Final Management Plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 66687-66688 [2024-18333]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2024 / Notices U.S.C. 6401 et seq. This act authorizes CRCP to, among other things, conserve and restore the condition of United States coral reef ecosystems and enhance public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems and their ecological and socioeconomic value. In accordance with its mission goals, NOAA developed a survey to track relevant information regarding each jurisdiction’s population, social and economic structure, the benefits of coral reefs and related habitats, the impacts of society on coral reefs, and the impacts of coral management on communities. The survey is repeated in each jurisdiction every five to seven years in order to provide longitudinal data and information for managers to effectively conserve coral reefs for current and future generations. The purpose of this information collection is to obtain human dimensions information from residents in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifically, NOAA is seeking information on the behaviors and activities related to coral reefs, as well as information on perceptions of coral reef conditions and attitudes toward specific reef conservation activities. The survey has a core set of questions that are asked across all jurisdictions to allow for information to be tracked over time and across jurisdictions. To account for geographical, cultural and linguistic differences between jurisdictions, the survey questions include items that are specific to the local context and developed based on jurisdictional partner feedback. We intend to use the information collected through this instrument for research purposes, as well as for measuring and improving the results of our reef protection programs. Because many of our efforts to protect reefs rely on education and changing attitudes toward reef protection, the information collected will allow CRCP to ensure that programs are designed appropriately at the start, future program evaluation efforts are as successful as possible, and outreach efforts are targeting the intended recipients with useful information. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Frequency: Every 5–7 years. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. This information collection request may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view the Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 Aug 15, 2024 Jkt 262001 Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function and entering either the title of the collection or the OMB Control Number 0648–0646. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–18396 Filed 8–15–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final Management Plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of approval of the revised management plan Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserves. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce approves the revised management plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in Florida. In accordance with applicable Federal regulations, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection revised the Apalachicola Reserve’s management plan, which replaces the plan previously approved in 2015. ADDRESSES: The approved Apalachicola Reserve management plan can be downloaded or viewed at https:// floridadep.gov/rcp/nerr-apalachicola/ documents/apalachicola-nerrmanagement-plan. These documents are also available by sending a written request to the point of contact identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). SUMMARY: Matt Chasse of NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, by email at matt.chasse@ noaa.gov, phone at 240–628–5417. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66687 Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), Florida must revise the management plan for the Apalachicola research reserve at least every five years. Changes to a reserve’s management plan may be made only after receiving written approval from NOAA. NOAA approves changes to management plans via notice in the Federal Register. On December 27, 2023, NOAA issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing a thirtyday public comment period for the proposed revision of the management plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (87 FR 89406). Appendix C of the plan contains a summary of written and oral comments received, and an explanation of how comments were incorporated into the final version of the management plan. The revised management plan outlines the reserve’s: strategic goals and objectives; administrative structure; programs for conducting research and monitoring, education, and training; resource management, restoration and public use and access; volunteer support, and communications plans; consideration for future land acquisition; and facility development and improvement to support reserve operations. The Apalachicola’s revised management plan will focus on addressing specific coastal management issues including hydrological changes in the Apalachicola River and floodplain; coastal development; and climate change and extreme events. Research and monitoring aims to expand understanding of the ecological processes related to the Apalachicola River and watershed and develop new research initiatives and monitoring projects to fill gaps in our understanding of key ecosystem functions related to pollutants, habitats, and diversity. Reserve education programming prioritizes in-field studies for students and teachers. Programming for K–12 students will be provided for a continuity of content across the entire academic experience of local students. Reserve outreach efforts will target participants from all ages and walks of life while recognizing the local community as key stakeholders. Coastal training will deliver formal trainings, skill-building opportunities, tools and technical assistance that enable audiences to continue to implement sound policies based on science that protect the environment. In addition, the reserve’s regular engagement with decision makers strengthens partnerships, furthers assessments of audience needs and forges positive SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1 66688 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2024 / Notices working relationships with decision makers to increase stewardship and resilience throughout the reserve. Furthermore, no reserve boundary or acreage changes are incorporated into the revised management plan. The revised management plan will serve as the guiding document for the 234,715 acre Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve for the next five years. NOAA reviewed the environmental impacts of the revised management plan and determined that this action is categorically excluded from further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (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 (2022), consistent with NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A. 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. 2024–18333 Filed 8–15–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Coastal Ocean Program Grants Proposal Application Package National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before October 15, 2024. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 Aug 15, 2024 Jkt 262001 Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648– 0384 in the subject line of your comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will generally be posted on https:// www.regulations.gov without change. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Laura Golden, Grants Administrator, by telephone 240–569–0196 or by email laurie.golden@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: I. Abstract This request is for a revision and extension of a currently approved information collection. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Ocean Program (COP) now known as the Competitive Research Program (CRP) under the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science provides direct financial assistance through grants and cooperative agreements for research supporting the management of coastal ecosystems and the NOAA Restore Science Program. The statutory authority for COP is Public Law 102– 567, section 201 (Coastal Ocean Program). NOAA was authorized to establish and administer the Restore Science Program, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, by the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies (RESTORE) of the Gulf States Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112– 141, section 1604). Identified in the RESTORE Act as the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology Program, the Program is commonly known as the NOAA RESTORE Science Program (RSP). In addition to standard government application requirements, applicants for financial assistance for both programs are required to submit a project summary form, current and pending form, and a Data Management form template. The Data Management form template is a new addition to the application package. Data Management is a required element of the application package and the use of this form the will reduce the public burden by providing a specific format instead of requiring each applicant to create their own PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 format. The Key Contacts form has been removed from the collection. CRP recipients are required to file annual progress reports and a project final report using CRP formats. The RSP recipients are required to file semiannual progress reports, a final report and a Gantt chart showing project milestones using RSP formats. All of these requirements are needed for better evaluation of proposals and monitoring of awards. II. Method of Collection Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0384. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission (revision/extension of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Non-profit institutions; State, local, or tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200. Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes each for a project summary, data management template and current and pending Federal support; 5.5 hours for a semi-annual report; 5 hours for an annual report, 10 hours for a CRP final report, 10.5 hours for the RSP final report and 1 hour for the milestone Gantt chart. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,912.5. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: The statutory authority for COP is Public Law 102– 567, section 201 (Coastal Ocean Program). NOAA was authorized to establish and administer the Restore Science Program, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, by the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies (RESTORE) of the Gulf States Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112– 141, section 1604). IV. Request for Comments We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66687-66688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18333]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Final 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: Notice of approval of the revised management plan Apalachicola 
National Estuarine Research Reserves.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office for Coastal Management, 
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce approves the revised management 
plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in 
Florida. In accordance with applicable Federal regulations, the Florida 
Department of Environmental Protection revised the Apalachicola 
Reserve's management plan, which replaces the plan previously approved 
in 2015.

