[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66687-66688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18333]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Final 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: Notice of approval of the revised management plan Apalachicola 
National Estuarine Research Reserves.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office for Coastal Management, 
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce approves the revised management 
plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in 
Florida. In accordance with applicable Federal regulations, the Florida 
Department of Environmental Protection revised the Apalachicola 
Reserve's management plan, which replaces the plan previously approved 
in 2015.

ADDRESSES: The approved Apalachicola Reserve management plan can be 
downloaded or viewed at https://floridadep.gov/rcp/nerr-apalachicola/documents/apalachicola-nerr-management-plan. These documents are also 
available by sending a written request to the point of contact 
identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Chasse of NOAA's Office for 
Coastal Management, by email at [email protected], phone at 240-628-
5417.

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. Changes to a reserve's management plan may be 
made only after receiving written approval from NOAA. NOAA approves 
changes to management plans via notice in the Federal Register. On 
December 27, 2023, NOAA issued a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing a thirty-day public comment period for the proposed revision 
of the management plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research 
Reserve (87 FR 89406). Appendix C of the plan contains a summary of 
written and oral comments received, and an explanation of how comments 
were incorporated into the final version of the management plan.
    The revised management plan outlines the reserve's: strategic goals 
and objectives; administrative structure; programs for conducting 
research and monitoring, education, and training; resource management, 
restoration and public use and access; volunteer support, and 
communications plans; consideration for future land acquisition; and 
facility development and improvement to support reserve operations.
    The Apalachicola's revised management plan will focus on addressing 
specific coastal management issues including hydrological changes in 
the Apalachicola River and floodplain; coastal development; and climate 
change and extreme events. Research and monitoring aims to expand 
understanding of the ecological processes related to the Apalachicola 
River and watershed and develop new research initiatives and monitoring 
projects to fill gaps in our understanding of key ecosystem functions 
related to pollutants, habitats, and diversity. Reserve education 
programming prioritizes in-field studies for students and teachers. 
Programming for K-12 students will be provided for a continuity of 
content across the entire academic experience of local students. 
Reserve outreach efforts will target participants from all ages and 
walks of life while recognizing the local community as key 
stakeholders. Coastal training will deliver formal trainings, skill-
building opportunities, tools and technical assistance that enable 
audiences to continue to implement sound policies based on science that 
protect the environment. In addition, the reserve's regular engagement 
with decision makers strengthens partnerships, furthers assessments of 
audience needs and forges positive

[[Page 66688]]

working relationships with decision makers to increase stewardship and 
resilience throughout the reserve.
    Furthermore, no reserve boundary or acreage changes are 
incorporated into the revised management plan. The revised management 
plan will serve as the guiding document for the 234,715 acre 
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve for the next five 
years.
    NOAA reviewed the environmental impacts of the revised management 
plan and determined that this action is categorically excluded from 
further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 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 (2022), consistent with NOAA Administrative Order 
216-6A.
    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. 2024-18333 Filed 8-15-24; 8:45 am]
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