AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Proposed rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), propose to designate specific areas in the marine environment as critical habitat for six distinct population segments (DPSs) of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. The DPSs that occur in waters under U.S. jurisdiction include the threatened North Atlantic, South Atlantic, East Pacific, and Central North Pacific DPSs and the endangered Central South Pacific and Central West Pacific DPSs. Proposed critical habitat includes nearshore areas from the mean high water line to 20 m depth located along the coasts of Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, California (which also includes nearshore areas from the mean high water line to 10 km offshore), Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. It also includes Sargassum habitat, from 10 m depth to the outer boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Based on consideration of economic impacts, we propose to exclude multiple areas from designation. We are soliciting comments on all aspects of the proposed critical habitat designations and will consider information received prior to making final designations. We are also announcing public informational meetings and public hearings.

DATES:

Comments must be received by October 17, 2023.

Public informational meetings and public hearings: We will hold six public informational meetings followed by public hearings on:

(1) Central North Pacific DPS—Hawai‘i: August 10, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Hawai‘i-Aleutian time,

(2) Central South Pacific DPS—Tutuila: August 16, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Samoan time,

(3) Central West Pacific DPS—Guam: August 21, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Chamorro time,

(4) Central West Pacific DPS—Saipan: August 23, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Chamorro time,

(5) North and South Atlantic DPSs—Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: August 29, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time, and

(6) East Pacific DPS—California: August 30, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pacific time.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit data, information, or comments on this document, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2023–0087, and on the supplemental documents by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–NMFS–2023–0087 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

•Mail: Submit written comments to Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway (SSMC3), Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, Attn: Green Turtle Critical Habitat Proposed Rule.

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, might 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. We will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

Documents supporting this proposed rule, which include a Draft Biological Report (NMFS 2023a), a Draft Economic Analysis (NMFS 2023b), and a Draft Sections 4(a)(3) and 4(b)(2) Report (NMFS 2023c), are available on the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2023-0087.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jennifer Schultz, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources,
Jennifer.Schultz@noaa.gov; 301–427–8443.

For Complete FR Notice, click here.