Notice2021-14042
Draft Revised Management Plan for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting comments from the public regarding a proposed revision of the management plan for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The 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.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 124 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 124 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 35072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14042]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Draft Revised Management Plan for the Mission-Aransas National
Estuarine Research Reserve
AGENCY: Office for Coastal Management (OCM), National Ocean Service
(NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S.
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Request for comments on draft revised management plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is
soliciting comments from the public regarding a proposed revision of
the management plan for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research
Reserve. The 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 on or before August 2, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2944485d5d074a41485a5a4c6947464848074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="670a06131349040f06141402270908060649000811">[email protected]</span></a> and
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ee848f8d8bc09a9b80808b8282ae8f9b9d9a8780c09b9a8b968f9dc08b8a9b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="72181311175c06071c1c171e1e32130701061b1c5c0706170a13015c171607">[email protected]</span></a>. Include ``Comments on draft Mission-
Aransas Management Plan'' in the subject line of the message.
Instructions: The draft revised management plan can be downloaded
or viewed at: <a href="http://missionaransas.org/about/management-plan">http://missionaransas.org/about/management-plan</a>. The
document is also available by sending a written request to the point of
contact identified below under For Further Information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Chasse, NOAA Office for Coastal
Management, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6cbc7d2d288c5cec7d5d5c3e6c8c9c7c788c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3855594c4c165b50594b4b5d7856575959165f574e">[email protected]</span></a>, or 410-570-1020.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), a state must revise the management
plan for the research reserve at least every five years. If approved by
NOAA, the Mission-Aransas Reserve's revised plan will replace the plan
previously approved in 2015.
The draft revised management plan outlines strategic goals and
objectives and the administrative structure, as well as programs or
plans for conducting research and environmental monitoring, education,
and training; volunteer management, communications, and resource
protection; public access and visitor use; restoration and resource
manipulation; and considerations for future land acquisition and
facility development to support reserve operations.
In particular, this draft plan describes how reserve programs will
address specific goals. These goals include the advancement and
dissemination of scientific knowledge about Texas coastal ecosystems;
increasing the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of coastal
ecosystems; the conservation, protection, and restoration of Texas
coastal habitats and wildlife; establishing and nurturing partnerships
to promote and advance coastal research, management, and community
resiliency and literacy; recognition of staff and volunteer
contributions; and maintaining strong facilities that build capacity
and enrich programs.
The revised management plan builds upon past successes and
accomplishments and is designed to address specific priority coastal
management issues. The priority issues for research and monitoring
include marine debris, industrial growth impacts, eDNA, freshwater
inflow, biological monitoring, and sea level rise and coastal
subsidence. For education and training, priorities to be addressed
include connecting children and nature; outdoor education programming,
climate change and its effects on coastal environments; coastal ecology
and habitat diversity; marine debris and its impacts on the coastal
environment; and stewardship of estuarine and coastal resources. These
issues align with the 2017-2022 National Estuarine Research Reserve
System's strategic plan.
Since its inception, this reserve has engaged in strategic
partnerships with its land managing partners and others based on mutual
interests. These partnerships are expected to be maintained or expanded
through the revised management plan including reserve administration of
the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), providing animal rehabilitation
services for species endemic to the estuary. The reserve is also
planning to maintain and improve reserve facilities including Fennessey
Ranch, the Bay Education Center, the ARK, and the Patton Marine Science
Education Center. Additionally, no boundaries changes are incorporated
into the revised management plan. The revised management plan, once
approved, would serve as the guiding document for the 186,189-acre
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 section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), 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. 2021-14042 Filed 6-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 1, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.