ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR A REVIEW OF A FEDERAL AGENCY’S CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FOR A PROPOSED FEDERAL ACTION
PUBLIC NOTICE - 591

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) hereby gives notice that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has requested, in accordance with Title 15 C.F.R. 930 Subpart C, review of a proposed federal action pursuant to ADEM Administrative Code division 335-8.

The NMFS is proposing a rule to increase the recreational catch limits for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) lane snapper. This Abbreviated Framework Action under the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish in the Gulf of Mexico would increase allowable lane snapper harvest and is expected to increase the season length. This Abbreviated Framework would modify the catch limits set in that action, increasing the overfishing limit (OFL) from 1,053,834 pounds (lb) whole weight (ww) to 1,116,331 lb ww, and the acceptable biological catch (ABC) and annual catch limit (ACL) each from 1,029,973 lb ww to 1,088,873 lb ww. This change would be implemented in response to the 2023 Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review 49 interim analysis for Gulf lane snapper, which included updated landings and dead discards, as well as an updated catch-per-unit-effort index for the headboat fleet which included data through 2022. The NMFS has determined that the proposed activity is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the Alabama Coastal Area Management Program (ACAMP).

Any person wishing to make comments or provide additional information relative to the proposed activity’s consistency with the ACAMP must submit such comments or information by letter or by email to ADEM at the address below within fifteen (15) calendar days following the publication date of this notice. Only those comments, which address issues within the Department’s scope of authority, can be considered. All correspondence regarding this proposal should reference application number ACAMP-2024-124.

Sarila Mickle
Mobile Branch Office
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
1615 South Broad Street
Mobile, AL 36605
Coastal@adem.alabama.gov

Copies of all information submitted are available for public inspection at the ADEM office located at the above address Monday – Friday (except legal holidays), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Arrangements for review and copying should be made in advance. These documents related to this proposed action and documents otherwise related to this facility also may be viewed at the Department’s eFile system located at http://app.adem.alabama.gov/eFile/ by selecting Media Area “Water,” entering the application number in place of the “Permit Number,” and pressing Search.

This Public Notice is available on the internet at http://adem.alabama.gov/newsEvents/publicNotices.cnt. The ADEM Division 335-8 rules are available on the internet at adem.alabama.gov.

After consideration of all written comments and consideration of the requirements of the Alabama Coastal Area Management Act and ADEM Coastal Program rules, the Department will make a final determination. The Department’s determination, associated documents and all comments received during the public comment period will be available for inspection at the ADEM office located at the above address during normal working hours and on the Department’s eFile system. Notice of the final decision will be sent to any person who requests such notice, in writing, during this comment period.

The Department maintains a list of interested individuals who are emailed legal notices regarding proposed permits. If you wish to receive such notices, please sign up at http://adem.alabama.gov by entering your email address on the left side of the page and clicking the submit button.

Notice is hereby given this 20th day of March, 2024, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

_______________________________
Lance R. LeFleur
Director

Nondiscrimination Statement: The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.