Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for DARPA's Reefense Program, Baker Point, Florida, 37184-37185 [2024-09751]

Download as PDF 37184 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 88 / Monday, May 6, 2024 / Notices POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS: Disposition pending; until the National Archives and Records Administration has approved the retention and disposition schedule, treat as permanent. ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS: DoD safeguards records in this system of records according to applicable rules, policies, and procedures, including all applicable DoD automated systems security and access policies. DoD policies require the use of controls to minimize the risk of compromise of personally identifiable information (PII) in paper and electronic form and to enforce access by those with a need to know and with appropriate clearances. Additionally, DoD has established security audit and accountability policies and procedures which support the safeguarding of PII and detection of potential PII incidents. DoD routinely employs safeguards such as the following to information systems and paper recordkeeping systems: Multifactor log-in authentication including Common Access Card (CAC) authentication and password; physical token as required; physical and technological access controls governing access to data; network encryption to protect data transmitted over the network; disk encryption securing disks storing data; key management services to safeguard encryption keys; masking of sensitive data as practicable; mandatory information assurance and privacy training for individuals who will have access; identification, marking, and safeguarding of PII; physical access safeguards including multifactor identification physical access controls, detection and electronic alert systems for access to servers and other network infrastructure; and electronic intrusion detection systems in DoD facilities. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Individuals seeking access to their records should follow the procedures in 32 CFR part 310. Individuals should address written inquiries to the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Staff Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–1155. Signed written requests should contain the name and number of this system of records notice along with the full name, current address, and email address of the individual. In addition, the requester must provide either a notarized statement or an unsworn 18:02 May 03, 2024 CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: Individuals seeking to amend or correct the content of records about them should follow the procedures in 32 CFR part 310. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system of records should follow the instructions for Record Access Procedures above. EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM: The DoD has exempted records maintained in this system from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d)(1), (2), (3), and (4); (e)(1); (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I); and (f) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1). In addition, when exempt records received from other systems of records become part of this system, the DoD also claims the same exemptions for those records that are claimed for the prior system(s) of records of which they were a part, and claims any additional exemptions set forth here. An exemption rule for this system has been promulgated in accordance with requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), (c), and published in 32 CFR part 310. HISTORY: None. [FR Doc. 2024–09608 Filed 5–3–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6001–FR–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 declaration made in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the appropriate format: If executed outside the United States: ‘‘I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).’’ If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions, or commonwealths: ‘‘I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).’’ Jkt 262001 Office of the Secretary Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for DARPA’s Reefense Program, Baker Point, Florida Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice; availability of a draft environmental assessment; request for comments. AGENCY: DARPA announces the availability of a Draft Environmental SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Assessment (EA) for the Reefense Program at Baker Point, Florida. DARPA is requesting comment on this draft EA. DATES: The 30-day public comment period begins on May 6, 2024, and extends to June 5, 2024. Comments must be submitted electronically via the website no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 5, 2024. ADDRESSES: DARPA invites all interested parties to submit comments on the Draft EA through the project website https://hsrl.rutgers.edu/ research/darpa-reefense. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Catherine Campbell, 703–526–2044 (Voice), Catherine.Campbell@darpa.mil (Email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Publication of this notice begins the official public comment period for this draft EA. Per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the purpose of the draft EA is to evaluate the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts caused by the Reefense program at Baker Point, FL. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review. Background DARPA proposes to fund the development of bio-hybrid reef structures to help attenuate wave energy and protect United States (U.S.) DoD and coastal infrastructure through the Reefense Program (the Proposed Action). The strategy of DARPA’s Reefense program includes employing recent innovations in materials science, hydrodynamic modeling, and adaptive biology to develop growing structures that are optimized to rapidly implement coastal defenses suited to a changing environment. DARPA’s Reefense program involves the construction of custom wave-attenuating base structures to promote growth of reef-building organisms (e.g., coral or oysters). The reef-building organisms would enable the Reefense structures to naturally selfheal and keep pace with sea level rise over time. Reefense structures would also include components to attract nonreef building organisms necessary to help maintain a healthy, growing reef. Finally, adaptive biology would enable improved resilience against disease and temperature stress for organisms present, to ensure compatibility with a changing environment. As soon as the Reefense structures are deployed, they would immediately attenuate coastal wave energy. As the structures facilitate the growth of the reef-building