[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 54 (Friday, March 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13022-13023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6174]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


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

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On December 4, 2000, Executive Order 13178 established the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, pursuant to 
the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-
513, section 6g, November 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2385). The Reserve 
extends

[[Page 13023]]

approximately 1200 nautical miles long and 100 nautical miles wide. 
Pursuant to the Executive Order, NOAA prepared a Draft Reserve 
Operations Plan (ROP) that focuses on priority issues and actions. The 
Draft ROP also provides a guide for management of the Reserve during a 
process that will consider designating the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands as a National Marine Sanctuary.
    The Draft ROP was released in March 2002 for an extensive public 
review. All comments were considered, and necessary and appropriate 
changes were made to the document. The draft Final ROP was developed in 
cooperation with the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service with significant and extensive input from the Reserve Advisory 
Council.
    This notice announces the availability of the draft Final ROP for 
public review. Given the amount of time since the initial public 
review, NOAA is releasing the draft Final ROP until May 15, 2004, 
during which time public comment will be accepted. After the close of 
the comment period, NOAA will consider the comments received and may 
make changes, if appropriate. NOAA anticipates releasing the Final ROP 
by Summer 2004.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The public review starts March 19, 2004, and ends 
on May 15, 2004. 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 e-mailed to [email protected]. 
Comments will be available for public review at the office address 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert P. Smith, (808) 933-8181, 
[email protected].

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. Section 1431 et seq., Pub. L. 106-513.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary 
Program)

    Dated: March 8, 2004.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-6174 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M