81 FR 59625 - Amendment to Initial Funded Priorities List

GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 168 (August 30, 2016)

Page Range		59625-59626
FR Document		2016-20743

On August 24, 2016, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) amended its Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) to approve implementation funding for the Apalachicola Bay Oyster Restoration project (Project) in Florida. The Council approved $3,978,000 in implementation funding for this Project. The Council also approved reallocating $702,000 from project planning to project implementation, after any remaining planning expenses have been met. The total amount available for implementation of the Project is therefore $4,680,000. These funds will be used to restore approximately 251 acres of oyster beds, which is an increase from the 219 acres originally proposed in the FPL. To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council has adopted an existing Environmental Assessment (EA) that addresses the activities in the Project. In so doing, the Council is expediting project implementation, reducing planning costs and increasing the ecological benefits of this Project by using the savings in planning funds to expand the Project by approximately 32 acres.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59625-59626]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20743]


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GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL

[Docket No.: 108302016-1111-06]


Amendment to Initial Funded Priorities List

AGENCY: Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.

ACTION: Notice of amendment to initial funded priorities list.

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SUMMARY: On August 24, 2016, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration 
Council (Council) amended its Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) to 
approve implementation funding for the Apalachicola Bay Oyster 
Restoration project (Project) in Florida. The Council approved 
$3,978,000 in implementation funding for this Project. The Council also 
approved reallocating $702,000 from project planning to project 
implementation, after any remaining planning expenses have been met. 
The total amount available for implementation of the Project is 
therefore $4,680,000. These funds will be used to restore approximately 
251 acres of oyster beds, which is an increase from the 219 acres 
originally proposed in the FPL.
    To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
Council has adopted an existing Environmental Assessment (EA) that 
addresses the activities in the Project. In so doing, the Council is 
expediting project implementation, reducing planning costs and 
increasing the ecological benefits of this Project by using the savings 
in planning funds to expand the Project by approximately 32 acres.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please send questions by email to 
[email protected] or contact John Ettinger at (504) 444-
3522.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Deepwater Horizon oil spill led to passage of the Resources and 
Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies 
of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act), which dedicates 80 percent 
of all Clean Water Act administrative and civil penalties related to 
the oil spill to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (Trust Fund). 
The RESTORE Act also created the Council, an independent Federal entity 
comprised of the five Gulf Coast states and six Federal agencies. Among 
other responsibilities, the Council administers a portion of the Trust 
Fund known as the Council-Selected Restoration Component in order to 
``undertake projects and programs, using the best available science, 
which would restore and protect the natural resources, ecosystems, 
fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and 
economy of the Gulf Coast.'' Additional information on the Council can 
be found here: https://www.restorethegulf.gov.
    On December 9, 2015, the Council approved the FPL, which includes 
projects and programs approved for funding under the Council-Selected 
Restoration Component, along with activities that the Council 
identified as priorities for potential future funding. Activities 
approved for funding in the FPL are included in ``Category 1''. The 
priorities for potential future funding are in ``Category 2.'' The 
Council approved approximately $156.6 million in FPL Category 1 
restoration and planning activities, and prioritized twelve FPL 
Category 2 activities for possible funding in the future, subject to 
environmental compliance and further Council and public review. The 
Council included planning activities for the Apalachicola Project in 
Category 1 and implementation activities for the Project in Category 2 
of the FPL.
    The Council reserved approximately $26.6 million for implementing 
priority activities in the future. These reserved funds may be used to 
support some, all or none of the activities included in

[[Page 59626]]

Category 2 of the FPL and/or to support other activities not currently 
under consideration by the Council. As appropriate, the Council intends 
to review each activity in Category 2 in order to determine whether to: 
(1) Move the activity to Category 1 and approve it for funding, (2) 
remove it from Category 2 and any further consideration, or (3) 
continue to include it in Category 2. A Council decision to amend the 
FPL to move an activity from Category 2 into Category 1 must be 
approved by a Council vote after consideration of public and Tribal 
comments.

