COVID-19 Era: Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve

Estuaries. A rich stew of life forms. History, culture.

Where Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. Fort Saybrook as depicted on signage near the original site. Image linked to related story, history and connections.

Vital to the region and all interconnected waters, land, recreation, activities, communities–estuaries.

Public comments are now open regarding the proposed Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve for two critical documents in the federal approval process.

Greetings:

We are sending this message regarding important information on providing public comment and input to the required Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Management Plan (DEIS/DMP) for the proposed CT National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR). On Sept. 3, 2021, a notice was published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Federal Register announcing the opening of a 45-day comment period and two public hearings for accepting oral comments.

Background: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received the State of Connecticut’s nomination of the proposed Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR) on January 3, 2019. NOAA informed the State of Connecticut on Sept. 27, 2019, that it was accepting the nomination and that the next steps for the designation process would involve preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and a Draft Management Plan (DMP). The DMP addresses research, monitoring, education, and stewardship, as well as cultural resource needs for the proposed CT NERR; and the DEIS analyzes alternatives to the proposed action along with their potential environmental impacts. (To learn more about the proposal, visit: https://seagrant.uconn.edu/?p=6295.)

Comment Period Summary: NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has announced a 45-day public comment period beginning on Sept. 3, 2021 and will hold public hearings for the purpose of receiving comments on the DEIS and DMP. NOAA is accepting written public comments through 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Oct. 18, 2021. In addition NOAA will accept oral or written public comments during public hearings held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. (local time) on Oct. 7, 2021, online via WebEx and by phone. All relevant comments received at the Oct. 7, 2021, public hearings and during the 45-day public comment period ending at 5 p.m. EST, Oct.18, 2021, will be considered in the preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Management Plan for the proposed designation of the CT NERR.
Cover of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed Connecticut National Esturarine Research ReserveCover of Management Plan for Proposed Connecticut National Estuarine Research ReserveAccess to documents:

To download the DEIS and DMP documents, go to: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NOS-2020-0089/document. The documents are listed as “Supporting and Related Materials”, and are both dated 8-25-21.
To access the Federal Register Notice (FRN) that provides additional information on process and instructions on how to provide written comments via electronic or mail, go to: https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NOS-2020-0089-0018
Providing Comments:

Comments may be provided in writing using the methods described below or orally at either public hearing (see below).

Written Comments: As identified in the FRN, written comments may be submitted by any one of the following methods: Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NOS-2020-0089 in the search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Written comments provide electronically must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) Oct. 18, 2021. Mail: Submit written comments to Erica Seiden, Stewardship Division (N/OCM6), Office for Coastal Management, NOS, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910: ATTN CT NERR. Written comments submitted by mail must be postmarked by Oct. 18, 2021.

Oral Comments: The Oct. 7, 2021 public hearings will be conducted online via WebEx and by phone. Two options are available (the same content will be provided during both meetings): 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. (local time).

Online participants should go to the following University of Connecticut website at one of the designated times to attend the public hearings: https://uconnvtc.webex.com/meet/ctnerr.
You may also participate in the hearings by phone, by using the toll-free number +1 415-655-0002 and the attendee access code (meeting number) 120 996 1055.
Both sessions will be identical and attendees may choose the session most convenient for them. Registration to attend is not required. Notices of the Hearings will also be published in the Hartford Courant, Middlesex Press, and New London Day newspapers no later than Sept. 22, 2021.

Hearing documents will be available on the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment’s (DEEP) CT NERR website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Coastal-Resources/NERR/NERR-Home-Page, (see the Event/Status Update section) as well as on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov (enter NOAA-NOS-2020-0089 in the search box). The DEEP CT NERR website will also provide additional information on the hearing process as needed.

For Further Information:
Erica Seiden, Stewardship Division (N/OCM6), Office for Coastal Management, NOS, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; ATTN: CT NERR; phone (240) 533-0781; or email: Erica.Seiden@noaa.gov.

The Connecticut NERR Steering Committee looks forward to your participation.

Sincerely,

Jamie Vaudrey (UConn) and Kevin O’Brien (DEEP)

On behalf of the proposed CT NERR Steering Committee:
Kevin O’Brien, DEEP
Jamie Vaudrey, UConn
Ivar Babb, UConn
Sylvain De Guise, CT Sea Grant
John Forbis, CT Audubon Society
Annemarie Seifert, UConn
Brian Thompson, DEEP
Craig Tobias, UConn
J. Evan Ward, UConn
Ralph Wood, CT Audubon Society


An incredible resource, Wracklines magazine.

Newest issue; image connects to online edition.

To be added to the mailing list for a free print copy or the list serve to be notified about the electronic version, send your street and email addresses to: judy.benson@uconn.edu. Also see www.seagrant.uconn.edu; www.facebook.com/ctseagrant; twitter.com/ctseagrant. Wracklines magazine. Editor Judy Benson can be found via Twitter @judybensonuconn. Note: Story updated 9/26/2021.