NOAA NEPA Document Database

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has approved Amendment 51 for review and implementation by the Secretary of Commerce. The purpose of this action is to establish status determination criteria for gray snapper, including an estimate of the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy, minimum stock size threshold, and optimum yield for the Gulf of Mexico gray snapper stock, consistent with the National Standard 1 guidelines and the subject fishery management plan. In addition, the action would modify the gray snapper annual catch limit (ACL) consistent with a recent stock assessment and the preferred MSY proxy, which uses the fishing mortality rate corresponding to 26% spawning potential ratio. The revised ACL would be 2.24 million pounds whole weight (mp ww) in 2020 and 2.23 mp ww for 2021 and subsequent years.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has approved a framework action to reduce the red grouper commercial and recreational ACLs and associated ACTs for 2020 and beyond. In October 2018, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee reviewed the results of an interim analysis performed by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and recommended that the Council reduce the red grouper commercial and recreational ACLs and ACTs. In addition, there have been recent deceases in red grouper landings and public testimony at the October Council meeting expressed concern about the status of the red grouper stock. Therefore, the Council developed this framework action to reduce the ACLs and ACTs. At the Council’s request and associated with this action, NMFS is in the process of implementing an emergency rule to establish lower red grouper ACLs and ACTs for 2019.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) is considering management changes to blueline tilefish, yellowtail snapper, and black sea bass in the South Atlantic Region. Blueline Tilefish: The regulatory amendment would increase the annual catch limit (ACL) and optimum yield (OY) for blueline tilefish based on a new acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendation from the South Atlantic Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. The South Atlantic Council is also considering both retaining the current buffer between ACL and the ABC (98%) and increasing the buffer (78-96%) to account for landings in the Greater Atlantic area (Maine through Virginia). Finally, the South Atlantic Council is proposing an increase to the current commercial trip limit and changing the recreational bag limit to respond to the proposed increase in ACL as they believe regulations may be relaxed as more fish are available for harvest.Yellowtail Snapper: The current fishing year for yellowtail snapper is based on the calendar year. The South Atlantic Council is proposing a summer/early fall start date of the fishing year to increase the probability that an in-season closure from the ACL being met would occur during the spawning season. In addition, changing the start date of the fishing year could provide economic benefits for commercial fishermen because yellowtail snapper obtain a higher price per pound during winter months. The South Atlantic Council is also proposing a change to the commercial accountability measure (AM) for yellowtail snapper. Currently, harvest of yellowtail snapper in the South Atlantic Region is prohibited by the commercial sector when the commercial ACL is met. Since yellowtail snapper was assessed as one stock in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions, the South Atlantic Council is proposing a change to the commercial AM so that harvest by commercial fishermen in the South Atlantic Region is prohibited when the total ACL (South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico) is met or projected to be met. Black Sea Bass: The South Atlantic Council is considering an increase to the recreational bag limit to increase the chance the recreational ACL will be landed and ensure that OY is being achieved. In 2011, the South Atlantic Council reduced the bag limit for black sea bass from 15 fish to 5 fish. Since then, the recreational ACL for black sea bass increased substantially (from 482,620 to 1,033,980 pounds whole weight) and the stock assessment indicated that black sea bass in the South Atlantic are neither overfished or undergoing overfishing.

The Council is scheduled to take final action at their December 2015 meeting.

The purpose of this action is to resolve inconsistencies between language in the Reef Fish, Queen Conch, Spiny Lobster, and Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates fishery management plans (FMPs) of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as amended in 2012, and 50 CFR Part 622 describing the application of accountability measures (AMs) in the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone. Specifically, language in the FMPs states that AM-based closures will remain in place until modified by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). The applicable regulations at 50 CFR Part 622 end AM-based closures on December 31st of each fishing year, without any additional Council action. The Council is expected to opt for the AMs described in the regulations. This action would not have any significant effects.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council is expected to take final action on this document during the August 19-20, 2015 meeting. The proposed rule is expected to be published in early November 2015.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) proposes to issue a revised management plan and revised regulations for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). ONMS prepared this environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) §§ 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §§ 1500-1508), and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6A and its Companion Manual, “Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Authorities.”1 This EA presents to the decision makers and the public an analysis of the potential environmental consequences of the proposed action and alternatives.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to designate a national marine sanctuary to manage a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks and other cultural and underwater archaeological resources in Lake Ontario in upstate New York.

