[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 12525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6265]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Availability and Initiation of Review of Draft Revised 
Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine 
Sanctuary; Notice of Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; Notice of public meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 
was Congressionally designated by the Hawaiian Islands National Marine 
Sanctuary Act (HINMSA) on November 4, 1992 (Subtitle C of Public Law 
102-587, the Oceans Act of 1992). On Friday, March 28, 1997, the final 
regulations were published in the Federal Register (62 FR 14799), and 
became effective on June 6, 1997.
    At the time of designation, NOAA made a commitment to the State of 
Hawaii that five years after the management plan and regulations had 
become effective, NOAA, in consultation with the State of Hawaii, would 
evaluate the progress made toward implementing the management plan, 
regulations, and goals for the Sanctuary. NOAA also agreed that after 
the evaluation was complete, NOAA would then re-submit the management 
plan and regulations in their entirety, as far as they affect State 
waters, to the Governor for his approval. The revised management plan 
is the result of the five-year evaluation and will be submitted to the 
Governor.
    The review process is composed of four major stages: information 
collection and characterization; preparation and release of a draft 
revised management plan; public review and comment; and preparation and 
release of a final management plan.
    In reviewing the original management plan in preparation for the 
five-year review by the NMSP and the State of Hawaii, it became clear 
that although a completely rewritten management plan was not necessary, 
some restructuring and revising of the document would be beneficial. 
First, the Sanctuary has accomplished many of the tasks outlined for it 
in the original management plan that can be removed. Second, the goals 
and objectives originally outlined needed to be revised to reflect the 
current and future direction of the Sanctuary, and the 2000 amendments 
of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA). Finally, the structure 
of the original management plan does not follow the formats developed 
in the last three years for ongoing management plan reviews at other 
Sanctuaries. The NMSP and the State of Hawaii decided to revise certain 
parts of the original management plan and reformat the document, during 
the five-year review. The draft revised management plan does not 
propose any regulatory or boundary changes.
    The draft revised management plan has been completed and is now 
available for public review. NOAA will conduct public meetings to 
gather information and other comments from individuals, organizations, 
and government agencies on the scope, types, and significance of issues 
related to the Sanctuary's draft revised management plan. Written 
comments may also be sent to the address below or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. The public review period will run from March 
19, 2002 until May 24, 2002. The public meetings are scheduled for May 
1-May 9, 2002, as detailed below.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before May 24, 2002. 
Public meetings will be held on May 1 on Oahu, May 2 on Maui, May 3 on 
Kauai, and May 8 and 9 on the Big Island of Hawaii (Kona and Hilo 
respectively).

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to the Naomi McIntosh, Hawaiian 
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Management Plan 
Review), 6700 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825. 
Comments will be available for public review at the same address.
    Public meetings will be held at:
    (1) Wednesday, May 1, 6 to 9 p.m., Tokai University Auditorium, 
2241 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii.
    (2) Thursday, May 2, 6 to 9 p.m., Kihei Community Center, Lipoa 
Street at the corner of Piilani Highway, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.
    (3) Friday, May 3, 6 to 9 p.m., Radisson Kauai Beach Resort, Ginger 
Room, 4331 Kauai Beach Drive, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii.
    (4) Wednesday, May 8, 6 to 9 p.m., King Kamehameha's Kona Beach 
Hotel, Kamakahonu Ballroom, Rooms 1 & 2, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-
Kona, Hawaii (Big Island).
    (5) Thurday, May 9, 6 to 9 p.m., Naniloa Hotel, Hoomalimali Room 
(ground floor beside the Sandalwood Dining Room) 93 Banyan Drive, Hilo, 
Hawaii (Big Island).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Reisewitz, MPR Coordinator, by 
phone at (808) 397-2651 or via e-mail at [email protected].

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. Section 1431 et seq.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary 
Program)
    Dated: March 11, 2002.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 02-6265 Filed 3-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M