Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI for the Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program

Table of Content

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

1.1 Background
1.2 Authorized Use of CRCGP Funding
1.3 CRCGP Grant Process and Process for Programmatic NEPA Compliance
1.4 Federal Involvement
1.4.1 NOAA Line Office Activities
1.4.2 Department of the Interior
1.5 Purpose and Need for Action
1.6 Guidelines, Projects, and Review Requirements
1.6.1 Issuance of Program Guidelines

2. Proposed Actions and Alternatives

2.1 Proposed Action – Approve CRCGP financial assistance awards
2.1.1 State and Territory Management
2.1.2 State and Territory Monitoring
2.1.3 Ecosystem Research
2.1.4 General Coral Reef Conservation
2.1.5 Projects to Approve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans
2.1.6 International Coral Reef Conservation

2.2 No Action Alternative
2.2.1 General
2.2.2 Other Programs

2.3 Conditional Recommendation of Specific Projects
2.3.1 General

3. Affected Environment

3.1 General
3.1.1 Corals, Coral Reefs, Coral Reef Ecosystems
3.1.2 Mangroves and Seagrass Beds
3.1.3 Water Quality
3.1.4 Ecological Function
3.1.5 Cultural and Historical Values
3.1.6 Socioeconomic and Environmental Justice
3.1.7 Living Marine Resources and Essential Fish Habitat
3.1.8 Endangered Species Act

4. Environmental Consequences

4.1 General

4.2 Impacts of Grant Awards and Activities Supported
4.2.1 State and Territory Coral Reef Management
4.2.2 State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring
4.2.3 Coral Reef Ecosystem Research
4.2.4 General Coral Reef Conservation
4.2.5 Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans
4.2.6 International Coral Reef Conservation

4.3 Types of Projects Awarded Funding

4.4 Research Activities
4.4.1 Mapping
4.4.2 Monitoring Techniques
4.4.3 Tagging
4.4.4 Fishery Chemicals
4.4.5 Collection of Coral Reef Species

4.5 Other Types of Projects
4.5.1 Mooring Buoy Installation
4.5.2 Signage

4.6 Cumulative Impacts

4.7 Mitigation Measures

5. Compliance with Other Environmental and Administrative Review

5.1 National Flood Insurance Program
5.2 Coastal Barriers Resource Act
5.3 Endangered Species Act
5.4 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
5.5 National Marine Sanctuaries Act Consultation—Section 304(d)
5.6 Coastal Zone Management Act
5.7 National Historic Preservation Act
5.8 Environmental Justice
5.9 Executive Order 112866
5.10 Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
5.11 Exempted Fishing Permits

6. Finding of No Significant Impact

7. Finding of No Significant Impact Statement

8. List of Preparers

9. List of Agencies and People Contacted

10. References

Appendices:

Appendix A: Examples of Specific Grants Funded Under the Six Categories of the Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program
Appendix B: Table of Grants Awarded Between FY2002-FY2004
Appendix C: NOAA NEPA Checklist for Proposed Actions
Appendix D: Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000
Appendix E: CRCGP Implementation Guidelines

Tables:

Table 1: Summary of Federal and Non-Federal Program Funding for FY2002 - FY2004
Table 2: Ranking of Major Threats to Coral Reef Ecosystems by Region
Table 3: Endangered Species Act List of Endangered or Threatened Species Associated with Coral Reef Ecosystems
Table 4: Species of Concern Associated with Coral Reef Ecosystems
Table 5: CRCGP Project Areas and Associated Activities
Table 6: Summary of Environmental Consequences for the Proposed Project Areas

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