[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 84546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28179]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 160728670-6904-01]
RIN 0648-BG23


Fisheries off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Fisheries; 
California Drift Gillnet Fishery; Protected Species Hard Caps for the 
California/Oregon Large-Mesh Drift Gillnet Fishery; Extension of Public 
Comment Period

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On October 13, 2016, NMFS published a proposed rule to 
establish protected species hard caps for the California/Oregon large-
mesh drift gillnet fishery, with comments due by November 28, 2016. 
However, in response to a request to extend the public comment period, 
NMFS has decided to extend the public comment period by an additional 
30 calendar days.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments on the proposed rule 
published on October 13, 2016 (81 FR 70660) is extended to December 28, 
2016. NMFS must receive written comments and information on or before 
December 28, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, draft 
Environmental Assessment (EA), draft Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), 
and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), identified by NOAA-
NMFS-2016-0123, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0123, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Lyle Enriquez, NMFS West 
Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. 
Include the identifier ``NOAA-NMFS-2016-0123'' in the comments.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by 
NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or 
individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be 
considered. All comments received are a part of the public record and 
will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous).
    Copies of the draft EA, draft RIR, IRFA, and other supporting 
documents are available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, docket NOAA-NMFS-2016-0123 or by contacting the 
Regional Administrator, Barry Thom, NMFS West Coast Region, 1201 NE 
Lloyd Blvd., Portland, OR 97232-2182, or 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lyle Enriquez, NMFS, West Coast 
Region, 562-980-4025, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 13, 2016, NMFS published a 
proposed rule in the Federal Register (81 FR 70660) announcing proposed 
issuance of regulations to establish protected species hard caps for 
the California/Oregon large-mesh drift gillnet fishery. The 45-day 
public comment period on the proposed rule ends on November 28, 2016.
    On October 21, 2016, representatives of potentially affected 
parties requested an extension of the public comment period to aid in 
their review of the proposed rulemaking. NMFS has considered the 
request and will extend the comment period to December 28, 2016. This 
extension provides a total of 75 days for public input and continuing 
Federal agency reviews to inform NMFS' final decision to issue or deny 
the regulations.
    NMFS refers the reader to the October 13, 2016, proposed rule (81 
FR 70660) for background information concerning the proposed rulemaking 
as this notice does not repeat the information here.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 15, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-28179 Filed 11-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P