Environmental Assessment for the Extension and Revision of the Emergency Interim Rule for 2001 Harvest Specifications for the Alaska Groundfish Fisheries and for Steller Sea Lion Protective Fisheries Management Measures

The purpose of this Assessment/Review is to assess the potential impacts on the human environment from the continuation of the annual fisheries specifications established in January 2001 and from continuation and revision of the Steller sea lion protection measures.  Federal action is necessary to provide harvesting management of groundfish fisheries in the BSAI and the GOA through 2001 while providing protection to endangered Steller sea lions west of 144°W longitude.  Portions of this EA/RIR reference the analysis prepared on groundfish fishing under various levels of total allowable catch. That analysis was provided in a supplemental environmental impact statement prepared to supplement the original Environmental Impact Statements for the Fishery Management Plans for the GOA and BSAI area.