The Trustees’ preferred restoration alternative is to implement both the Gordy Marsh Living Shoreline and Eastcentral Galveston Bay Oyster Reef Creation Projects using NRDA settlement funds. The primary goal of the Gordy Marsh Living Shoreline (Gordy Marsh) Project is to address the water column and shoreline injuries resulting from the Incident. The project would protect critical coastal marsh and other shoreline habitats, which help support the high diversity of fish and wildlife populations in Galveston Bay. The primary goal of the East Galveston Bay Oyster Reef Creation (Oyster Reef Creation) Project is to address the water column and shoreline injuries resulting from the Incident. The project would promote oyster growth, create habitat for important estuarine species, and enhance estuary water quality, which would help support the high diversity of fish and wildlife populations in Galveston Bay.

The Trustees’ Final RP/EA proposes a preferred alternative to restore injured natural resources and natural resource services -- the Duke Farms Forested Floodplain and Vernal Pool Restoration. The Trustees’ preferred restoration alternative, which will be implemented by the responsible party, includes habitat restoration and public outreach and education components, as well as environmental justice benefits. The restoration activities will consist of the creation of vernal pools, native tree and shrub planting, deer fence installation, the control of invasive species, and long-term monitoring and maintenance at the Duke Farms property. This alternative encompasses the reestablishment of 112 acres of intermittently flooded palustrine forested and scrub-shrub floodplain habitat adjacent to the Raritan River, approximately three and a half miles upstream of the Site.

The NMFS has determined that the facilities and property at the former Mukilteo Research Station are no longer needed for execution of the NWFSC mission. Therefore, pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2002 (Public Law [P.L.] 107-107), NMFS proposes conveyance of the property to the
Port of Everett.

OMAO Lease Acquisition for Uncrewed Maritime Systems Headquarters and Pier Space in Gulfport, Mississippi. OMAO proposed to lease space and make modifications to some aspects to ensure mission alignment. The proposed action includes the analysis of the effects of the lease and renovations.

National Ocean Service (NOS) is preparing this Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with NOS’s recurring projects throughout United States (U.S.) coastal and marine waters to characterize underwater features (e.g., habitat, bathymetry, marine debris). Data obtained from these projects are used to produce many products, including charts and maps that are relied upon by mariners, scientists, shipping and fishing industries, and countless other users in the U.S. and beyond. Due to the geographic and temporal scope of the Proposed Action, comprehensive data modeling approach, and complexity of the analysis, NOS later determined that a PEIS, and not a PEA, would provide the agency and the public with the appropriate framework to understand the potential impacts to critical resources such as marine mammals and to provide input on the Proposed Action.

NMFS NWFSC is proposing to construct a 16,000 square foot building at the WRC campus. No potential significant impacts expected.

The action involves six hatchery and genetic management plans (HGMPs) for Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and sockeye salmon hatchery programs in the Skagit River Basin that drains into Puget Sound, Washington. The HGMPs have been jointly submitted to NMFS by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe for review and approval under Limit 6 of the ESA 4(d) Rule. NMFS' approval of the HGMPs is the Federal action requiring NEPA compliance. Potentially significant impacts may occur to Puget Sound Chinook Salmon ESU and Puget Sound Steelhead DPS that are listed as threatened under the ESA, and Southern Resident Killer Whales that are listed as endangered.

NMFS proposes to issue an ESA s10(a)(1)(B) Incidental Take Permit based on the applicant's proposed Habitat Conservation Plan.

