[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 93 (Monday, May 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 22254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10159]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Approval for the Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico National 
Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan Revision

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under applicable Federal regulations, 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 approves the revised Management Plan for Jobos 
Bay, Puerto Rico National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan. 
In accordance with applicable Federal regulations, the Jobos Bay 
Reserve revised its Management Plan, which will replace the plan 
previously approved in 2000.
    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 Jobos 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: Developed core programs; expanded monitoring 
programs within Jobos Bay and its watershed; expanded its dorm, and 
remodeled the historic train depot and visitor center; conducted 
training workshops; implemented K-12 education programs; and built new 
and innovative partnerships with local, Commonwealth, and U.S. 
organizations and universities.
    On August 28, 2017, NOAA issued a notice of a thirty day public 
comment period for the Jobos Bay Reserve revised plan (82 FR 40752). 
Responses to the written and oral comments received, and an explanation 
of how comments were incorporated into the final revised plan, are 
available in Appendix 8 of the revised plan.
    Since the last management plan was approved in 2000, the Jobos Bay 
Reserve has acquired an additional 8233.9 acres of upland forest, salt 
flats and offshore cays. While the intent to include these into the 
boundaries of the management plan is acknowledged in this revised 
management plan, the actual inclusion of the properties will not be 
accomplished with the approval of the revised plan. Rather, a formal 
boundary expansion will be pursued as a separate action after this plan 
has been approved. All of the proposed additions are owned by the 
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) 
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 11,033.9 acre Jobos Bay Reserve. View the 
Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico Reserve Management Plan at http://drna.pr.gov/jbnerr/pm-jbnerr/jobos-bay-national-estuarine-research-reserve-management-plan-2017-2022/.
    The impacts of the revised management plan have not changed and the 
initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared at the time of 
designation is still valid. NOAA has made the determination that the 
revision of the management plan will not have a significant effect on 
the human environment and therefore qualifies for a categorical 
exclusion under NOAA Administrative Order 216-6. An environmental 
assessment will not be prepared.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nina Garfield at (240) 533-0817 or Kim 
Texiera 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: May 7, 2018.
Keeling Kuipers,
Acting Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-10159 Filed 5-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-08-P