ADDRESSES: The approved Apalachicola Reserve management plan can be 
downloaded or viewed at https://floridadep.gov/rcp/nerr-apalachicola/documents/apalachicola-nerr-management-plan. These documents are also 
available by sending a written request to the point of contact 
identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Chasse of NOAA's Office for 
Coastal Management, by email at [email protected], phone at 240-628-
5417.

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. Changes to a reserve's management plan may be 
made only after receiving written approval from NOAA. NOAA approves 
changes to management plans via notice in the Federal Register. On 
December 27, 2023, NOAA issued a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing a thirty-day public comment period for the proposed revision 
of the management plan for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research 
Reserve (87 FR 89406). Appendix C of the plan contains a summary of 
written and oral comments received, and an explanation of how comments 
were incorporated into the final version of the management plan.
    The revised management plan outlines the reserve's: strategic goals 
and objectives; administrative structure; programs for conducting 
research and monitoring, education, and training; resource management, 
restoration and public use and access; volunteer support, and 
communications plans; consideration for future land acquisition; and 
facility development and improvement to support reserve operations.
    The Apalachicola's revised management plan will focus on addressing 
specific coastal management issues including hydrological changes in 
the Apalachicola River and floodplain; coastal development; and climate 
change and extreme events. Research and monitoring aims to expand 
understanding of the ecological processes related to the Apalachicola 
River and watershed and develop new research initiatives and monitoring 
projects to fill gaps in our understanding of key ecosystem functions 
related to pollutants, habitats, and diversity. Reserve education 
programming prioritizes in-field studies for students and teachers. 
Programming for K-12 students will be provided for a continuity of 
content across the entire academic experience of local students. 
Reserve outreach efforts will target participants from all ages and 
walks of life while recognizing the local community as key 
stakeholders. Coastal training will deliver formal trainings, skill-
building opportunities, tools and technical assistance that enable 
audiences to continue to implement sound policies based on science that 
protect the environment. In addition, the reserve's regular engagement 
with decision makers strengthens partnerships, furthers assessments of 
audience needs and forges positive

[[Page 66688]]

working relationships with decision makers to increase stewardship and 
resilience throughout the reserve.
    Furthermore, no reserve boundary or acreage changes are 
incorporated into the revised management plan. The revised management 
plan will serve as the guiding document for the 234,715 acre 
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve for the next five 
years.
    NOAA reviewed the environmental impacts of the revised management 
plan and determined that this action is categorically excluded from 
further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (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 (2022), consistent with NOAA Administrative Order 
216-6A.
    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. 2024-18333 Filed 8-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P


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