[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16224-16247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06441]



[[Page 16223]]

Vol. 80

Thursday,

No. 58

March 26, 2015

Part IV





 Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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15 CFR Part 922





 Proposed Expansion, Regulatory Revision and New Management Plan for 
the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; Proposed 
Rules

  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 922

[Docket No. 140207122-4122-01]
RIN 0648-BD97


Proposed Expansion, Regulatory Revision and New Management Plan 
for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is 
proposing to expand the boundaries and scope of Hawaiian Islands 
Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or sanctuary), amend 
the regulations for HIHWNMS, change the name of the sanctuary, and 
revise the sanctuary's terms of designation and management plan. The 
purpose of this action is to transition the sanctuary from a single-
species management approach to an ecosystem-based management approach. 
A draft environmental impact statement and draft revised management 
plan have been prepared for this proposed action. NOAA is soliciting 
public comment on the proposed rule, draft environmental impact 
statement, and draft revised management plan.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule will be considered if received by 
June 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NOS-2015-0028, 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-2015-0028, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine 
Sanctuary, NOAA/DKIRC, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, 
Attn: Malia Chow, Superintendent.
    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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malia Chow, Superintendent, Hawaiian 
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary at 808-725-5901 or 
[email protected].
    Copies of the draft environmental impact statement and proposed 
rule can be downloaded or viewed on the Internet at www.regulations.gov 
(search for docket # NOAA-NOS-2015-0028) or at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov. Copies can also be obtained by contacting 
the person identified under For Further Information Contact.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public hearings will be held in the 
following locations at the locales and times indicated:

(1) Hale`iwa, HI (O`ahu)

    Date: April 27, 2015.
    Location: Sunset Beach Recreation Center.
    Address: 59-540 Kamehameha Highway, Hal`eiwa, HI 96712.
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

(2) Honolulu, HI (O`ahu)

    Date: April 28, 2015.
    Location: Honolulu Waldorf School.
    Address: 350 Ulua Street, Honolulu, HI 96821.
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

(3) Kihei, HI (Maui)

    Date: April 29, 2015.
    Location: Kihei Youth Center.
    Address: 131 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753.
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

(4) Lahaina, HI (Maui)

    Date: April 30, 2015.
    Location: Kaunoa Senior Center.
    Address: 788 Pauoa St., Lahaina, HI 96761.
    Time: 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

(5) Kaunakakai, HI (Moloka`i)

    Date: May 1, 2015.
    Location: Lanikeha Community Center.
    Address: 2200 Farrington Ave., Kaunakakai, HI 96748.
    Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

(6) L[amacr]na`i City, HI (L[amacr]na`i)

    Date: May 2, 2015.
    Location: L[amacr]na`i High and Elementary School.
    Address: 555 Fraser Avenue, L[amacr]na`i City, HI 96763.
    Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

(7) Kilauea City, HI (Kaua`i)

    Date: May 4, 2015.
    Location: Kilauea Elementary School Cafeteria.
    Address: 2440 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754.
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

(8) Ni`ihau, HI *

    Date: May 5, 2015.
    Location: Ni`ihau School Cafeteria.
    Address: Puuwai Village, Ni`ihau, HI 96769.
    Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
    * Please note that due to limited access to the island this is not 
a public meeting. This meeting is for people residing on and landowners 
of Ni`ihau Island.

(9) Lihu`e, HI (Kaua`i)

    Date: May 6, 2015.
    Location: King Kaumuali`i Elementary School Cafeteria.
    Address: 4380 Hanama`ulu Road, Lihu'e, HI 96766.
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

(10) Kailua-Kona, HI (Hawai`i)

    Date: May 7, 2015.
    Location: Kealakehe High School Cafeteria.
    Address: 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
    Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

I. Introduction

1. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

    The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 
(HIHWNMS or sanctuary) covers approximately 1,031.4 square nautical 
miles (1,366 square miles) of federal and state waters in the Hawaiian 
Islands. The sanctuary lies within the shallow warm waters surrounding 
the main Hawaiian Islands which are a nationally significant marine 
environment. The area is a diverse and unique ecosystem with marine 
resources including coral reefs, highly endangered Hawaiian monk seals, 
three species of sea turtles, marine species endemic to this area such 
as monk seals, corals, and seagrasses, and 25 species of cetaceans 
including humpback whales. This area constitutes one of the world's 
most important humpback whale habitats. The warm, calm waters in this 
area are used by humpback whales for breeding, calving, and nursing. 
The waters in this area also contain a number of cultural

[[Page 16225]]

and historical resources including those reflecting native Hawaiian 
traditions and uses. The area supports fishing activities, and is also 
a destination for visitors worldwide who come for whale watching, 
diving, and other ocean-related activities in the sanctuary waters. 
Congress designated the sanctuary in 1992 through the Hawaiian Islands 
National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA, Subtitle C of the Oceans Act of 
1992, Pub. L. 102-587), which declared that the purposes of the 
sanctuary were to (1) protect humpback whales and their habitat; (2) 
educate and interpret for the public the relationship of humpback 
whales to the Hawaiian Islands marine environment; (3) manage human 
uses of the sanctuary consistent with the Act and the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act (NMSA); and (4) provide for the identification of 
marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible 
inclusion in the sanctuary.
    The sanctuary is co-managed by NOAA and the State of Hawai`i 
(State) through a compact agreement that was signed in 1998 which 
clarifies the relative jurisdiction, authority, and conditions of the 
NOAA-State partnership for managing the sanctuary. The Hawaii 
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) serves as the lead 
agency for the State's co-management of the sanctuary.

2. Need for Action

    When Congress designated the HIHWNMS in 1992, it mandated NOAA to 
provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of 
national significance for possible inclusion in the sanctuary. The 
current management plan review process seeks to carry out this mandate. 
Started in 2010, the sanctuary management plan review provided an 
opportunity to: Consider the value of marine ecosystems, assess 
existing threats and protections to these valuable resources; and 
determine where NOAA can provide added value to the resource management 
efforts provided by the state and other federal agencies.
    NOAA believes that an ecosystem-based, rather than single-species 
based, management approach for HIHWNMS would provide sanctuary 
management with the platform to begin to evaluate and potentially 
address the full suite of resource management issues currently faced by 
marine resources in the main Hawaiian Islands. By focusing on the 
biological, physical, and human components of a healthy marine 
environment, an ecosystem-based management approach in the sanctuary 
would be more comprehensive and inclusive of all aspects of the marine 
ecosystem than the current single species approach. Humpback whales and 
their habitat are an essential component of the marine ecosystem in 
Hawai`i and the sanctuary would continue to support current humpback 
whale management programs, but would also engage in research, resource 
protection, education, community engagement, and education for other 
areas and issues of the sanctuary environment.
    This management approach is also consistent with Native Hawaiians' 
management practices, which have traditionally used a holistic approach 
to conserve both land and marine resources. Native Hawaiians also view 
natural and cultural resources as being interrelated and, that all 
biological resources are culturally significant. NOAA recognizes the 
importance of including Native Hawaiian knowledge and practices in the 
management framework of the sanctuary and intends to incorporate the 
sustainable use of natural and cultural resources into its management 
planning. In addition, the sanctuary management plan and regulations 
will strive to accommodate traditional uses and achieve sustainable 
cultural practices.

3. History of the Management Plan Review Process

History
    During the 2002 management plan review (MPR), NOAA received 
comments from the general public requesting that HIHWNMS, consistent 
with section 2304(b) of the HINMSA, consider the conservation and 
management of marine resources in addition to humpback whales and their 
habitat. In response, NOAA included a goal in the HIHWNMS 2002 
management plan to ``identify and evaluate resources and ecosystems for 
possible inclusion in the sanctuary''. NOAA followed up by conducting 
an assessment of living marine resources and maritime heritage 
resources within the sanctuary, including human population trends, past 
and current threats, existing management authorities, and conservation 
needs. The assessment report was shared with then Governor Linda Lingle 
in 2007 who publicly expressed her support for NOAA to consider 
protecting additional marine species within the sanctuary.
    Between April 2009 and July 2010, NOAA conducted a series of 
meetings and workshops to solicit public input on the inclusion of 
additional marine resources into sanctuary management and raise 
awareness about the management plan review process. These events were 
conducted formally and informally across the State of Hawai`i on all 
the main islands.
Public Scoping Process
    NOAA formally initiated the public scoping process on July 14, 
2010, by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 
40759) and informing the public that NOAA was initiating a review of 
its management plan and regulations and preparing an environmental 
impact statement (EIS). In August 2010, NOAA held ten public scoping 
meetings in communities across Hawai`i. In total, 12,375 public 
comments, including two petitions with a total of 12,019 signatures, 
were received over the 90-day public comment period (July to October 
2010).
    Many people commended HIHWNMS for their active role in promoting 
the conservation of humpback whales and their habitat, but suggested 
that NOAA consider expanding the scope of sanctuary management to 
conserve additional marine species and habitats. Other comments 
identified the need to address anthropogenic threats to the marine 
environment including pollution, offshore development, and climate 
change. The public also identified opportunities and recommendations 
for HIHWNMS to:
     Improve and expand upon enforcement, management 
effectiveness, and marine animal assessment and response;
     better integrate Native Hawaiian cultural resources and 
maritime heritage resources into sanctuary management and planning;
     emphasize ocean literacy programs; and
     update research programs, regulations, and sanctuary 
boundaries.
    Comments were submitted by agencies, organizations, elected 
officials and community members from throughout Hawai`i, the U.S. 
mainland and elsewhere. NOAA documented all comments received during 
the public comment period as part of the administrative record; the 
comments are available online at www.regulations.gov.
    In response to many of these comments, this proposed rule proposes 
several changes to the HIHWNMS regulations and boundaries as described 
below in the ``Summary of the Regulatory Amendments.'' The 
environmental effects of these proposed changes are analyzed in a DEIS 
published concurrently with this proposed rule. NOAA has also developed 
an associated draft management plan describing sanctuary management 
activities in research,

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resource protection and education. NOAA is seeking public comment on 
the proposed rule, DEIS, and draft management plan, which are available 
at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/management/management_plan_review.html or may be obtained by contacting the 
individual listed under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. Summary of the Regulatory Amendments

1. Change Focus of Management From Single Species to Ecosystem

    NOAA is proposing to amend Sec.  922.180(a)-(b) to reflect the 
inclusion of other marine resources in the resource protection mission 
of the proposed ecosystem-based sanctuary. Similarly, NOAA is proposing 
to remove the current species-based definition of ``sanctuary 
resource'' and ``habitat'' in Sec.  922.182, which currently only 
includes humpback whales and their habitat in the definition of 
sanctuary resource. The definition that would then apply to the 
sanctuary would be the existing definition presented in the regulations 
for all national marine sanctuaries at Sec.  922.3.
    This national definition for sanctuary resource is: ``any living or 
non-living resource of a National Marine Sanctuary that contributes to 
the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, 
educational, or aesthetic value of the Sanctuary, including, but not 
limited to, the substratum of the area of the Sanctuary, other 
submerged features and the surrounding seabed, carbonate rock, corals 
and other bottom formations, coralline algae and other marine plants 
and algae, marine invertebrates, brine-seep biota, phytoplankton, 
zooplankton, fish, seabirds, sea turtles and other marine reptiles, 
marine mammals and historical resources (15 CFR 922.3).'' In a separate 
rulemaking NOAA has proposed to update this national definition to add 
cultural resources to the definition of sanctuary resources (78 FR 
5998). Upon completion of that separate national rulemaking the updated 
definition of sanctuary resources would then apply to all national 
marine sanctuaries.

