NMFS is proposing to implement a regulatory amendment to modify the fishing vessel permit regulations to include specific terms and conditions for Federal fishing vessel permits obtained through the purchase of fishing vessels using Federal grant awards. The terms and conditions would authorize the NMFS Administrator, Northeast Region (Regional Administrator), to suspend, cancel, fail to renew, modify, or otherwise rescind any Federal fishing vessel permit, or the rights thereto, if the terms and conditions of any Federal grant award used to obtain said permit, or an associated memorandum of understanding, are violated by the grant recipient.
DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard time, on November 2, 2009.
COMMENT:
The public may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648–AY19, by any of the following methods:
• Electronic submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal http:// www.regulations.gov.
• Fax: (978) 281–9135, Attn: Michael Pentony.
• Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope: ‘‘Comments on Vessel Permit Regulatory Amendment.’’
Instructions: All comments received are part of the public record and will generally be posted to http:// www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted via Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
Copies of the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) are available upon request from Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Pentony, Senior Fishery Policy Analyst, phone (978) 281–9283. (However, a message on Mr. Pentony’s voice mail states he will not be in the office until October 5, 2009.)