[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 46 (Monday, March 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13633-13634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04758]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Approval: Final Management Plan for the Wells 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 approval of the final management plan for the Wells 
National Estuarine Research Reserve.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office for Coastal Management, 
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, approves the revised 
management plan for the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in 
Wells, Maine. In accordance with applicable federal regulations, the 
revised management plan will replace the plan previously approved in 
2013. View the approved management plan at https://www.wellsreserve.org/writable/files/WellsNERR_ManagementPlan_2019-2024.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrianne Harrison of NOAA's Office for 
Coastal Management, by email at [email protected], phone at 
603-862-4272, or mail at: University of New Hampshire Gregg Hall Suite 
148, 35 Colovos Rd, Durham NH 03824.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33, a state must 
periodically revise its research reserve's management plan. Changes may 
be made only after written approval by NOAA; NOAA will approve 
amendments to management plans by notice in the Federal Register.
    On July 23, 2019, NOAA issued a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing a thirty day public comment period for the revised 
management plan for the Wells Research Reserve. (84.141 FR page 35375). 
Responses to the written and oral comments, and an explanation of how 
comments were incorporated into the final revised plan, are available 
in appendix C of the revised plan. The Wells Research Reserve outlined 
how it will manage administration of its core program, and provided 
details regarding steps to be taken to enable the reserve to accomplish 
specific goals and objectives. Since December 2013, the reserve has 
implemented its core and system-wide programs; secured science, 
education, and conservation grants to

[[Page 13634]]

serve southern Maine communities; made significant repairs and 
improvements to buildings including the installation of solar arrays to 
generate electricity; renovated the water tower; designed and installed 
climate change exhibit components in the visitor center; added a fully 
accessible trail at Wells Harbor; restored riverine and fisheries 
habitats in southern Maine watersheds; and helped partners acquire 
priority conservation lands. The revised management plan will serve as 
the guiding document for the 2,250-acre research reserve for the next 
five years.
    NOAA has reviewed the impacts of the revised management plan and 
determined the revisions will not have a significant effect on the 
human environment and therefore qualifies for a categorical exclusion 
under NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A.

(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.)

Keelin S. Kuipers,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-04758 Filed 3-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P