[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 24 (Monday, February 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8943-8944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2951]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Call for Applications for Alternate Representatives to the Coral 
Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands 
Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve

AGENCY: National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: On December 4, 2000, Executive Order 13178 established the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve). 
The Executive Order requires the Secretary of Commerce or his or her 
designee (hereafter ``Secretary'') to establish a Coral Reef Ecosystem 
Reserve Council (Reserve Council) to provide advice and recommendations 
on the development of the Reserve Operations Plan and the designation 
and management of a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

[[Page 8944]]

National Marine Sanctuary by the Secretary. The Secretary, through the 
National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), established the Reserve 
Council and is now seeking applicants for alternates as representatives 
on the Reserve Council. Previous applicants do not need to reapply and 
will still be considered in the competitive pool.

DATES: Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 2, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained from Elizabeth Moore, 
National Marine Sanctuary System, 1305 East West Highway, N/ORM6, Room 
11642, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, or online at: http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov.
    Completed applications should be sent to the same address as above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Moore at (301) 713-3125 
x170, or [email protected], or visit the web site at: http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 4, 2000, Executive Order 13178 
established the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem 
Reserve, pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended by 
the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000. The Reserve 
encompasses an area of the marine waters and submerged lands of the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, extending approximately 1200 nautical 
miles long and 100 nautical miles wide. The Reserve is adjacent to and 
seaward of the seaward boundary of Hawaii State waters and submerged 
lands and the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, and includes the 
Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge to the extent it extends 
beyond Hawaii State waters and submerged lands. The Reserve will be 
managed by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act and the Executive Order. The Secretary has also 
initiated the process to designate the Reserve as a National Marine 
Sanctuary. The management principles and implementation strategy and 
requirements for the Reserve are found in the Executive Order, which is 
part of the application kit and can be found on the web site listed 
above.
    In designating the Reserve, the Secretary of Commerce was directed 
to establish a Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council, pursuant to 
section 315 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, to provide advice 
and recommendations on the development of the Reserve Operations Plan 
and the designation and management of a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands 
National Marine Sanctuary by the Secretary. The National Marine 
Sanctuary Program (NMSP) has established the Reserve Council and is now 
accepting applications from interested individuals for alternates for 
the following positions on the Council:
    1. Three Native Hawaiian representatives, including one Native 
Hawaiian elder, with experience or knowledge regarding Native Hawaiian 
subsistence, cultural, religious, or other activities in the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
    2. Three representatives from the non-Federal science community 
with experience specific to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and with 
expertise in at least one of the following areas:
    A. Marine mammal science.
    B. Coral reef ecology.
    C. Native marine flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands.
    D. Oceanography.
    E. Any other scientific discipline the Secretary determines to be 
appropriate.
    3. Three representatives from non-governmental wildlife/marine 
life, environmental, and/or conservation organizations.
     One representative from the commercial fishing industry 
that conducts activities in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
     One representative from the recreational fishing industry 
that conducts activities in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
     One representative from the ocean-related tourism 
industry.
     One representative from the non-Federal community with 
experience in education and outreach regarding marine conservation 
issues.
     One citizen-at-large representative.
    All individuals who have previously applied do not need to reapply 
and remain in the competitive pool for the alternates.
    The Reserve Council also includes one representative from the State 
of Hawaii as appointed by the Governor; the manager of the Hawaiian 
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary as a non-voting 
member; and one representative each, as non-voting members, from the 
Department of the Interior, Department of State, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Marine Mammal Commission, U.S. Coast Guard, 
Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and the Western 
Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. The non-voting 
representatives are chosen by the agencies and other entities, 
respectively. The charter for the Council can be found in the 
application kit, or on the web site listed above.
    Applicants for the alternate positions are chosen based upon their 
particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which 
they are applying; community and professional affiliations; and 
philosophy regarding the conservation and management of marine 
resources. Applicants who are chosen as alternates represent a seat in 
the absence of the Council member and/or may also complete the term if 
a member resigns. Alternates hold the same privileges as members when 
they are representing the member at a Council meeting. When the member 
is present at meetings, the alternate may participate as a member of 
the public. Alternates should expect to serve two- to three-year terms, 
pursuant to the Council's charter. Persons who are interested in 
applying for membership on the Council may obtain an application from 
either the person or website identified above. Completed applications 
must be sent to the address listed above and must be received by March 
2, 2001.

    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 29, 2001.
Margaret A. Davidson,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 01-2951 Filed 2-2-01; 8:45 am]
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