[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6682-6683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3052]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 216
[Docket No. 110781394-2048-02]
RIN 0648-BB09
Marine Mammals; Subsistence Taking of Northern Fur Seals; Harvest
Estimates
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final estimates of annual fur seal subsistence needs.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the regulations governing the subsistence taking
of
[[Page 6683]]
northern fur seals, NMFS is publishing the annual fur seal subsistence
harvests on St. George and St. Paul Islands (the Pribilof Islands) for
2008 to 2010, and the annual estimates for the fur seal subsistence
needs for 2011 through 2013. Alaska Natives on St. Paul harvested 328,
341, and 357 fur seals from 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and 170,
113, and 78 fur seals on St. George Island during the same period. NMFS
estimates the annual subsistence needs are 1,645-2,000 seals on St.
Paul and 300-500 seals on St. George.
DATES: Effective March 12, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Williams, (907) 271-5117,
email Michael.Williams@noaa.gov; Kim Rivera, (907) 586-7424, email
Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov; or Shannon Bettridge, (301) 427-8402, email
Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
A Final Environmental Impact Statement, harvest reports, and other
relevant information are available on the Internet at the following
address: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seals/fur.htm.
The subsistence harvest from the depleted stock of northern fur
seals, Callorhinus ursinus, on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, is
governed by regulations found in 50 CFR part 216, subpart F, Taking for
Subsistence Purposes. The regulations require NMFS to publish every 3
years a summary of the harvest in the preceding 3 years, and to discuss
the number of fur seals expected to be taken over the next 3 years to
satisfy the subsistence requirements of residents of the Pribilof
Islands (St. Paul and St. George). After a 30-day comment period, NMFS
must publish a final notification of the expected annual harvest levels
for the next 3 years.
On July 29, 2011 (76 FR 45499), NMFS published the summary of the
2008-2010 fur seal harvests and provided a 30-day comment period on the
estimates of subsistence needs for the 2011-2013. No comments were
received. Based on past studies, NMFS estimates the annual subsistence
needs for Alaskan Natives for the next 3 years are 1,645-2,000 juvenile
male fur seals on St. Paul Island, and 300-500 juvenile male fur seals
on St. George Island. Background information related to these estimates
was included in the proposed harvest estimates published in the Federal
Register on July 29, 2011.
Classification
National Environmental Policy Act
NMFS prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating
the impacts on the human environment of the subsistence harvest of
northern fur seals. The Final EIS, which is available on the NMFS Web
site (see Electronic Access) was subjected to public review (69 FR
53915, September 3, 2004), and the comments were incorporated into the
final EIS (May 2005). Therefore, no further environmental impact
analyses are required.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
This action has been determined not to be a significant rule under
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation, Department of Commerce, certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration
that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The harvest of northern fur seals
on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, is for subsistence purposes only, and
the estimate of subsistence need would not have an adverse economic
impact on any small entities. Background information related to the
certification was included in the proposed estimates published in the
Federal Register on July 29, 2011. We received no comments on this
certification; therefore a regulatory flexibility analysis is not
required for this action, and none has been prepared.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not require the collection of information.
Executive Order 13132--Federalism
This action does not contain policies with federalism implications
sufficient to warrant preparation of a federalism assessment under E.O.
13132 because this action does not have substantial direct effects on
the states, on the relationship between the national government and the
states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Nonetheless, NMFS worked closely with
local governments in the Pribilof Islands, and these estimates of
subsistence needs were prepared by the local governments in St. Paul
and St. George, with assistance from NMFS officials.
Executive Order 13175--Native Consultation
Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000 (25 U.S.C. 450 Note), the
executive Memorandum of April 29, 1994 (25 U.S.C. 450 note), and the
American Indian Native Policy of the U.S. Department of Commerce (March
30, 1995) outline the responsibilities of the National Marine Fisheries
Service in matters affecting tribal interests. Section 161 of Public
Law 108-100 (188 Stat. 452) as amended by section 518 of Public Law
108-447 (118 Stat. 3267), extends the consultation requirements of E.O.
13175 to Alaska Native corporations. NMFS has contacted the tribal
governments of St. Paul and St. George Islands and their respective
local Native corporations (Tanadgusix and Tanaq) about setting the next
three years harvest estimates and received their input.
Dated: February 3, 2012.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3052 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
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