2. Add New Areas to the Sanctuary Boundary

    NOAA is proposing to expand the current boundaries to include five 
additional areas in the sanctuary, adding 192.6 total square nautical 
miles (255 square miles) to the sanctuary bringing the total area to 
1,224 square nautical miles (1,621 square miles). Under this action, 
NOAA is proposing to: (1) Extend the sanctuary boundary on the north 
shore of O`ahu west to include waters adjacent to the Ali`i Beach Park; 
(2) extend the sanctuary boundaries on the north shore of Kaua`i east 
to include waters adjacent to the P[imacr]la`a ahupua`a; (3) extend the 
sanctuary boundaries on the north shore of Kaua`i west to include 
waters adjacent to the H[amacr]`ena ahupua`a; (4) include the waters 
around the island of Ni`ihau, southwest of Kaua`i; and (5) modify the 
southern boundary of Penguin Bank and Maui Nui to simplify the 
convolutions of the current boundary where the approximation of the 
100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths is too intricate for enforcement and 
to include additional important habitat. Ahupua`a are a system of 
traditional Hawaiian land division extending from the upland to the sea 
or watershed boundary. NOAA is also proposing a technical correction to 
the seaward boundary of the full sanctuary to include latitude/
longitude coordinates approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) 
isobaths and where needed the three nautical mile line to define the 
boundary, which would result in minor modification to the overall area 
estimate of the sanctuary.
    The proposed boundary changes were selected through a public 
process to identify and assess marine areas that could more effectively 
complement current management authorities or enhance natural and 
cultural resource value. Collectively, these new areas capture a 
greater diversity of habitats and biological resources than currently 
protected by HIHWNMS. Inclusion of these areas within the sanctuary 
system would provide additional regulatory protection, resources for 
management, and improved public awareness of their natural and cultural 
resource value. The technical correction addresses the current seaward 
boundary of the sanctuary which is defined as following the historic 
100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths. NOAA proposes to modernize the 
boundary by employing a textual description coupled with a table of 
latitude/longitude coordinates that approximates the 100-fathom (182.9 
meter) isobath. The correction is being made to clarify the boundary 
for paper and electronic nautical charts, to provide a more accurately 
defined boundary for use by ships using GPS technology, and to improve 
enforceability. The technical change is not intended to add any 
additional area to the sanctuary and is distinct from the five new 
areas being proposed for addition to the sanctuary. The harbors 
currently excluded from the sanctuary boundaries continue to be 
excluded. Those harbors are Kawaihae Boat Harbor & Small Boat Basin on 
Hawai`i; Kaumalapau Harbor and Manele Harbor on L[amacr]na`i; Lahaina 
Boat Harbor and M[amacr]`alaea Boat Harbor on Maui; Hale o Lono Harbor 
and Kaunakakai Harbor on Moloka`i; and Kuapa Pond (Hawai`I Kai) and 
Hale`iwa Harbor on O`ahu. The proposed boundary changes for the five 
new areas are described in more detail below.
a. Ni`ihau and Lehua
    NOAA is proposing to incorporate the waters around the island of 
Ni`ihau into the sanctuary, including the waters surrounding Lehua 
Island. The boundary for this area would extend around the islands 
seaward from the shoreline three nautical miles. The total area of the 
proposed boundary expansion would be 163.9 square nautical miles (217 
square miles). Ni`ihau is the seventh largest island in the Hawaiian 
Archipelago and is the westernmost island of the populated Hawaiian 
Islands. The island has an area of approximately 69.5 square miles (180 
square km) and is located approximately 18 miles (29 km) west of the 
island of Kaua`i across the Kaulakahi Channel. Uninhabited Lehua Islet 
lies 0.7 miles (1.1 km) directly north of Ni`ihau.
    Ni`ihau is the closest of the populated Hawaiian Islands to the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and is at the interface between the two 
bioregions, serving as a functional transition zone in the archipelago. 
The specific biophysical and cultural connectivity dynamics at this 
interface are of special interest. The coral at Ni`ihau and Lehua have 
significantly lower prevalence of coral disease than elsewhere in the 
populated Hawaiian Islands. The waters around Ni`ihau and Lehua also 
have a higher level of fish biomass and a higher number of endemic 
species than the other populated Hawaiian Islands.
    Ni`ihau is also an important habitat for dolphins, monk seals and 
humpback whales. The endangered Hawaiian monk seals have a significant 
presence in Ni`ihau and Lehua. Lehua Islet is an important monk seal 
feeding and resting site. Aerial surveys conducted in 2000, 2001, and 
2008 documented approximately three times more monk seals on the 
coastal areas of Ni`ihau and Lehua than on other islands in the 
populated Hawaiian Islands. Island-wide surveys of Ni`ihau have 
observed between 17 and 69 monk seals at a particular time, higher than 
any other reported sightings on the populated Hawaiian Islands. Recent 
research

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indicates that the population of monk seals at Ni`ihau may be distinct 
and do not travel to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Humpback whales 
have been observed in high numbers near the coast of Ni`ihau, and 
dolphins and false killer whales populate the waters.
b. Kaua`i
    The current sanctuary boundary on the north shore of Kaua`i extends 
along the shoreline from Kailiu Point eastward to Mokolea Point and 
seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 m) isobath. NOAA is 
proposing to extend the sanctuary boundary in two areas to more closely 
include the waters of the adjacent ahupua`a.
(i) H[amacr]`ena Ahupua`a
    On the north shore of the island of Kaua`i, west of the town of 
Hanalei, NOAA is proposing to extend the western boundary of the 
sanctuary to Ke`e Beach and include the waters of the H[amacr]`ena 
ahupua`a seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. 
The boundary extension would also include the H[amacr]`ena community-
based subsistence fishing area (CBSFA) which is currently managed by 
the State of Hawai`i. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion 
would be approximately 6 square nautical miles (8 square miles).
(ii) P[imacr]la`a Ahupua`a
    NOAA is also proposing to extend the eastern-boundary of the 
sanctuary on the north shore of Kaua`i to include the waters from 
Mokolea Point to Kepuhi Point including those of the P[imacr]la`a 
ahupua`a seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. 
The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be 
approximately 3.8 square nautical miles (5 square miles). The proposed 
sanctuary area would be used to pilot traditional Hawaiian marine 
resource management approaches along with science-informed management 
to restore the degraded coral reef ecosystem.
c. O`ahu
    The current sanctuary boundary on the north shore of O`ahu extends 
from Pua`ena Point eastward to M[amacr]hie Point and seaward to 
approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. With this action, 
NOAA is proposing to extend the western boundary of the sanctuary from 
Pua`ena Point to approximately Ali`i Beach Park and seaward to 
approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath to include the North 
Shore Surfing Reserve. The designation of the Surfing Reserve in 2010 
was part of a state-led effort to acknowledge the cultural and historic 
significance of important surf sites in Hawai`i. The proposed sanctuary 
boundary extension would exclude Hale`iwa Harbor. The total area of the 
proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 3 square nautical 
miles (4 square miles).
d. Penguin Bank and Maui Nui
    The current sanctuary boundary in the area around Penguin Bank off 
the southwest shore of Moloka`i and in Maui Nui between the islands of 
L[amacr]na`i and Kaho`olawe closely approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 
meter) isobath. The current boundary in these areas meanders 
significantly due to the complexity of the seafloor bathymetry, 
currently making enforcement of sanctuary regulations difficult. As 
part of a sanctuary-wide effort to modernize the sanctuary boundary by 
employing a textual description coupled with a table of latitude/
longitude coordinates that approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) 
isobath, NOAA proposes to improve the boundary in these areas by 
simplifying the convolutions of the current boundary, thus eliminating 
any potential confusion regarding the location of the boundary due to 
the complexity of the bathymetry. The new, less intricate boundary will 
make enforcement less difficult and for Penguin Bank the area is also 
defined to be inclusive of precious corals, mesophotic corals and monk 
seal foraging areas. The net result is an addition of approximately 
15.9 square nautical miles (21 square miles) to the sanctuary in 
federal waters.

3. Change the Name of the Sanctuary

    In recognition of the proposed change to an ecosystem-based 
approach to management, NOAA is proposing that the sanctuary be renamed 
``Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu''. 
The phrase ``N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu'' means ``the eight seas'' in Native 
Hawaiian and refers to the ocean channels between the populated 
Hawaiian Islands and a Native Hawaiian poetic reference to the Hawaiian 
Islands themselves. It illustrates the interconnectedness between the 
ocean, the people of Hawai`i and their communities. Since the current 
name no longer fits NOAA is proposing a change that communicates both 
the management approach and a sense of community throughout Hawai'i, 
recognizing humans as part of the ecosystem.

4. Approaching a Humpback Whale

    The current sanctuary regulation prohibits approaching, or causing 
a vessel or other object to approach, within the sanctuary, by any 
means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as authorized 
under the MMPA and the ESA. NOAA is proposing to add interception (e.g. 
placing a vessel in the path of an oncoming humpback whale so that the 
whale changes its behavior), as well as disrupting the normal behavior 
or prior activity of a whale by any other act or omission, to this 
existing prohibition.
    These proposed changes to the existing humpback whale approach 
regulation would help to minimize incidences of humpback whale 
harassment or injury within the sanctuary, reduce adverse behavioral 
responses, and limit vessel strikes within the sanctuary. NOAA is 
proposing to apply these changes to the exiting regulation to the 
entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.

5. Operating an Aircraft Within 1,000 Feet of Humpback Whales

    NOAA is proposing to apply the current overflight prohibition on 
operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet of humpback whales, to the new 
proposed areas for the sanctuary.

6. Taking or Possessing Humpback Whales

    NOAA is proposing to combine the existing prohibitions on take and 
possession of humpback whales within the sanctuary into one regulation 
to be consistent with humpback whale take and approach regulations 
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the State of Hawai`i 
Administrative Rules 13-124 and apply the new proposed regulation to 
the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.

7. Interfering With Investigation

    NOAA proposing to apply the current prohibition on interfering with 
enforcement to the new proposed areas in the sanctuary.

8. Marking or Defacing Any Signs

    NOAA is proposing to prohibit damaging, removing or displacing any 
signs, notices, placards, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers 
related to the sanctuary. NOAA is proposing to apply this to the entire 
sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.

9. Removing or Damaging Historical and Cultural Resources

    NOAA is proposing to prohibit removing, damaging, or tampering with 
any historical or cultural resources within the sanctuary. Cultural 
heritage

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resources found within the sanctuary include traditional Hawaiian 
fishpond systems, heritage sites related to traditional Hawaiian 
surfing, and heritage sites related to traditional voyaging and its 
cultural traditions. It also includes submerged heritage sites related 
to Native Hawaiian traditions and practices. Maritime heritage 
resources include shipwreck sites, historic aircraft sites, the remains 
of landings and dock facilities, and other types of materials.
    This proposed prohibition would provide additional protection for 
maritime heritage resources within the sanctuary and complement 
existing state and Federal statutes, such as the National Historical 
Preservation Act and Sunken Military Craft Act. NOAA is proposing to 
apply these changes to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new 
areas of the sanctuary.

10. Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs)

    NOAA is proposing to create three Special Sanctuary Management 
Areas. NOAA is proposing a number of regulations specific to the 
Special Sanctuary Management Areas at Penguin Bank and the Maui Nui 
area (both in federal waters outside of 3 nautical miles) and Maunalua 
Bay (state waters within 3 nautical miles). For a map of these three 
areas, see the HIHWNMS Web page (http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/). 
For more information on permit options for the prohibitions described 
here, see section 12 on Permits and Authorizations. The following 
regulations would only apply in these three areas:
10a. Taking or Possessing Any Marine Mammal, Sea Turtle, Seabird, ESA 
Listed Species or HI Listed Species in the SSMAs
    As a complement to existing protections, NOAA is proposing to 
prohibit taking or possessing any marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, 
ESA-listed species or Hawai`i Revised Statutes chapter 195D listed 
species, within or above sanctuary waters in the three SSMAs, with an 
exception for species authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 
the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the 
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, or Hawai`i 
State Law.
10b. Discharging Material Into the SSMAs
    NOAA is proposing to modify the current prohibition on discharging 
or altering any submerged lands by separating the regulation into two 
parts, and refining the language for clarity and enforceability. Due to 
the proposed expanded scope of the sanctuary, NOAA understands that the 
scope of the application of the prohibition has also expanded. 
Therefore NOAA is seeking to assess value of the regulation in the 
SSMAs only instead of applying them sanctuary-wide at this time. With 
respect to the prohibition on discharging, NOAA is proposing to 
prohibit discharging or depositing any material or matter into the 
three SSMAs, except:
     Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or 
resulting from fishing in the sanctuary;
     treated biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use;
     water generated by routine vessel operations, such as 
engine exhaust, deck wash down; engine cooling water, clean bilge water 
or anchor wash; and
     biodegradable materials for traditional ceremonies 
associated with culturally important customs and usage (e.g. the 
discharge of leis, paper lanterns).
    This prohibition, and its associated exceptions, would also apply 
to discharge adjacent to these areas, should that discharge 
subsequently enter and injure a sanctuary resource within the SSMAs. 
This prohibition will likely enhance water quality in the Penguin Bank 
and Maui Nui SSMAs, and reduce impacts from pollutants and debris to 
the biological and physical environment in the Maunalua Bay SSMA. NOAA 
could use the authorization authority proposed in this rulemaking to 
evaluate whether to authorize activities that receive a permit from the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the State of Hawai'i and include 
additional conditions for those activities to protect sanctuary 
resources from activities.
10c. Dredging, Drilling Into or Otherwise Altering the Submerged Lands 
of the SSMAs
    NOAA is proposing to modify the current prohibition on discharging 
or altering any submerged lands by separating the regulation into two 
parts, and refining the language for clarity and enforceability. Due to 
the proposed expanded scope of the sanctuary, NOAA understands that the 
scope of the application of the prohibition has also expanded. 
Therefore, NOAA is seeking to assess the value of the regulation in the 
SSMAs only, instead of applying them sanctuary-wide at this time. With 
respect to the prohibition on altering any submerged lands, NOAA is 
proposing to refine the current regulations to prohibit dredging, 
drilling into, or otherwise altering in any way submerged lands in the 
three SSMAs, except:
     Anchoring a vessel on sandy bottom or substrate;
     routine maintenance of docks, seawalls, breakwaters, piers 
authorized by federal, state or local authorities with jurisdiction;
     the installation and maintenance of navigational aids 
authorized by federal, state or local authorities with jurisdiction; 
and
     aquaculture or fishing activities authorized under a 
permit issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural 
Resources, State of Hawai`i Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, or NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.
    Submerged lands include bottom formations, live rock and coral. 
There are currently no regulations for any non-precious stony corals, 
including mesophotic corals, in federal waters of Penguin Bank and the 
Maui Nui area. The proposed regulation supports and enhances efforts to 
protect previous corals in the Maui Nui area that have been designated 
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Similarly, 
the proposed regulation would reduce direct physical and biological 
damage to coral and other marine habitats in Maunalua Bay.
    Under the proposed regulations, NOAA would have the authority to 
authorize federal, state, or local permits for construction and 
dredging activities that would otherwise violate the proposed 
regulations in Maunalua Bay. Under the proposed regulation, any 
permittee with a pre-existing (at the time of final rule) federal, 
state, or local permit would need to notify NOAA of the permitted 
activity. Then the permittee would need to come into compliance with 
the sanctuary regulations by getting an authorization from NOAA within 
1 year of the effective date of the final regulations. See Section 11 
below for more information on authorization authority.
10d. Possessing or Using Explosives in the SSMAs
    NOAA is proposing to prohibit possessing or using explosives within 
the SSMAs, with exceptions for explosives used for valid law 
enforcement purposes.
    This proposed prohibition is consistent with the current State of 
Hawai`i regulations. Currently, the state prohibits the possession and 
use of explosives in or around fishing areas in state waters within 
three nautical miles (HAR Sec.  13-75, HRS Sec.  188-23).

