Public Scoping Meetings for Modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

We will be conducting eight scoping meetings [links.govdelivery.com] this month in anticipation of preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan [links.govdelivery.com].

We are requesting comments on management options particularly including information about operational challenges, time, and costs required to modify gear by changing configurations such as traps per trawl to reduce endline numbers, installing new line or sleeves and by expanding gear marking requirements.

Scoping Meeting Locations

Rhode Island

Thursday, August 8, 2019 – Narragansett, RI, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

URI Graduate School of Oceanography
Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882

Maine

Monday, August 12, 2019 – Machias, ME, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

University of Maine at Machias
Performing Arts Center
116 O’Brien Avenue
Machias, ME 04654

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 – Ellsworth, ME, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Ellsworth High School Performing Arts Center
24 Lejok Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 – Waldoboro, ME, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Medomak Valley High School
320 Manktown Road
Waldoboro, Maine 04572

Thursday, August 15, 2019 – Portland, ME, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

South Portland High School
637 Highland Ave.
South Portland ME, 04106

New Hampshire

Monday, August 19, 2019 – Portsmouth, NH, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Massachusetts

Tuesday, August 20, 2019 – Gloucester, MA, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 – Bourne, MA, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
220 Sandwich Rd.
Bourne, MA 02352

Written comments are also welcomed.

Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments by sending an email to gar.ALWTRT2019@noaa.gov using the subject line “Comments on Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Scoping.”
Mail: Submit written comments to Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2276. Mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Scoping.”