[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9598]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 

Intent to Conduct a Public Meeting on The Preparation of a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed San Francisco Bay 
National Estuarine Research Reserve

AGENCY: Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal 
Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and intent to prepare a draft 
environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management 
Act of 1972, as amended, the State of California and the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intend to conduct a 
public meeting to present a preliminary draft management plan outline 
for the proposed San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve 
(SFBNERR) and to discuss significant issues related to the preparation 
of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS and draft 
management plan will address research, monitoring, education and 
resource protection needs for the reserve.
    In December 1993, NOAA approved the nomination of a proposed multi-
component reserve, consisting of six salt and tidal brackish marshes in 
the San Francisco Bay estuary of California.
    The proposed SFBNERR consists of the following components:

South Bay Component: Bair Island Ecological Reserve;
Central Bay Component: Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve;
San Pablo Bay Component: China Camp State Park;
Petaluma River Component: Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area;
Suisun March Component: Rush Ranch, Peytonia Ecological Reserve, and 
Hill Slough Wildlife Area; and
Delta Component: Browns Island.

    The SFBNERR is proposed to be managed by the San Francisco State 
University. The University is currently home to a number of 
internationally-known scholars in the fields of aquatic and 
conservation biology, geochemistry and geographic information systems. 
The University also operates the Romberg Tiburon Center for 
Environmental Studies, a field center for research on San Francisco Bay 
and its environs.
    Research reserves provide natural coastal habitats as field 
laboratories for baseline ecological studies and education programs. 
Research and monitoring programs are designed to enhance basic 
scientific understanding of coastal environments and aid in resource 
management decision making.
    SFSU has developed a preliminary draft management plan outline for 
the proposed reserve system. The draft outline identifies specific 
needs and priorities related to research, monitoring, education, and 
resource protection at the approved sites. It also outlines an 
administration plan as well as volunteer programs, public access, 
visitor use, and facilities development needs.
    At the public meetings, SFSU and NOAA will provide a synopsis of 
the processes for developing a draft management plan and will solicit 
comments on significant environmental issues which will be incorporated 
into a Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
    The public meetings will be held at the following locations:

Monday, May 16, 1994--7:30 p.m. at the City of Novato Community House, 
Machin Street at Delong Avenue, in Novato, California.
Tuesday, May 17, 1994--7:30 p.m. at the City of Fairfield Community 
Center, 1000 Kentucky Street, Studio A, in Fairfield, California.
Thursday, May 19, 1994--7:30 p.m. at the City of Palo Alto Baylands 
Nature Interpretive Center, 2775 Embarcadero Road, in Palo Alto, 
California.

    Interested parties who wish to submit suggestions, comments or 
substantive information regarding the scope or content of this DEIS are 
invited to attend. Parties who wish to respond in writing should do so 
by June 3, 1994.
    Comments may be submitted in writing to Ms. Cheryl A. Graham, 
Program Specialist, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, Office of Ocean 
and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 12th 
Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, (301) 713-3132.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Cheryl A. Graham, Program Specialist, Sanctuaries and Reserves 
Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 
1305 East-West Highway, 12th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 
(301) 713-3132.

Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.420
(Coastal Zone Management) Estuarine Research Reserves

    Dated: April 18, 1994.
W. Stanley Wilson,
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 94-9598 Filed 4-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M