Amendment 127 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area  Amendment 115 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Amendment 56 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska: A review of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) components in the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council’s) fishery management plans (FMPs) should be completed every 5 years, and the EFH provisions should be revised or amended, as warranted, based on the best available information. The 2023 EFH 5-year Review that concluded in February 2023 evaluated new information on EFH, assessed information gaps and research needs, and identified whether any revisions to EFH were needed. Based on the EFH 5-year Review, the Council determined that new habitat and life history information is available to revise many of the EFH descriptions and maps in the FMPs. The proposed amendments to the EFH provisions in the Council’s FMPs would not substantively change the impacts of EFH as analyzed in the 2005 EFH environmental impact statement. The 2023 EFH 5-year Review concluded that no change to the conclusions of the evaluation of fishing effects on EFH is warranted based on new information. None of the FMP amendments require regulatory action.

In response to a recommendation by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, this proposed action would implement Amendment 113 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action would modify specific provisions of the Central Gulf of Alaska (CGOA) Rockfish Program (RP). This action includes four amendments to the RP: 1) change the season start date from May 1 to April 1; 2) eliminate the Catcher Vessel (CV) cooperative holding cap of 30 percent; 3) increase the processing cap to 40 percent of the CV quota share pool (for sablefish, Pacific cod, and/or other primary rockfish); and 4) revise the CV aggregated primary rockfish (Pacific Ocean perch (POP), dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish) harvesting cap by capping only POP harvest at 8 percent of the CV POP share pool.
This action would provide enhanced flexibility to vessel operators and processing plants participating in the RP.
This action includes provisions that would provide increased flexibility and efficiency, improve functionality, and add protection against unforeseen circumstances for the fishery by allowing more time to harvest and land CGOA rockfish Total Allowable Catch in Kodiak as intended, while still maintaining the intent of the RP. Section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is the rulemaking authority.

This Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DPEA) evaluates both a primary and a secondary federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose and need for the primary action is to continue fisheries research activities conducted and/or funded by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) to produce scientific information necessary for the management and conservation of living marine resources in the North Pacific Ocean and marine waters off of Alaska. This research promotes both the recovery of certain species and the long-term sustainability of these resources. It also generates social and economic opportunities and benefits from their use. The information developed from these research activities is essential to the development of a broad array of fishery, marine mammal, and ecosystem management actions taken not only by NMFS, but also by other federal, state, and Native Alaska authorities. Each of the research activities requires one or more scientific research permits (SRPs) and the issuance of these permits is a part of the primary federal action covered under this NEPA review. The secondary action is the issuance of proposed regulations and subsequent Letters of Authorization (LOA) under Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the purpose and need of which is to govern the unintentional taking of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to AFSC fisheries research

This Environmental Assessment (EA) describes and analyzes the setting in which Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary’s (OCNMS) management plan will be updated and implemented. This EA focuses on those resources most likely to be affected by specific actions and regulatory changes being considered in the management plan review alternatives. OCNMS’ original Final Environmental Impact Statement/Management Plan (NOAA, 1993) also contains an in-depth affected environment chapter, which is incorporated here by reference. The more recent OCNMS Condition Report (ONMS, 2022) is also incorporated by reference.

This SEA updates a 2019 EA and analyzes potential effects of a range of possible annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability measures (AM) for Main Hawaiian Island (MHI) Deep 7 bottomfish for fishing years 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27. A preferred ACL of 493,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the MHI for each of the three fishing years. It is based on a recent stock assessment for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish, which shows the stock is healthy. The proposed action includes in-season AM and overall adjustments. Recent landings averaged 174,400 lb annually, so NMFS does not anticipate the fishery would reach the proposed limit in any fishing year. The ACL is not expected to change the fishery or have large and adverse effects.

NMFS proposes to establish fishing regulations pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Expansion Area (MEA). The proposed rule would codify the prohibition on commercial fishing as set forth in Presidential Proclamation 9478, which established the MEA. The proposed rule would also establish management measures for non-commercial fishing and Native Hawaiian subsistence fishing. The proposed action is necessary for management of fishery resources consistent with Proclamation 9478, as well as the draft goals and objectives of the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary and the purposes and objectives of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.