[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 55348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24196]


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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 approval for the Jacques Cousteau, New Jersey 
National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan revision.

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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 the 
Jacques Cousteau, New Jersey National Estuarine Research Reserve 
Management Plan. In accordance with applicable Federal regulations, the 
Jacques Cousteau Reserve revised its Management Plan, which will 
replace the plan previously approved in 2009.
    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 Jacques Cousteau 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 Jacques Cousteau and its watershed; 
enhanced exhibits and trails; provided technical assistance to coastal 
communities throughout the state of New Jersey, conducted training 
workshops; implemented K-12 education programs; and built new and 
innovative partnerships with local, state, regional, and U.S. 
organizations and universities.
    On January 9, 2018, NOAA issued a notice of a thirty day public 
comment period for the Jacques Cousteau Reserve revised plan (83 FR 
1027). 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 D of the revised plan.
    The revised Management Plan will serve as the guiding document for 
the Jacques Cousteau Reserve. View the Jacques Cousteau Reserve 
Management Plan at URL: https://jcnerr.org/JCNERR_REVISEDMGMTPLAN%202018.2022.pdf.
    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 
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: October 25, 2018.
Keelin Kuipers,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-24196 Filed 11-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-08-P