[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Availability, Oil Spill Restoration Plan AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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