management zones (SMZ) around artificial reefs off North Carolina and South Carolina as requested by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and the South Carolina Marine Resources Division. Harvest of snapper-grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear in the SMZs. In the SMZs off North Carolina, all harvest of snapper-grouper species by spear would be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit. In the SMZs off South Carolina, all harvest by spear would be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit. The purpose of the framework amendment is to reduce adverse effects to snapper-grouper species and optimize fishing opportunities at the artificial reef sites.

First, the amendment would define the aggregate maximum sustainable yield and aggregate optimum yield for penaeid shrimp. Because federal shrimp permits are limited access, a passive decrease in the number of permits occurs when permit holders fail to timely renew. Therefore, the amendment would also specify a threshold number of federal shrimp permits based on the number of active permits that is necessary to achieve the aggregate optimum yield on a continuing basis and specify actions to be taken both prior to and when that threshold number is reached. Additionally, the amendment would allow non-federally permitted shrimping vessels to transit through federal waters while not actively shrimping.

Protective vessel regulations for killer whales were implemented in the inland waters of WA in 2011 to reduce impacts from vessels on Southern Resident killer whales. These regulations prohibit vessels from approaching all killer whales (Southern Residents and transients) within 200 yards as well as parking in the path of the whales within 400 yards. NMFS is proposing to increase the approach limit to 400 yards on all sides and establish a speed limit of 7 knots within ½ nautical mile of the whales. Exceptions will be included for permitted research and enforcement vessels, fishing vessels actively tending fishing gear, and situations in which complying with the regulations would be unsafe.

Proposed action establishes 2021 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries. No significant impacts are anticipated.

Full Approval of Ohio Coastal Nonpoint Program

Full Approval of Louisiana Coastal Nonpoint Program

Full Approval of Texas Coastal Nonpoint Program

Full Approval of Illinois Coastal Nonpoint Program

Full Approval of Washington Coastal Nonpoint Program

To restore lost resources and services, the Trustee Council evaluated restoration alternatives, including a no-action alternative, and identified a preferred restoration alternative: purchase of restoration bank credits.

Elkhorn Slough (CA) wants to expand it's NERR boundary to include several adjacent parcels that have been acquired/proposed for acquisition

The NERR wants to expand the boundaries to include the submerged lands. These submerged lands were included as one of the alternatives during designation, and is described in FEIS. So, issuing a new FONSI to change the decision.