Draft Revised Management Plan for the Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve, 11418 [2022-04206]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 11418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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: 
https://www.vims.edu/cbnerr/resources/resources_annual_reports.php. The 
document is also available by sending a written request to the point of 
contact identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION).
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments by email to [email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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:
     Enhance and inspire stewardship, protection, and 
management of estuaries, their watersheds, and cultural connections 
through place-based approaches.
     Generate, apply, and transfer scientific knowledge of 
estuarine and coastal watershed resources to increase understanding, 
appreciation, and betterment of coastal communities.
     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]
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