Scoping Meeting: Amendments to Protective Regulations for Killer Whales in the Inland Waters of Washington State
NOAA Fisheries is holding a public scoping hearing to solicit public comments on ways to reduce impacts of vessels and noise on killer whales. Comments received at this hearing will help determine whether we should amend the federal regulations that protect killer whales from vessel effects in inland waters of Washington State.
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NOAA Fisheries is announcing a public scoping hearing to solicit public comments on ways to reduce impacts of vessels and noise on killer whales in the inland waters of Washington State.
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting (84 FR 57015)
The hearing will take place from 5pm to 8pm local time on November 12, 2019 at the Brickworks Event Center located at 150 Nichols St. Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
NMFS is considering a rulemaking process to amend the federal regulations to protect killer whales from vessel effects, and is seeking public input on the existing vessel impact regulations, alternative management options, relevant scientific and commercial information, potential economic impacts of management options, and any other relevant information that NOAA Fisheries should consider
The hearing will begin with a brief presentation by NOAA Fisheries that gives an overview of the existing regulations and the alternatives that were considered in the 2010 Final Environmental Assessment for the regulations. Following the presentation, members of the public will have the opportunity to provide oral comments on the record regarding vessel impacts.
Written comments may also be submitted at any time during the relevant public comment period by mail or via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Please see the “Addresses” section of the Federal Register notice announcing the hearing.