[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43206-43207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17587]



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Part V





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



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Department of the Interior





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Protection of the Coral Reef Ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 12, 2000 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Protection of the Coral Reef Ecosystem of the Northwestern 
Hawaiian Islands

AGENCIES: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC); Department of the Interior (DOI).

ACTION: Request for comments; notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: On May 26, 2000 President William Jefferson Clinton announced 
his intention to provide strong and lasting protection for the coral 
reef ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The President 
signed a Memorandum directing the Secretaries of the Interior and 
Commerce, in cooperation with the State of Hawaii and in consultation 
with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, to develop 
recommendations for a new, coordinated management regime to increase 
protection for the coral reef ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands and provide for sustainable use. The President also directed 
the Departments of the Interior and Commerce to conduct ``visioning 
sessions, which would provide opportunities for public hearing and 
comment to help shape the final recommendations.'' As part of the 
visioning process, by this notice the Departments of the Interior and 
Commerce request comments on a number of specific issues pertaining to 
the protection of the coral reef ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands. This notice also announces the dates, times and locations for 
a number of public hearings to receive comments on these issues. The 
comments received will be used to inform the Departments as they 
develop the recommendations for the President.

DATES: Comments must by received by August 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the U.S. Institute for 
Environmental Conflict Resolution, Suite 3350, 110 South Church Avenue, 
Tucson, AZ 85701, ATTN: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Comments may 
also be sent to the Institute's website at www.ecr.gov/nwhi.
    There will be seven public meetings on the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands initiative. The dates, times and locations are listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marla Steinhoff, NOAA, (301) 713-3155, 
ext. 208; or Jessica Jenkins, DOI, (202) 219-0710.

I. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

    The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of uninhabited 
islands over 1200 miles long located west of the main Hawaiian Islands. 
They include Nihoa and Necker Islands, French Frigate Shoals, Maro 
Reef, and Pearl & Hermes Atoll, and are surrounded by some of the 
healthiest and most extensive coral reefs in U.S. waters. The coral 
reef ecosystem extends from near-shore areas just beneath the ocean 
surface to depths of approximately 100 fathoms (600 feet).
    The coral reef ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands 
encompasses approximately 10,000 square kilometers and is home to a 
diverse and unique assemblage of fish, invertebrates, birds, sea 
turtles, marine mammals and other species, including many species found 
nowhere else on Earth. Federally protected species include the 
threatened green sea turtle, the endangered leatherback and hawksbill 
sea turtles, and the only remaining population of the endangered 
Hawaiian monk seal.

2. The President's Memorandum

    The following is the text of the President's Memorandum to the 
Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce.

May 26, 2000.

Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce

Subject: Protection of U.S. Coral Reefs in the Northwest Hawaiian 
Islands

    The world's coral reefs--our tropical rain forests of the water 
are in serious decline. These important and sensitive areas of 
biodiversity warrant special protection. While the United States has 
only 3 percent of the world's coral reefs, nearly 70 percent of U.S. 
coral reefs are in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Many of the 
Northwest Hawaiian Islands' coral, fish, and invertebrate species 
are unique, and the area is home to endangered Hawaiian monk seals 
and threatened turtles. In 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt set 
aside certain islands and reefs in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands 
for the protection of sea birds. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service manages this area as the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife 
Refuge.
    In June 1998, I signed an Executive Order for Coral Reef 
protection (E.O. 13089), which established the Coral Reef Task Force 
and directed all Federal agencies with coral reef-related 
responsibilities to develop a strategy for coral reef protection. 
States and territories with coral reefs were invited to be full 
partners with the Federal Government in preparing an action plan to 
better protect and preserve the Nation's coral reef ecosystems. In 
March of this year, the Task Force issued the National Action Plan 
to Conserve Coral Reefs. The Plan lays out a science-based road map 
to healthy coral reefs for future generations, based on two 
fundamental strategies: Promoting understanding of coral reef 
ecosystems by, for example, conducting comprehensive mapping, 
assessment, and monitoring of coral reefs; and reducing the adverse 
impacts of human activities by, for example, creating an expanded 
and strengthened network of Federal, State, and territorial coral 
reef Marine Protected Areas, reducing the adverse impact of 
extractive uses, and reducing habitat destruction.
    It is time now to take the Coral Reef Task Force's 
recommendations and implement them to ensure the comprehensive 
protection of the coral reef ecosystem of the Northwest Hawaiian 
Islands through a coordinated effort among the Departments of the 
Interior and Commerce and the State of Hawaii.
    Accordingly, I have determined that it is in the best interest 
of our Nation, and of future generations, to provide strong and 
lasting protection for the coral reef ecosystem of the Northwest 
Hawaiian Islands, and I am directing you to initiate an 
administrative process to that end. Specifically, I direct you, 
working cooperatively with the State of Hawaii and consulting with 
the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, to develop 
recommendations within 90 days for a new, coordinated management 
regime to increase protection of the ecosystem and provide for 
sustainable use. Further, I direct that your recommendations address 
whether appropriate stewardship for the submerged lands and waters 
of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands warrants exercise of my authority 
to extend permanent protection to objects of historic or scientific 
interest or to protect the natural and cultural resources of this 
important area.
    The recommendations should also:
     Review the status and adequacy of all ongoing efforts 
to protect the coral reef ecosystem, including proposed no-take 
ecological reserves and the ongoing work of the Western Pacific 
Fisheries Management Council;
     To the extent permitted by law, ensure that any actions 
that the Departments of the Interior and Commerce authorize, fund, 
or carry out will not degrade the conditions of the coral reef 
ecosystems;
     Identify any further measures necessary to protect 
cultural and historic resources and artifacts;
     Identify any further measures necessary for the 
protection of the ecosystem's threatened and endangered species, 
including the endangered monk seal, sea turtles, and short-tailed 
albatross;
     Establish a framework for scientific research and 
exploration;
     Establish a framework for facilitating recreation and 
tourism in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands consistent with the 
protection and sustainable management of the ecosystem;
     Provide for culturally significant uses of the 
Northwest Hawaiian Islands' marine resources by Native Hawaiians; 
and

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     Address the development of a cooperative framework, in 
consultation with the State of Hawaii and the Western Pacific 
Fisheries Management Council, to ensure that the goals set forth 
above will be implemented in a cooperative manner, consistent with 
existing authorities.
    I also direct that during the 90-day period, the Departments 
shall conduct ``visioning'' sessions, which would provide 
opportunities for public hearing and comment to help shape the final 
recommendations.
    With this new effort, we are taking strides to fulfill the goal 
of the Coral Reef Task Force to protect our precious coral reefs for 
the benefit of future generations.

     
William J. Clinton
 

II. Request for Comments

    As part of the visioning process the Departments of the Interior 
and Commerce request comments on the following issues related to the 
coral reef ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
    (1) Those qualities of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef 
ecosystem that are most important to be preserved through new, strong 
and lasting protections;
    (2) The current threats to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral 
reef ecosystem;
    (3) The future threats to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral 
reef ecosystem;
    (4) The types of activities and uses (including culturally 
significant uses) that are appropriate in the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands;
    (5) The types of activities and uses that are inappropriate in the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands; and
    (6) The types of management tools, actions, and approaches that 
should be used to ensure strong and lasting protection of the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef ecosystem.
    In addition, the Departments welcome comments on the bulleted items 
set forth in the President's Memorandum.

III. Public Meetings

    There will be seven public meetings on the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands initiative. The dates, times and locations are as follows:

July 21, 1-4 p.m.--Washington, D.C.--Department of Commerce Auditorium 
(14th and Constitution Ave. NW)
July 24, 6-9 p.m.--Oahu--Kalihi Kai Elementary School Cafeteria
July 25, 6-9 p.m.--Maui--Baldwin High School Auditorium
July 27, 6-9 p.m.--Kona--Kealakehe High School Cafeteria
July 28, 6-9 p.m.--Hilo--Hilo High School Cafeteria
July 31, 6-9 p.m.--Kauai--Kauai Community College Cafeteria
August 1, 6-9 p.m.--Molokai--Mitchell Pauole Center

    Any changes in dates, times or location shall also be posted in the 
local media. This information may also be found at www.ecr.gov/nwhi.

    Dated: July 6, 2000.
Scott Gudes,
Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of 
Commerce.
Stephen C. Saunders,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the 
Interior.
[FR Doc. 00-17587 Filed 7-10-00; 8:45 am]
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