RIN Data

DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AY90 Publication ID: Spring 2014 
Title: Withdrawal of the Emergency Action to Close Portions of Federal Waters in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing Activities in Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 
Abstract: On April 20, 2010, an incident involving a deepwater drilling platform occurred approximately 51 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. Due to the inherent dangers associated with this emergency situation, for both the public and the response personnel, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) promulgated emergency regulations to restrict fishing activities in portions of the exclusive economic zone affected by the oil spill. NMFS anticipated a potential need to adjust the spatial and temporal boundaries of the closed area as conditions change to the extent of the oil pollution. Alternatives evaluated in the environmental assessment include a no action alternative to allow status quo fishing activities in the exclusive economic zone, and an alternative to restrict fishing activities in portions of the exclusive economic zone affected by the oil spill. The circumstances that created the need for emergency short-term fishing closures no longer exist. NMFS and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have determined that seafood from all previously closed areas of the Gulf Exclusive Economic Zone due to the oil spill is safe for human consumption. Therefore, NMFS has withdrawn the emergency regulations that established a protocol for closing and reopening portions of the Gulf, South Atlantic, and Caribbean exclusive economic zones that were or could potentially be affected by the oil spill. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda   Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Temporary Rule; Emergency Action 1  05/14/2010  75 FR 27217   
Temporary Rule; Emergency Action 2  08/18/2010  75 FR 50934   
Temporary Rule; Emergency Action 3  12/01/2010  75 FR 74648   
Temporary Rule; Emergency Action 4  12/08/2010  75 FR 76300   
Withdrawal of Regulations  02/24/2014  79 FR 10028   
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Related RINs: Related to 0648-AY87 
Agency Contact:
Roy E. Crabtree
Regional Administrator, Southeast Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
263 13th Avenue South,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone:727 824-5305
Fax:727 824-5308
Email: roy.crabtree@noaa.gov