Notice2023-28523
Draft Revised Management Plan for the Apalachicola 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
December 27, 2023
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 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89406-89407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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: <a href="https://floridadep.gov/ANERR">https://floridadep.gov/ANERR</a>. 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#177a76636339747f76646472577978767639707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="117c7065653f727970626274517f7e70703f767e67">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#076a66737329646f66747462476968666629606871"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f598948181db969d94868690b59b9a9494db929a83">[email protected]</span></a> 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]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
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