Notice2022-04206
Draft Revised Management Plan for the Chesapeake Bay Virginia 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
March 1, 2022
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 Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR or 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 draft revised plan is intended to replace the plan approved in 2008.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 11418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04206]
[[Page 11418]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Draft Revised Management Plan for the Chesapeake Bay Virginia
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 on draft revised management plan.
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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 Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine
Research Reserve (NERR or 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 draft revised plan is intended to replace the
plan approved in 2008.
DATES: Comments are due by March 31, 2022.
ADDRESSES: The draft revised management plan can be accessed at:
<a href="https://www.vims.edu/cbnerr/resources/resources_annual_reports.php">https://www.vims.edu/cbnerr/resources/resources_annual_reports.php</a>. The
document is also available by sending a written request to the point of
contact identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION).
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9de9eff4fef4fcb3f5f2f2edf8efddf3f2fcfcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7d3d5cec4cec689cfc8c8d7c2d5e7c9c8c6c689c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>. Include ``Comments on
draft Chesapeake Bay Virginia Reserve Management Plan'' in the subject
line of the message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tricia Hooper of NOAA's Office for
Coastal Management, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bdc9cfd4ded4dc93d5d2d2cdd8cffdd3d2dcdc93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e7a7c676d676f206661617e6b7c4e60616f6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a> or phone at 617-
921-1998.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 Chesapeake Bay Virginia NERR's draft
revised plan would replace the plan previously approved in 2008.
The draft revised management plan outlines the 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
revised management plan focuses efforts and investments in three
functional areas:
<bullet> Enhance and inspire stewardship, protection, and
management of estuaries, their watersheds, and cultural connections
through place-based approaches.
<bullet> Generate, apply, and transfer scientific knowledge of
estuarine and coastal watershed resources to increase understanding,
appreciation, and betterment of coastal communities.
<bullet> Advance environmental literacy and appreciation, allowing
for better resource stewardship and science-based decisions that
positively affect estuaries, their watersheds, and communities.
Since 2008, the reserve has made notable investments in programs
and infrastructure, which include launching the new Margaret A.
Davidson Fellowship, reinvigorating the York River and Small Coastal
Basin Roundtable, and establishing the Environmental Data Center and
the Virginia Scientists and Educators Alliance with partners at the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The reserve installed a floating
dock at Taskinas Creek and Catlett Islands components, and maintained
extensive Sentinel Site infrastructure, including boardways, sediment
elevation tables, tide gauges, and survey benchmarks. The reserve also
navigated changes in ownership and management at the Catlett Islands
and Sweet Hall Marsh components, conducted an internal reorganization,
and developed a comprehensive communications plan. The draft revised
management plan, once approved, would serve as the guiding document for
the 3,072-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. 2022-04206 Filed 2-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
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