[[Page 16229]]

10e. Introducing or Releasing Introduced Species in or Into the SSMAs
    NOAA is proposing to prohibit introducing or otherwise releasing an 
introduced species into the SSMAs, with an exception for species 
cultivated by aquaculture activities in state waters pursuant to a 
valid lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by DLNR or 
NMFS on the effective date of this final regulation. Introduced species 
can pose a major economic and environmental threat to the living 
resources and habitats of a sanctuary as well as the commercial and 
recreational uses that depend on these resources. NOAA understands that 
not all introduced species will become invasive species; however, 
national marine sanctuaries are mandated by law to preserve the natural 
character of national marine sanctuary ecosystems and any proposed 
alteration of the natural biological community (e.g. introduction of a 
foreign species) is contrary to the purpose of sanctuary designation.

11. Permits and Authorizations

11a. General Permits
    NOAA is proposing to add to HIHWNMS regulations the authority to 
consider permits for the following four activities otherwise 
prohibited:
     Discharges of material or matter in the Special Sanctuary 
Management Areas (SSMAs);
     discharges of material or matter outside SSMAs that may 
enter and injure;
     disturbance of submerged lands of the SSMAs; and
     damaging cultural and maritime resources.
    As proposed, NOAA's permitting authority would apply sanctuary-wide 
only to activities prohibited by the proposed damaging cultural and 
maritime resources regulation. NOAA would only consider permits for 
activities prohibited by the proposed regulations for discharge and 
disturbance of the submerged lands in the SSMAs (and are therefore 
limited to the SSMAs).
    Similar to other national marine sanctuaries, NOAA is proposing to 
consider these permits only for the purposes of sanctuary education, 
research, and management (see the Summary of Regulations below for a 
specific description of these categories). NOAA is also proposing to 
add a fourth permit category for actions involving ``installation of 
submarine cables.'' This permit category would only apply to submarine 
cable activities otherwise prohibited in the SSMAs (and, therefore, 
apply only to the SSMAs).
    To address the above additions to the ONMS general permit authority 
for HIHWNMS, NOAA would amend regulatory text in the program-wide 
regulations in sections 922.48 and 922.50 to add references to Subpart 
Q, as appropriate. NOAA would also add a new section 922.188 in Subpart 
Q titled ``Permit procedures and review criteria.'' Further, NOAA would 
add a subparagraph to 922.184 that would specify which general permit 
categories apply to which prohibited activities.
11b. Authorizations
    NOAA also proposes to provide HIHWNMS with the authority to 
consider allowing an otherwise prohibited activity if such activity is 
specifically authorized by any valid Federal, State, or local lease, 
permit, license, approval, or other authorization. Authorization 
authority is intended to streamline regulatory requirements by reducing 
the need for multiple permits and would apply to all proposed 
prohibitions at 922.49 Subpart Q. As such, NOAA proposes to amend the 
regulatory text at 922.49 to add reference to Subpart Q and at 922.184 
(HIHWNMS regulations).
11c. Special Use Permits
    NOAA proposes to allow the ONMS Director to issue special use 
permits (SUPs) at HIHWNMS as established by Section 310 of the NMSA. 
Although SUP authority is established statutorily, NOAA has not 
exercised this authority at HIHWNMS. In the proposed regulatory 
changes, NOAA intends to make it clear that the ONMS Director may issue 
SUPs at HIHWNMS.
    SUPs can be used to authorize the conduct of specific activities in 
a sanctuary if such authorization is necessary (1) to establish 
conditions of access to and use of any sanctuary resource; or (2) to 
promote public use and understanding of a sanctuary resource. The 
activities that qualify for a SUP are set forth in the Federal Register 
(78 FR 25957; May 3, 2013). Categories of SUPs may be changed or added 
to through public notice and comment. The list of categories subject to 
the requirements of special use permits is:
    1. The placement and recovery of objects associated with public or 
private events on non-living substrate of the submerged lands of any 
national marine sanctuary.
    2. The placement and recovery of objects related to commercial 
filming.
    3. The continued presence of commercial submarine cables on or 
within the submerged lands of any national marine sanctuary.
    4. The disposal of cremated human remains within or into any 
national marine sanctuary.
    5. Recreational diving near the USS Monitor.
    6. Fireworks displays.
    7. The operation of aircraft below the minimum altitude in 
restricted zones of national marine sanctuaries.
    The NMSA places certain requirements on any issuance of a SUP by 
the ONMS Director. Specifically, it states that the Director:
    Shall authorize the conduct of an activity only if that activity is 
compatible with the purposes for which the sanctuary is designated and 
with protection of sanctuary resources;
    Shall not authorize the conduct of any activity for a period of 
more than 5 years unless renewed by the Secretary;
    Shall require that activities carried out under the permit be 
conducted in a manner that does not destroy, cause the loss of, or 
injure Sanctuary resources; and
    Shall require the permittee to purchase and maintain comprehensive 
general liability insurance, or post an equivalent bond, against claims 
arising out of activities conducted under the permit and to agree to 
hold the United States harmless against such claims.
    The NMSA allows the assessment and collection of fees for the 
conduct of any activity under a SUP. The fees collected could be used 
to recover the administrative costs of issuing the permit, the cost of 
implementing the permit, and the fair market value of the use of 
sanctuary resources.

III. Summary of Proposed Changes to the Sanctuary Terms of Designation

    Section 304(a)(4) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) 
requires that the terms of designation include the geographic area 
included within the sanctuary; the characteristics of the area that 
give it conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, 
educational, or aesthetic value; and the types of activities that will 
be subject to regulation by the Secretary of Commerce to protect these 
characteristics.
    Pursuant to the NMSA and the HINMSA, the terms of designation of 
the sanctuary shall be modified pursuant to Sections 303 and 304 of the 
NMSA and Sections 2305 and 2306 of the HINMSA.
    With this proposed rule, NOAA is proposing changes to the HIHWNMS 
terms of designation, which were previously published in the Federal

[[Page 16230]]

Register on March 28, 1997 (62 FR 14799). The changes would:
    1. Modify the introduction to change the name of the sanctuary to 
the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu, 
and re-characterize the purpose of the sanctuary as ecosystem-based 
(rather than single species).
    2. Modify Article I. Effect of Designation to change the name of 
the sanctuary to the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--
N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu.
    3. Modify Article II. Description of the Area to update the 
boundary description with the new areas NOAA proposes adding to the 
sanctuary and remove the outdated text pertaining to Kahoolawe Island.
    4. Modify Article III. Characteristics of the Area to update 
information on the abundance of humpback whales found near the Hawaiian 
Islands.
    5. Modify Article IV. Scope of Regulations to update the activities 
regulated to include the activities covered by the proposed 
regulations.
    6. Modify Article V to update the reference to the NMSA.
    The revised terms of designation are proposed to read as follows 
(new text in bold and deleted text in brackets and italics):
DESIGNATION OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS [HUMPBACK WHALE] NATIONAL MARINE 
SANCTUARY--N[Amacr] KAI `EWALU
    On November 4, 1992, President Bush signed into law the Hawaiian 
Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA or Act; Subtitle C of the 
Oceans Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-587) which designated the Hawaiian 
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary [(HIHWNMS or 
Sanctuary)], now called the Hawaiian Islands National Marine 
Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu (Sanctuary). The purposes of the 
Sanctuary are to:
    (1) protect and conserve the marine ecosystem of the Hawaiian 
islands including humpback whales, marine turtles and other protected 
species, [and their] Sanctuary habitat, and historic and cultural 
resources and values;
    (2) educate and interpret for the public the value [relationship] 
of [humpback whales to] the natural, historic and cultural value of the 
Hawaiian Islands marine environment; and
    (3) manage human uses of the Sanctuary consistent with the 
designation and Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and 
Sanctuaries Act, as amended (MPRSA; also cited as the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act or NMSA), 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. [; and
    (4) provide for the identification of marine resources and 
ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the 
Sanctuary.]
ARTICLE I. EFFECT OF DESIGNATION
    Section 2306 of the HINMSA requires the Secretary to develop and 
issue a comprehensive management plan and implementing regulations to 
achieve the policy and purposes of the Act, consistent with the 
procedures of sections 303 and 304 of the NMSA. Section 304 of the NMSA 
authorizes the issuance of such regulations as are necessary and 
reasonable to implement the designation, including managing and 
protecting the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, 
research, educational and aesthetic resources and qualities of the 
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, now called 
the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu. 
Section 1 of Article IV of this Designation Document lists activities 
subject to regulation which are those activities that may be regulated 
on the effective date of the regulations, or at some later date in 
order to implement the Sanctuary designation.
ARTICLE II. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA
    The HINMSA identified a Sanctuary boundary but authorized the 
Secretary to modify the boundary as necessary to fulfill the purposes 
of the designation. The Sanctuary boundary was modified by the 
Secretary to encompass the submerged lands and waters off the coast of 
the Hawaiian Islands extending seaward from the shoreline, cutting 
across the mouths of rivers and streams,--
    (1) O`ahu: The sanctuary boundary on the southern shore of O`ahu is 
defined by the coordinates provided in table A1 and the following 
textual description. The boundary begins ENE of Makapu`u Point roughly 
3.2 nautical miles offshore at Point 1. It approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line extending first clockwise to the SE, then to 
the SW, and finally to the west to Point 68 in numerical order. From 
Point 68 the boundary extends NE towards Point 69 until it intersects 
the tip of the Kapahulu Groin. From this intersection the boundary 
extends towards Point 70 until it intersects the shoreline. From this 
intersection the boundary then follows the shoreline eastward around 
Diamondhead Crater and Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line 
segment between Point 71 and Point 72 at the western entrance to the 
Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards 
Point 72 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the 
shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline eastward until 
it intersects the line segment between Point 73 and Point 74 at the 
eastern entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the 
boundary moves towards Point 74 across the entrance to the marina until 
it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the 
shoreline south around Koko Head and then northward around Pai`olu`olu 
Point, into Hanauma Bay and then back out and around Palea Point. The 
boundary then continues to follow the shoreline to the NE until it 
intersects the line between Point 75 and Point 76 at Makapu`u Point. 
From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the NE to Point 
76. The sanctuary boundary on the North Shore of O`ahu is defined by 
the coordinates provided in table A2 and the following textual 
description. The boundary extends from Point 1, located roughly 3.3 
nautical miles NW of Ali`i Beach Park in Hale`iwa, approximating the 
100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line first to the NE and then to the 
SE to Point 60 in numerical order roughly 2.5 nautical miles NE of 
M[amacr]hie Point. The eastern edge of the sanctuary extends SW from 
Point 60 towards Point 61 at M[amacr]hie Point (aka Makahonu Point) 
until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary 
follows the shoreline to the NW around Kahuku Point and then to the SW 
until it intersects the line segment between Point 62 and Point 63 at 
the eastern breakwater protecting Haleiwa Harbor. From this 
intersection the boundary extends towards Point 63 and the western 
breakwater until it intersects the shoreline again. From this 
intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the SW until it 
intersects the line segment between Point 64 and Point 65 at the 
southwestern end of Ali`i Beach Park. From this intersection the 
sanctuary boundary extends seaward to the NW to Point 65.
    (2) Hawai`i: The sanctuary boundary of Hawai`i Island is defined by 
the coordinates provided in table A3 and the following textual 
description. The boundary begins offshore roughly 0.5 nautical miles 
west of Ke[amacr]hole Point at Point 1, and approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line as it extends northward to Point 102 in 
numerical order. The northeastern edge of the sanctuary boundary 
extends from Point 102 south towards Point 103 on

[[Page 16231]]

