[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30261-30262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12368]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XT12
Petition To List 83 Species of Coral as Threatened or Endangered
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of details of public listening sessions and scientific
workshops.
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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announced in an April 17, 2012, Federal Register
notice, public listening sessions and science workshops related to our
status review of 82 coral species in response to a petition from the
Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) to list 83 coral species as
threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The
purposes of the listening sessions are to
[[Page 30262]]
explain to the public the process and information we are using to
decide whether listing one or more of the 82 corals species is
warranted, and to allow opportunity for the public to provide us with
additional information that may further inform that decision. The
purpose of the science workshops is to provide the opportunity for
additional individual expert advice and public input on the science
relevant to our decision concerning the 82 species of coral being
considered for listing under the ESA.
DATES: The public listening sessions and science workshops will be held
in June 2012. For specific dates and times, see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: A public listening session and a science workshop will be
held in Hawaii, and another public listening session and another
science workshop will be held in Florida. For specific locations, see
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. You may obtain a copy of the Status Review
Report of 82 Candidate Coral Species Petitioned Under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act (Status Review Report) and the draft Management
Report for 82 Corals Status Review under the Endangered Species Act:
Assessment of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms and Conservation Efforts
(draft Management Report) by visiting the Internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/4_13_12corals_petition.html.
The two reports may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular
business hours, at: NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601
Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI, 96814; or NMFS, Southeast
Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For listening sessions: Chelsey Young,
NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-944-2137; Lance Smith, NMFS,
Pacific Island Regional Office, 808-944-2258; Jennifer Moore, NMFS,
Southeast Regional Office, 727-824-5312. For science workshops: Samuel
Pooley, NMFS, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 808-983-5301;
Margaret Miller, NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 305-361-
4561.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
These public listening sessions and science workshops are not part
of the usual rulemaking process and are unique to NMFS's response to
the petition to list 83 coral species. Thus, the additional outreach
conducted in this case does not establish precedent for any other ESA-
listing process.
We will hold one public listening session and one science workshop
in each of two NMFS regions: the Southeast and Pacific Islands.
Speaker Sign Up
Doors will open for speaker registration one hour before the
listening sessions and science workshops begin, though sign-up will
continue throughout these meetings. If there are more speakers signed
up than time allows for, we will select speakers from the registration
list randomly. Registered speakers will be asked to indicate their full
name, contact information, any organization(s) they are representing,
and a brief summary of the information provided. Because it is possible
that the schedule may not accommodate all registered speakers, we also
encourage attendees to submit written information at the listening
sessions and science workshops.
Listening Sessions
June 25, 2012: 6-9 p.m.; Pagoda Hotel; 1525 Rycroft Street;
Honolulu, HI; telephone: (808) 941-6611.
June 28, 2012: 4-7 p.m.; Nova Southeastern University,
Oceanographic Center, Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystems
Science, 8000 North Ocean Drive; Dania Beach, FL; telephone: (954) 262-
3600.
NMFS staff will provide a moderator for meeting management. Note-
takers will document the listening sessions, and audio recordings will
be used to assist in clarifying speaker information for the final
record.
NMFS staff will provide a brief PowerPoint presentation that will
cover the ESA status review process, the Status Review Report, and the
draft Management Report. There will then be an interactive, time-
limited, question-and-answer period during which attendees may ask NMFS
staff about information presented. Finally, registered speakers will be
provided with an opportunity to speak and provide information. Each
registered speaker will be limited to 5 minutes. Attendees may also
submit written information.
Science Workshops
June 18, 2012: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; East-West Center; Jefferson
Hall (Imin Conference Center), University of Hawaii campus, 1601 East-
West Road, Honolulu, HI; telephone: (808) 983-5303.
June 27, 2012: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Nova Southeastern University,
Oceanographic Center, Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystems
Science, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL; telephone: (954) 262-
3600.
Science Workshop Topics
The science workshops in the Pacific Islands (HI) and Southeast
(FL) regions will follow a similar format. Each will begin with a brief
presentation on the Status Review Report, followed by sessions that
expand specific elements of the Status Review Report. The science
workshops will focus on two themes: ``Climate Change and Climate
Impacts on Coral Reef Ecosystems,'' and ``Coral Reef Ecology and
Adaptation.'' The Pacific Islands science workshop will include two
Panel sessions, and the Southeast science workshop will include three
sessions.
Speaker Time Limits and Opportunities for Public Input
After the presentation on the Status Review Report, there will be
an interactive, time-limited, question-and-answer period during which
attendees may ask NMFS staff about information presented.
After each thematic session, there will be a 45- to 60-minute
period during which registered speakers will be given an opportunity to
ask additional questions of the panelists or to present additional
information.
During registration, speakers should sign up to speak under one or
more thematic sessions. Each registered speaker will be limited to 5
minutes. Attendees may also submit written information.
Questions
Questions to panelists should be limited to those necessary to
clarify the panelist's presentation. Questions seeking consensus among
panelists or registered speakers will not be entertained.
Workshop Rapporteur
NOAA scientific experts knowledgeable of coral reef ecosystems and
climate will prepare a summary of the workshop, noting the main points
raised by the panelists and the registered speakers. This summary and
any written information submitted by the panelists, registered
speakers, or other attendees will be part of the record of the
workshop.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: May 16, 2012.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12368 Filed 5-21-12; 8:45 am]
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