organisms, they would provide a biological benefit (e.g., habitat for E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 88 / Monday, May 6, 2024 / Notices mobile reef species) in just a few months or years that would be equivalent to decades of growth for a similarly-sized naturally-occurring reef. National Environmental Policy Act This notice is provided pursuant to NEPA regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 and the draft EA was prepared in accordance with NEPA regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500–1508. Alternatives Considered Preferred Alternative: DARPA’s proposed action is the deployment of Reefense structures at Baker Point, Florida. Deployment would occur over two phases with multiple components being proposed for each deployment. Components would consist of reef module breakwaters, mosaic oyster habitat structures (varying in height with low, medium, and high relief structures), and intertidal vegetation planting. No Action Alternative: Under the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action would not occur. No deployment of Reefense structures would occur within the proposed action area, and the Baker Point area would be left undeveloped unless/until other in-water construction is proposed as part of a future project. The No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action because there would be no furthering of research on climate change-related shoreline protection; however, as required by CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1502.14), the No Action Alternative is carried forward for analysis in this draft EA. The No Action Alternative will be used to analyze the consequences of not undertaking the Proposed Action, not simply conclude no impact, and will serve to establish a comparative baseline for analysis. DARPA will publish a record of its final action in the Federal Register. Dated: April 30, 2024. Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2024–09751 Filed 5–3–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6001–FR–P ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program Early-phase Grants Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:02 May 03, 2024 Jkt 262001 The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the EIR program Early-phase Grants, Assistance Listing Number 84.411C (Early-phase Grants). This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894–0006. DATES: Applications Available: May 6, 2024. Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: June 6, 2024. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 22, 2024. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 20, 2024. Pre-Application Information: The Department will post additional competition information for prospective applicants on the EIR program website: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-ofdiscretionary-grants-support-services/ innovation-early-learning/educationinnovation-and-research-eir/fy-2024competition/. ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/ 2022/12/07/2022-26554/commoninstructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamila Smith, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202–5900. Telephone: (202) 987–1753. Email: eir@ ed.gov. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7–1–1. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Full Text of Announcement SUMMARY: I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The EIR program, established under section 4611 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA), provides funding to create, develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based (as defined in this notice), field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for highneed students and to rigorously evaluate such innovations. The EIR program is designed to generate and validate solutions to persistent education challenges and to support the expansion PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37185 of those solutions to serve substantially more students. The central design element of the EIR program is its multitier structure that links the amount of funding an applicant may receive to the quality of the evidence supporting the efficacy of the proposed project, with the expectation that projects that build this evidence will advance through EIR’s grant tiers: ‘‘Early-phase,’’ ‘‘Mid-phase,’’ and ‘‘Expansion.’’ ‘‘Early-phase,’’ ‘‘Mid-phase,’’ and ‘‘Expansion’’ grants differ in terms of the level of prior evidence of effectiveness required for consideration for funding, the expectations regarding the kind of evidence and information funded projects should produce, the scale of funded projects, and, consequently, the amount of funding available to support each type of project. Early-phase grants must demonstrate a rationale (as defined in this notice). Early-phase grants provide funding for the development, implementation, and feasibility testing of a program that prior research suggests has promise, for the purpose of determining whether the program can successfully improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. Early-phase grants are not intended to simply expand established practices or address needs unique to one particular context. Rather, the goal is to determine whether and in what ways relatively new practices can improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. This notice invites applications for Early-phase grants only. The notices inviting applications for Mid-phase grants and Expansion grants are published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. Background: While this notice is for the Earlyphase grants tier only, the premise of the EIR program is that new, innovative, and promising educational programs and practices can help to overcome the persistent and significant challenges to student educational opportunity and success, particularly for underserved and high-need students. Raise the Bar: Lead the World is the Department’s call to action to transform pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) through grade 12 education and unite around what works in promoting academic excellence, boldly improving learning conditions, and preparing our Nation’s students for global competitiveness.1 Consistent with that 1 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona laid out his vision for the direction the Department will follow in 2024 to promote academic excellence, improve learning conditions, and prepare our students for a world where global engagement is E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM Continued 06MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37184-37185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09751]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for 
DARPA's Reefense Program, Baker Point, Florida

