[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 13903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6778]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Evaluation of Coastal Zone Management Programs and National 
Estuarine Research Reserves

AGENCY: Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), DOC.

ACTION: Notice of intent to evaluate.

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SUMMARY: The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management 
(OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Rhode 
Island Coastal Resources Management Program and the Kachemak Bay 
National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alaska.
    The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation will be conducted 
pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as 
amended, (CZMA) and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart L. The 
National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation will be conducted 
pursuant to sections 312 and 315 of the CZMA and regulations at 15 CFR 
part 921, subpart E and part 923, subpart L.
    The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of States 
with respect to coastal program and research reserve program 
implementation. Evaluation of Coastal Zone Management Programs and 
National Estuarine Research Reserves requires findings concerning the 
extent to which a State has met the national objectives, adhered to its 
Coastal Management Program document or Reserve final management plan 
approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of 
financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA.
    The evaluations will include a site visit, consideration of public 
comments, and consultations with interested Federal, State and local 
agencies and members of the public. Public meetings will be held as 
part of the site visits.
    Notice is hereby given of the dates of the site visits for the 
listed evaluations, and the dates, local times, and locations of the 
public meetings during the site visits.
    The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program evaluation 
site visit will be held May 19-23, 2003. One public meeting will be 
held during the week. The public meeting will be on Wednesday, May 21, 
2003, at 7 p.m., in Conference Room B, William A. Powers Building, 
Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode 
Island 02908.
    The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation 
site visit will be held June 2-6, 2003. On public meeting will be held 
during the week. The public meeting will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2003, 
at 6 p.m., at the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2181 Kachemak Drive, Homer, Alaska 
99603.
    Copies of states' most recent performance reports, as well as 
OCRM's notifications and supplemental request letters to the states, 
are available upon request from OCRM. Written comments from interested 
parties regarding these Programs are encouraged and will be accepted 
until 15 days after the last public meeting. Please direct written 
comments to Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation 
Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 
1305 East-West Highway, 10th floor, Silver Spring Maryland 20910. When 
the evaluations are completed, OCRM will place a notice in the Federal 
Register announcing the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy 
and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 
Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305, East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 
20910, (301) 713-3155, Extension 118.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419 Coastal Zone Management 
Program Administration)

    Dated: March 14, 2003.
Alan Neuschatz,
Associate Assistant Administrator for Management, Ocean Services and 
Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 03-6778 Filed 3-20-03; 8:45 am]
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