This announcement is a reminder that all comments regarding the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on northern right whale research in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans must be submitted by January 31, 2006.  NMFS invites the public, including permit holders, researchers and scientists from all disciplines, elected officials, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and other interested parties to provide input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS.

The EIS will address the information needs for species conservation, including the types of research activities available for collecting samples and data and the appropriate levels of research intensity, including temporal and geographic extent of activities, sample sizes, and frequency of sampling.  The EIS will also address appropriate mitigation measures and potential cumulative impacts of research activities on right whales and the environment.

As the initial step in the EIS process, NMFS hosted a series of public scoping meetings in New Bedford, MA (November 2005); San Diego, CA (December 2005); and Silver Spring, MD (January 2006). 

Comments must be submitted in writing by January 31, 2006 in one of the following ways:

Email: rweis.comments@noaa.gov

Fax: 301-427-2582

Mail to: Mr. Steve Leathery
Office of Protected Resources
Permits, Conservation, and Education Division (F/PR1)
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705
Silver Spring, MD 20910

For additional information about the EIS, please visit our website:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/rightwhale.htm

or one of the established information repositories below:

New Bedford Library
613 Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

La Jolla/Riford Branch Library
7555 Draper Avenue
San Diego, CA 92037

NOAA Central Library
1315 East-West Highway
2nd Floor, SSMC3
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Jennifer N. Latusek

Science Applications International Corporation

NEPA Specialist/Marine Scientist

M. Environmental Management

1140 Eglin Parkway

Shalimar, FL 32579

(850) 609-3479