the northern tip of `Upolu point until it intersects the shoreline. 
From this intersection, the boundary extends west and then south along 
the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 104 
and Point 105 to the north of Kawaihae Harbor. Kawaihae Harbor is 
excluded from the sanctuary so the boundary extends across the mouth of 
the harbor from this intersection towards Point 105 on the outer 
breakwater of Kawaihae Harbor until it intersects the shoreline. From 
this intersection the boundary continues south along the shoreline 
until it intersects the line segment between Point 106 and Point 107 at 
the westernmost tip of Hawai`i Island (Ke[amacr]hole Point), west of 
the southern end of Kona Airport. From this intersection, the boundary 
extends seaward approximately 0.5 nautical miles west to Point 107.
    (3) Ni`ihau: The sanctuary boundary around the island of Ni`ihau 
(including Lehua Island) is defined by the coordinates provided in 
table A4 and the following textual description. The landward boundary 
of Ni`ihau and Lehua is the shoreline. The seaward boundary of Ni`ihau 
and Lehua is approximately three nautical miles from the shoreline and 
extends around the islands from Points 1 to 60 in numerical order.
    (4) Kaua`i: The sanctuary boundary off the north coast of Kaua`i is 
defined by the coordinates in table A5 and the following textual 
description. The boundary begins offshore nearly 3.3 nautical miles WNW 
of Ka`[imacr]lio Point at Point 1 and approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meters) isobath line as it extends eastward in numerical order 
to Point 59, approximately 1.5 nautical miles NE of Kepuhi point at 
roughly the Pila`a/Waipake ahupua`a boundary. The eastern edge of the 
sanctuary boundary then extends SW from Point 59 towards Point 60 on 
Kepuhi Point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection 
the sanctuary boundary extends westward along the shoreline of the 
north coast of Kaua`i, and then continues to follow the shoreline as it 
extends southward along the eastern shore of Hanalei Bay until it 
intersects the line segment between Point 61 and Point 62 at 
approximately the mouth of the Hanalei River. From this intersection 
the boundary extends towards Point 62 until it intersects the shoreline 
again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the 
shoreline south around Hanalei Bay and then westward around Ka`ilio 
Point until it intersects the line between Point 63 and Point 64 at 
approximately the boundary of the Ha`ena/Hanak[amacr]pi`ai ahupua`a NE 
of Hanak[amacr]pi`ai beach. From this intersection, the boundary 
extends seaward to the WNW to Point 64.
    (5) Maui Nui: The sanctuary boundary of Maui Nui between the 
islands of Moloka`i, Lana'i, and Maui is defined by the coordinates in 
table A6 and the following textual description. The boundary begins 
roughly 3.5 nautical miles west of `[Imacr]lio Point off the northwest 
tip of Moloka`i at Point 1. The boundary approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line to the west and south around Penguin Bank 
and then back to the north and east following the coordinates in 
numerical order across Kalohi Channel to Point 196 to the NE of Kaena 
on Lana`i. The boundary then continues to approximate the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line south around Lana'i and then east crossing 
the Kealaikahiki Channel and continuing between Kaho`olawe and Molokini 
to the SE to Point 341 in numerical order roughly 2.2 nautical miles 
WSW of Hanamanioa Light on the southern shore of Maui. The boundary 
then continues ENE towards Point 342 until it intersects the shoreline 
near the Hanamanioa Light. At this intersection the boundary follows 
the shoreline northward to M[amacr]`alaea Bay until it intersects the 
line segment between Point 343 and Point 344 at the eastern breakwater 
of the entrance to M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the 
boundary continues toward Point 344 until it intersects the shoreline 
at the western breakwater of M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this 
intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline SW around 
McGregor and Papawai Points and then to the NW until it reaches Lahaina 
Small Boat Harbor. The boundary continues along the shoreline of the 
outer breakwater of Lahaina Small Boat Harbor until it reaches the 
northern tip at the intersection of the shoreline and a line between 
points 345 and 346. From this intersection the boundary extends 
offshore to the NNW for approximately 25 meters to point 346. The 
boundary then heads WNW towards point 347 until it intersects the 
shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary then continues to 
follow the shoreline northward until it intersects the line between 
Point 348 and Point 349 at Lipoa Point on the NW tip of Maui. From this 
intersection the boundary continues to the NNW across the Pailolo 
Channel through Point 349 and Point 350 to the intersection of the line 
segment between Point 351 and Point 352 and the shoreline at Cape 
Halawa on the NE tip of Molokai. From this intersection the boundary 
continues to follow the shoreline to the SW and then westward until it 
intersects the line segment between Point 353 and Point 354 east of 
Kaunakakai Pier. From this intersection the boundary then continues 
offshore through Point 354 and Point 355 and towards Point 356 to the 
west of Kaunakakai Pier until it intersects the shoreline. From this 
intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward 
until it intersects the line segment between Point 357 and Point 358 on 
the eastern seawall at the entrance to Lono Harbor. From this 
intersection the boundary continues towards Point 358 across the mouth 
of the harbor until it intersects the shoreline again. From this 
intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward 
around L[amacr]`au Point, and then continues north until it reaches the 
intersection of the shoreline with the line segment between Point 359 
and Point 360 at `[Imacr]lio Point on the NW tip of Moloka`i. From this 
intersection the boundary continues seaward to Point 361 west of 
`[Imacr]lio Point. The landward sanctuary boundary around the island of 
Lana`i is the shoreline. The boundary follows the western shoreline of 
the island south from Keanapapa Point until it intersects the line 
between Point 362 and Point 363 at the breakwater north of Kaumalapau 
Harbor. The boundary then extends towards Point 363 south of the harbor 
mouth, excluding Kaumalapau Harbor from the sanctuary, until it 
intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary 
continues to follow the shoreline south around Palaoa Point and then 
east until it intersects the line between Point 364 and Point 365 at 
the SE breakwater of Manele Small Boat Harbor. From this intersection 
the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor towards Point 365 
until it intersects the shoreline again at the NE breakwater, excluding 
Manele Small Boat Harbor from the sanctuary. From this intersection the 
boundary continues to follow the shoreline of Lana'i to the NE around 
Kikoa Point and continues counterclockwise around the island back to 
Keanapapa Point.
    [(1) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath adjoining the islands of 
Maui, Molokai and Lanai, including Penguin Bank, but excluding the area 
within three nautical miles of the upper reaches of the wash of the 
waves on the shore of Kahoolawe Island;
    (2) To the deep water area of Pailolo Channel from Cape Halawa, 
Molokai, to Nakalele Point, Maui, and southward;

[[Page 16232]]

    (3) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath around the island of 
Hawaii;
    (4) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath from Kailiu Point 
eastward to Makahuena Point, Kauai; and
    (5) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath from Puaena Point 
eastward to Mahie Point, and from the Ala Wai Canal eastward to Makapuu 
Point, Oahu.
    Excluded from the Sanctuary boundary are the following commercial 
ports and small boat harbors:
Hawaii (Big Island)
Hilo Harbor Honokohau Boat Harbor
Kawaihae Boat Harbor & Small Boat Basin
Keauhou Bay

Oahu
Ala Wai Small Boat Basin

Kauai
Hanamaulu Bay
Nawiliwili Harbor

Lanai
Kaumalapau Harbor
Manele Harbor

Maui
Kahului Harbor
Lahaina Boat Harbor
Maalaea Boat Harbor

Molokai
Hale o Lono Harbor
Kaunakakai Harbor

    As specified at sections 2305(b) of the HINMSA, on January 1, 1996, 
the area of the marine environment within 3 nautical miles of the upper 
reaches of the wash of the waves on the shore of Kahoolawe Island was 
to become part of the Sanctuary, unless during the 3 month period 
immediately preceding January 1, 1996, the Secretary certified in 
writing to Congress that the area was not suitable for inclusion in the 
Sanctuary. The Secretary made such a certification in December 1995. As 
such, the waters surrounding Kahoolawe are not included in the 
Sanctuary. The HINMSA was amended in 1996 to allow the Kahoolawe Island 
Reserve Commission (KIRC) to request inclusion of the marine waters 
three miles from Kahoolawe in the Sanctuary. Upon receiving a request 
from the KIRC, should NOAA determine that Kahoolawe waters may be 
suitable for inclusion in the Sanctuary, NOAA will prepare a 
supplemental environmental impact statement, management plan, and 
implementing regulations for that inclusion. This process will include 
the opportunity for public comment. Further, the Governor would have 
the opportunity to certify his or her objection to the inclusion, or 
any term of that inclusion, and if this occurs, the inclusion or term 
will not take effect.]
ARTICLE III. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA THAT GIVE IT PARTICULAR VALUE
    The Hawaiian Islands comprise an archipelago which consist of eight 
major islands and 124 minor islands, with a total land area of 6,471 
[6,423] square miles, and a general coastline of 750 miles. The central 
North Pacific stock of endangered humpback whales, the largest of the 
three North Pacific stocks, estimated to be at approximately 50[10]% of 
its pre-whaling abundance, uses the waters around the main Hawaiian 
Islands for reproductive activities including breeding, calving and 
nursing. The warm, calm waters around the main Hawaiian Islands provide 
protective environments required for such activities. Of the known 
wintering and summering areas in the North Pacific used by humpback 
whales, the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands maintain the 
largest seasonally-resident population; approximately 12,000 to 16,000 
[2,000 to 3,000] humpback whales use these waters. The proximity to 
shore helps support an active commercial whalewatch industry, which is 
supported annually by millions of visitors who either directly or 
indirectly enjoy the Sanctuary waters. In sections 2302 (1) and (4) of 
the HINMSA, Congressional findings state that ``many of the diverse 
marine resources and ecosystems within the Western Pacific region are 
of national significance,'' and ``the marine environment adjacent to 
and between the Hawaiian Islands is a diverse and unique subtropical 
marine ecosystem.'' In addition, Congress found that the Sanctuary 
could be expanded to include other marine resources of national 
significance. The waters around the Hawaiian Islands contain 24 other 
species of cetaceans, the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal, three 
species of sea turtles and many other marine species endemic to this 
environment. Coastal Hawaiian waters also support spectacular coral 
reef ecosystems which provide local people with an abundant source of 
fish and are a popular dive destination for visitors worldwide. These 
waters also contain a number of cultural/historical resources, 
including those reflecting native Hawaiian traditions and uses.
ARTICLE IV. SCOPE OF REGULATIONS
    Section 1. Activities Subject to Regulation.
    In order to implement the Sanctuary designation, the following 
activities may be regulated [are subject to regulation] to the extent 
necessary [and reasonable] to ensure the protection and management of 
the characteristics and values of the Sanctuary described above [; 
primarily the protection and management of humpback whales and their 
Sanctuary habitat. Regulation may include governing the method, 
location, and times of conducting the activity, and prohibition of the 
activity, after public notice and an opportunity to comment. If a type 
of activity is not listed it may not be regulated, except on an 
emergency basis, unless Section 1 of Article IV is amended by the 
procedures outlined in section 304(a) of the NMSA. Such activities 
are]:
    a. Taking or otherwise damaging natural resources;
    [a. Approaching, or causing another vessel or object to approach, 
by any means a humpback whale in the Sanctuary;]
    b. [Flying over a humpback whale in the Sanctuary in any type of 
aircraft except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or 
runway;
    c.] Discharging or depositing any substance; [, from within or from 
beyond the boundary of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter 
into, or that enters or could enter the Sanctuary, without, or not in 
compliance with, the terms or conditions of a required, valid Federal 
or State permit, license, lease or other authorization;]
    c. Disturbing the benthic community;
    d. Removing or otherwise harming cultural or historical resources;
    e. Operating a vessel;
    f. Moving, removing, or tampering with any sign or other Sanctuary 
property;
    g. Introducing or otherwise releasing an introduced species.
    [d. Drilling into, dredging or otherwise altering the seabed of the 
Sanctuary; or constructing, placing or abandoning any structure, 
material or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary without, or not 
in compliance with, the terms or conditions of a required, valid 
Federal or State permit, license, lease or other authorization;
    e. Taking, removing, moving, catching, collecting, harvesting, 
feeding, injuring, destroying or causing the loss of, or attempting to 
take, remove, move, catch, collect, harvest, feed, injure, destroy or 
cause the loss of any humpback whale or humpback whale habitat;
    f. Possessing within the Sanctuary a humpback whale or part thereof 
regardless of where taken, removed, moved, caught, collected or 
harvested; and
    g. Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an 
investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized

[[Page 16233]]

property in connection with enforcement of the HINMSA or NMSA or any 
regulation or permit issued under the HINMSA or NMSA.]
    Section 2. Emergencies.
    Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, 
or injury to a Sanctuary resource or quality; or minimize the imminent 
risk of such destruction, loss or injury, any activity, including those 
not listed in Section 1 of this Article, is subject to immediate 
temporary regulation, including prohibition. If such a situation 
arises, the Director of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries 
[Ocean and Coastal Resource Management] or his or her designee shall 
seek to notify and consult to the extent practicable with any relevant 
Federal agency and the Governor of the State of [Hawaii] Hawai`i.
ARTICLE V. EFFECT ON LEASES, PERMITS, LICENSES, AND RIGHTS
    Pursuant to section 304(c)(1) of the NMSA, 16 U.S.C. 1434(c)(1), no 
valid lease, permit, license, approval or other authorization issued by 
any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction, or 
any right of subsistence use or access, may be terminated by the 
Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee, as a result of this 
designation, or as a result of any Sanctuary regulation, if such 
authorization or right was in existence on the effective date of 
Sanctuary designation (November 4, 1992).
ARTICLE VI. ALTERATION OF THIS DESIGNATION
    The terms of designation, as defined under section 304(a) of the 
NMSA, may be modified only by the procedures outlined in section 304(a) 
of the NMSA, including public hearings, consultation with interested 
Federal, State, and county agencies, review by the appropriate 
Congressional committees, and review and non-objection by the Governor 
of the State of [Hawaii] Hawai`i, and approval by the Secretary of 
Commerce, or his or her designee.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS [HUMPBACK WHALE] NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY--N[Amacr] 
KAI `EWALU BOUNDARY COORDINATES
    Appendix A to subpart Q, part 922, 15 CFR sets forth the precise 
boundary coordinates for the Sanctuary.

IV. Classification

National Environmental Policy Act

    NOAA has prepared a draft environmental impact statement to 
evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed rulemaking. Copies 
are available at the address and Web site listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this proposed rule. Responses to comments received on this 
proposed rule will be published in the final environmental impact 
statement and preamble to the final rule.

Coastal Zone Management Act

    Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA; 16 U.S.C. 
1456) requires Federal agencies to consult with a state's coastal 
program on potential Federal regulations having an effect on state 
waters. Because the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine 
Sanctuary encompasses a portion of the Hawai`i State waters, NOAA 
intends to submit a copy of this proposed rule and supporting documents 
to the State of Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Program for evaluation 
of Federal consistency under the CZMA.

Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Impact

    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13132: Federalism Assessment

    NOAA has concluded that this regulatory action does not have 
federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a 
federalism assessment under Executive Order 13132.

National Historic Preservation Act

    The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; 16 U.S.C. 470 et 
seq.) is intended to preserve historical and archaeological sites in 
the United States of America. The act created the National Register of 
Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, and the State 
Historic Preservation Offices. Section 106 of the NHPA requires Federal 
agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on 
historic properties, and afford the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation (ACHP) a reasonable opportunity to comment. The historic 
preservation review process mandated by Section 106 is outlined in 
regulations issued by ACHP (36 CFR 800). In coordinating its 
responsibilities under the NHPA, NOAA has solicited for and identified 
consulting parties, and will complete the identification of historic 
properties and the assessment of the effects of the undertaking on such 
properties in scheduled consultations with those identified parties. By 
this notice NOAA seeks to solicit public input, particularly in regard 
to the identification of historic properties within the proposed areas 
of potential effect. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.16(1)(1), historic 
properties includes: ``any prehistoric or historic district, site, 
building, structure or object included in, or eligible for inclusion 
in, the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the 
Secretary of the Interior. The term includes artifacts, records, and 
remains that are related to and located within such properties. The 
term includes properties of traditional religious and cultural 
importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that 
meet the National Register criteria.''

