Magnuson Act Provisions; Appointment of Regional Fishery Management Council Members; Extension of Comment Period

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[Docket No. 970527125-7125-01; I.D. 032797B]

RIN 0648-AJ95

Magnuson Act Provisions; Appointment of Regional Fishery

Management Council Members; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: At the request of a tribal representative, NMFS is extending

the public comment period on a proposed rule to amend the regulations

governing the nomination and appointment of

[[Page 42094]]

members of Regional Fishery Management Councils. The proposed rule

would establish procedures applicable to the nomination and appointment

to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) of a representative of

an Indian tribe with federally recognized fishing rights from

California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. The purpose of this extension

is to ensure adequate time for tribal governments to provide comments

on the proposed rule.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received no later than

August 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Mr. Will Stelle, Jr.,

Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN

C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or to Mr. William Hogarth, Acting

Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite

4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson at 206-526-6142 or

Rodney McInnis at 562-980-4040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 302(b)(5)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires

the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to appoint to the PFMC one

representative of an Indian tribe with federally recognized fishing

rights from California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho, from a list of

not less than three individuals submitted by the tribal governments.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Secretary to prescribe regulatory

procedure for submitting this list and requires the Secretary to

consult with the Secretary of the Interior and with tribal governments

in the establishment of that procedure. NMFS is extending the public

comment period from July 31, 1997, through August 11, 1997, to ensure

adequate time for tribal governments to comment on the proposed rule

published on July 1, 1997 (62 FR 35468).

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

Dated: July 31, 1997.

David L. Evans,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries

Service.

[FR Doc. 97-20597 Filed 7-31-97; 2:41 pm]

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