[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