[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 8844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04419]


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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 San Francisco Bay 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 San 
Francisco Bay, California National Estuarine Research Reserve 
Management Plan. In accordance with applicable Federal regulations, the 
San Francisco Bay Reserve revised its Management Plan, which will 
replace the plan previously approved in 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bree Turner (Phone: 206-526-4641, 
Email: [email protected]) or Erica Seiden (Phone: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 San Francisco 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 resource management and restoration management 
plans; and expanded the coastal training program through development of 
a five year strategy and partnership with the on-site wetland science 
program.
    On December 21, 2017, NOAA issued a notice of a thirty day public 
comment period for the San Francisco Bay Reserve revised plan (82 FR 
60588). 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 G of the revised plan.
    The revised Management Plan will serve as the guiding document for 
the 3,710 acre San Francisco Bay Reserve. View the San Francisco Bay, 
California Reserve Management Plan at http://www.sfbaynerr.org/resource-library/reserve-plans-reports/sf-bay-final-management-plan-2018-2023/.
    The revised management plan does not make substantial changes that 
are relevant to environmental concerns and does not raise significant 
new circumstances or information that may lead to new or different 
environmental impacts. It does not propose new construction, land 
acquisition, or changes in allowable or restricted uses. As such, the 
initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared at the time of 
designation is still valid and supplementation of the EIS is not 
required. NOAA has made the determination that the revision of the 
management plan will not have a significant effect on the human 
environment and qualifies for a categorical exclusion under NOAA 
Administrative Order 216-6A and the NOAA NEPA Companion Manual. An 
environmental assessment will not be prepared. Any specific actions 
that NOAA may fund or carry out in the future pursuant to this 
management plan will be subject to future NEPA and environmental 
review, as applicable.

    Authority:  15 CFR 921.33.

    Dated: March 4, 2019.
Keelin Kuipers,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2019-04419 Filed 3-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-08-P