[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 124 (Monday, June 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35200-35201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17260]


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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 proposed boundary expansion for the Padilla Bay 
National Estuarine Research Reserve.

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SUMMARY: The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division of OCRM is considering a 
requesting by the Washington State Department of Ecology to include the 
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[[Page 35201]]

acre Hat Island adjacent to the boundary of the Padilla Bay National 
Estuarine Research Reserve (PBNERR) within the PBNERR boundary. Hat 
Island, currently in state ownership, contains primarily forested 
upland, rocky cliffs, rocky shores, and intertidal seagrass habitats. 
The island supports old growth forests dating back to the 1600's, 
active nesting and perching habitat for state and federally threatened 
and endangered bird species, and unique vegetative communities 
including the ``Idaho bunchgrass'' recommended for protection by the 
Washington State Natural Heritage Program. It provides ideal research 
and education opportunities for the PBNERR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Terry Stevens, Reserve Manager, Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve, Breazeale-Padilla Bay Interpretive Center, 1043 Bay View-
Edison Road, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273; Phone (360) 428-1558 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve (PBNERR) was designated in 1980 pursuant to section 315 of the 
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461. The 
PBNERR includes more than 10,000 acres within its administrative 
boundary comprising eelgrass, subtidal sand and mud habitats, and an 
upland farm area.
    Washington State requested NOAA approval to amend the PBNERR 
boundary to include the state-owned Hat Island adjacent to the current 
boundary. For several years Hat Island has been discussed for possible 
inclusion into the PBNERR boundary. During original boundary planning 
efforts by the Governor's Steering Committee for the Reserve in 1979-
80, Hat Island was recognized as a valuable asset for inclusion, but 
due to its private ownership and extreme high cost, it was decided to 
leave it outside the boundary and only include the two islands 
(Saddlebag and Dot) to the north which were already owned by the State. 
Interest in including Hat Island at a future date was noted in the 
management plan for future consideration. In the early 1990's, Hat 
Island was purchased by the Nature Conservancy, and then by the State 
with funds appropriated for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation 
Program, with interim management responsibility granted to the 
Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Discussions between 
the Washington Department of Ecology (the PBNERR's managing authority) 
and the WDNR have concluded that the island is best suited for 
inclusion in the PBNERR.
    The inclusion of Hat Island into the PBNERR will enhance 
opportunities for research, monitoring, education, and management of 
Puget Sound's unique estuarine resources.
    The expansion proposes inclusion of the 92 acres Hat Island on the 
western boundary of the PBNERR. This island is dominated by forested 
uplands, including old growth stands of Douglas fir, steep rocky 
cliffs, unique vegetative communities, and rocky shoreline, and 
intertidal and subtidal seagrass communities.
    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: June 22, 1998.
Nancy Foster,
Asssistant Administrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 98-17260 Filed 6-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M