Federal Register #2026-21418

NOAA requests comments on reserve management plans and proposed boundary changes

NOAA is seeking public input on revised management plans and proposed boundary changes for three National Estuarine Research Reserves. - Government buyer: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. - Reserves and proposed boundary additions: - ACE Basin Research Reserve, South Carolina: 12 state-owned parcels. - Elkhorn Slough Research Reserve, California: one state-owned parcel. - Weeks Bay Research Reserve, Alabama: 11 state-owned parcels and additional state-owned water bottoms. - State management agencies: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. - Draft plan topics: Reserve goals and administration; research and monitoring; education and training; resource protection and restoration; public access; potential land acquisition; and facilities and operations. - Notable request: NOAA invites public comments on the relevant draft plan or proposed boundary change and will consider them before deciding whether to approve the plans and boundary changes, in whole or in part. - Procurement scope: This is a public-comment notice, not a procurement solicitation. No OEMs, vendors, products, quantities, or service deliverables are identified.

Description

NOAA is requesting public comments on draft revised management plans for the ACE Basin, Elkhorn Slough, and Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves. The plans guide reserve programs, goals, research and monitoring, education, resource protection, public access, and operations, and would replace plans approved in 2011, 2007, and 2017, respectively. NOAA is also seeking comments on proposed boundary changes: 12 state-owned parcels for ACE Basin, one state-owned parcel for Elkhorn Slough, and 11 state-owned parcels plus additional state-owned water bottoms for Weeks Bay. Comments must be received by November 19, 2026.

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