AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Proposed rule; second extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

We, NMFS, are extending the public comment period by 30 days for our proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on November 27, 2020, to designate critical habitat for seven threatened corals in U.S. waters in the Indo-Pacific (Acropora globiceps, Acropora jacquelineae, Acropora retusa, Acropora speciosa, Euphyllia paradivisa, Isopora crateriformis, and Seriatopora aculeata) under the Endangered Species Act. On December 23, 2020 the comment period was extended 30 days. The end of the public comment period is extended again from February 25, 2021, to March 27, 2021.

DATES:

The comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking published at 85 FR 76262, and first extended at 85 FR 83899, is extended. The public comment period is extended by 30 days to March 27, 2021. Comments must be received by March 27, 2021, as specified under ADDRESSES. Comments received after this date may not be accepted.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit public comments in writing by any of the following methods. Comments must be received by March 27, 2021:

• Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​NOAA-NMFS-2016-0131 click the “Comment Now” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
•  Mail: Lance Smith, Protected Resources Division, NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, NOAA Inouye Regional Center, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

Instructions: You must submit comments by one of the previously described methods to ensure that we receive, document, and consider them. 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 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 (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lance Smith, NMFS Pacific Islands Region, lance.smith@noaa.gov or 808-725-5131.

Click here for complete FR Notice.