[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70130-70133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24461]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-ES-2016-N159; FF09E15000-FXHC112509CBRA1-167]


John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System; Availability of 
Draft Maps for Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 
Request for Comments

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) requires the 
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to review the maps of the John H. 
Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) at least once every 5 
years and make any minor and technical modifications to the boundaries 
of the CBRS as are necessary to reflect changes that have occurred in 
the size or location of any CBRS unit as a result of natural forces. 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has conducted this review 
and has prepared draft revised maps for 14 CBRS units in Louisiana, all 
units in Puerto Rico, and all units in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The

[[Page 70131]]

draft maps were produced by the Service as part of a CBRS ``digital 
conversion'' project that is done in partnership with the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This notice announces the findings 
of the Service's review and request for comments on the draft revised 
maps from Federal, State, and local officials.

DATES: To ensure consideration, the Service must receive written 
comments by November 10, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments to Katie Niemi, Coastal Barriers Coordinator, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Program, 5275 
Leesburg Pike, MS: ES, Falls Church, VA 22041, or send comments by 
electronic mail (email) to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Niemi, Coastal Barriers 
Coordinator; (703) 358-2071 (telephone); or [email protected] (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Background information on the CBRA (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and the 
CBRS, as well as information on the digital conversion effort and the 
methodology used to produce the revised maps, can be found in a notice 
the Service published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2013 (78 FR 
53467). However, there is one deviation from the methodology described 
in the 2013 notice. The Service was unable to obtain aerial imagery to 
serve as the CBRS base map for several areas in Puerto Rico that both 
meets the standards described in the 2013 notice (i.e., generally less 
than 5 years old, 1 meter per pixel resolution or better, 
orthorectified, and available free of charge) and is also free from 
cloud cover. In these cases (affecting eight CBRS maps in Puerto Rico), 
the Service substituted 2013 U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute 
topographic quadrangles for aerial imagery.
    For information on how to access the draft revised maps, see 
Availability of Draft Maps and Related Information.

Proposed Modifications to the CBRS Boundaries

    This notice fulfills a requirement under the CBRA (16 U.S.C. 
3503(f)(3)) that the Secretary publish a notice in the Federal Register 
of any proposed revisions to the CBRS to reflect: (1) Changes that have 
occurred to the CBRS as a result of natural forces (e.g., erosion and 
accretion); (2) voluntary additions to the CBRS requested by property 
owners; or (3) additions of excess Federal property to the CBRS (as 
authorized under 16 U.S.C. 3503(c)-(e)).
    The Service's review of 14 CBRS units in Louisiana, all units in 
Puerto Rico, and all units in the U.S. Virgin Islands resulted in a set 
of 65 draft revised maps, dated July 8, 2016, depicting a total of 121 
CBRS units. The set of maps includes 31 maps for 14 CBRS units located 
in Louisiana; 28 maps for 70 CBRS units located in Puerto Rico; and 6 
maps for 37 CBRS units located in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 
Service's review of these areas found a total of 41 CBRS units that 
require modifications due to natural changes in the size or location of 
the units since they were last mapped.
    Following the close of the comment period on the date listed in the 
DATES section of this document, the Service will review all comments 
received from Federal, State, and local officials on the draft maps; 
make adjustments to the draft maps, as appropriate; and publish a 
notice in the Federal Register to announce the availability of the 
final revised maps.
    Below is a summary of the changes depicted on the draft revised 
maps.

Louisiana

    The Service's review found 6 of the 14 CBRS units in Louisiana that 
are included in this review (Units LA-03P, LA-04P, LA-05P, LA-07, LA-
08P, LA-09, LA-10, S01, S01A, S02, S08, S09, S10, and S11) to have 
changed due to natural forces.
    The remaining seven Louisiana CBRS units not included in this 
review (Units LA-01, LA-02, S03, S04, S05, S06, and S07) were remapped 
and referenced in notices the Service published in the Federal Register 
on November 17, 2015 (80 FR 71826) and March 14, 2016 (81 FR 13407).

