[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 63899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25448]



[[Page 63899]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Requesting Public Comment on Updated Framework for the National 
System of Marine Protected Areas

AGENCY: National Marine Protected Areas Center, Office of National 
Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior 
(DOI) jointly propose an updated Framework for the National System of 
Marine Protected Areas of the United States (Framework). The Framework 
is required by Executive Order 13158 on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). 
This Framework provides overarching guidance for collaborative efforts 
among federal, state, commonwealth, territorial, tribal and local 
governments and stakeholders to implement an effective National System 
of MPAs (National System) from existing sites, build management 
capacity among MPA programs, coordinate collaborative efforts to 
address common management issues and identify ecosystem-based gaps in 
the protection of significant natural and cultural resources for 
possible future action by the nation's MPA authorities. The proposed 
draft document would update the previous version of the Framework, 
completed in November 2008, using experience gained implementing the 
National System and advice from the Marine Protected Areas Federal 
Advisory Committee and MPA programs.

DATES: Comments will be considered if received by December 26, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified as 
NOAA-NOS-2014-0112, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2014-0112, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to National Marine Protected 
Areas Center, 1305 East West Highway, N/NMS, Silver Spring, Maryland 
20910, Attn: Lauren Wenzel.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. The draft 
updated Framework is available for download at: http://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Wenzel, Acting Director, 
National Marine Protected Areas Center, 301-713-7265 or 
[email protected].
    Copies of the updated Framework can be downloaded or viewed on the 
Internet at marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov. Copies can also be obtained 
by contacting the person identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Protected Areas Center (MPA 
Center), in cooperation with the Department of the Interior (DOI), 
completed the Framework for the National System of Marine Protected 
Areas of the United States (Framework) to meet requirements under 
Executive Order 13158 on Marine Protected Areas (Order) in November 
2008. NOAA and DOI are now proposing to update this Framework to 
reflect five years of implementation experience as well as advice from 
MPA management agencies and the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory 
Committee. The purpose of this notice is to notify the public of the 
availability of the draft updated Framework for public comment.
    MPAs are an effective tool for conserving marine resources, and 
have been implemented by a wide range of agencies in the United States 
to conserve biodiversity, restore ecosystem functions, conserve 
cultural resources and restore fisheries. When used effectively and in 
conjunction with other management tools, MPAs can help to ensure 
healthy Great Lakes and oceans by contributing to the overall 
protection of critical marine habitats and resources. In this way, 
effective MPAs can offer social and economic opportunities for current 
and future generations, such as tourism, biotechnology, fishing, 
education, and scientific research.
    Executive Order 13158 calls for the creation of a National System 
of MPAs to ``enhance the conservation of our Nation's natural and 
cultural marine heritage and the ecologically and economically 
sustainable use of the marine environment for future generations.'' 
Established in November 2008, the National System provides a mechanism 
for MPA managers to: Voluntarily collaborate on shared management 
challenges; strengthen linkages among sites to enhance the management 
of marine resources; and build management capacity.
    This proposed updated Framework is streamlined for greater clarity 
and readability, has an increased focus on the functions of the 
National System, and describes the role of the MPA Center in 
coordinating and supporting the National System. It also includes 
substantial revisions to the criteria for cultural resources, adding a 
criterion that allows MPAs created by tribes and indigenous people to 
be eligible for the National System.

    Dated: October 21, 2014.
Daniel J. Basta,
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-25448 Filed 10-24-14; 8:45 am]
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