[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 52 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11997-11998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6471]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Availability of the Draft Reserve Operations Plan for 
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve for 
Public Comment

AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: On December 4, 2000, and January 18, 2001, Executive Orders 
13178 and 13196 (hereinafter Executive Order) were issued, establishing 
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve 
(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 the Executive Order, NOAA has 
prepared a draft Reserve Operations Plan, which provides a guide for 
management of the Reserve during a designation process that will 
consider the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a National Marine 
Sanctuary. This notice announces the availability of the draft Reserve 
Operations Plan for public review. After the close of the comment 
period, NOAA will consider the comments received and make necessary 
changes. A final Reserve Operations Plan is expected to be issued by 
Summer 2002.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft Reserve Operations Plan must 
be received no later than May 17, 2002. Written comments may be sent to 
NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, 6700 Kalaniana'ole Highway, #215, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96825; faxed to (808) 397-2662; or emailed to 
[email protected]. Comments will be available for public review at the 
office address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ``Aulani Wilhelm, (808) 397-2657, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef 
Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve) was established by Executive Orders 13178 
and 13196 (herein after Executive Order). Pursuant to the Executive 
Order, NOAA has prepared a draft Reserve Operations Plan, which 
provides a guide for management of the Reserve during a process that 
will consider the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for designation as a 
National Marine Sanctuary. This notice announces the availability of 
the draft Reserve Operations Plan for public review.
    The Executive Order directs that the draft Reserve Operations Plan 
``shall be directed at priority issues and actions.'' The Executive 
Order also directs that the Reserve Operations Plan should address such 
issues as coordinated management among the agencies with relevant 
jurisdiction in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, clean up and 
prevention of marine debris, restoration of degraded or injured 
resources, research and education, enforcement and surveillance, 
identification and coordination with Native Hawaiian interests on 
cultural uses and locations, and designation of the Reserve as a 
National Marine Sanctuary.
    In response to the Executive Order, NOS has prepared the draft 
Reserve Operations Plan, following templates used for the management 
plans of the National Marine Sanctuary Program. The document is 
composed of a set of function- and issue-oriented (as identified in the 
Executive Order) action plans, with supporting documentation. Each 
action plan focuses on strategies, and outlines what, who, why, when, 
and how different activities will be conducted. Following is a list of 
the action plans contained in the draft Reserve Operations Plan:
     Operations: includes interagency coordination, activity 
and area identification, Reserve/Sanctuary Advisory Council operations, 
development of fishing caps and permitting procedures, and 
infrastructure development;
     Education: encompasses all education, outreach, and 
interpretive projects;
     Cultural Resources: consists of all projects related to 
Native Hawaiian culture, uses, and locations;
     Research and Monitoring: contains all projects related to 
research and monitoring;
     Mapping: covers all projects related to developing charts 
and maps of the NWHI;
     Restoration: contains projects related to restoration;
     Emergency Response and Damage Assessment: covers projects 
related to contingency planning and response;
     Marine Debris: consists of projects related to the removal 
of marine debris from the NWHI;
     Enforcement: includes air and sea support for existing 
enforcement operations and expansion of a vessel monitoring system; and
     Designation: comprised of all projects related to the 
Sanctuary designation process.

[[Page 11998]]

    The Reserve Operations Plan will provide a guide for management of 
the Reserve during a process that will consider the Northwestern 
Hawaiian Islands for designation as a National Marine Sanctuary. The 
designation process has been initiated (66 FR 5509). Information about 
the scoping process and its opportunities for public comment will be 
provided in a separate notice to the Federal Register.

    Authority: Pub.L. 106-513; Executive Order 13178; and Executive 
Order 13196.

    Dated: March 12, 2002.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 02-6471 Filed 3-15-02; 8:45 am]
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