Categorical Exclusion (Revised) for the Final Rule to Revise Harvest Regulations Associated with the Western Alaska Community Development Program Fisheries
January 19, 2012
This action would clarify which regulations are currently applicable to Community Development Program participants. It would also enhance administrative efficiency with respect to regulatory relevance and compliance.
This memorandum summarizes the determination that certain elements of a proposed rule amending regulations associated with the Community Development Program are categorically excluded from the need to prepare an environmental assessment pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act review. The regulations to be amended are in 50 CFR 679 and 680.
This proposed action encompasses a broad suite of changes to regulations associated with the management of the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. This program allocates fisheries resources to eligible western Alaska communities, with the objective of providing a means to increase economic development and employment opportunities in that region. The CDQ Program is described in the Programmatic Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Alaska Groundfish Fisheries.
The proposed action would clarify which regulations are currently applicable to CDQ Program participants and enhance administrative efficiency with respect to regulatory relevance and compliance. These regulatory revisions are associated with statutory changes made to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) in 2006.