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows:
    The SBA has established thresholds on the designation of businesses 
as ``small entities''. A fish-harvesting business is considered a small 
business if it has annual receipts not in excess of $3.5 million (13 
CFR 121.201). Sports and recreation businesses and scenic and 
sightseeing transportation businesses are considered small businesses 
if they have annual receipts not in excess of $6 million (13 CFR 
121.201). According to these limits, each of the businesses potentially 
affected by the proposed rule, except those in the commercial marine 
transportation and submarine cable installation businesses would most 
likely be small businesses. The analysis presented here is based on 
limited quantitative information on how much activity occurs within the 
boundaries of the proposed expansion areas for HIHWNMS, except for 
commercial fishing operations.
    Methodology. Due to the lack of quantitative data on the number of 
businesses directly affected by the proposed regulations and their 
levels of revenues, costs and profits from their activities in the 
HIHWNMS expansion area, the assessment here is qualitative.
    NOAA analyzed four regulatory alternatives (identified as 
Alternatives 1-4 in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement). User 
groups that entail small businesses included commercial fishing 
operation and recreation-tourism related businesses. Other user groups 
included in the full regulatory impact review in the DEIS and not 
included here are research and education, people who receive passive 
economic use value

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from improvements in natural resource qualities/quantities, businesses 
in offshore energy (namely submarine cable installation) and those 
firms involved in marine transportation. Firms involved in offshore 
energy and marine transportation directly affected by the proposed 
regulations were judged not to be small businesses.
    NOAA assessed two types of regulations included in the proposed 
action (discharges and submerged lands--seabed alterations), which are 
only proposed to apply to three areas called Special Sanctuary 
Management Areas (SSMAs) within the HIHWNMS. NOAA also analyzed the 
impact of all regulations combined. Submarine cable regulations 
addressed in the full regulatory impact review are not discussed here 
since that industry is judged not to involve small businesses.
    Discharge Regulations. Under the proposed rule, NOAA would prohibit 
discharging or depositing any material or matter into the three SSMAs, 
with an exception for treated biodegradable effluents incidental to 
vessel use. Many commercial vessels affected by the proposed 
regulations are expected to belong to commercial fishing operations and 
businesses involved in providing guide services in the recreation 
tourism industry (e.g. charter and party boat fishing operations and 
whale-watching or other wildlife observation or guide businesses). 
Boats are already prohibited from discharging untreated effluent in 
state waters under state law.
    Of the three proposed Special Sanctuary Management Areas, Penguin 
Bank and Maui Nui are active commercial fishing grounds. According to 
Vessel Management System (VMS) data, only 68 commercial fishing vessels 
entered the Special Sanctuary Management Areas in the last year. There 
are 42 permitted commercial boats operating out of Lahaina and all of 
these boats are using the federal waters of Maui Nui. This information 
is generally consistent with the information compiled during the Ocean 
Etiquette trainings and the USCG Marine Safety Office inventory for 
Maui.
    Based on a 2012 survey conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries 
Science Center, there were roughly 170 active charter boat operations 
in the main Hawai`i Islands, with roughly 100 of these operating out of 
the big island of Hawai`i. Roughly 55 boats were based in Maui and 
O`ahu, the islands adjacent to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. 
The average charter boat length in Maui and O`ahu was 40 feet and 39 
feet, respectively.
    Additionally, 99 active tour vessels operate out of Maui County, of 
which 55 are whale-watching operations. These larger vessels carry 
dozens of passengers and are typically equipped with a Coast Guard 
certified Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) that, if properly used, is 
compliant with the proposed treatment requirement in the Special 
Sanctuary Management Areas. At a minimum, most of the commercial 
operators have holding tanks.
    There are pump out stations in the major harbors of the Maui Nui 
area (Lahaina and M[amacr]`alaea), which ensures ease of compliance for 
boats that only have a holding tank. Furthermore, some tour operators 
have retrofitted their boats to increase the holding capacity and 
eliminate the need for discharging at sea.
    Taking into account all of the above information, including the 
relatively modest total number of vessels operating in the Special 
Sanctuary Management Areas and the high proportion of vessels already 
equipped with compliant marine sanitation devices, NOAA expects there 
to be negligible costs from these new regulations.
    NOAA expects both the commercial fishing industry and the 
recreation-tourism industry to receive moderate net benefits from these 
regulations in the form of improved habitat qualities, which would 
likely result in increased fish stocks for commercial and recreational 
fishing. In addition, NOAA expects that the resulting improved habitat 
qualities would benefit the recreation-tourism industry, which depends 
upon a healthy and thriving sanctuary ecosystem to support its 
business. Thus, NOAA expects that the commercial fishing and 
recreation-tourism industries would experience a net benefit from the 
discharge regulations. NOAA expects the proposed action to generate a 
mid-range level of costs with a mid-range level of net benefits 
compared with all other regulatory alternatives. Land use and 
development businesses would not be directly affected by the discharge 
regulations.
    NOAA invites public comments from small business owners and members 
of the public potentially affected by the new discharge regulations to 
better understand and assess any impact of these proposed regulations.
    Submerged lands -- Seabed Alteration Regulations. Regulations 
prohibiting disturbances of the seabed in Special Sanctuary Management 
Areas would impact the commercial fishing industry and the recreation 
tourism industry. NOAA expects these industries to receive moderate net 
benefits from these regulations because of the improvement or 
maintenance of habitat qualities that these industries depend upon. 
NOAA also expects businesses in these industries to experience 
negligible increases in costs of operations because there is no 
significant anchoring activity in the Special Sanctuary Management 
Areas. Because of the exceptions, permit, and authorization processes 
in the proposed action, which may allow for some activities that 
disturb the seabed, including a proposed submarine cable installation, 
costs would be expected to be in the mid-range of costs across all 
alternatives.
    All other regulatory amendments to the HIHWNMS regulations proposed 
in this rulemaking are either technical changes or are not expected to 
have any measurable impact, economic or otherwise, on the resources and 
businesses operating in and near the Special Sanctuary Management 
Areas. Because this action would not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities, no initial regulatory 
flexibility analysis was prepared.
    Because the impacts of this proposed rule on commercial fishing, 
recreational tourism, and land use and development businesses are 
minimal, the Chief Counsel for Regulation certified to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy at SBA that this rulemaking would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    ONMS has a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control 
number (0648-0141) for the collection of public information related to 
the processing of ONMS permits across the National Marine Sanctuary 
System. NOAA's proposal to expand HIHWNMS would likely result in an 
increase in the number of requests for ONMS general permits, special 
use permits, and authorizations since this action proposes to add 
general permits and special use permits, certifications, appeals, and 
the authority to authorize other valid federal, state, or local leases, 
permits, licenses, approvals, or other authorizations. An increase in 
the number of ONMS permit requests would require a change to the 
reporting burden certified for OMB control number 0648-0141. An update 
to this control number for the processing of ONMS permits would be 
requested as part of the final rule for sanctuary expansion.
    Nationwide, NOAA issues approximately 200 national marine sanctuary 
permits each year. Of this amount, HIWHNMS is expected to add

[[Page 16235]]

4 to 5 permit requests per year. The public reporting burden for 
national marine sanctuaries permits is estimated to average 1.5 hours 
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimate for this data 
collection requirement, or any other aspect of this data collection, 
including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NOAA (see ADDRESSES) 
and by email to [email protected], or fax to (202) 395-7285. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to 
respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

V. Request for Comments

    NOAA requests comments on this proposed rule for by June 19, 2015.

VI. References

    A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon 
request (see ADDRESSES section).

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 922

    Administrative practice and procedure, Coastal zone, Historic 
preservation, Intergovernmental relations, Marine resources, Natural 
resources, Penalties, Recreation and recreation areas, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife.

    Dated: March 13, 2015.
W. Russell Callender,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.

    Accordingly, for the reasons discussed in the preamble, the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposes to amend 15 
CFR part 922 as follows:

PART 922--NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS

0
1. Revise subpart Q to read as follows:
Subpart Q--Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai 
`Ewalu
Contents
Sec.  922.180 Purpose.
Sec.  922.181 Boundary.
Sec.  922.182 Definitions.
Sec.  922.183 Allowed activities.
Sec.  922.184 Prohibited activities.
Sec.  922.185 Emergency regulations.
Sec.  922.186 Penalties; appeals.
Sec.  922.187 Interagency cooperation.
Sec.  922.188 Permit procedures and review criteria.
Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 922--Hawaiian Islands National 
Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu Boundary Description and 
Coordinates of the Lateral Boundary Closures and Excluded Areas.
Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 922--Special Sanctuary Management 
Area Boundaries.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. and subtitle C, title II, Pub. 
L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5055.

Subpart Q--Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai 
`Ewalu


Sec.  922.180  Purpose.

    (a) The purpose of the regulations in this subpart is to implement 
the designation of the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--
N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu by regulating activities affecting the resources of 
the Sanctuary or any of the qualities, values, or purposes, for which 
the Sanctuary was designated, in order to protect, preserve, and manage 
the conservation, ecological, recreational, research, educational, 
historical, cultural, and aesthetic resources and qualities of the 
area. The regulations are intended to supplement and complement 
existing regulatory authorities; and to facilitate all public and 
private uses of the Sanctuary, to the extent compatible with the 
primary objective of an ecosystem-based management approach that is 
inclusive of all aspects of the marine ecosystem emphasizing the 
biological, physical, and human components of a healthy marine 
environment, including protecting the humpback whale and its habitat, 
that are essential components of the marine ecosystem. Public and 
private uses of the Sanctuary include, but are not limited to, uses of 
Hawaiian natives customarily and traditionally exercised for 
subsistence, cultural, and religious purposes; as well as education, 
research, recreation, commercial and military activities; to reduce 
conflicts between compatible uses; to maintain, restore, and enhance 
the humpback whale and other protected species and their habitat; to 
contribute to the maintenance of natural assemblages of humpback whales 
and other protected species for future generations; more specifically 
to provide a place for humpback whales that are dependent on their 
Hawaiian Islands wintering habitat for reproductive activities, 
including breeding, calving, and nursing, and for the long-term 
survival of their species; and to achieve the other purposes and 
policies of the HINMSA and NMSA.
    (b) These regulations may be modified to fulfill the Secretary's 
responsibilities for the Sanctuary, including the provision for 
additional protections of the Sanctuary ecosystem resources including 
for humpback whales and their habitat, as reasonably necessary, and the 
conservation and management of other marine resources, qualities and 
ecosystems of the Sanctuary determined to be of national significance. 
The Secretary shall consult with the Governor of the State of Hawai`i 
on any modifications to the regulations contained in this part that 
pertain to State of Hawai`i waters. For any modification of the 
regulations contained in this part that would contribute a change in a 
term of designation, as contained in the Designation Document for the 
Sanctuary, the Secretary shall follow the applicable requirements of 
section 303 and 304 of the NMSA, and sections 2305 and 2306 of the 
HINMSA.
    (c) Section 304(e) of the NMSA requires the Secretary to review 
management plans and regulations every five years, and make necessary 
revisions. Upon completion of the five year review of the Sanctuary 
management plan and regulations, the Secretary will repropose the 
Sanctuary management plan and regulations in their entirety with any 
proposed changes thereto. The Governor of the State of Hawai`i will 
have the opportunity to review the re-proposed management plan and 
regulations before they take effect and if the Governor certifies any 
term or terms of such management plan or regulations as unacceptable, 
the unacceptable term or terms will not take effect in State waters of 
the Sanctuary.


Sec.  922.181  Boundary.

    (a) The Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai 
`Ewalu (sanctuary) encompasses an area of approximately 1,224 square 
nautical miles (1,621 square miles) of coastal and ocean waters, and 
submerged lands thereunder, cutting across the mouths of rivers and 
streams, surrounding the populated Hawaii Islands as described below. 
The precise boundary coordinates are listed in Appendix A to this 
subpart.
    (1) O`ahu: The sanctuary boundary on the southern shore of O`ahu is 
defined by the coordinates provided in table A1 and the following 
textual description. The boundary begins ENE of Makapu`u Point roughly 
3.2 nautical miles offshore at Point 1. It approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line extending first clockwise to the SE., then 
to the SW., and finally to the west to Point 68 in numerical order. 
From Point 68 the boundary extends NE

