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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AP68 Publication ID: Fall 2004 
Title: Atlantic Large Whale 2002 Seasonal Area Management (SAM) Program 
Abstract: NMFS is preparing regulations to implement a SAM program for the 2002 fishing year, which was identified as a measure under the RPA that resulted from the biological opinions prepared for the Northeast multispecies, monkfish, spiny dogfish, and American lobster fisheries. The 2002 SAM program is intended as an incremental step to provide endangered western North Atlantic right whales protection from entanglement with fishing gear used in those fisheries. NMFS is preparing an EIS for more comprehensive SAM regulations for 2003 and beyond, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to analyze the impacts on the human environment of the management alternatives under consideration. The measures that have been identified for the 2002 SAM proposed rulemaking requires reduction, elimination, and/or modification of certain types of fixed gear (i.e., gillnets and lobster traps) in specific areas off the Atlantic coast of the United States during times of the year when right whales are known to be present in significant concentrations. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  The Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts order.  12/31/2001 
NPRM  Judicial  The Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts order.  11/23/2001 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  10/03/2001  66 FR 50390   
ANPRM Comment Period End  11/02/2001    
NPRM  11/28/2001  66 FR 59394   
NPRM Comment Period End  12/13/2001    
Interim Final Rule  01/09/2002  67 FR 1142   
Interim Final Rule Comment Period End  02/08/2002    
Final Action  12/00/2004    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
Patricia Lawson
Office of Protected Resources
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 713-2322
Email: patricia.lawson@noaa.gov