[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37798-37799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16060]


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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 Oregon 
Coastal Management Program, Ohio Coastal Management Program and Old 
Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve in Ohio, Massachusetts 
Coastal Management Program and Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve in Massachusetts, New Hampshire Coastal Management Program, and 
the Jacques Cousteau/Mullica River National Estuarine Research Reserve 
in New Jersey.
    The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluations 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 evaluations 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 Reserve 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 Oregon Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be 
held August 4-8, 2003. One public meeting will be held during the week. 
The public meeting will be on Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at 7 p.m. at 
Cannon Beach City Hall, Council Chambers, 163 E. Gower Street, Cannon 
Beach, Oregon 97110.
    The Ohio Coastal Management Program and Old Woman Creek National 
Estuarine Research Reserve evaluations site visit will be held August 
11-15, 2003. Two public meetings will be held during the week. The Ohio 
Office of Coastal Management public meeting will be on Wednesday, 
August 13, 2003, at 7 p.m., at the Erie County Commissioner Chambers, 
2900 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. The Old Creek National 
Estuarine Research Reserve public meeting will be on Tuesday, August 
12, 2003, at 7 p.m., at the Old Woman Creek NERR Visitors Center, 2514 
Cleveland Road E., Huron, Ohio.
    The Massachusetts Coastal Management Program and Waquoit Bay 
National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation site visit will be held 
September 8-12, 2003. Two public meetings will be held during the week. 
The Massachusetts Coastal Management Program public meeting will be on 
Wednesday, September 10, 2003, at 6 p.m., at the Atrium Level, 251 
Causeway Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114. The Waquoit Bay National 
Estaurine Research Reserve public meeting will be on Thursday, 
September 11, 2003, at 5:30 p.m., at the Waquoit Bay Reserve

[[Page 37799]]

Headquarters, Visitors Center, 149 Waquoit Highway, Waquoit, 
Massachusetts 02536.
    The New Hampshire Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit 
will be held September 22-24, 2003. One public meeting will be held. 
The public meeting will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at 7 p.m., 
Fish and Game Department Region 3 Meeting Room, 225 Main Street, 
Durham, New Hampshire 03824.
    The Jacques Cousteau/Mullica River National Estuarine Research 
Reserve evaluation site visit will be held September 22-26, 2003. One 
public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be 
on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at 7 p.m., at the Jacques Cousteau 
Coastal Education Center, 182 Great Bay Boulevard, Tuckerton, New 
Jersey 08087.
    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: June 19, 2003.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 03-16060 Filed 6-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M