[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12716-12717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05367]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Public Comment Period; National Estuarine Research 
Reserve System

AGENCY: Stewardship Division, Office for Coastal Management, National 
Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Public Comment Period for the Padilla Bay, Washington 
National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan revision.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Stewardship Division, Office 
for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce is announcing a 
thirty (30) day public comment period for the revised Management Plan 
for Padilla Bay, Washington National Estuarine Research Reserve 
Management Plan revision. In accordance with 15 CFR 921.33(c), the 
Padilla Bay Reserve revised its Management Plan, which will replace the 
plan previously approved in 2008.
    The revised Management Plan outlines the administrative structure; 
the research/monitoring, stewardship, education, and training programs 
of the Reserve; and the plans for future land acquisition and facility 
development to support Reserve operations.
    The Padilla Bay Reserve takes an integrated approach to management, 
linking research, education, coastal training, and stewardship 
functions. The Reserve has outlined how it will manage administration 
and its core program providing detailed actions that will enable it to 
accomplish specific goals and objectives. Since the last Management 
Plan, the Reserve has built out its core programs and monitoring 
infrastructure; conducted an educational market analysis and needs 
assessment to better meet teacher needs and underserved audiences; 
developed a Reserve Disaster Response Plan; and improved public access 
to the Reserve through construction of a new boat launch ramp and 
enhanced trails.
    Since the last management plan was approved in 2008, the Padilla 
Bay Reserve has acquired an additional 110 acres of tidelands inside 
the Reserve boundary. With the approval of this management plan, the 
Padilla Bay Reserve will increase their total acreage to 11,966. The 
change is attributable to the recent acquisitions of several parcels by 
Reserve state agency, totaling 110 acres. All of the proposed additions 
are owned by the Washington Department of Ecology and will be managed 
for long-term protection and conservation value. These parcels have 
high ecological value and will enhance the Reserve's ability to provide 
increased opportunities for research, education, and stewardship. The 
revised Management Plan will serve as the guiding document for the 
expanded 11,966 acre Padilla Bay Reserve.
    View the Padilla Bay, Washington Reserve Management Plan revision 
at www.padillabay.gov/publications.asp

[[Page 12717]]

and provide comments to Sharon Riggs, [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bree Turner at (206) 526-4641 or Erica 
Seiden at (301) 563-1172 of NOAA's National Ocean Service, Stewardship 
Division, Office for Coastal Management, 1305 East-West Highway, N/
ORM5, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

    Dated: March 1, 2016.
John King,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-05367 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-08-P