[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 57701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23465]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Availability of a Draft Revised Management Plan for the 
North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft revised management plan; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is 
soliciting comments from the public on a draft revised management plan 
for the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. The 
revision of the existing plan is necessitated by the applicable 
requirements of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The 
North Carolina Research Reserve revised plan is intended to replace the 
plan approved in 2009.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see 
ADDRESSES) on or before November 27, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft management plan can be downloaded or 
viewed on the internet at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-management/nc-coastal-reserve/about-reserve/management-plans/review-2020. The document is also available by sending a written request to 
the point of contact identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION).
    You may submit comments on this draft Management Plan by any of the 
following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments by 
email to [email protected].
    Mail: Submit written comments to Stephanie Robinson, Office for 
Coastal Management, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, SC 29405.
    Comments submitted by any other method or after the comment period 
may not be considered. All comments are a part of the public record and 
may be publicly accessible. Any personal identifying information (e.g., 
name, address) submitted voluntarily by the sender may also be 
accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Robinson of NOAA's Office 
for Coastal Management by email at [email protected], phone at 
(843) 740-1174, or mail at Office for Coastal Management, 2234 South 
Hobson Avenue, Charleston, SC 29405.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), a state must 
revise its reserve management plan at least every five years. The North 
Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve revised plan will replace 
the plan previously approved in 2009.
    The revised management plan outlines a strategic plan; 
administrative structure; research and monitoring, education, 
stewardship, wetland science, and training programs of the reserve; 
resource protection and manipulation plans; restoration management 
plan; public access and visitor use plan; consideration for future land 
acquisition; and facility development to support reserve operations. 
This plan will focus on inspiring target audiences to protect coastal 
and estuarine ecosystems through training and education programs; 
advancing understanding of coastal and estuarine ecosystems and 
informing coastal management through research and monitoring; 
contributing to the study and appreciation of coastal and estuarine 
ecosystems through the stewardship of protected sites; and gaining 
recognition of the reserve in coastal and estuarine ecosystem research, 
training, education, and stewardship through effective administration 
and communication strategies.
    Since 2009, the reserve has completed its habitat map and added 
marsh vegetation and surface elevation monitoring; conducted a habitat 
vulnerability assessment to understand marsh vulnerability; led a 
number of research and training initiatives related to living 
shorelines; increased education programming at the Masonboro Island 
component of the reserve; begun implementing Teachers on the Estuary 
(TOTE) training; expanded use of volunteers to conduct citizen science 
regarding sensitive species and site conditions; and implemented 
training focused on informing real estate professionals of coastal 
issues. The revised management plan will serve as the guiding document 
for the 10,568-acre research reserve for the next five years.
    NOAA's Office for Coastal Management will conduct an environmental 
analysis in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act on 
the proposed approval of the reserve's revised management plan. The 
public is invited to provide comment or information about any potential 
environmental impacts of the proposed action, and these comments will 
be used to inform NOAA's decision on whether to approve the revised 
management plan.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.

Keelin S. Kuipers,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2019-23465 Filed 10-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P