[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31215-31216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14546]



[[Page 31215]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the 
Proposed Indiana Coastal Zone Management Program

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
as required under the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 
4321, et seq. (NEPA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intent to prepare a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the proposed approval of the 
Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP) under the provisions of 
section 306 of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as 
amended, 16 U.S.C. 1455. The Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP) is 
the result of much effort made by federal, state, and local agencies, 
and the participation and contribution of local citizens. It is also a 
significant step in Indiana's efforts to develop a partnership with the 
federal Coastal Zone Management Program.
    Federal approval of the LMCP would make the State eligible for 
program administration grant funds and require that Federal actions be 
consistent with the Programs.
    The LMCP is a dynamic plan that will continue to be updated to 
reflect the priorities of Indiana's coastal region. Through continuing 
public participation an comment, the LMCP will enhance the state's role 
in planning and managing natural and cultural resources and building 
partnerships between federal, state and local agencies and 
organizations.
    Federal alternatives will include delaying or denying approval if 
certain requirements of the Coastal Zone Management Act have not been 
met. State alternatives include the possibility of modifying parts of 
the Program or withdrawal of the request for Federal approval.
    In order to determine the scope and significance of issues to be 
addressed in the DEIS, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 
Management (OCRM) hereby solicits comments on the proposed action, 
particularly with respect to the following issues:
    (1) The adequacy of the scope and geographic coverage of the 
Program's laws and regulations to manage impacts on wetlands, beaches, 
and other vulnerable natural resources;
    (2) The adequacy of the mechanisms for State agency coordination 
and consultation in order to effectively implement the LMCP; and
    (3) The adequacy of the mechanisms for ensuring State agency 
consistency with the policies of the LMC and resolving conflicts 
between agencies.
    NOAA and IDNR invite the general public, federal agencies, Native 
American tribes, state and local governments and agencies, and all 
other interested panties to comment on the scope of this EIS. The 
manner in which the state proposes to address the above requirements 
will be presented in the state public review draft EIS of the LMCP, to 
be made available in the Summer 2001. Copies of the state draft 
document will also be available from OCRM.

DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register. Persons or organizations wishing to 
submit written comment should do so by September 10, 2001. Comments 
received after that date will be considered to extent practicable.
    NOAA and IDNR will conduct public scoping meetings in Michigan 
City, Highland, and Portage, Indiana, to provide the public with 
information about the proposed project and to receive oral and written 
comments on the scope of the EIS, including alternatives and 
environmental issues that NOAA and IDNR should consider. The dates, 
times and locations for these public meetings will be announced in 
local media at least 30 days prior to the meeting dates.
Scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:

1. Tuesday, June 26, 2001, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn, Michigan City, IN.
2. Wednesday, June 27, 2001, 7 p.m., Wicker Park, Highland, IN.
3. Thursday, June 28, 2001, 7 p.m., Woodland Park, Portage, IN

    In order to facilitate an understanding of the program's 
objectives, IDNR personnel will be available at the scoping meetings to 
explain the program to the public and answer questions. INDR will 
designate a facilitator for the scoping meetings. At the opening of 
each meeting, the facilitator will establish the order of speakers and 
will announce any additional procedures necessary for conducting the 
meeting. To ensure that all persons wishing to make a presentation are 
given the opportunity to speak, a five-minute limit may be enforced for 
each speaker, with the exception of public officials and 
representatives of groups, who will be allotted ten minutes each. IDNR 
encourages those providing oral comments to also submit them in 
writing. Comment cards will be available at the meetings for those who 
prefer to submit their comments in written form. Speakers may be asked 
clarifying questions to ensure that IDNR representatives fully 
understand the comments and suggestions made by meeting participants, 
but the scoping meeting will not be conducted as evidentiary hearings.
    The review process will also include three additional public 
meetings on the draft EIS to be held in northwest Indiana this Fall in 
which the public can learn more about the LMCP. The general public, 
stakeholders and interested organizations will be asked to offer 
comments on the plan. Submitted comments will be recorded and 
incorporated into a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The 
draft will be presented at additional public meeting for further 
review. Revisions will be made to the draft EIS and a final EIS will be 
developed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The State of Indiana is proposing to develop 
an Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program based on Indiana's existing 
laws and policies and to participate in the Coastal Zone Management 
Program (CZMP). The CZMP), established in 1972, is a partnership 
between coastal states and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. The CZMP is a unique federal-state partnership that 
provides a proven basis for protecting, restoring, and responsibly 
developing the nation's important and diverse coastal communities and 
resources. Currently 33 of the 35 coastal states participate in the 
CZMP. State and federal coastal management efforts are guided by the 
CZMP's strategic framework which is organized around three major 
themes: sustain coastal communities, sustain coastal ecosystems, and 
improve government efficiency.
    There are many benefits to participating in the CZMP, including 
establishing partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies and 
other coastal professionals, obtaining consistency with Indiana's 
existing laws, technical assistance, and financial assistance. It is 
estimated that Indiana will receive over $600,000 annually to implement 
a program that address the priorities of Indiana's coastal region. 
Funds received through the CZMP will be used to administer the program 
and establish an Indiana Coastal Grants Program.
    To participate in the CZMP, Indiana must develop a Lake Michigan 
Coastal Program (LMCP). The Indiana Department of Natural Resources 
(IDNR)

[[Page 31216]]

was selected as the lead state agency for program development. The IDNR 
has worked with local and state agencies and organizations to identify 
priorities for Indiana's coastal region. The LMCP describes how Indiana 
can meet those regional priorities through its existing management 
authorities without the creation of any new laws. The IDNR will 
facilitate public review of the proposed plan to fully develop the 
LMCP.

ADDRESSES: Requests for the above described documents and all comments 
should be made to:

Laurie Rounds, Program Manager, Lake Michigan Coastal Program, 402 W. 
Washington Street, Room W264, Indianapolis, IN 46204, tel 317/233-0132, 
e-mail: [email protected].
Diana Olinger, Assistant Regional Manager, Great Lakes Region, Coastal 
Programs Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, 
1305 East-West Highway (N/ORM3), Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, tel. 
301/713-3155, ext 149, e-mail: [email protected].

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419 Coastal Zone Management 
Program Administration


    Dated: June 5, 2001.
Ted I. Lillestolen,
Deputy Assistant Administrator or Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department 
of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 01-14546 Filed 6-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M