Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review for a Regulatory Amendment to Change the Scallop Fishing Season Dates in Registration Area D (Yakutat) and Registration Area E (Prince William Sound)

This final rule establishes a July 1 through February 15 scallop fishery season in the Yakutat and Prince William Sound Registration Areas. The previous fishing season in those areas ran from January 10 through June 30. This change was made at the request of industry to improve vessel safety and to maintain consistency between Federal and state regulations for the scallop fishery off Alaska. The historic reason for a January opening in Prince William Sound and Yakutat no longer makes sense under the current management regime. Maintaining a January opening for Prince William Sound and Yakutat no longer serves a purpose because the separate total allowable catches established for each registration area accomplish the same objective.

Implementation of any one of the alternatives to the status quo would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement on the final action is not required under Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act or its implementing regulations.