    LA-03P: CHANDELEUR ISLANDS UNIT. A portion of the western 
boundary of the unit has been moved westward to account for the 
migration of the Chandeleur Islands and to include associated shoals 
within the unit. In some places, the boundary has been generalized 
due to a lack of remaining features in the area.
    LA-05P: MARSH ISLAND/RAINEY UNIT. The northern boundary of the 
unit has been modified to account for wetland erosion along 
Vermilion Bay and West Cote Blanche Bay. The eastern boundary of the 
unit has been modified to account for wetland erosion along East 
Cote Blanche Bay. Due to the significant rate of erosion in this 
area, some of the boundaries have been generalized.
    LA-10: CALCASIEU PASS UNIT. A portion of the northern boundary 
of the unit has been modified to account for wetland erosion along 
West Cove. Due to the significant rate of erosion in this area, some 
of the boundaries have been generalized.
    S01: BASTIAN BAY COMPLEX. Portions of the eastern and northern 
boundaries of the unit have been modified and generalized due to 
wetland loss along Bay Jacques, Fleur Pond, Pipeline Canal, Scofield 
Bay, and Shell Island Bay. The western boundary coincident with Unit 
S01A has been moved eastward to account for accretion at the eastern 
end of an unnamed island between Bay Joe Wise and the Gulf of 
Mexico.
    S01A: BAY JOE WISE COMPLEX. The eastern boundary coincident with 
Unit S01 has been moved eastward to account for accretion at the 
eastern end of an unnamed island between Bay Joe Wise and the Gulf 
of Mexico. The western boundary of the unit has been modified to 
account for the northward migration of an unnamed island between Bay 
Cheniere Ronquille and the Gulf of Mexico.
    S10: MERMENTAU RIVER UNIT. A portion of the eastern boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for shoreline erosion along 
the Gulf of Mexico near Beach Prong. The southern boundary of the 
excluded area at the western end of the unit has been modified to 
account for shoreline erosion along the Gulf of Mexico.

Puerto Rico

    The Service's review found 22 of the 70 CBRS units in Puerto Rico 
to have changed due to natural forces. Maps for the following CBRS 
units in Puerto Rico are depicted on U.S. Geological Survey topographic 
quadrangles instead of aerial imagery: PR-07 PR-09P, PR-10, PR-45P, PR-
49P, PR-61, PR-63P, PR-64P, and PR-65P.

    PR-07: LAGUNA AGUAS PRIETAS UNIT. A portion of the excluded area 
boundary of the unit has been modified to account for natural 
changes that have occurred in the configuration of the shoreline 
along Laguna Aguas Prietas and the Atlantic Ocean.
    PR-09P: RIO FAJARDO UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit have been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the mangroves.
    PR-10: PUNTA BARRANCAS UNIT. The northern boundary of the unit 
has been modified to account for natural changes that have occurred 
in the configuration of the mangroves.
    PR-16P: PUERTO DEL MANGLAR UNIT. A portion of the eastern 
boundary of the unit has been modified to account for natural 
changes that have occurred in the configuration of the wetland/
fastland interface.
    PR-17P: ENSENADA SOMBE UNIT. A portion of the western boundary 
of the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that 
have occurred along the shoreline of Ensenada Sombe. Portions of the 
northeastern boundary were modified to account for natural changes 
that have occurred in the configuration of the shoreline of an 
unnamed ponding area.
    PR-18P: CAYO ALGODONES UNIT. A portion of the northern boundary 
of the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that 
have occurred along an unnamed channel. A portion of the 
northeastern boundary has been modified to account for natural 
changes that have

