[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 250 (Thursday, December 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 95964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31573]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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 Weeks Bay 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-day public comment period for the Weeks Bay National Estuarine 
Research Reserve Management Plan revision. Pursuant to 15 CFR Section 
921.33(c), the revised plan will bring the reserve into compliance. The 
Weeks Bay Reserve revised plan will replace the plan approved in 2007.
    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 Weeks Bay Reserve takes an integrated approach to management, 
linking research, education, coastal training, and stewardship 
functions. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 
has outlined how it will administer the Reserve and its core programs 
by 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; 
constructed several facilities including a Resource Center that 
supports education, training, and outreach events; participated in more 
than 35 research projects and conducted over 100 coastal training 
program events; convened a permanent Restoration Advisory Board; and 
built new partnerships with organizations within the Mobile Bay of 
Alabama.
    With the approval of this management plan, the Weeks Bay Reserve 
will increase their total acreage from, 6,594 acres to 9,317. The 
change is attributable to the recent acquisitions of several parcels by 
the Reserve, totaling 933 acres, as well as the incorporation of 1,790 
acres of water bottoms adjacent to the newly acquired land. 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 9,317 acre Weeks Bay Reserve for the next 
five years.
    View the Weeks Bay Reserve Management Plan revision at (http://www.weeksbayreserve.com) and provide comments to the Reserve's Manager, 
LG Adams ([email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hank Hodde at (251) 544-5016 or Erica 
Seiden at (240) 533-0781 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: December 16, 2016.
John King,
Senior Project Advisor, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-31573 Filed 12-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-08-P