[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67928-67929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31320]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


United States Coral Reef Task Force; Notice of Availability of 
Documents for Public Review and Comment

AGENCY: United States Coral Reef Task Force.

ACTION: Availability of documents.

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SUMMARY: This notice carries out the November 3, 1999, decision of the 
United States Coral Reef Task Force to provide the public an 
opportunity to review and comment on three documents: (1) ``Draft 
National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs,'' (2) ``Coral Reef 
Protected Areas: A Guide for Management,'' and (3) ``Oversight of 
Agency Actions Affecting Coral Reef Protection.''

DATES: (1) Comments on the ``Draft National Action Plan to Conserve 
Coral Reefs'' are due on or before January 14, 2000. (2) Comments on 
``Coral Reef Protected Areas: A Guide for Management'' are due on or 
before January 3, 2000. (3) Comments on ``Oversight of Agency Actions 
Affecting Coral Reef Protection'' are due on or before January 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Document Availability: Documents are on the Internet at 
http://coralreef.gov. Alternatively, call or write to Ms. Patricia 
Kennedy (telephone number 202-208-5378), Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the 
Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Mail Stop 3156, Washington, D.C. 20240, 
to request a copy of any or all of the documents.
    Comments: Submit electronic comments on any or all of these 
documents to Patricia__K[email protected]. Alternatively, submit 
written comments to the United States Coral Reef Task Force, c/o Ms. 
Patricia Kennedy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and 
Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, 
N.W., Mail Stop 3156, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Patricia Kennedy, 202-208-5378, 
concerning how to submit your comments. Contact Ms. Molly N. Ross, 202-
208-5378, or Mr. Roger B. Griffis, 202-482-5034, concerning all other 
matters.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The world's coral reefs are in serious 
jeopardy, threatened by a growing barrage of over-exploitation, 
pollution, habitat destruction, diseases, invasive species, bleaching 
and climate change. The rapid decline of these ancient and productive 
marine ecosystems has significant social, economic and environmental 
impacts on coastal cultures and on the nation as a whole.
    In response to this global environmental crisis, President Clinton 
issued Executive Order 13089, 63 FR 32702 (June 16, 1998). The 
executive order established the United States Coral Reef Task Force 
(CRTF), to be chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The executive order assigned 
the CRTF specific duties for coral reef protection, including 
coordination of a comprehensive program to map and monitor U.S. coral 
reefs; development and implementation of research aimed at identifying 
the major causes and consequences of degradation of coral reef 
ecosystems; development, recommendation, and implementation of measures 
necessary to reduce and mitigate coral reef ecosystem degradation and 
to restore damaged coral reefs; and assessment of the U.S. role in 
international trade and protection of coral reef species and 
implementation of appropriate strategies and actions to promote 
conservation and sustainable use of coral reef resources worldwide.
    At its third meeting on November 2-3, 1999, in St. Croix, U.S. 
Virgin Islands, the CRTF endorsed or adopted three documents in 
furtherance of its duties under Executive Order 13089. The CRTF decided 
to provide an opportunity for public comment on each of these 
documents, as follows:
    (1) The CRTF endorsed the ``Draft National Action Plan to Conserve 
Coral Reefs'' for the purpose of securing public comment on the draft 
plan and then revising it as necessary before adoption at a future 
meeting. This draft plan is a detailed, long-term strategy for 
implementing Executive Order 13089. It was prepared through careful 
deliberations of a large and diverse group of experts in coral reef 
science, management, policy and education, drawn from federal, state 
and territorial governments, academia and the private sector. The CRTF 
welcomes public review, discussion, and comment on the draft plan.
    (2) The CRTF adopted the document entitled ``Coral Reef Protected 
Areas: A Guide for Management,'' subject to technical amendments. The 
purpose of this document is to assist those involved in planning and 
managing programs for coral reef protected areas. It is intended for 
use in developing management plans for new protected areas and for 
reviewing plans at established areas. The CRTF invites comment on this 
document.
    (3) The CRTF adopted the document entitled ``Oversight of Agency 
Actions Affecting Coral Reef Protection,'' subject to revision in light 
of public comment. This document establishes the procedures necessary 
to carry out the CRTF's duty under the Executive Order ``to oversee 
implementation of the policy and Federal agency responsibilities set 
forth in this order. . . '' The oversight procedures require CRTF 
members to develop by June 11, 2000, plans for implementing the 
executive order, and to provide annual reports summarizing the agency's 
implementation each June. The oversight procedures also describe how a 
person who believes that an agency has taken action inconsistent with 
the Executive Order may register his or her concern and receive a 
response from the agency.


[[Page 67929]]


    Dated: November 26, 1999.
Stephen C. Saunders,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department 
of the Interior.

Sally Yozell,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of 
Commerce.
[FR Doc. 99-31320 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am]
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