[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16618-16619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06163]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Availability of a Draft Management Plan for the Great 
Bay 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; 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 Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The revision of 
the existing plan is necessitated by the applicable requirements of the 
National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The Great Bay National 
Estuarine Research Reserve revised plan is intended to replace the plan 
approved in 2007.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see 
ADDRESSES) on or before April 23, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft Management Plan can be downloaded or 
viewed on the internet at https://www.greatbay.org/great-bay-draft-management-plan:-public-comment-period. 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 Adrianne Harrison, Office for 
Coastal Management, 35 Colovos Rd., Suite 148, Durham, NH 03824.
    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 personally identifiable information 
(e.g., name, address) submitted voluntarily by the sender may also be 
accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous comments.

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: 35 Colovos Rd., Suite 148, Durham, NH 03824

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), a state must 
revise its National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan at least 
every five years. The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve 
revised plan will replace the previously-approved plan.
    The revised management plan outlines a strategic plan; 
administrative structure; research and monitoring, education, 
stewardship, wetland science and training programs of the Great Bay 
National Estuarine Research Reserve; resource protection plan; 
restoration management plan; public access and visitor use plan; 
consideration for future land acquisition; and facility development to 
support operations and programming. This management plan articulates a 
five-year vision for GBNERR to continue to mature as a program, deliver 
science to inform coastal management, and raise awareness of estuaries 
and their connection to people using a place-based approach.
    Since 2007, the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has 
implemented its core and system-wide programs; secured science, 
education, and conservation grants to serve Great Bay communities; made 
significant repairs and improvements to the Discovery Center campus 
including installing a pervious pavement parking lot, replacing the 
original boardwalk, and refurbishing staff offices in the Depot House 
and Discovery Center; updated exhibits in Discovery Center including 
designed and installed marine debris exhibits; and enhanced

[[Page 16619]]

waterfront access for kayak launching. There will be no boundary change 
with the approval of the revised management plan. The revised 
management plan will serve as the guiding document for the 10,235-acre 
Great Bay National Estuarine 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 Great Bay National Estuarine Research 
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. 1461 et seq.)

    Dated: March 19, 2020.
Keelin S. Kuipers,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-06163 Filed 3-23-20; 8:45 am]
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