[[Page 70132]]

occurred in the configuration of the mangroves of Bosque Estatal De 
Ceiba.
    PR-40: PUNTA TUNA UNIT. A portion of the northwestern boundary 
of the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that 
have occurred in the configuration of the mangroves.
    PR-41: RIO MAUNABO UNIT. The western lateral boundary of the 
unit has been extended to clarify the extent of the unit. No 
modifications were made to the boundaries of this unit as a result 
of changes due to natural forces.
    PR-45P: BAHIA DE JOBOS UNIT. A portion of the northwestern 
landward boundary of the unit has been modified to account for 
natural changes that have occurred in the configuration of the 
mangroves of Mar Negro.
    PR-49P: PUNTA AGUILA UNIT. A portion of the northwestern 
boundary of the unit has been modified to account for natural 
changes that have occurred in the configuration of the shoreline 
along an unnamed bay.
    PR-55: ISLA DEL FRIO UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the shoreline along the Caribbean 
Sea.
    PR-56: PUNTA CABULLONES UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary 
of the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that 
have occurred in the configuration of the mangroves.
    PR-61: ENSENADA LAS PARDAS UNIT. The landward boundary of the 
unit has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the mangroves.
    PR-63P: CAYO DON LUIS UNIT. The northeastern portion of the 
landward boundary of the unit has been modified to account for 
natural changes that have occurred along the shoreline of an unnamed 
ponding area.
    PR-64P: BAHIA MONTALVA UNIT. A portion of the northeastern 
landward boundary of the unit has been modified to account for 
natural changes that have occurred along the shoreline of Bahia 
Montalva. Portions of the northwest and northeast landward boundary 
have been modified to account for natural changes that have occurred 
in the configuration of the mangroves. Portions of the excluded area 
boundary have been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the wetland/fastland interface 
along Isla Matei.
    PR-65P: ISLA CUEVA/GUAYACAN UNIT. Portions of the northeastern 
and northwestern landward boundary of the unit have been modified to 
account for natural changes that have occurred in the configuration 
of the mangroves.
    PR-66: CABO ROJO UNIT. A portion of the northeastern boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the shoreline of an unnamed lake.
    PR-67P: BAHIA DE BOQUERON UNIT. A portion of the northwestern 
landward boundary of the unit has been modified to account for 
natural changes that have occurred in the configuration of the 
shoreline along Laguna Guaniquilla. A portion of the southeastern 
boundary has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred along the shoreline of an island located in the channel of 
Ca[ntilde]o Boquer[oacute]n.
    PR-69: PUNTA CARENERO UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit have been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the wetland/fastland interface.
    PR-83: TORTUGUERO UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of the 
unit have been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the wetland/fastland interface. 
Portions of the boundary have been modified to account for natural 
changes that have occurred along the shoreline of Laguna Tortuguero.
    PR-84: PUNTA GARZA UNIT. A portion of the western boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the mangroves.
    PR-86P: PUNTA SALINAS UNIT. A portion of the northern boundary 
of the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that 
have occurred in the shoreline along Bah[iacute]a Toa.
    PR-87: PUNTA VACIA TALEGA UNIT. A portion of the southwestern 
boundary of the unit has been modified to account for natural 
changes that have occurred in the configuration of Canal Blasina. A 
portion of the southern boundary has been modified to account for 
natural changes that have occurred in the configuration of the 
wetland/fastland interface.

U.S. Virgin Islands

    The Service's review found 13 of the 37 CBRS units in the U.S. 
Virgin Islands to have changed due to natural forces.

