[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 47470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23782]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


National Estuarine 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 proposed boundary expansion for the Elkhorn Slough 
National Estuarine Research Reserve.

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SUMMARY: The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division of OCRM is considering a 
request by the California Department of Fish and Game to include a 
54.56 acre parcel that is adjacent to the current northern boundary of 
the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) within 
the ESNERR boundary. The parcel, currently in state ownership and 
located in the unincorporated area of Elkhorn in Monterey County, 
California, is primarily salt marsh habitat (90%) with a small amount 
of upland habitat (10%). This parcel of land supports important 
foraging, roosting, and nesting habitat for wetland-dependent birds.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Christianson, Acting Manager, 
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, 
Watsonville, CA 95076; Phone (408) 728-2822 or Nina Garfield, 
Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, SSMC4, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Phone (301) 
713-3141 ext. 171.

TEXT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine 
Research Reserve (ESNERR) was designated in 1979 pursuant to section 
315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 
1461. The ESNERR includes more than 1400 acres including oak woodland, 
salt marsh, grassland, mudflats, freshwater ponds, Monterey pine groves 
and coastal scrub.
    The State of California requested NOAA approval to amend the 
ESNERR's boundary to include the state-owned parcel adjacent to the 
northern boundary of the ESNERR. The land was purchased by the state in 
1993 for inclusion in the Moss Landing Wildlife Area. However, the 
state now believes that this parcel is better suited for inclusion in 
the ESNERR.
    The ESNERR expansion would enhance the opportunities for research, 
monitoring, and education, as well as enhancing the State's resource 
protection efforts in the Elkhorn Slough watershed.
    The expansion proposes inclusion of 54.56 acres of land at the 
northern end of the ESNERR boundary. This property is dominated by 
saltmarsh (90%) and some upland habitat (10%).
    Any person wishing to comment on the proposed boundary expansion 
may forward written comments to Ms. Nina Garfield, Sanctuaries and 
Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1305 East West 
Highway, SSMC4, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments must be 
submitted no later than thirty (30) calendar days from issuance of this 
notice.

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

    Dated: August 28, 1997.
Nancy Foster,
Assistant Administrator, NOS.
[FR Doc. 97-23782 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P