[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3131]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Availability, Oil Spill Restoration Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
release of the draft Nestucca Oil Spill Restoration Plan (Plan) for 
public review. The Plan covers the Service proposal to restore natural 
resources injured as a result of the 1988 Nestucca barge oil spill. A 
public information meeting addressing the plan will be held on March 
15, 1994, in Ocean Shores, WA.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Plan may be made to: U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 3704 Griffin Lane SE., suite 
102, Olympia, Washington 98501-2192.
    Written comments or materials regarding the Plan should be sent to 
the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David C. Frederick, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
3704 Griffin Lane SE, suite 102, Olympia, Washington 98501-2192, 
(Attention: Environmental Contaminants Program).
    Interested parties may also call (206) 753-9440 for further 
information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 22, 1988, the tug, Ocean 
Service, collided with the barge, Nestucca, which spilled more than 
230,000 gallons of No. 6 fuel oil into the Pacific Ocean near Grays 
Harbor, Washington. Shorelines were oiled within Grays Harbor and along 
110 miles of the Washington State coast north of Grays Harbor, 
including portions of Olympic National Park and five National Wildlife 
Refuges. Oil also reached south to Oregon State and north to Vancouver 
Island, British Columbia. More than 13,000 oiled migratory birds were 
recovered by wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations, of which, 
approximately 1,000 survived the oiling and rehabilitation process and 
were released. Estimates of actual migratory bird mortality from the 
spill range from 4 to 6 times the 13,000 oiled birds collected.
    In 1991, the United States of America settled claims for natural 
resource damages associated with 1988 Nestucca oil spill under the 
authority of the Clean Water Act. The settlement proceeds shall be used 
to compensate for injury, destruction, or loss of natural resources 
within the Department of the Interior's trusteeship. The Plan is being 
released in accordance with the natural resource damage assessment 
regulations found at 43 CFR, part 11. It is intended to describe 
Service proposals to restore natural resources lost as a result of this 
spill. Restoration efforts will focus on migratory birds, primarily 
common murres (Uria aalge).
    The Plan focuses on determining what factors are most important in 
regulating common murre survival and reproduction in Washington and 
diminishing human perturbations at Oregon and Washington seabird 
colonies. The following actions are proposed: (1) Educate pilots, 
boaters, fishermen, and other visitors to the Washington and Oregon 
coasts and National Wildlife Refuges about protected wildlife resources 
in these areas and explain the reasons for, and methods of minimizing 
disturbance to seabirds and other wildlife; (2) delineate and describe 
seabird mortality resulting from the incidental take of seabirds in 
Washington net fisheries and identify and implement measures to reduce 
the mortality; (3) improve habitat conditions for burrow nesting 
seabirds by eradicating the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus 
cuniculus) from Destruction Island; and (4) monitor common murre 
attendance at Washington breeding colonies to determine if the selected 
restoration actions are successful, and to identify how the survival 
and reproductive success of common murres and other seabirds at these 
colonies is being impacted. These impacts may be addressed through 
future restoration actions.
    Interested members of the public are invited to review and comment 
on the Plan and to provide additional alternatives. In Washington, 
copies are available for review at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 
Ecological Services Field Office in Olympia (3704 Griffin Lane SE., 
suite 102, Olympia, Washington), the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge 
office (100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, Washington), the Washington 
Coastal Refuges office (33 South Barr Road, Port Angeles, Washington), 
and the following Washington State community libraries: Port Angeles, 
Sequim, Forks, Clallum Bay, Ocean Shores, Port Townsend, Port Hadlock, 
Olympia, Aberdeen, Westport, Hoquiam, and Raymond. In Oregon, copies 
are available for review at the Hatfield Marine Science Center Library 
in Newport and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office in 
Portland (911 NE 11th Avenue).
    An informational meeting, open to the public, will be held to 
explain the Plan, provide information, and to answer any questions. The 
meeting will be held at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, Mezzanine 
Room 1, 120 West Chance Ala Mer, Ocean Shores, Washington; on March 15, 
1994, from 7 to 9 pm. All written and public meeting comments will be 
considered and addressed in the final Plan at the conclusion of the 
restoration planning process.


    Dated: February 1, 1994.
Marvin Plenert,
Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3131 Filed 2-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M