[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 93 (Monday, May 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 24339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11995]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


National Estuarine Research Reserve System

AGENCY: Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal 
Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of approval and availability of revision to the Final 
Revised Management Plan for the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve, 2001-2005.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Estuarine Reserves Division, 
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, has approved the 
revised Management Plan for the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve (JBNERR). The JBNERR was designated in 1981 and has been 
operating under a Management Plan approved in 1982. Pursuant to Section 
315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. Section 1461, and 
Section 921.33(c) of the implementing regulations, a state must revise 
its management plan at least every five years, or more often if 
necessary. This revision is Puerto Rico's effort to comply with this 
requirement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathalie Peter, OCRM, Estuarine 
Reserves Division, 1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor (N/ORM5), Silver 
Spring, Maryland 20910. (301) 713-3155, Extension 119.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The JBNERR Management Plan Revision contains 
the program mission, goals and objectives of the JBNERR, and 
establishes policies that will protect the natural resources and 
ecological integrity of the reserve. It provides guidance for reserve 
operation and management with the objective of providing long-term 
opportunities for research, education and stewardship.
    The JBNERR Management Plan Revision was prepared by the Puerto Rico 
Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER). It was 
presented at a public hearing at the JBNERR Visitors Center on March 
30, 1999. The Puerto Rico Planning Board adopted the plan on March 3, 
2000, under Resolution Number JB-2000-PM-JOBANERR. It was subsequently 
approved by an Executive Order signed by the Governor on December 29, 
2000. The Planning Board approval process renders the JBNERR Management 
Plan an enforceable document to be upheld by the Government of Puerto 
Rico.
    The JBNERR Management Plan Revision submitted for the Planning 
Board approval process contained an action plan covering the years 
2000-2004. NOAA is approving the Management Plan revision for the years 
2001-2005. To remedy the discrepancy in the five-year time period, NOAA 
has requested and DNER has agreed to submit a supplemental 2005 action 
plan and update for NOAA approval in 2004.
    Revisions to the JBNERR Management Plan include the following:
    1.Updated and detailed boundary maps and maps of natural resources 
and land uses within and adjacent to the reserve.
    2. A full discussion of the management issues at the reserve.
    3. A section detailing staffing needs, roles, and responsibilities.
    4. A facilities description. Under a NOAA matching grant, the DNER 
has renovated a historic building to serve as the Visitors Center. This 
central facility consists of administrative offices, an information 
center, a conference and exhibit area, and a laboratory.
    5. A new section addressing resource protection that includes goals 
and objectives; a management sector zoning plan establishing 
preservation, conservation, and limited use sectors; and resource 
protection guidelines that prohibit jet skis and allow seasonal hunting 
in designated areas.
    6. Appendices that provide a set of regulations for the use and 
protection of JBNERR resources; summaries of the commonwealth legal 
authorities applicable to the reserve; a surveillance and enforcement 
plan for the DNER Ranger Corps; and guidelines for research, 
monitoring, manipulation, and education activities to be undertaken at 
the reserve.
    The chief areas of concentration for the JBNERR in the next four 
years are as follows:
    1. Establishing a Citizens' Advisory Committee, Research Advisory 
Committee, and Education Advisory Committee.
    2. Increasing coordination among Federal and local agencies related 
to surveillance and enforcement.
    3. Expanding the reserve's role in protecting and restoring reserve 
resources through boundary delineation and increased signage, 
acquisition, the special area planning process, and action on the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency consent order related to the northern 
boundary of the reserve.
    4. Improving the transfer of estuarine information between reserve 
programs and external groups (e.g. local neighbors, local and 
commonwealth decision-makers in the scientific, governmental and 
educational communities) through exhibits, newsletters, interpretive 
trails, teaching guides and curriculum materials, and coastal decision-
maker workshops.
    5. Encouraging community stewardship of the estuary and watershed 
through an expanded outreach program and enhanced access to the 
reserve.
    6. Initiating a reserve volunteer program.
    7. Completing an environmental characterization and site profile 
for the reserve.
    8. Designing and implementing a long-term environmental monitoring 
program that incorporates the national System-Wide Monitoring Program.
    9. Actively promoting collaborative research activities.
    Copies of the document can be obtained from the Jobos Bay National 
Estuarine Research Reserve, Department of Natural and Environmental 
Resources, Call Box B, Aguirre, Puerto Rico, 00704. (787) 853-4617.

Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.420

    Dated: May 3, 2001.
Ted Lillestolen,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 01-11995 Filed 5-11-01; 8:45 am]
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