AGENCY: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department 
of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice; availability of a draft environmental assessment; 
request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: DARPA announces the availability of a Draft Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Reefense Program at Baker Point, Florida. DARPA 
is requesting comment on this draft EA.

DATES: The 30-day public comment period begins on May 6, 2024, and 
extends to June 5, 2024. Comments must be submitted electronically via 
the website no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 5, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: DARPA invites all interested parties to submit comments on 
the Draft EA through the project website https://hsrl.rutgers.edu/research/darpa-reefense.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Catherine Campbell, 703-526-2044 
(Voice), [email protected] (Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Publication of this notice begins the 
official public comment period for this draft EA. Per the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the purpose of the draft EA is to 
evaluate the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts caused 
by the Reefense program at Baker Point, FL. All comments received will 
become part of the public record and will be available for review.

Background

    DARPA proposes to fund the development of bio-hybrid reef 
structures to help attenuate wave energy and protect United States 
(U.S.) DoD and coastal infrastructure through the Reefense Program (the 
Proposed Action). The strategy of DARPA's Reefense program includes 
employing recent innovations in materials science, hydrodynamic 
modeling, and adaptive biology to develop growing structures that are 
optimized to rapidly implement coastal defenses suited to a changing 
environment. DARPA's Reefense program involves the construction of 
custom wave-attenuating base structures to promote growth of reef-
building organisms (e.g., coral or oysters). The reef-building 
organisms would enable the Reefense structures to naturally self-heal 
and keep pace with sea level rise over time. Reefense structures would 
also include components to attract non-reef building organisms 
necessary to help maintain a healthy, growing reef. Finally, adaptive 
biology would enable improved resilience against disease and 
temperature stress for organisms present, to ensure compatibility with 
a changing environment. As soon as the Reefense structures are 
deployed, they would immediately attenuate coastal wave energy. As the 
structures facilitate the growth of the reef-building organisms, they 
would provide a biological benefit (e.g., habitat for

[[Page 37185]]

mobile reef species) in just a few months or years that would be 
equivalent to decades of growth for a similarly-sized naturally-
occurring reef.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This notice is provided pursuant to NEPA regulations at 40 CFR 
1506.6 and the draft EA was prepared in accordance with NEPA 
regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508.

Alternatives Considered

    Preferred Alternative: DARPA's proposed action is the deployment of 
Reefense structures at Baker Point, Florida. Deployment would occur 
over two phases with multiple components being proposed for each 
deployment. Components would consist of reef module breakwaters, mosaic 
oyster habitat structures (varying in height with low, medium, and high 
relief structures), and intertidal vegetation planting.
    No Action Alternative: Under the No Action Alternative, the 
Proposed Action would not occur. No deployment of Reefense structures 
would occur within the proposed action area, and the Baker Point area 
would be left undeveloped unless/until other in-water construction is 
proposed as part of a future project. The No Action Alternative would 
not meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action because there 
would be no furthering of research on climate change-related shoreline 
protection; however, as required by CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1502.14), 
the No Action Alternative is carried forward for analysis in this draft 
EA. The No Action Alternative will be used to analyze the consequences 
of not undertaking the Proposed Action, not simply conclude no impact, 
and will serve to establish a comparative baseline for analysis.
    DARPA will publish a record of its final action in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: April 30, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2024-09751 Filed 5-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P

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