[[Page 16236]]

towards Point 69 until it intersects the tip of the Kapahulu Groin. 
From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 70 until it 
intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary then 
follows the shoreline eastward around Diamondhead Crater and Maunalua 
Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 71 and Point 72 
at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this 
intersection the boundary moves towards Point 72 across the entrance to 
the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then 
follows the shoreline eastward until it intersects the line segment 
between Point 73 and Point 74 at the eastern entrance to the Hawaii Kai 
Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 74 
across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline 
again. The boundary then follows the shoreline south around Koko Head 
and then northward around Pai`olu`olu Point, into Hanauma Bay and then 
back out and around Palea Point. The boundary then continues to follow 
the shoreline to the NE until it intersects the line between Point 75 
and Point 76 at Makapu`u Point. From this intersection the boundary 
extends seaward to the NE to Point 76. The sanctuary boundary on the 
North Shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A2 
and the following textual description. The boundary extends from Point 
1, located roughly 3.3 nautical miles NW of Ali`i Beach Park in 
Hale`iwa, approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line first 
to the NE and then to the SE to Point 60 in numerical order roughly 2.5 
nautical miles NE of M[amacr]hie Point. The eastern edge of the 
sanctuary extends SW from Point 60 towards Point 61 at M[amacr]hie 
Point (aka Makahonu Point) until it intersects the shoreline. From this 
intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the NW around Kahuku 
Point and then to the SW until it intersects the line segment between 
Point 62 and Point 63 at the eastern breakwater protecting Haleiwa 
Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 63 
and the western breakwater until it intersects the shoreline again. 
From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the SW 
until it intersects the line segment between Point 64 and Point 65 at 
the southwestern end of Ali`i Beach Park. From this intersection the 
sanctuary boundary extends seaward to the NW to Point 65.
    (2) Hawai`i: The sanctuary boundary of Hawai`i Island is defined by 
the coordinates provided in table A3 and the following textual 
description. The boundary begins offshore roughly 0.5 nautical miles 
west of Ke[amacr]hole Point at Point 1, and approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line as it extends northward to Point 102 in 
numerical order. The northeastern edge of the sanctuary boundary 
extends from Point 102 south towards Point 103 on the northern tip of 
`Upolu point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection, 
the boundary extends west and then south along the shoreline until it 
intersects the line segment between Point 104 and Point 105 to the 
north of Kawaihae Harbor. Kawaihae Harbor is excluded from the 
sanctuary so the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor from 
this intersection towards Point 105 on the outer breakwater of Kawaihae 
Harbor until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the 
boundary continues south along the shoreline until it intersects the 
line segment between Point 106 and Point 107 at the westernmost tip of 
Hawai`i Island (Ke[amacr]hole Point), west of the southern end of Kona 
Airport. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward 
approximately 0.5 nautical miles west to Point 107.
    (3) Ni`ihau: The sanctuary boundary around the island of Ni`ihau 
(including Lehua Island) is defined by the coordinates provided in 
table A4 and the following textual description. The landward boundary 
of Ni`ihau and Lehua is the shoreline. The seaward boundary of Ni`ihau 
and Lehua is approximately three nautical miles from the shoreline and 
extends around the islands from Points 1 to 60 in numerical order.
    (4) Kaua`i: The sanctuary boundary off the north coast of Kaua`i is 
defined by the coordinates in table A5 and the following textual 
description. The boundary begins offshore nearly 3.3 nautical miles WNW 
of Ka`[imacr]lio Point at Point 1 and approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meters) isobath line as it extends eastward in numerical order 
to Point 59, approximately 1.5 nautical miles NE of Kepuhi point at 
roughly the Pila`a/Waipake ahupua`a boundary. The eastern edge of the 
sanctuary boundary then extends SW from Point 59 towards Point 60 on 
Kepuhi Point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection 
the sanctuary boundary extends westward along the shoreline of the 
north coast of Kaua`i, and then continues to follow the shoreline as it 
extends southward along the eastern shore of Hanalei Bay until it 
intersects the line segment between Point 61 and Point 62 at 
approximately the mouth of the Hanalei River. From this intersection 
the boundary extends towards Point 62 until it intersects the shoreline 
again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the 
shoreline south around Hanalei Bay and then westward around Ka`ilio 
Point until it intersects the line between Point 63 and Point 64 at 
approximately the boundary of the Ha`ena/Hanak[amacr]pi`ai ahupua`a NE 
of Hanak[amacr]pi`ai beach. From this intersection, the boundary 
extends seaward to the WNW to Point 64.
    (5) Maui Nui: The sanctuary boundary of Maui Nui between the 
islands of Moloka`i, Lana'i, and Maui is defined by the coordinates in 
table A6 and the following textual description. The boundary begins 
roughly 3.5 nautical miles west of `[Imacr]lio Point off the northwest 
tip of Moloka`i at Point 1. The boundary approximates the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line to the west and south around Penguin Bank 
and then back to the north and east following the coordinates in 
numerical order across Kalohi Channel to Point 196 to the NE of Kaena 
on Lana`i. The boundary then continues to approximate the 100-fathom 
(182.8 meter) isobath line south around Lana'i and then east crossing 
the Kealaikahiki Channel and continuing between Kaho`olawe and Molokini 
to the SE to Point 341 in numerical order roughly 2.2 nautical miles 
WSW of Hanamanioa Light on the southern shore of Maui. The boundary 
then continues ENE towards Point 342 until it intersects the shoreline 
near the Hanamanioa Light. At this intersection the boundary follows 
the shoreline northward to M[amacr]`alaea Bay until it intersects the 
line segment between Point 343 and Point 344 at the eastern breakwater 
of the entrance to M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the 
boundary continues toward Point 344 until it intersects the shoreline 
at the western breakwater of M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this 
intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline SW around 
McGregor and Papawai Points and then to the NW until it reaches Lahaina 
Small Boat Harbor. The boundary continues along the shoreline of the 
outer breakwater of Lahaina Small Boat Harbor until it reaches the 
northern tip at the intersection of the shoreline and a line between 
points 345 and 346. From this intersection the boundary extends 
offshore to the NNW for approximately 25 meters to point 346. The 
boundary then heads WNW towards point 347 until it intersects the 
shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary then continues to 
follow the shoreline northward until it intersects the line

[[Page 16237]]

between Point 348 and Point 349 at Lipoa Point on the NW tip of Maui. 
From this intersection the boundary continues to the NNW across the 
Pailolo Channel through Point 349 and Point 350 to the intersection of 
the line segment between Point 351 and Point 352 and the shoreline at 
Cape Halawa on the NE tip of Molokai. From this intersection the 
boundary continues to follow the shoreline to the SW and then westward 
until it intersects the line segment between Point 353 and Point 354 
east of Kaunakakai Pier. From this intersection the boundary then 
continues offshore through Point 354 and Point 355 and towards Point 
356 to the west of Kaunakakai Pier until it intersects the shoreline. 
From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline 
westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 357 and 
Point 358 on the eastern seawall at the entrance to Lono Harbor. From 
this intersection the boundary continues towards Point 358 across the 
mouth of the harbor until it intersects the shoreline again. From this 
intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward 
around L[amacr]`au Point, and then continues north until it reaches the 
intersection of the shoreline with the line segment between Point 359 
and Point 360 at `[Imacr]lio Point on the NW tip of Moloka`i. From this 
intersection the boundary continues seaward to Point 361 west of 
`[Imacr]lio Point. The landward sanctuary boundary around the island of 
Lana`i is the shoreline. The boundary follows the western shoreline of 
the island south from Keanapapa Point until it intersects the line 
between Point 362 and Point 363 at the breakwater north of Kaumalapau 
Harbor. The boundary then extends towards Point 363 south of the harbor 
mouth, excluding Kaumalapau Harbor from the sanctuary, until it 
intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary 
continues to follow the shoreline south around Palaoa Point and then 
east until it intersects the line between Point 364 and Point 365 at 
the SE breakwater of Manele Small Boat Harbor. From this intersection 
the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor towards Point 365 
until it intersects the shoreline again at the NE breakwater, excluding 
Manele Small Boat Harbor from the sanctuary. From this intersection the 
boundary continues to follow the shoreline of Lana'i to the NE around 
Kikoa Point and continues counterclockwise around the island back to 
Keanapapa Point.


Sec.  922.182  Definitions.

    Other terms appearing in this subpart are defined at 15 CFR 922.3, 
and/or in the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, as 
amended, 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.
    Acts means the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act 
(HINMSA; sections 2301-2307 of Pub. L. 102-587), and the National 
Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA; also known as Title III of the Marine 
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), as amended, 16 
U.S.C. 1431 et seq.).
    Adverse impact means an impact that independently or cumulatively 
damages, diminishes, degrades, impairs, destroys, or otherwise harms.
    Alteration of the seabed means drilling into, dredging, or 
otherwise altering a natural physical characteristic of the seabed of 
the Sanctuary; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, 
material, or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary.
    Coral means but is not limited to species of the Phylum Cnidaria, 
including all species in the: Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, 
Order Scleractinia (stony corals); Class Anthozoa, Subclass 
Hexacorallia, Order Antipatharia (black corals); Class Anthozoa, 
Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Zoantharia, Family Parazoanthidae (gold 
coral); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Alcyonacea (soft 
corals, bamboo coral, pink coral); Class Anthozoa, Subclass 
Octocorallia, Order Gorgonacea (gorgoneans); Class Anthozoa, Subclass 
Octocorallia, Order Pennatulacea (sea pens); Class Hydrozoa, Subclass 
Hydroidolina, Order Anthoathecata, Suborder Filifera, Family 
Stylasteridae (stylasterids)
    Introduced Species means any species (including, but not limited 
to, any of its biological matter capable of propagation) that is non-
native to the ecosystems of the Sanctuary; or any organism into which 
altered genetic matter, or genetic matter from another species, has 
been transferred in order that the host organism acquires the genetic 
traits of the transferred genes.
    Live Rock means any Coral, basalt rock, or other natural structure 
with any living organisms growing in or on the Coral, basalt rock, or 
structure.
    Military activities means those military activities conducted by or 
under the auspices of the Department of Defense and any combined 
military activities carried out by the Department of Defense and the 
military forces of a foreign nation.
    Sanctuary means the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--
N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu.
    Special Sanctuary Management Areas means discrete, biologically 
and/or culturally important areas that help sustain critical marine 
species and habitats.
    Shoreline means the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other 
than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season of the year 
in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the 
edge of vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the 
wash of the waves.
    Take or taking a humpback whale means to harass, harm, pursue, 
hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect or injure a humpback 
whale, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. The term includes, 
but is not limited to, any of the following activities: collecting any 
dead or injured humpback whale, or any part thereof; restraining or 
detaining any humpback whale, or any part thereof, no matter how 
temporarily; tagging any humpback whale; operating a vessel or aircraft 
or doing any other act that results in the disturbing or molesting of 
any humpback whale.


Sec.  922.183  Allowed activities.

    (a) All activities except those prohibited by Sec.  922.184 may be 
undertaken in the Sanctuary subject to any emergency regulations 
promulgated pursuant to Sec.  922.185, subject to the interagency 
cooperation provisions of section 304(d) of the NMSA [16 U.S.C. 
1434(d)] and Sec.  922.187 of this subpart, and subject to the 
liability established by section 312 of the NMSA and Sec.  922.46 of 
this part. All activities are also subject to all prohibitions, 
restrictions, and conditions validly imposed by any other Federal, 
State, or county authority of competent jurisdiction.
    (b) Included as activities allowed under the first sentence of 
paragraph (a) of this section are all classes of military activities, 
internal or external to the Sanctuary, that are being or have been 
conducted before the effective date of these regulations, as identified 
in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Management Plan. Paragraphs 
(a)(1) through (a)(11) of Sec.  922.184 do not apply to these classes 
of activities, nor are these activities subject to further consultation 
under section 304(d) of the NMSA.
    (c) Military activities proposed after the effective date of these 
regulations are also included as allowed activities under the first 
sentence of paragraph (a) of this Sec.  922.183. Paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (a)(11) of Sec.  922.184 apply to these classes of activities 
unless--

[[Page 16238]]

    (1) They are not subject to consultation under section 304(d) of 
the NMSA and Sec.  922.187 of this subpart, or
    (2) Upon consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec.  
922.187 of this subpart, NOAA's findings and recommendations include a 
statement that paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of Sec.  922.184 do 
not apply to the military activity.
    (d) If a military activity described in paragraphs (b) or (c)(2) of 
this section is modified such that it is likely to destroy, cause the 
loss of, or injure a Sanctuary resource in a manner significantly 
greater than was considered in a previous consultation under section 
304(d) of the NMSA and Sec.  922.187 of this subpart, or if the 
modified activity is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure 
any Sanctuary resource not considered in a previous consultation under 
section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec.  922.187 of this subpart, the 
modified activity will be treated as a new military activity under 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (e) If a proposed military activity subject to section 304(d) of 
the NMSA and Sec.  922.187 of this subpart is necessary to respond to 
an emergency situation and the Secretary of Defense determines in 
writing that failure to undertake the proposed activity during the 
period of consultation would impair the national defense, the Secretary 
of the military department concerned may request the Director that the 
activity proceed during consultation. If the Director denies such a 
request, the Secretary of the military department concerned may decide 
to proceed with the activity. In such case, the Secretary of the 
military department concerned shall provide the Director with a written 
statement describing the effects of the activity on Sanctuary resources 
once the activity is completed.


Sec.  922.184  Prohibited activities.

