October 24, 1997
International Whaling Commission:
Final Environmental Assessment
|
[Federal Register: October 24, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 206)] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration International Whaling Commission: Final Environmental Assessment AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) on Makah Whaling. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Makah Tribe (Tribe) has indicated that it wishes to harvest up to five gray whales per year for subsistence and ceremonial purposes. NOAA prepared a draft EA that weighed the impacts of supporting the Makah interest in whaling and considered alternatives to concurrence. Comments were solicited from the public. NOAA, having first considered the public's comments, has concluded that there will be no significant effect on the human environment. ADDRESSES: Copies of the final EA may be obtained from the Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; telephone: 301-713-2332. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Payne, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: (301) 713-2322. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tribe has indicated that it wishes to harvest up to five gray whales per year for subsistence and ceremonial purposes. Within the U.S. Government, whaling is managed by the Department of Commerce, which must therefore consider whether to support the Makah interest in continuing its tradition of whaling. This EA weighs the impacts of supporting the Makah interest in whaling and considers alternatives to concurrence. The EA analyzes alternatives, including the proposed action. The alternatives are (1) support the Tribe's decision to whale after receiving approval from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) [proposed action]; (2) delay consideration of support until the 5 year monitoring program of the eastern Pacific stock of gray whales is complete; (3) persuade the Tribe to engage in alternative activities, such as ecotourism instead of whaling; and (4) take no action. NMFS published a draft EA on August 22, 1997, and solicited comments from the public. The public comment period ended on September 22, 1997. The final EA incorporates comments from the public and concludes that the proposed action will have no significant effect on the human environment. Dated: October 20, 1997. |
