Draft Revised Management Plan for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, 35072 [2021-14042]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 124 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 35072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14042]


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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.

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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 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:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments by email to [email protected] and 
[email protected]. 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: https://missionaransas.org/about/management-plan. 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, [email protected], 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]
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