Categorical Exclusion (CE) for the Regulatory Amendment to Remove GOA Sablefish IFQ Pot Gear Tags and Notary Certification Requirements
December 13, 2021
This action would make minor changes to recordkeeping and reporting requirements and remove requirements to for vessel operators using longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery to mark each pot with a pot gear tag.
Based upon the above analysis, NOAA has determined that the action proposed: falls within Category A1 — a category of actions that does not normally have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment; is not connected to a larger action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)); and does not involve extraordinary circumstances precluding use of the CE. As such, NOAA has determined that it is categorically excluded from further NEPA review.