[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89406-89407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28523]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Draft Revised Management Plan for the Apalachicola National 
Estuarine Research Reserve

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

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is 
soliciting comments from the public regarding a proposed revision of 
the management plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research 
Reserve. A management plan provides a framework for the direction and 
timing of a reserve's programs; allows reserve managers to assess a 
reserve's success in meeting its goals and to identify any necessary 
changes in direction; and is used to guide programmatic evaluations of 
the reserve. Plan revisions are required of each reserve in the 
National Estuarine Research Reserve System at least every five years. 
This revised plan is intended to replace the plan approved in 2015.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see 
ADDRESSES) on or before January 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The draft revised management plan can be downloaded or 
viewed at: https://floridadep.gov/ANERR. The document is also available 
by sending a written request to the point of contact identified below 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments by 
email to [email protected]. Include ``Comments on draft Apalachicola 
Management Plan'' in the message's subject line. NOAA will accept 
anonymous comments, however, the written comments NOAA receives are 
considered part of the public record, and the entirety of the comment, 
including the name of the commenter, email address, attachments, and 
other supporting materials, will be publicly accessible. Sensitive 
personally identifiable information, such as account numbers and Social 
Security numbers, should not be included with the comment. Comments 
that are not related to the Management Plan for the Apalachicola 
National Estuarine Research Reserve, or that contain profanity, 
vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language will not be 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Chasse of NOAA's Office for 
Coastal Management by email at [email protected] or by phone at 
(410) 570-1020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), Florida must 
revise the management plan for the Apalachicola Research Reserve at 
least every five years. If approved by NOAA, the Apalachicola Research 
Reserve's revised plan will replace the plan previously approved in 
2015.
    Management plans outline a reserve's strategic goals and 
objectives; administrative structure; programs for conducting research 
and monitoring, education, and training; resource protection, 
restoration, and manipulation plans; public access and visitor use 
plans; consideration for future land acquisition; and facility 
development to support reserve operations. In particular, this draft of 
the revised management plan focuses on addressing specific coastal 
management issues including hydrological changes in the Apalachicola 
River and floodplain; coastal development; and climate change and 
extreme events.
    In developing the strategic plan, the reserve recognized that our 
natural environment and the human communities were inextricably linked. 
Likewise, the reserve identified a common theme, either prospective or 
continuing, among the issues discussed in the plan. This common theme 
informs the planned actions related to conservation or protection and 
restoration. Resilience is another common theme that is weaved 
throughout the plan.
    The Research and Monitoring Program aims to expand its 
understanding of the ecological processes related to the Apalachicola 
River and watershed. This will be achieved through continuous 
monitoring of weather, climate, sea level, and water quality data to 
provide and maintain baseline ecological status for the Apalachicola 
estuary. The program plans to develop new research initiatives and 
monitoring projects to fill gaps in the understanding of key ecosystem 
functions related to pollutants, habitats, and diversity. The program 
plans to continue being a central player in gathering and applying 
scientific information regarding the Apalachicola River and Bay system, 
and its efforts have contributed to the protection and management of 
this unique and valuable ecosystem. The program will also continue 
summarizing existing scientific information related to pollutants, 
habitats, and biological diversity to improve our understanding of the 
reserve and its ecology.
    Stewardship of the reserve is accomplished by actively managing 
resources that the reserve is directly responsible for, and by 
influencing the activities of others within and adjacent to reserve-
managed areas. The reserve's key land and water habitats are influenced 
by upstream water quality and quantity issues, making the Apalachicola 
Research Reserve especially conscious of potential environmental 
changes associated with off-site activities. As a result, the reserve 
works to ensure that the most effective and efficient techniques are 
utilized in reserve resource management activities.
    The Education and Outreach Program efforts include on-site and off-
site education activities that prioritize in-field studies for students 
and teachers; development and distribution of various media; 
dissemination of information at local events; recruitment and 
management of volunteers; and training workshops for local citizens and 
decision-makers. Programs target participants from all ages and walks 
of life while recognizing the local community as key stakeholders. The

[[Page 89407]]

reserve is able to offer programming for K-12 students that provides 
for a continuity of content across the entire academic experience of 
local students.
    The reserve's Coastal Training Program works with decision-makers, 
appointed leaders, and their staff to preserve the Apalachicola Bay and 
River by offering formal trainings, skill-building opportunities, 
tools, and technical assistance. These resources enable these groups to 
continue to implement sound policies based on science that protect the 
environment. Regular engagement with decision-makers strengthens 
partnerships, furthers the reserve's assessment of needs, and forges 
positive working relationships to increase stewardship and resilience 
throughout the reserve.
    The Apalachicola Research Reserve is a complex of independently 
managed subunits that support an array of recreational and commercial 
activities and are impacted by water use policies of three states. This 
updated management plan aligns with similar plans being implemented by 
the land-managing partners within and adjacent to the reserve 
boundaries. Although the reserve boundaries are not changing in this 
management plan update, a possible future boundary expansion is in 
preliminary discussions with partners. Also, in 2020, the reserve 
completed the redesignation process for the Apalachicola Biosphere 
region as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and 
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere program. The 
revised management plan, once approved, would serve as the guiding 
document for the 234,715-acre (950 sq. km) research reserve for the 
next five years.
    NOAA's Office for Coastal Management analyzes the environmental 
impacts of the proposed approval of this draft revised management plan 
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508). The public is invited to comment 
on the draft revised management plan. NOAA will take these comments 
into consideration in deciding whether to approve the draft revised 
management plan in whole or in part.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.; 15 CFR 921.33.

Keelin S. Kuipers,
Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-28523 Filed 12-26-23; 8:45 am]
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