II. Environmental Compliance

    Prior to approving an activity for funding in FPL Category 1, the 
Council must comply with NEPA and other Federal environmental laws. At 
the time of approval of the FPL, the Council had not complied with NEPA 
and other applicable laws with respect to implementation of the 
Project. The Council did, however, recognize the potential ecological 
value of the Project, based on review conducted as part of the FPL 
process. For this reason, the Council approved $702,000 in planning 
funds for this Project, a portion of which would be used to complete 
any needed environmental compliance activities. As noted above, the 
Council placed the implementation portion of this Project into FPL 
Category 2, pending the outcome of this environmental compliance work 
and further Council review. The estimated cost of the Project's 
implementation component was listed at $3,978,000, which would fund the 
restoration of approximately 219 acres of oyster beds in Apalachicola 
Bay. Inclusion of the Project's implementation activities into Category 
2 did not in any way commit the Council to subsequently approve those 
implementation activities for funding.
    Since approval of the FPL, Florida has collaborated with the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and identified an existing EA that 
could be used to support Council approval of implementation funding for 
this Project. This EA was prepared by the USACE in association with a 
Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors 
Act programmatic general permit (PGP). This PGP authorizes the Florida 
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services to conduct aquaculture 
of live rock and marine bivalves in navigable waters of the U.S. within 
the jurisdiction of the State of Florida, provided that such activities 
comply with the terms and conditions of the PGP.
    The Council has reviewed this EA and associated documents, 
including an August 13, 2015, letter from the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration regarding compliance with the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA). In addition to ESA, the EA and associated PGP 
address compliance with other Federal environmental laws, including the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the National 
Historic Preservation Act and more.
    On June 7, 2016, the Council issued a Federal Register notice 
announcing its proposal to amend the FPL, adopt the aforementioned EA, 
and approve implementation funding for this Project. The Council 
received no public comments on this proposal.
    Based on this review, the Council adopted this EA to support the 
approval of implementation funds for the Project, based on the 
condition that the Project must be implemented in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of the PGP and the design criteria set forth in 
the associated ESA programmatic consultation. Strict adherence with the 
terms and conditions of the PGP is necessary to ensure compliance ESA 
and other applicable laws. On August 24, 2016, the Council issued a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for this action, concurrent 
with its approval of the FPL amendment. This EA, FONSI, and the 
associated ESA documentation can be found here: https://www.restorethegulf.gov/funded-priorities-list. (See Apalachicola Bay 
Oyster Restoration Project--Implementation.)
    Additional information on the Project is available in an activity-
specific appendix to the FPL, which can be found here: https://www.restorethegulf.gov.

Justin R. Ehrenwerth,
Executive Director, Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
[FR Doc. 2016-20743 Filed 8-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-58-P

