[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 251 (Monday, December 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68720-68721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33086]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Evaluation of Coastal Zone Management Programs and National 
Estuarine Research Reserve

AGENCY: Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC.

ACTION: Notice of intent to evaluate.

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SUMMARY: The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management 
(OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Alabama, 
American Samoa and Louisiana Coastal Zone Management Programs and the 
Apalachicola (FL) National Estuarine Research Reserve Program.
    These evaluations will be conducted pursuant to section 312 and 315 
of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended. The CZMA 
requires a continuing review of the performance of states with respect 
to coastal program implementation and reserve management. Evaluation of 
Coastal Zone Management Programs and National Estuarine Research 
Reserves requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has 
met the national objectives, adhered to its coastal program document or 
reserve Management Plan approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and 
adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the 
CZMA. The evaluations will include a site visit, consideration of 
public comments, and consultations with interested Federal, State, and 
local agencies and members of the public. Public meetings are held as 
part of the site visits.
    Notice is hereby given of the dates of the site visits for the 
listed evaluations, and the dates, local times, and locations of public 
meetings during the site visits.
    The Alabama Coastal Zone Management Program site visit will be from 
February 3-7, 1997. A public meeting will be on Wednesday, February 5, 
1997, at 6:00 p.m., in the International Trade Center, 250 Water 
Street, Mobile, Alabama.
    The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in Florida, 
site visit will be from February 10-14, 1997. A public meeting will be 
held on Wednesday, February 12, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., at the Apalachicola 
NERR Headquarters, 261 7th Street, Apalachicola, Florida.
    The American Samoa Coastal Zone Management Program site visit will 
be from February 24-28, 1997. A public meeting will be on Wednesday, 
February 26, 1997, at 4:30 p.m., at the Rainmaker Hotel, Tapa Room.
    The Louisiana Coastal Zone Management Program site visit will be 
from February 24-28, 1997. A public meeting will be on Wednesday, 
February 26, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., at the State Lands and Natural 
Resources Building, Mineral Board Hearing Room, 625 North Fourth 
Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

[[Page 68721]]

    The States will issue notice of the public meeting(s) in a local 
newspaper(s) at least 45 days prior to the public meeting(s), and will 
issue other timely notices as appropriate.
    Copies of the State's most recent performance reports, as well as 
OCRM's notifications and supplemental request letters to the States, 
are available upon request from OCRM. Written comments from interested 
parties regarding these Programs are encouraged and will be accepted 
until 15 days after the public meeting. Please direct written comments 
to Vickie A. Allin, Chief, Policy Coordination Division, Office of 
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. When the evaluation is 
completed, OCRM will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing 
the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vickie A. Allin, Chief, Policy 
Coordination Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, 
NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, (301) 
713-3090, ext. 126.

Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419.
Coastal Zone Management Program Administration.

    Dated: December 20, 1996.
Dr. David L. Evans,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 96-33086 Filed 12-27-96; 8:45 am]
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