2024-11745. Evaluation of Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve; Notice of Public Meeting; Request for Comments

AGENCY:

Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting and opportunity to comment.

SUMMARY:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management, will hold an in-person public meeting to solicit input on the performance evaluation of the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve. NOAA also invites the public to submit written comments.

DATES:

NOAA will hold an in-person public meeting on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). NOAA may close the meeting 15 minutes after the conclusion of public testimony and after responding to any clarifying questions from hearing participants. NOAA will consider all relevant written comments received by Friday, August 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• In-Person Public Meeting: Provide oral comments during the public meeting on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 5 p.m. EDT. The public meeting will be held at the Old Woman Creek Visitor Center (Mike DeWine Center for Coastal Wetland Studies) at 2514 Cleveland Road East, Huron, Ohio 44839.
• Email: Send written comments to Michael Migliori, Lead Evaluator, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, at [e-mail]. Include “Comments on Performance Evaluation of the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve” in the subject line.

NOAA will accept anonymous comments; however, the written comments NOAA receives are considered part of the public record, and the entirety of the comment, including the name of the commenter, email address, attachments, and other supporting materials, will be publicly accessible. Sensitive, personally identifiable information, such as account numbers and social security numbers, should not be included with the comment. Comments that are not related to the performance evaluation of the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, or that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language will not be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Migliori, Evaluator, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, by email at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone]. Copies of the previous evaluation findings, management plan, and site profile may be viewed and downloaded at coast.noaa.gov/czm/evaluations. A copy of the evaluation notification letter and most recent progress report may be obtained upon request by contacting Michael Migliori.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 315(f) of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) requires NOAA to conduct periodic evaluations of Federally approved national estuarine research reserves. The evaluation process includes holding one or more public meetings, considering public comments, and consulting with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and members of the public. During the evaluation, NOAA will consider the extent to which the State of Ohio has met the national objectives and has adhered to the management plan approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the requirements of section 315(b)(2) of the CZMA and the terms of financial assistance under the CZMA. When the evaluation is complete, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the final evaluation findings.

Authority:16 U.S.C. 1461

Keelin Kuipers,

Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.