59626 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices

Category 2 of the FPL and/or to support The Council has reviewed this EA and announces the following meeting of the
other activities not currently under associated documents, including an aforementioned committee:
consideration by the Council. As August 13, 2015, letter from the Time and Date: 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., EDT,
appropriate, the Council intends to National Oceanic and Atmospheric October 20, 2016.
review each activity in Category 2 in Administration regarding compliance Place: CDC, Building 21, Executive Board
order to determine whether to: (1) Move with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Room (12105) and Room 12302, 1600 Clifton
the activity to Category 1 and approve In addition to ESA, the EA and Road NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
it for funding, (2) remove it from associated PGP address compliance Status: Open to the public, limited only by
Category 2 and any further with other Federal environmental laws, the space and phone lines available. The
consideration, or (3) continue to include including the Magnuson-Stevens meeting rooms accommodate approximately
it in Category 2. A Council decision to Fishery Conservation and Management 65 people. Advance registration for in-person
amend the FPL to move an activity from Act, the National Historic Preservation participation is required by October 6, 2016.
Category 2 into Category 1 must be Act and more. The public is welcome to participate during
approved by a Council vote after On June 7, 2016, the Council issued the public comment period, which is
consideration of public and Tribal a Federal Register notice announcing its tentatively scheduled from 2:40 p.m. to 2:45
comments. proposal to amend the FPL, adopt the p.m. This meeting will also be available by
aforementioned EA, and approve teleconference. Please dial (888) 324–9970
II. Environmental Compliance
implementation funding for this Project. and enter code 32077657.
Prior to approving an activity for The Council received no public Purpose: The Advisory Committee to the
funding in FPL Category 1, the Council comments on this proposal. Director, CDC, shall advise the Secretary,
must comply with NEPA and other Based on this review, the Council HHS, and the Director, CDC, on policy and
Federal environmental laws. At the time adopted this EA to support the approval broad strategies that will enable CDC to fulfill
of approval of the FPL, the Council had of implementation funds for the Project, its mission of protecting health through
not complied with NEPA and other based on the condition that the Project health promotion, prevention, and
applicable laws with respect to must be implemented in accordance preparedness. The committee recommends
implementation of the Project. The with the terms and conditions of the ways to prioritize CDC’s activities, improve
Council did, however, recognize the PGP and the design criteria set forth in results, and address health disparities. It also
potential ecological value of the Project, the associated ESA programmatic provides guidance to help CDC work more
based on review conducted as part of consultation. Strict adherence with the effectively with its various private and public
the FPL process. For this reason, the terms and conditions of the PGP is sector constituents to make health protection
Council approved $702,000 in planning necessary to ensure compliance ESA a practical reality.
funds for this Project, a portion of which and other applicable laws. On August Matters for Discussion: The Advisory
would be used to complete any needed 24, 2016, the Council issued a Finding Committee to the Director will receive
environmental compliance activities. As of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for updates from the State, Tribal, Local and
noted above, the Council placed the this action, concurrent with its approval Territorial Subcommittee; the Health
implementation portion of this Project of the FPL amendment. This EA, FONSI, Disparities Subcommittee, the Global
into FPL Category 2, pending the and the associated ESA documentation Workgroup, and the Public Health—Health
outcome of this environmental can be found here: https:// Care Collaboration Workgroup, as well as an
compliance work and further Council www.restorethegulf.gov/funded- update from the CDC Director.
review. The estimated cost of the priorities-list. (See Apalachicola Bay Agenda items are subject to change as
Project’s implementation component Oyster Restoration Project— priorities dictate.
Implementation.) Contact Person for More Information:
was listed at $3,978,000, which would
Additional information on the Project Carmen Villar, MSW, Designated Federal
fund the restoration of approximately
is available in an activity-specific Officer, ACD, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road NE.,
219 acres of oyster beds in Apalachicola
M/S D–14, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
Bay. Inclusion of the Project’s appendix to the FPL, which can be
Telephone (404) 498–6482, Email:
implementation activities into Category found here: https://
ACDirector@cdc.gov. The deadline to register
2 did not in any way commit the www.restorethegulf.gov.
for in-person attendance at this meeting is
Council to subsequently approve those
Justin R. Ehrenwerth, October 6, 2016. To register, please send an
implementation activities for funding. email to ACDirector@cdc.gov.
Executive Director, Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Since approval of the FPL, Florida has Restoration Council. The Director, Management Analysis and
collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps [FR Doc. 2016–20743 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am] Services Office, has been delegated the
of Engineers (USACE) and identified an authority to sign Federal Register notices
BILLING CODE 6560–58–P
existing EA that could be used to pertaining to announcements of meetings and
support Council approval of other committee management activities, for
implementation funding for this Project. both the Centers for Disease Control and
This EA was prepared by the USACE in DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND Prevention and the Agency for Toxic
association with a Clean Water Act HUMAN SERVICES Substances and Disease Registry.
Section 404 and Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act programmatic general Centers for Disease Control and Elaine L. Baker,
permit (PGP). This PGP authorizes the Prevention Director, Management Analysis and Services
Florida Department of Agricultural and Office, Centers for Disease Control and
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Advisory Committee to the Director Prevention (CDC).
Consumer Services to conduct (ACD), Centers for Disease Control and
aquaculture of live rock and marine Prevention (CDC)
[FR Doc. 2016–20760 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am]
bivalves in navigable waters of the U.S. BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
within the jurisdiction of the State of In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of
Florida, provided that such activities the Federal Advisory Committee Act
comply with the terms and conditions (Pub. L. 92–463), the Centers for Disease
of the PGP. Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:42:37
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:42:37

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of amendment to initial funded priorities list.
Contact		Please send questions by email to [email protected] or contact John Ettinger at (504) 444- 3522.
FR Citation		81 FR 59625