On October 16, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to implement Amendment 66 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and an amendment to Pacific halibut commercial fishery regulations for waters in and off Alaska. This rule would allow eligible communities in the Gulf of Alaska to establish non-profit entities to purchase and hold halibut and sablefish quota shares for lease to, and use by, community residents. This action is intended to improve the effectiveness of the IFQ Program and is necessary to promote the objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act and the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 with respect to the IFQ fisheries. Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before December 1, 2003. Comments may be sent to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Alaska Region, NOAA Fisheries, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Durall. Comments also may be delivered to NOAA Fisheries, Room 420, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801. Copies of Amendment 66 and the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/IRFA) prepared for Amendment 66 may be obtained from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council at 605 West 4th, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252, Phone: (907) 271-2809.