    (a) The following activities are prohibited and thus unlawful for 
any person to conduct or cause to be conducted.
    (1)(i) Approaching in the Sanctuary, by any means, including by 
interception (e.g. by placing a vessel or person in the path of an 
oncoming humpback whale so that the whale surfaces within 100 yards 
(91.4m) of the vessel or person), within 100 yards (91.4 m) of any 
humpback whale;
    (ii) Causing a vessel or other object to approach within 100 yards 
(91.4 m) of a humpback whale;
    (iii) Disrupting the normal behavior or prior activity of a whale 
by any other act or omission. A disruption of normal behavior may be 
manifested by, among other actions on the part of the whale, a rapid 
change in direction or speed; escape tactics such as prolonged diving, 
underwater course changes, underwater exhalation, or evasive swimming 
patterns; interruptions of breeding, nursing, or resting activities, 
attempts by a whale to shield a calf from a vessel or human observer by 
tail swishing or by other protective movement; or the abandonment of a 
previously frequented area;
    (iv) Exceptions:
    This paragraph (a)(1) does not apply to any approach is authorized 
by the National Marine Fisheries Service through a permit issued under 
50 CFR part 222, subpart C, General Permit Procedures or through a 
similar authorization;
    (2) Operating any aircraft above the Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of 
any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an 
airport or runway, or as authorized under the MMPA and the ESA;
    (3)(i) Taking or possessing any humpback whales within the 
Sanctuary except as authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA), or the Endangered Species Act (ESA;
    (ii) Taking or possessing any marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, 
Endangered Species Act-listed species or Hawai`i Revised Statutes 
chapter 195D listed species, within or above the Special Sanctuary 
Management Areas, except as authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act (MMPA); the Endangered Species Act (ESA); the Migratory Bird Treaty 
Act (MBTA); the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act; or Hawai`i State Law.
    (4) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter in the 
Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except:
    (i) Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or 
resulting from lawful fishing activities within the Sanctuary, provided 
that such discharge or deposit is during the conduct of lawful fishing 
activities within the Sanctuary;
    (ii) Biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use and generated 
by Type I and II marine sanitation devices approved in accordance with 
section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act33 U.S.C. 1322;
    (iii) Water generated by routine vessel operations (e.g., cooling 
water, deck wash down, and gray water as defined by section 312 of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act33 U.S.C. 1322) excluding oily 
wastes from bilge pumping;
    (iv) Engine exhaust; or
    (v) Discharge of biodegradable materials for traditional ceremonies 
associated with culturally important customs and usage (e.g. the 
discharge of leis, paper lanterns).
    (5) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter outside 
of the Special Sanctuary Management Areas if the discharge or deposit 
subsequently enters and injures a sanctuary resource within the Special 
Sanctuary Management Areas.
    (6) Dredging, drilling into, or otherwise altering in any way the 
submerged lands (including natural bottom formations, live rock and 
coral) within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except:
    (i) To anchor a vessel on sandy bottom or substrate other than live 
rock or coral;
    (ii) Routine maintenance of docks, seawalls, breakwaters, jetties, 
or piers authorized by any valid lease, permit, license, approval, or 
other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of 
competent jurisdiction;
    (iii) Installation and maintenance of navigational aids by, or 
pursuant to valid authorization by, any Federal, State, or local 
authority of competent jurisdiction;
    (iv) Activities associated with conducting harbor maintenance in 
accordance with a federal or state permit issued prior to [EFFECTIVE 
DATE OF FINAL RULE], including dredging of entrance channels during the 
time period of one year from the [final rule effective date];
    (v) Aquaculture activities authorized under a permit issued by the 
State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the State of 
Hawai`i Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or the 
National Marine Fisheries Service pursuant to applicable regulations 
under the appropriate fisheries management plan.
    (vi) Lawful fishing activities authorized under a permit issued by 
the State of Hawai`i or the National Marine Fisheries Service pursuant 
to applicable regulations under the appropriate fisheries management 
plan.
    (7) Possessing or using explosives within the Special Sanctuary 
Management Areas, except for valid law enforcement purposes.
    (8) Introducing or otherwise releasing from within or into the 
Special Sanctuary Management Areas an introduced species, except 
species cultivated by aquaculture activities in state or federal waters 
pursuant to a valid lease, permit, license or other authorization 
issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Natural Resources, or the 
National Marine Fisheries Service in effect on the effective date of 
the final regulation.

[[Page 16239]]

    (9) Removing, damaging, or tampering with any historical or 
cultural resource within the sanctuary.
    (10) Marking, defacing, or damaging in any way, or displacing or 
removing or tampering with any signs, notices, or placards, whether 
temporary or permanent, or with any monuments, stakes, posts, or other 
boundary markers related to the Sanctuary including boundary markers 
related to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas.
    (11) Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an 
investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized property in 
connection with enforcement of either of the Acts or any regulations 
issued under either of the Acts.
    (b) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply 
to activities necessary to respond to emergencies threatening life, 
property or the environment; or to activities necessary for valid law 
enforcement purposes. However, while such activities are not subject to 
paragraphs (a)(1) through (11) of this section, this paragraph (b) does 
not exempt the activity from the underlying prohibition or restriction 
under other applicable laws and regulations (e.g., MMPA, ESA, and CWA).
    (c)(1) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any 
activity authorized by any lease, permit, license, approval, or other 
authorization issued after the effective date of regulatory amendments 
to this section and issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of 
competent jurisdiction, provided that the applicant complies with 15 
CFR 922.49, the Director notifies the applicant and authorizing agency 
that he or she does not object to issuance of the authorization, and 
the applicant complies with any terms and conditions the Director deems 
necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities.
    (2) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to activities 
associated with harbor maintenance including dredging of entrance 
channels, provided the applicant requests an authorization of a valid 
federal or state permit from the Director.
    (d) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any activity 
conducted in accordance with a general permit issued pursuant to Sec.  
922.188.


Sec.  922.185  Emergency regulations.

    Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, 
or injury to a Sanctuary resource, or to minimize the imminent risk of 
such destruction, loss, or injury, any and all activities are subject 
to immediate temporary regulation, including prohibition. Before 
issuance of such regulations the Director shall consult to the extent 
practicable with any relevant Federal agency and the Governor of the 
State of Hawai`i. Emergency regulations shall not take effect in State 
waters of the Sanctuary until approved by the Governor of Hawai`i.


Sec.  922.186  Penalties; appeals.

    (a) Pursuant to section 307 of the NMSA, each violation of either 
of the Acts, or any regulation in this subpart is subject to a civil 
penalty of not more than $100,000. Each such violation is subject to 
forfeiture of property or Sanctuary resources seized in accordance with 
section 307 of the NMSA. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes 
a separate violation.
    (b) Regulations setting forth the procedures governing the 
administrative proceedings for assessment of civil penalties for 
enforcement reasons, issuance and use of written warnings, and release 
or forfeiture of seized property appear at 15 CFR part 904.
    (c) A person subject to an action taken for enforcement reasons for 
violation of these regulations or either of the Acts may appeal 
pursuant to the applicable procedures in 15 CFR part 904.


Sec.  922.187  Interagency cooperation.

    Under section 304(d) of the NMSA, Federal agency actions internal 
or external to a national marine sanctuary, including private 
activities authorized by licenses, leases, or permits, that are likely 
to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource are 
subject to consultation with the Director. The Federal agency proposing 
an action shall determine whether the activity is likely to destroy, 
cause the loss of, or injure a Sanctuary resource. To the extent 
practicable, consultation procedures under section 304(d) of the NMSA 
may be consolidated with interagency cooperation procedures required by 
other statutes, such as the ESA. The Director will attempt to provide 
coordinated review and analysis of all environmental requirements.


Sec.  922.188  Permit procedures and review criteria.

    (a) Authority to issue general permits. The Director may allow a 
person to conduct an activity that would otherwise be prohibited by 
this subpart, through issuance of a general permit, provided the 
applicant complies with:
    (1) The provisions of subpart E; and
    (2) The relevant site specific regulations appearing in this 
subpart.
    (b) Sanctuary general permit categories. The Director may issue a 
sanctuary general permit under this subpart, subject to such terms and 
conditions as he or she deems appropriate, if the Director finds that 
the proposed activity falls within one of the following categories:
    (1) Research--activities that constitute scientific research on or 
scientific monitoring of national marine sanctuary resources or 
qualities;
    (2) Education--activities that enhance public awareness, 
understanding, or appreciation of a national marine sanctuary or 
national marine sanctuary resources or qualities;
    (3) Management--activities that assist in managing a national 
marine sanctuary; or
    (4) Installation of submarine cables--activities that involve the 
installation of a submarine cable
    (c) Review criteria. The Director shall not issue a permit under 
this subpart, unless he or she also finds that:
    (1) The proposed activity will be conducted in a manner compatible 
with the primary objective of protection of national marine sanctuary 
resources and qualities, taking into account the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the conduct of the activity may diminish or 
enhance national marine sanctuary resources and qualities; and
    (ii) Any indirect, secondary or cumulative effects of the activity.
    (2) It is necessary to conduct the proposed activity within the 
national marine sanctuary to achieve its stated purpose;
    (3) The methods and procedures proposed by the applicant are 
appropriate to achieve the proposed activity's stated purpose and 
eliminate, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on sanctuary resources 
and qualities as much as possible;
    (4) The duration of the proposed activity and its effects are no 
longer than necessary to achieve the activity's stated purpose;
    (5) The expected end value of the activity to the furtherance of 
national marine sanctuary goals and purposes outweighs any potential 
adverse impacts on sanctuary resources and qualities from the conduct 
of the activity;
    (6) The applicant is professionally qualified to conduct and 
complete the proposed activity;
    (7) The applicant has adequate financial resources available to 
conduct and complete the proposed activity and terms and conditions of 
the permit;
    (8) There are no other factors that would make the issuance of a 
permit for the activity inappropriate; and
    (9) For the installation of submarine cables, the activity is not 
required to

[[Page 16240]]

meet criterion in Sec.  922.188(c)(5), however, it must be compliant 
with all applicable permit requirements from the State of Hawai`i prior 
to consideration of approval for a sanctuary general permit.

Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 922--Hawaiian Islands National Marine 
Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu Boundary Description and Coordinates of 
the Lateral Boundary Closures and Excluded Areas

    Coordinates listed in this appendix are unprojected (Geographic) 
and based on the North American Datum of 1983.

                     Table A1--Coordinates for O`ahu
                              [South Unit]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        21.32908      -157.59613
2.......................................        21.32450      -157.58972
3.......................................        21.32370      -157.58183
4.......................................        21.31688      -157.57428
5.......................................        21.31280      -157.56408
6.......................................        21.30933      -157.56160
7.......................................        21.30358      -157.55573
8.......................................        21.30048      -157.55447
9.......................................        21.29697      -157.55477
10......................................        21.29273      -157.55672
11......................................        21.28485      -157.55673
12......................................        21.28198      -157.55822
13......................................        21.27330      -157.57037
14......................................        21.26792      -157.57482
15......................................        21.26257      -157.58341
16......................................        21.26286      -157.58604
17......................................        21.26233      -157.58793
18......................................        21.25687      -157.59453
19......................................        21.25527      -157.59808
20......................................        21.25498      -157.60996
21......................................        21.25599      -157.61382
22......................................        21.25854      -157.61889
23......................................        21.25950      -157.62353
24......................................        21.25787      -157.62687
25......................................        21.25896      -157.63431
26......................................        21.25771      -157.63925
27......................................        21.25701      -157.64764
28......................................        21.25579      -157.65214
29......................................        21.25488      -157.65769
30......................................        21.25691      -157.66220
31......................................        21.25535      -157.66722
32......................................        21.25736      -157.67633
33......................................        21.25591      -157.68225
34......................................        21.25648      -157.68615
35......................................        21.25622      -157.68892
36......................................        21.25365      -157.69587
37......................................        21.25401      -157.69999
38......................................        21.25209      -157.70641
39......................................        21.24458      -157.70903
40......................................        21.24200      -157.70882
41......................................        21.23830      -157.71003
42......................................        21.23592      -157.71225
43......................................        21.23203      -157.71399
44......................................        21.23090      -157.71620
45......................................        21.23209      -157.72239
46......................................        21.23484      -157.72541
47......................................        21.23959      -157.72534
48......................................        21.24323      -157.72720
49......................................        21.24570      -157.73037
50......................................        21.24606      -157.73490
51......................................        21.24458      -157.73833
52......................................        21.24385      -157.74535
53......................................        21.24427      -157.75741
54......................................        21.24269      -157.76264
55......................................        21.23895      -157.76426
56......................................        21.23835      -157.76540
57......................................        21.23856      -157.77153
58......................................        21.23560      -157.78076
59......................................        21.23745      -157.78753
60......................................        21.23676      -157.79062
61......................................        21.23317      -157.79489
62......................................        21.23236      -157.79925
63......................................        21.23336      -157.80369
64......................................        21.23895      -157.81154
65......................................        21.24343      -157.81909
66......................................        21.24480      -157.82470
67......................................        21.24832      -157.83465
68......................................        21.25341      -157.84288
69 *....................................        21.27112      -157.82373
70 *....................................        21.27148      -157.82268
71 *....................................        21.28530      -157.71885
72 *....................................        21.28508      -157.71852
73 *....................................        21.28152      -157.71197
74 *....................................        21.28117      -157.71132
75 *....................................        21.31080      -157.64947
76......................................        21.32908      -157.59613
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                     Table A2--Coordinates for O`ahu
                              [North Unit]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        21.62572      -158.15605
2.......................................        21.62698      -158.15253
3.......................................        21.63018      -158.14882
4.......................................        21.63263      -158.14758
5.......................................        21.63618      -158.14782
6.......................................        21.63775      -158.14707
7.......................................        21.64018      -158.14055
8.......................................        21.64092      -158.13853
9.......................................        21.64902      -158.12817
10......................................        21.65185      -158.12633
11......................................        21.65637      -158.12540
12......................................        21.65833      -158.12413
13......................................        21.68600      -158.10347
14......................................        21.69572      -158.09703
15......................................        21.71565      -158.07783
16......................................        21.71713      -158.07477
17......................................        21.72210      -158.06985
18......................................        21.72628      -158.06348
19......................................        21.73272      -158.05730
20......................................        21.74755      -158.02945
21......................................        21.74943      -158.01910
22......................................        21.75342      -158.00808
23......................................        21.75387      -158.00223
24......................................        21.75268      -157.99743
25......................................        21.75442      -157.99265
26......................................        21.75487      -157.98272
27......................................        21.75328      -157.96552
28......................................        21.74898      -157.94772
29......................................        21.74438      -157.93785
30......................................        21.74428      -157.93470
31......................................        21.73860      -157.92523
32......................................        21.73230      -157.90733
33......................................        21.72945      -157.90263
34......................................        21.72307      -157.89587
35......................................        21.71758      -157.89490
36......................................        21.71525      -157.89268
37......................................        21.70803      -157.89025
38......................................        21.70027      -157.89058
39......................................        21.69265      -157.88755
40......................................        21.68493      -157.88752
41......................................        21.68057      -157.88633
42......................................        21.67202      -157.88228
43......................................        21.66358      -157.88037
44......................................        21.66267      -157.87958
45......................................        21.65977      -157.87975
46......................................        21.64427      -157.87622
47......................................        21.64232      -157.87615
48......................................        21.63667      -157.87812
49......................................        21.62942      -157.88288
50......................................        21.62860      -157.87927
51......................................        21.63042      -157.87293
52......................................        21.62833      -157.86775
53......................................        21.62230      -157.86168
54......................................        21.61802      -157.85973
55......................................        21.61662      -157.85815
56......................................        21.60818      -157.85312
57......................................        21.60318      -157.85148
58......................................        21.60112      -157.84863
59......................................        21.60057      -157.84235
60......................................        21.59228      -157.83485
61 *....................................        21.56008      -157.86468
62 *....................................        21.59652      -158.10447
63 *....................................        21.59665      -158.10623
64 *....................................        21.59032      -158.11052
65......................................        21.62572      -158.15605
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    Table A3--Coordinates for Hawai`i
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        19.72820      -156.07070
2.......................................        19.74638      -156.08033
3.......................................        19.75238      -156.08583
4.......................................        19.76020      -156.08825
5.......................................        19.76710      -156.09513
6.......................................        19.77235      -156.09770
7.......................................        19.77420      -156.09957
8.......................................        19.77997      -156.10303
9.......................................        19.78632      -156.10583
10......................................        19.79402      -156.10500
11......................................        19.80128      -156.10128
12......................................        19.80793      -156.10138
13......................................        19.81478      -156.10368
14......................................        19.82020      -156.09995
15......................................        19.82643      -156.09878
16......................................        19.82990      -156.09452
17......................................        19.83465      -156.09272
18......................................        19.83825      -156.08903
19......................................        19.84435      -156.08602
20......................................        19.84955      -156.08180
21......................................        19.86100      -156.06607
22......................................        19.86765      -156.06058
23......................................        19.87067      -156.05617
24......................................        19.87792      -156.05047
25......................................        19.88778      -156.03225
26......................................        19.89058      -156.02537
27......................................        19.89310      -156.02333
28......................................        19.89577      -156.01848
29......................................        19.89833      -156.01650
30......................................        19.90100      -156.01283
31......................................        19.90095      -155.99682
32......................................        19.90393      -155.99113

