Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, designate critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specific areas designated as critical habitat contain approximately 2,384.67 sq. kilometers (km) (920.73 sq. miles) of aquatic habitat located in waters off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We have considered positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the critical habitat designation, as well as all public comments that were received.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Parts 223 and 226 [Docket No. 231219-0312] RIN 0648-BL53 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, designate critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper ( Epinephelus striatus ) pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specific areas designated as critical habitat contain approximately 2,384.67 sq. kilometers (km) (920.73 sq. miles) of aquatic habitat located in waters off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We have considered positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the critical habitat designation, as well as all public comments that were received. DATES: This rule becomes effective February 1, 2024. ADDRESSES: The final rule, maps, Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, and Critical Habitat Report used in preparation of this final rule are available on the NMFS website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/​national/​endangered-species-conservation/​critical-habitat . All comments and information received are available at http://www.regulations.gov . All documentation is also available upon request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Orian Tzadik, NMFS Southeast Region, Orian.Tzadik@noaa.gov , 813-906-0353. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accorda…
Citation: 89 FR 126
