[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 77256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31670]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7423-2]


Chesapeake Bay Program

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program 
Office, on behalf of the partners of the Chesapeake Bay Program, 
announces an extension to the comment period for the Draft Chesapeake 
Bay Comprehensive Oyster Management Plan until January 15, 2003. The 
draft plan addresses both habitat restoration and oyster fishery 
management. It emphasizes biologically based, strategic decision 
making, enables an adaptive management approach, and provides for 
better coordination among key agencies, organizations, and institutions 
involved in oyster restoration in Maryland and Virginia waters of 
Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. The Chesapeake Bay oyster 
partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the 
Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Maryland Oyster Recovery 
Partnership, the Virginia Oyster Heritage Program, the Chesapeake Bay 
Foundation, the University of Maryland, and the Virginia Institute of 
Marine Science. Following receipt of comments, a final draft plan will 
be circulated to Chesapeake Bay Program signatory partners for 
approval. It is expected that the final plan will be adopted by the 
Chesapeake Executive Council in 2003. The draft plan is available on-
line at the EPA Region III Web site http://www.epa.gov/r3chespk/, or at 
the Chesapeake Bay Program Web site http://www.chesapeakebay.net or by 
regular mail from the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office (Phone: 410-
267-5700).
    Comments should be postmarked no later than January 15, 2003. 
Comments can be sent either by email to [email protected] or by 
regular mail to Michael Fritz, U.S. EPA, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109, 
Annapolis, MD 21403. Further information about the Chesapeake Bay 
Program and oysters and other living resources in the bay is available 
at http://www.chesapeakebay.net.

Diana Esher,
Deputy Director, Chesapeake Bay Program Office.
[FR Doc. 02-31670 Filed 12-16-02; 8:45 am]
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