[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 110 (Monday, June 9, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 31409] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-15000] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Estuarine Research Reserve System AGENCY: Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings and intent to prepare a draft environmental impact statement ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and with section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, the State of Alaska and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intend to conduct public scoping meetings on the proposed Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) to solicit comments on significant issues related to the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Management Plan (DMP). The DEIS and DMP will address research, monitoring, education and resource protection needs for the reserve. DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 24, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: Homer City Hall, City Council Chambers, 491 East Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska 99663. DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 26, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: Seldovia Community Center, Seldovia, Alaska 99603. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Seaman, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, at (907) 267-2331, or Matt Menashes, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management, NOAA, at (301) 713-3132, ext. 165. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 1997, NOAA approved the nomination of Kachemak Bay in Alaska as a proposed National Estuarine Research Reserve. Research reserves provide natural coastal habitats as field laboratories for baseline ecological studies and education programs. Research and monitoring programs are designed to enhance scientific understanding of the coastal environment and aid in resource management decision making. The Kachemak Bay NERR is proposed to be managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR). The ADFG has statutory authority to manage the state's critical habitat areas system, in which Kachemak Bay is included. The ADNR has management authority over the Kachemak Bay State Park, which is included in the proposed boundaries for the Kachemak Bay NERR. The ADFG has developed a preliminary draft management plan outline for the NERR which identifies specific needs and priorities related to research, monitoring, education, and resource protection at the proposed site. It also outlines an administrative plan, volunteer program and facilities development needs, public access, and visitor use policies. At the public meetings, ADFG and NOAA will provide a synopsis of the process for developing a DMP and will solicit comments on significant environmental issues that will be incorporated into a DEIS. The public meetings will be held in Homer, Alaska, at the City Council Chambers, 491 West Pioneer Avenue, on June 24, 1997, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and in Seldovia, Alaska, at the Seldovia Community Center, on June 26, 1997 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Interested parties who wish to submit suggestions, comments or substantive information regarding the scope or content of the proposed DEIS/DMP are invited to attend either of the above meetings. Parties who wish to respond in writing should do so by July 9, 1997, to Glenn Seaman, Habitat and Restoration Division, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1599, or Matthew Menashes, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway N/ORM2, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.420 (Coastal Zone Management) Research Reserves Dated: June 3, 1997. Nancy Foster, Assistant Administrator, for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. [FR Doc. 97-15000 Filed 6-6-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-08-P