[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 61598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24921]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Availability and Effective Date of the Final Revised 
Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine 
Sanctuary

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability and Effective Date of Final Revised 
Management Plan.

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SUMMARY: The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 
was Congressionally designated by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale 
National Marine Sanctuary Act (HIHWNMSA) 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 2, 1997.
    Section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act requires that 
sanctuary management plans be reviewed and potentially revised every 
five years. At the time of designation NOAA made a commitment to the 
state of Hawaii that five years after the management plan and 
regulations became 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 concurrence.
    The review process was 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 revised management plan. A draft revised management 
plan and draft environmental assessment were made available for public 
review on March 19, 2002 (67 FR 12525). Seven public meetings were held 
throughout the State of Hawaii to collect information and comments from 
individuals, organizations, and government agencies on the scope, 
types, and significance of issues related the Sanctuary's draft revised 
management plan. Written comments were also received throughout the 
public comment period which ended on May 24, 2002.
    A final revised management plan and final environmental assessment 
were prepared in response to input received from the Sanctuary Advisory 
Council and comments received during the public review phase. The final 
revised management plan does not contain any regulatory or boundary 
changes.

DATES: The final revised management plan was submitted to the Governor 
of Hawaii on August 2, 2002. The Governor concurred with the final 
revised management plan on September 6, 2002. This notice confirms the 
effective date of the new management plan as September 9, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final revised management plan and its 
supporting environmental assessment may be obtained by contacting Naomi 
McIntosh, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 
6700 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite 104, Honolulu, HI 96825 or on the 
Internet at http://www.hihwnms.nos.noaa.gov.

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: September 25, 2002.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 02-24921 Filed 9-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M