Environmental assessment : issuance of a protected species conservation and recovery grant to the New York Department of Conservation (Award File 4720039) to conduct research on Atlantic sturgeon aggregations in the Mid-Atlantic Bight Issuance of a protected species conservation and recovery grant to the New York Department of Conservation (Award File 4720039) to conduct research on Atlantic sturgeon aggregations in the Mid-Atlantic Bight Award File 4720039

"The current EA analyzed the effects of the proposed Atlantic sturgeon research, which will be conducted in nearshore areas in Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maine. Specifically, the funded work would be used to: delineate timing of movements, residence periods of Atlantic sturgeon within aggregations, and exchange from multiple known aggregation areas; identify fine-scale spatial and temporal movement patterns within aggregation areas; estimate the relative contributions of different Atlantic sturgeon breeding areas to these aggregations; and assess and evaluate management alternatives by estimating population proportions that would be protected under a number of spatial and temporal closure scenarios. The proposed action analyzed in the EA would not have significant environmental effects on the target or non-target species; public health and safety would not affected; no unique geographic area would be affected; and the effects of this study would not be highly uncertain, nor would they involve unique or unknown risks. Issuance of this award would not set a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor would it represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. There would not be individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts associated with the proposed action, and there would not be adverse effects on historic resources. The award would contain mitigating measures to avoid unnecessary stress to the subject animals"--Cover letter.