    VI-01: RUST UP TWIST UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit have been modified to reflect natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the wetland/fastland interface. The 
western lateral boundary has been extended offshore to clarify the 
extent of the unit.
    VI-02: SALT RIVER BAY UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit have been modified to reflect natural changes that have 
occurred in the wetland/fastland interface.
    VI-03: ALTONA LAGOON UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit have been modified to reflect natural changes that have 
occurred in the wetland/fastland interface.
    VI-06: ROBIN BAY UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary of the 
unit has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the shoreline along an unnamed salt 
pond.
    VI-09: KRAUSE LAGOON UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary of 
the unit has been modified to reflect natural changes that have 
occurred in the wetland/fastland interface. The eastern boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred along Krause Lagoon Channel.
    VI-10: LONG POINT UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for shoreline erosion along 
Long Point Bay.
    VI-11: WESTEND SALTPOND UNIT. A portion of the northeastern 
boundary of the unit has been modified to account for shoreline 
erosion along Westend Saltpond.
    VI-11P: WESTEND SALTPOND UNIT. Offshore boundaries have been 
added at the western end of the unit to clarify the extent of the 
unit. The eastern lateral boundary has been extended offshore to 
clarify the extent of the unit. No modifications were made to the 
boundaries of this unit as a result of changes due to natural 
forces.
    VI-12P: CINNAMON BAY UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary of 
the unit has been modified to account for shoreline erosion along 
Cinnamon Bay.
    VI-13P: MAHO BAY UNIT. A portion of the landward boundary of the 
unit has been modified to reflect natural changes that have occurred 
in the configuration of the wetland/fastland interface.
    VI-15P: LEINSTER BAY UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit have been modified to account for shoreline erosion along 
Leinster Bay and natural changes that have occurred in the wetland/
fastland interface.
    VI-19P: RAM HEAD UNIT. Lateral offshore boundaries have been 
added to the eastern and western ends of the unit to clarify the 
extent of the unit. No modifications were made to the boundaries of 
this unit as a result of changes due to natural forces.
    VI-27: LIMESTONE BAY UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of 
the unit were modified to reflect natural changes that have occurred 
in the configuration of the marsh adjacent to Limestone Bay.
    VI-29: MAGENS BAY UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of the 
unit have been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the shoreline along Magens Bay.
    VI-32: VESSUP BAY UNIT. An offshore boundary has been added to 
the unit in Vessup Bay to clarify the extent of the unit. No 
modifications were made to the boundaries of this unit as a result 
of changes due to natural forces.
    VI-34: JERSEY BAY UNIT. Portions of the landward boundary of the 
unit have been modified to account for natural changes that have 
occurred in the configuration of the shoreline and wetland/fastland 
interface. The eastern lateral boundary has been extended offshore 
to clarify the extent of the unit.

Request for Comments

    The CBRA requires consultation with the appropriate Federal, State, 
and local officials on the proposed CBRS boundary modifications to 
reflect changes that have occurred in the size or location of any CBRS 
unit as a result of natural forces (16 U.S.C. 3503(c)). We invite 
interested Federal, State, and local officials to review and comment on 
the draft maps for 14 CBRS units in Louisiana, all units in Puerto 
Rico, and all units in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Service is 
specifically notifying the following stakeholders concerning the 
availability of the draft maps and opportunity to provide comments on 
the

[[Page 70133]]

proposed boundary modifications: The Chair and Ranking Member of the 
House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources; the Chair and 
Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; 
the members of the Senate and House of Representatives for the affected 
areas; the Governors of the affected areas; the local elected officials 
of the affected areas; and the appropriate Federal, State, and local 
agency officials.
    Federal, State, and local officials may submit written comments and 
accompanying data to the individual and location identified in the 
ADDRESSES section above. We will also accept digital Geographic 
Information System (GIS) data files that are accompanied by written 
comments. Comments regarding specific units should reference the 
appropriate CBRS unit number and unit name. Please note that boundary 
modifications through this process can only be made to reflect changes 
that have occurred in the size or location of any CBRS unit as a result 
of natural forces, voluntary additions to the CBRS, or additions of 
excess Federal property to the CBRS (as authorized under 16 U.S.C. 
3503(c)-(e)); other requests for changes to the CBRS will not be 
considered at this time. We must receive comments on or before the date 
listed in DATES.

Availability of Draft Maps and Related Information

    The draft maps and digital boundary data can be accessed and 
downloaded from the Service's Web site: http://www.fws.gov/ecological-services/habitat-conservation/Coastal.html. The digital boundary data 
are available for reference purposes only. The digital boundaries are 
best viewed using the base imagery to which the boundaries were drawn; 
this information is printed in the title block of the draft maps. The 
Service is not responsible for any misuse or misinterpretation of the 
digital boundary data.
    Interested parties may also contact the Service individual 
identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 
notice to make arrangements to view the draft maps at the Service's 
Headquarters office. Interested parties who are unable to access the 
draft maps via the Service's Web site or at the Service's Headquarters 
office may contact the Service individual identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section above, and reasonable accommodations will 
be made to ensure the individual's ability to view the draft maps.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Gary Frazer,
Assistant Director for Ecological Services.
[FR Doc. 2016-24461 Filed 10-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P