Legal Status
This site displays a prototype of a “Web 2.0” version of the daily Federal Register. It is not an official legal edition of the Federal Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official electronic version on GPO’s govinfo.gov.
The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal Register documents. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. This prototype edition of the daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. For complete information about, and access to, our official publications and services, go to About the Federal Register on NARA's archives.gov.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was formed on October 3, 1970, by Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (5 U.S.C. app.).
NOAA's mission entails environmental assessment, prediction, and stewardship. It is dedicated to monitoring and assessing the state of the environment in order to make accurate and timely forecasts to protect life, property, and natural resources, as well as to promote the economic well-being of the United States and to enhance its environmental security. NOAA is committed to protecting America's ocean, coastal, and living marine resources while promoting sustainable economic development.
- Parent Agency
- Commerce Department
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Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico
NMFS, upon request from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activities conducted by oil and gas industry operators, and those persons authorized to conduct activities on their behalf (collectively ``industry operators''), in...
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Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arctic Subspecies of the Ringed Seal
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce revisions to our December 9, 2014, proposed designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida hispida) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The revised proposed designation comprises an area of marine habitat in the Bering, Chukchi, and...
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Endangered and Threatened Species; Critical Habitat for the Threatened Caribbean Corals
We, NMFS, propose to designate critical habitat for the threatened Caribbean corals: Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, O. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Twenty-eight mostly overlapping specific occupied areas containing physical features essential to the...
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Licensing of Private Remote Sensing Space Systems
The Department of Commerce (Commerce), through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), licenses the operation of private remote sensing space systems under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992. NOAA's existing regulations implementing the Act were last updated in 2006. Commerce is now substantially revising those...
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Designation of Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary; Notification of Effective Date
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides notice that the designation and the final regulations to implement the designation of Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary (MPNMS) published on July 8, 2019 became effective on September 3, 2019.
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Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting for March 3-4, 2021
This serves as notice of a virtual public meeting for the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) on March 3, 2021, 12:45-5:30 p.m. EST, and March 4, 2021, 1-5 p.m. EST via webinar. The HSRP agenda will be posted in advance on the website. Individuals or groups who want to comment on NOAA navigation services topics are encouraged to...
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Expansion of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues final regulations to implement the expansion of the boundaries of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS or sanctuary) and revise the sanctuary's terms of designation. The purpose of this action is to expand the sanctuary to include portions of 14 additional reefs...
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International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Fishing Restrictions for Tropical Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for 2021
NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement Resolution C-20-05 (Conservation of Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean During 2021), which was adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC or Commission) on December 22, 2020. All of the provisions of Resolution C-20-05 are identical in content to the...
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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Research Steering Committee (RSC) of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting.
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Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Economic Impacts of Hawaii Reef Diving and Snorkeling
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this...
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Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has begun its annual preseason management process for the 2021 ocean salmon fisheries off the U.S. West Coast. This notice informs the public of opportunities to provide comments on the development of 2021 ocean salmon management measures.
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North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Social Science Planning Team (SSPT) will meet March 4, 2021.
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U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
Notice is hereby given of a virtual meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS[supreg]) Advisory Committee (Committee).
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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a meeting.