[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5509-5510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1475]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 010111011-1011-01]
RIN 0648-AO99
Announcement of Intent To Initiate the Process To Designate the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve as a
National Marine Sanctuary; Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement and Management Plan
AGENCY: Marine Sanctuaries Division (MSD), National Ocean Service
(NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of
Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice
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SUMMARY: On December 4, 2000, President William Clinton signed
Executive Order 13178 establishing the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, pursuant to the National Marine
Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000. The Reserve extends approximately
1200 nautical miles long and 100 nautical miles wide. Pursuant to this
Act and the Executive Order, NOAA, on behalf of the Secretary is
initiating the process to designate the Reserve as a national marine
sanctuary and will proceed with the subsequent steps of the designation
process. In designating the sanctuary, the Executive Order directs NOAA
to supplement or compliment the existing Reserve.
NOAA will prepare an environmental impact statement and management
plan which will examine the management, boundary and regulatory
alternatives associated with sanctuary designation. NOAA will hold
scoping meetings to solicit information and comments on the range and
significance of issues related to sanctuary designation and management.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Golde, (301) 713-3125, ext. 152
or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA),
16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq., authorizes the Secretary of Commerce
(Secretary) to designate discrete areas of the marine environment as
national marine sanctuaries to protect their special conservation,
recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archaeological,
scientific, educational, or esthetic qualities. The NMSA is
administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) through the Marine Sanctuaries Division (MSD).
[[Page 5510]]
On May 26, 2000, President Clinton directed the Secretaries of
Commerce and the Interior, working cooperatively with the State of
Hawaii and consulting with the Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council, to develop recommendations for a new, coordinated management
regime to increase protection of the coral reef ecosystem of the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and provide for sustainable use of the
area. Upon consideration of their recommendations and comments received
during the public visioning process on this intiative, President
Clinton issued Executive Order 13178 on December 4, 2000, establishing
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve
(Reserve), pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act
of 2000 (Act), Public Law 106-513.
As described in Executive Order 13178, the approximately 1,200 mile
stretch of coral islands, seamounts, banks, and shoals of the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are some of the healthiest and most
extensive coral reefs in the United States. In their own right, the
spectacular coral reefs and lands provide an amazing geological record
of volcanic and erosive powers that have shaped this area. This vast
area supports a dynamic reef ecosystem that supports more that 7,000
marine species, of which approximately half are unique to the Hawaiian
Island chain. This incredibly diverse ecosystem is home to many species
of coral, fish, birds, marine mammals, and other flora and fauna
including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the threatened green sea
turtle, and others. In addition, this area has great cultural
significance to Native Hawaiian as well as linkages to early Polynesian
culture--making it additionally worthy of protection and understanding.
This is truly a unique and special place, a coral reef ecosystem like
no place on earth, and a source of pride, inspiration, and satisfaction
for all Americans, especially the people of Hawaii.
The purpose of the Reserve is to ensure the comprehensive, strong,
and lasting protection of the coral reef ecosystem and related marine
resource and species of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The Reserve
extends approximately 1200 nautical miles long and 100 nautical miles
wide. The Reserve is adjacent to and seaward of the seaward boundaries
of the State of Hawaii and the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge,
and overlays the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge to the
extent that it extends beyond the seaward boundaries of the State of
Hawaii.
As required by the Act and Executive Order 13178, NOAA is
initiating the process to designate the Reserve as a national marine
sanctuary and will proceed with the steps of the designation process
pursuant to the applicable provisions of sections 303 and 304 of the
NMSA (16 U.S.C. 1433 and 1434). In designating the sanctuary, the
Executive Order directs NOAA to supplement or compliment the existing
Reserve. As part of the process, NOAA shall, in consultation with the
Governor of the State of Hawaii, determine whether State submerged
lands and waters should be included as part of the sanctuary. In
designating and managing the sanctuary, the Secretary shall consider
the advice and recommendations of the Reserve Council established
pursuant to paragraph (f) of section 5 of E.O. 13178. The Reserve
Council is expected to be established in January, 2001.
NOAA will prepare an environmental impact statement, pursuant to
the National Environmental Policy Act, and management plan which will
examine the management, boundary and regulatory alternatives associated
with sanctuary designation. NOAA will hold scoping meetings,
tentatively planned for spring 2001, to solicit information and
comments on the range and significance of issues related to sanctuary
designation and management. Individuals and representatives of
interested organizations and government agencies are invited and
encouraged to attend. Opportunities for comment will exist throughout
this process and will be announced in the Federal Register, the local
media, and other appropriate channels.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. Section 1431 et seq., Pub. L. 106-513.
(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary
Program)
Dated: January 11, 2001.
John Oliver,
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-1475 Filed 1-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-U