ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTY

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 NOAA’s 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 to promulgate regulations to increase the Gulf of Mexico red grouper annual catch limits consistent with new stock analyses and a subsequent recommendation from the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). Amendment 53 to the Reef Fish FMP (GMFMC 2021) was developed by the Council to address the results of SEDAR 61 for red grouper and subsequent Overfishing Limit (OFL) and Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) recommendations from the SSC. The purposes of Amendment 53 were to revise the red grouper allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors using the best scientific information available and to modify the allowable harvest of red grouper based on results of the recent stock assessment and subsequent OFL and ABC recommendations from the SSC. 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-2022-141-FC-FAA-NOAA.

Sarila Mickle
Mobile Branch Office
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
3664 Dauphin Street, Suite B
Mobile, Alabama 36608-1211
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 copying should be made in advance. 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.  Notice of the final permit decision will be sent to any person who requests such notice, in writing, during this comment period.

Notice is hereby given this 2nd day of February, 2022, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

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.