The Council
encourages and incorporates public comment as a vital component
of fisheries policy development. Before major
actions begin, scoping periods help frame the range of issues
being examined while public testimony and comment periods help
inform the Council's decision before final action. This
page tracks the current opportunities for public input on
Council actions. Council comment opportunities are
officially announced in the Federal Register. Daily
Federal Register Updates may be received by subscribing HERE (Council-relevant notices are listed under
"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration" in the email
updates).
Public testimony
is taken at all Council and committee meetings as well as at
specific public hearings. Written comments can be provided to
the Council ahead of such meetings as well. All testimony
and comments will be considered and incorporated into the
official record. For specific opportunities, see our Meeting Schedule web page.
Deadlines to submit written comments for Council Meetings may be
found HERE. Several specific types of
opportunities are highlighted below:
Public scoping
is done to satisfy requirements under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). In scoping, the Council solicits public
comments to help establish the range of issues being considered.
Scoping periods involve public hearings and a written comment
period.
Scoping is not
currently being conducted for any of our plans.
WRITTEN COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIFIC
ACTIONS
After scoping,
written public comments are often formally solicited during the
development of specific management actions. Examples
include comment periods on environmental impact statements,
fishery management plan changes, and proposed rules.
No Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council actions are currently open for written comments.
NMFS lists proposed rules, final rules, and other notices with comment opportunities relevant to Mid-Atlantic and New England Fisheries at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs/com.html. NMFS also distributes press releases on critical actions - Call (978) 281-9175 to receive these by e-mail.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Suite 201
800 N. State St
Dover, DE 19901
Direct:
1-302-674-2331
Toll Free: 1-877-44-MAFMC (446-2362)
Fax: (302) 674-5399
Email: 
Email comments may also be sent to the
Executive Director (cmoore@mafmc.org) and the Council Chair Richard B.
Robins, Jr (richardbrobins@gmail.com).
