[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75548-75549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29673]


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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 of the Wells, Maine National Estuarine 
Research Reserve Management Plan revision.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Estuarine Reserves Division, 
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce approves the Wells, Maine National Estuarine 
Research Reserve Management Plan revision. The revised management plan 
outlines the administrative structure; the research,

[[Page 75549]]

education, training, and stewardship goals of the reserve; and the 
plans for future land acquisition and facility development to support 
reserve operations. The Wells Reserve Management Plan revision will 
replace the plan approved in 2007.
    The Wells, Maine National Estuarine Research Reserve takes an 
integrated approach to management, linking research, education, 
training and stewardship functions to address high priority issues 
including the impact of climate change of coastal ecosystems and 
communities, development pressures, population growth, land-use change, 
habitat fragmentation, and water quality degradation. Since the last 
management plan, the reserve implemented its core programs and expanded 
its monitoring infrastructure to include capabilities for understanding 
climate impacts; enhanced its facilities, including new Visitor Center 
exhibits and interpretive trail signs; constructed an environmental 
chamber for year-round research; and furthered land conservation in the 
reserve's targeted watersheds.
    The revised management plan will serve as the guiding document for 
the 2,250 acre Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve for the next 
five years. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Management 
Plan revision can be viewed at www.wellsreserve.org. Comments can be 
provided to Paul Dest, Reserve Director at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alison Krepp at (301) 563-7105 or 
Erica Seiden at (301) 563-1172 of NOAA's National Ocean Service, 
Estuarine Reserves Division, 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM5, 10th 
Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

    Dated: December 6, 2013.
Christopher C. Cartwright,
Associate Assistant Administrator for Management and CFO/CAO, National 
Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-29673 Filed 12-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P