[Federal Register: April 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 62)] [Notices] [Page 15780-15781] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr01ap99-117] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Study AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of report and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the Ballast Exchange Study: Consideration of Back-Up Exchange Zones and Environmental Effects of Ballast Exchange and Ballast Release and requests comments as to its scientific and technical accuracy and completeness. In addition, comments are requested on whether the ballast exchange study on which the report is based can be adopted as fulfilling the requirements of section 1102(a)(1) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. DATES: Comments on the Report and whether the Ballast Exchange Study requirements of the Act have been met are requested by May 3, 1999. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Report can be obtained from the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 851, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1622. Comments should be sent to the same address.. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert A. Peoples, Executive Secretary, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force at 703-358-2025 or by e- mail at: robert__peoples@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1102(a)(1) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4712(a)(1)) directs the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force established by that statute to conduct a Ballast Exchange Study. The purposes of the Study are to (1) assess the environmental effects of ballast water exchange on the diversity and abundance of native species in U.S. waters and (2) identify areas in U.S. waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone where ballast exchange is not likely to result in new infestations of nonindigenous species nor spread aquatic nuisance species. In 1993, scientists with extensive experience studying biological invasions, including ballast water, proposed to the u.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that those agencies fund a ballast exchange study. Although both agencies are represented on the ANS Task Force and Task Force staff were aware of the proposal, the [[Page 15781]] ANS Task Force did not commission the study. The principal investigators assembled a team of biological invasion scientists and physical oceanographers to conduct a study and submitted their report to the ANS Task Force and NOAA in November 1998. Both EPA and NOAA have accepted the report and authorized its release. The ANS Task Force is now considering whether to adopt this volunteered study as fulfilling its responsibilities under section 1102(a)(1) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 4712(a)(1)). A key factor in those deliberations is the scientific and technical accuracy and completeness of the November 1998 report of the volunteered study. Dated: March 26, 1999. Hannibal Bolton, Acting Co-Chair, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Acting Assistant Director--Fisheries. [FR Doc. 99-7976 Filed 3-31-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M