[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 107 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 47508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12053]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 216
[Docket No. 240415-0108]
RIN 0648-BK65
Proposed Rule To Modify the Duration of Certain Permits and
Letters of Confirmation Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act;
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: NMFS announces the extension of the public comment period on
our May 3, 2024, proposed rule to modify the regulations for Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) section 104 permits, including scientific
research, enhancement, photography, and public display permits and
Letters of Confirmation (LOCs). We published our proposed rule with a
30-day public comment period. Today we extend the public comment period
by 15 days.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is extended from June 3,
2024, until June 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this proposed rule is available
at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0054. You may
submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2024-0054, by
any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA-NMFS-2024-0054 in the Search box.
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Permits and Conservation
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway,
Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; ATTN: Jolie Harrison, Chief,
Permits and Conservation Division.
Instructions: 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 by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 3, 2024, NMFS published a proposed rule to modify the
regulations for MMPA section 104 permits, including scientific
research, LOCs with a 30-day public comment period. NMFS received a
request from the Animal Welfare Institute to extend the public comment
period by 60 days to maximize public input on the proposed rule. NMFS
considered the request and concluded that a 15-day extension should
allow sufficient time for responders to submit public comments without
significantly delaying the rulemaking process. We are therefore
extending the close of the public comment period from June 3, 2024, to
June 18, 2024. This extension provides a total of 45 days for public
input on the proposed rule. All comments and information submitted
previously regarding the proposed rule will be fully considered during
the development of the final rule, if promulgated, and do not need to
be resubmitted.
Dated: May 28, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-12053 Filed 5-31-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P