Filed Date: November 15, 2024
Event Date: November 15, 2024 17:00PM
Board: Federal Consistancy
On January 10, 1997, the State of Texas received federal approval of the Coastal Management Program (CMP) (62 Federal Register pp. 1439 - 1440). Under federal law, federal agency activities and actions affecting the Texas coastal zone must be consistent with the CMP goals and policies identified in 31 TAC Chapter 26. Requests for federal consistency review were deemed administratively complete for the following project(s) during the period of, October 21, 2024 to November 6, 2024. As required by federal law, the public is given an opportunity to comment on the consistency of proposed activities in the coastal zone undertaken or authorized by federal agencies. Pursuant to 31 TAC §§30.20(f), 30.30(h), and 30.40(e), the public comment period extends 30 days from the date published on the Texas General Land Office web site. The notice was published on the web site on Friday, November 15, 2024. The public comment period for this project will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Federal Agency Activities:
Applicant: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Location: The project alternatives are located along the coast of Texas.
Project Description: Draft Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates and Sea Turtles (herein referred to as RP4/EA) was prepared by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG or the TIG). The Open Ocean TIG includes Trustees from four federal agencies: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the United States Department of the Interior (DOI); the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The Open Ocean TIG is responsible for restoring natural resources and services in the Open Ocean Restoration Area that were injured or lost as a result of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill.
The Open Ocean TIG reviewed 87 restoration project ideas proposed by individual members of the public, non-governmental organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies, ultimately identifying 12 project alternatives for full evaluation in the RP/EA. The Draft RP/EA #4 also evaluates a no-action alternative. The ten preferred project alternatives are listed below:
Fish and Water Column Invertebrates Restoration Type
- Return ‘Em Right: Species and Area Expansion (Reduction of Postrelease Mortality from Barotrauma in Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Recreational Fisheries)
- Next Generation Fishing
- Communication Networks and Mapping Tools to Reduce Fish Mortality
- Reduction of Diverse Threats to Fish and Water Column Invertebrates
- Education and Stewardship Partnerships with Charter Anglers
- Communication, Adaptive Management, Planning, and Integration
Sea Turtle Restoration Type
- Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat Protection Expansion in Florida (Long Term Nesting Habitat Protection for Sea Turtles)
- Gulf-Wide Sea Turtle Bycatch Reduction
- Gulf-Wide Sea Turtle Vessel Strike Reduction
- Gulf-Wide Sea Turtle Stranding Network and Emergency Response Enhancements
Type of Application: Draft Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment titled: “Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Fish and Water Column Invertebrates and Sea Turtles” (Draft RP4/EA).
CMP Project No: 25-1039-F2
Further information on the applications listed above, including a copy of the consistency certifications or consistency determinations for inspection, may be obtained from the Texas General Land Office Public Information Officer at 1700 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, or via email at pialegal@glo.texas.gov. Comments should be sent to the Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program Coordinator at the above address or via email at federal.consistency@glo.texas.gov.