[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 110 (Monday, June 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15000]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
AGENCY: Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM),
National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings and intent to prepare a draft
environmental impact statement
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and
with section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended, the State of Alaska and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) intend to conduct public scoping meetings on the
proposed Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) to
solicit comments on significant issues related to the preparation of a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Management Plan
(DMP). The DEIS and DMP will address research, monitoring, education
and resource protection needs for the reserve.
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 24, 1997 at 6:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Homer City Hall, City Council Chambers, 491 East Pioneer
Avenue, Homer, Alaska 99663.
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 26, 1997 at 6:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Seldovia Community Center, Seldovia, Alaska 99603.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Seaman, Alaska Department of
Fish and Game, at (907) 267-2331, or Matt Menashes, Sanctuaries and
Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management,
NOAA, at (301) 713-3132, ext. 165.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 1997, NOAA approved the nomination of
Kachemak Bay in Alaska as a proposed National Estuarine Research
Reserve. Research reserves provide natural coastal habitats as field
laboratories for baseline ecological studies and education programs.
Research and monitoring programs are designed to enhance scientific
understanding of the coastal environment and aid in resource management
decision making.
The Kachemak Bay NERR is proposed to be managed by the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), in cooperation with the Alaska
Department of Natural Resources (ADNR). The ADFG has statutory
authority to manage the state's critical habitat areas system, in which
Kachemak Bay is included. The ADNR has management authority over the
Kachemak Bay State Park, which is included in the proposed boundaries
for the Kachemak Bay NERR.
The ADFG has developed a preliminary draft management plan outline
for the NERR which identifies specific needs and priorities related to
research, monitoring, education, and resource protection at the
proposed site. It also outlines an administrative plan, volunteer
program and facilities development needs, public access, and visitor
use policies.
At the public meetings, ADFG and NOAA will provide a synopsis of
the process for developing a DMP and will solicit comments on
significant environmental issues that will be incorporated into a DEIS.
The public meetings will be held in Homer, Alaska, at the City
Council Chambers, 491 West Pioneer Avenue, on June 24, 1997, from 6:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and in Seldovia, Alaska, at the Seldovia Community
Center, on June 26, 1997 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Interested parties who wish to submit suggestions, comments or
substantive information regarding the scope or content of the proposed
DEIS/DMP are invited to attend either of the above meetings. Parties
who wish to respond in writing should do so by July 9, 1997, to Glenn
Seaman, Habitat and Restoration Division, Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1599, or Matthew
Menashes, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, NOAA, 1305 East-West
Highway N/ORM2, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.420 (Coastal Zone
Management) Research Reserves
Dated: June 3, 1997.
Nancy Foster,
Assistant Administrator, for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone
Management.
[FR Doc. 97-15000 Filed 6-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P
