Notice2023-22583
Proposed Boundary Expansion for the South Slough 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
October 18, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is considering a request to expand the boundary of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR or the Reserve) and is soliciting comments from the public on the proposed boundary expansion. The public is also invited to comment on the draft environmental assessment for the proposed boundary expansion.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71839-71840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22583]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Proposed Boundary Expansion for the South Slough National
Estuarine Research Reserve
AGENCY: Office for Coastal Management (OCM), National Ocean Service
(NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice of proposed boundary expansion and availability of a
draft environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is
considering a request to expand the boundary of the South Slough
National
[[Page 71840]]
Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR or the Reserve) and is soliciting
comments from the public on the proposed boundary expansion. The public
is also invited to comment on the draft environmental assessment for
the proposed boundary expansion.
DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see
ADDRESSES) on or before November 17, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The draft environmental assessment describing the proposed
boundary expansion can be downloaded or viewed at <a href="http://coast.noaa.gov/czm/compliance/">coast.noaa.gov/czm/compliance/</a>. The document is also available by sending a written
request to the point of contact identified below (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
Comments may be submitted by the following method:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Submit
electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal and search for
Docket Number NOAA-NOS-2023-0132. Enter N/A in the required fields to
remain anonymous).
Mail: Submit written comments to John King, Office for Coastal
Management, 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM, 10th Floor, Silver Spring,
MD 20910.
Comments submitted by any other method or after the comment period
may not be considered. NOAA will accept anonymous comments; however,
the written comments NOAA receives are a 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 proposed
boundary expansion of the South Slough National Estuarine Research
Reserve or that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other
inappropriate language will not be considered.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Bloodworth, NOAA Office for
Coastal Management, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring MD 20910, or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1270607b737c3c707e7d7d76657d60667a527c7d73733c757d64"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cfeeef5fdf2b2fef0f3f3f8ebf3eee8f4dcf2f3fdfdb2fbf3ea">[email protected]</span></a>, 1-304-279-1460.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Oregon Department of State Lands, as lead agency for managing
the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, has requested
approval to modify the Reserve's geographic boundary by adding eight
new parcels, including 1,771 acres (approximately 7.17 square km),
which comprises the addition of: 30 acres (0.12 sq. km) to correct for
the use of current GIS-based technology in calculating updated acreage
for the boundary area since it was established in 1974; 1,541 acres
(6.24 sq. km) of lands acquired since 2008 that are owned and managed
by the Reserve outside of the SSNERR boundary; and 200 acres (0.81
sq.km) of State-owned waters in South Slough that connect the lands
acquired since 2008. In addition, SSNERR is also exploring two proposed
future acquisitions totaling 105 acres (0.42 sq. km), and a land-swap
for an entrance parcel expansion. Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(a), NOAA
may require public notice, including notice in the Federal Register and
an opportunity for public comment, before approving a boundary or
management plan change. In addition, boundary changes involving the
acquisition of properties not listed in the Reserve's management plan
or final environmental impact statement require public notice and the
opportunity for comment. Since the new parcels were not evaluated in
the Reserve's original environmental impact statement, NOAA has
developed an environmental assessment pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (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), to
analyze the effects of the requested change, and is publishing notice
of the availability of this draft environmental assessment for public
review and comment on the proposed boundary change and associated
environmental assessment.
II. NOAA Proposed Action and Alternatives
In accordance with NEPA and the Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations, NOAA is releasing a draft environmental assessment. NOAA's
proposed action would be to approve a change in the boundary of the
SSNERR to add 1,771 acres (7.17 sq. km) to the current boundary.
The draft environmental assessment identifies and assesses
potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed boundary
expansion, and identifies a preferred alternative and a no action
alternative. The preferred alternative would add 1,771 acres (7.17 sq.
km) to the SSNERR's boundary, which would result in a net increase in
size to 6,542 acres (26.47 sq. km), and 6,647 acres (26.90 sq. km) if
all proposed future land acquisitions are made. As a result, NOAA
believes the proposed boundary expansion would formally incorporate
land parcels within the SSNERR, which would protect lands of biological
importance, allow the SSNERR to further its research and stewardship
mission, provide additional lands/uses for public use, and provide an
opportunity for more integrated ecosystem management. Therefore, NOAA
prefers the proposed boundary expansion over the no action alternative.
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. 2023-22583 Filed 10-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
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