[[Page 16241]]

 
33......................................        19.91243      -155.98405
34......................................        19.91827      -155.98243
35......................................        19.91887      -155.98158
36......................................        19.91867      -155.97758
37......................................        19.91940      -155.97610
38......................................        19.93102      -155.96323
39......................................        19.93617      -155.95458
40......................................        19.94508      -155.95090
41......................................        19.94813      -155.94660
42......................................        19.95618      -155.93978
43......................................        19.96008      -155.93823
44......................................        19.96837      -155.92900
45......................................        19.97177      -155.92720
46......................................        19.97325      -155.92030
47......................................        19.97715      -155.91145
48......................................        19.97790      -155.90632
49......................................        19.97760      -155.90197
50......................................        19.97928      -155.90040
51......................................        19.98177      -155.89140
52......................................        19.98792      -155.88842
53......................................        19.98618      -155.88500
54......................................        19.98578      -155.88182
55......................................        19.98887      -155.87670
56......................................        19.99193      -155.87428
57......................................        19.99992      -155.87262
58......................................        20.00543      -155.86988
59......................................        20.01147      -155.86885
60......................................        20.01840      -155.86913
61......................................        20.02153      -155.86528
62......................................        20.02522      -155.86618
63......................................        20.02783      -155.86515
64......................................        20.02953      -155.86607
65......................................        20.03335      -155.86462
66......................................        20.04083      -155.86840
67......................................        20.04510      -155.86663
68......................................        20.04722      -155.86658
69......................................        20.05252      -155.86952
70......................................        20.06375      -155.88248
71......................................        20.07272      -155.88863
72......................................        20.07505      -155.89213
73......................................        20.08533      -155.90185
74......................................        20.09967      -155.91227
75......................................        20.11200      -155.91650
76......................................        20.12552      -155.91740
77......................................        20.13142      -155.92098
78......................................        20.13368      -155.92155
79......................................        20.13907      -155.92028
80......................................        20.14232      -155.92040
81......................................        20.14765      -155.92278
82......................................        20.15287      -155.92343
83......................................        20.15903      -155.92648
84......................................        20.16653      -155.92895
85......................................        20.19312      -155.93315
86......................................        20.20423      -155.93768
87......................................        20.21275      -155.93537
88......................................        20.23595      -155.93248
89......................................        20.24477      -155.93230
90......................................        20.24652      -155.93118
91......................................        20.25287      -155.92953
92......................................        20.26058      -155.92368
93......................................        20.26625      -155.92138
94......................................        20.27477      -155.91627
95......................................        20.27647      -155.91430
96......................................        20.27857      -155.90785
97......................................        20.28822      -155.90010
98......................................        20.29183      -155.89487
99......................................        20.29430      -155.88873
100.....................................        20.29940      -155.88160
101.....................................        20.30082      -155.87262
102.....................................        20.29998      -155.85477
103 *...................................        20.26632      -155.84972
104 *...................................        20.04058      -155.83260
105 *...................................        20.03723      -155.83398
106 *...................................        19.72743      -156.05997
107.....................................        19.72820      -156.07070
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    Table A4--Coordinates for Ni`ihau
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        22.07833      -160.09322
2.......................................        22.07125      -160.06682
3.......................................        22.06053      -160.05058
4.......................................        22.04732      -160.04022
5.......................................        22.03098      -160.01508
6.......................................        22.02058      -160.00642
7.......................................        22.00180      -159.99755
8.......................................        21.98923      -159.99403
9.......................................        21.97612      -159.99393
10......................................        21.96343      -159.99748
11......................................        21.94782      -160.00603
12......................................        21.94007      -160.01277
13......................................        21.93222      -160.02352
14......................................        21.92785      -160.02667
15......................................        21.91240      -160.02077
16......................................        21.89087      -160.01980
17......................................        21.87503      -160.02447
18......................................        21.86247      -160.03313
19......................................        21.85348      -160.04393
20......................................        21.83285      -160.08297
21......................................        21.82932      -160.09280
22......................................        21.82383      -160.12060
23......................................        21.81035      -160.12827
24......................................        21.80100      -160.13682
25......................................        21.79595      -160.13930
26......................................        21.76847      -160.14730
27......................................        21.75925      -160.15167
28......................................        21.74372      -160.16375
29......................................        21.73393      -160.17817
30......................................        21.72868      -160.19583
31......................................        21.72945      -160.21530
32......................................        21.73638      -160.23768
33......................................        21.74675      -160.25835
34......................................        21.75333      -160.26830
35......................................        21.77392      -160.28798
36......................................        21.79732      -160.29788
37......................................        21.81468      -160.30028
38......................................        21.85032      -160.30002
39......................................        21.86553      -160.29553
40......................................        21.87738      -160.28843
41......................................        21.89507      -160.28757
42......................................        21.91643      -160.28028
43......................................        21.92902      -160.27102
44......................................        21.94070      -160.25435
45......................................        21.95347      -160.24342
46......................................        21.96832      -160.23835
47......................................        21.97933      -160.23058
48......................................        21.98935      -160.21923
49......................................        21.99598      -160.20712
50......................................        21.99950      -160.19353
51......................................        21.99963      -160.17980
52......................................        22.00912      -160.17750
53......................................        22.01812      -160.17322
54......................................        22.03043      -160.16303
55......................................        22.03718      -160.15415
56......................................        22.04843      -160.14998
57......................................        22.05858      -160.14325
58......................................        22.06998      -160.13037
59......................................        22.07723      -160.11288
60......................................        22.07833      -160.09322
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    Table A5--Coordinates for Kaua`i
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        22.23023      -159.64483
2.......................................        22.23658      -159.64328
3.......................................        22.23943      -159.64090
4.......................................        22.24108      -159.63825
5.......................................        22.24470      -159.62752
6.......................................        22.24473      -159.62460
7.......................................        22.24307      -159.61835
8.......................................        22.24340      -159.61615
9.......................................        22.24463      -159.61438
10......................................        22.25070      -159.61090
11......................................        22.25657      -159.60623
12......................................        22.26618      -159.60690
13......................................        22.27078      -159.60590
14......................................        22.27325      -159.60388
15......................................        22.27597      -159.59985
16......................................        22.28132      -159.58828
17......................................        22.28415      -159.57682
18......................................        22.28480      -159.56468
19......................................        22.28368      -159.55173
20......................................        22.28235      -159.54530
21......................................        22.27953      -159.53727
22......................................        22.27672      -159.53092
23......................................        22.27338      -159.52600
24......................................        22.26862      -159.52285
25......................................        22.25572      -159.51848
26......................................        22.25582      -159.51748
27......................................        22.25715      -159.51645
28......................................        22.26298      -159.51533
29......................................        22.26462      -159.51383
30......................................        22.26633      -159.50630
31......................................        22.26647      -159.50227
32......................................        22.26565      -159.49770
33......................................        22.26370      -159.49392
34......................................        22.25690      -159.48792
35......................................        22.25665      -159.48692
36......................................        22.25698      -159.48538
37......................................        22.26030      -159.48210
38......................................        22.26103      -159.47762
39......................................        22.26042      -159.47528
40......................................        22.25540      -159.46792
41......................................        22.25335      -159.46128
42......................................        22.25257      -159.43648
43......................................        22.25127      -159.43093
44......................................        22.24915      -159.42758
45......................................        22.25142      -159.42245
46......................................        22.25307      -159.40707
47......................................        22.25303      -159.40242
48......................................        22.25098      -159.39485
49......................................        22.25357      -159.39000
50......................................        22.25407      -159.38732
51......................................        22.25332      -159.38345
52......................................        22.24883      -159.37198
53......................................        22.24632      -159.36208
54......................................        22.24883      -159.35590
55......................................        22.24860      -159.35342
56......................................        22.24527      -159.34928
57......................................        22.23777      -159.34528
58......................................        22.23575      -159.34155
59......................................        22.23505      -159.33825
60 *....................................        22.21353      -159.35087
61 *....................................        22.21508      -159.49703

[[Page 16242]]

 
62 *....................................        22.21378      -159.49672
63 *....................................        22.21132      -159.59522
64......................................        22.23023      -159.64483
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   Table A6--Coordinates for Maui Nui
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        21.22380      -157.31272
2.......................................        21.21938      -157.31378
3.......................................        21.20960      -157.31750
4.......................................        21.19332      -157.33268
5.......................................        21.18093      -157.35280
6.......................................        21.17182      -157.37275
7.......................................        21.16902      -157.38062
8.......................................        21.16815      -157.38555
9.......................................        21.16502      -157.39072
10......................................        21.16172      -157.40372
11......................................        21.15897      -157.41582
12......................................        21.15757      -157.42950
13......................................        21.15815      -157.48270
14......................................        21.15992      -157.49052
15......................................        21.15977      -157.49598
16......................................        21.16400      -157.51087
17......................................        21.16420      -157.51713
18......................................        21.16250      -157.52100
19......................................        21.15935      -157.52552
20......................................        21.14960      -157.54817
21......................................        21.14587      -157.55430
22......................................        21.13998      -157.56070
23......................................        21.13005      -157.56862
24......................................        21.12538      -157.57398
25......................................        21.12152      -157.58915
26......................................        21.12010      -157.59217
27......................................        21.11398      -157.60032
28......................................        21.11063      -157.61628
29......................................        21.10790      -157.62245
30......................................        21.10395      -157.62590
31......................................        21.10122      -157.62655
32......................................        21.09598      -157.62547
33......................................        21.09000      -157.62688
34......................................        21.08793      -157.62815
35......................................        21.08638      -157.64073
36......................................        21.08667      -157.64747
37......................................        21.08440      -157.65763
38......................................        21.08087      -157.65977
39......................................        21.07898      -157.65933
40......................................        21.07202      -157.65358
41......................................        21.07042      -157.65293
42......................................        21.06740      -157.65387
43......................................        21.06593      -157.65628
44......................................        21.06712      -157.66142
45......................................        21.06480      -157.66490
46......................................        21.05858      -157.66980
47......................................        21.04922      -157.67460
48......................................        21.04823      -157.67893
49......................................        21.04197      -157.68637
50......................................        21.03627      -157.68960
51......................................        21.03428      -157.69402
52......................................        21.02722      -157.69850
53......................................        21.02428      -157.70122
54......................................        21.02362      -157.70432
55......................................        21.02553      -157.70895
56......................................        21.02268      -157.71652
57......................................        21.01285      -157.71805
58......................................        20.99600      -157.72255
59......................................        20.99253      -157.72507
60......................................        20.98757      -157.73145
61......................................        20.98167      -157.73470
62......................................        20.96713      -157.73572
63......................................        20.95993      -157.73808
64......................................        20.95725      -157.74017
65......................................        20.95113      -157.75002
66......................................        20.93860      -157.75783
67......................................        20.93642      -157.75822
68......................................        20.92492      -157.75177
69......................................        20.92162      -157.75163
70......................................        20.90925      -157.75475
71......................................        20.90548      -157.75652
72......................................        20.90228      -157.75925
73......................................        20.89710      -157.76182
74......................................        20.89360      -157.76263
75......................................        20.88710      -157.76087
76......................................        20.88213      -157.75663
77......................................        20.87747      -157.74822
78......................................        20.87683      -157.74167
79......................................        20.87448      -157.73667
80......................................        20.87213      -157.73533
81......................................        20.86733      -157.73457
82......................................        20.86332      -157.73522
83......................................        20.85518      -157.73948
84......................................        20.85253      -157.73885
85......................................        20.85070      -157.73525
86......................................        20.84945      -157.72498
87......................................        20.84920      -157.71832
88......................................        20.85037      -157.71212
89......................................        20.85000      -157.70652
90......................................        20.85162      -157.70387
91......................................        20.85670      -157.70343
92......................................        20.86250      -157.69857
93......................................        20.86502      -157.69475
94......................................        20.86575      -157.69173
95......................................        20.86383      -157.68598
96......................................        20.86427      -157.67730
97......................................        20.86502      -157.67523
98......................................        20.87097      -157.66773
99......................................        20.87222      -157.66545
100.....................................        20.87347      -157.65898
101.....................................        20.87715      -157.65485
102.....................................        20.87782      -157.65067
103.....................................        20.88127      -157.64455
104.....................................        20.88223      -157.64138
105.....................................        20.88267      -157.63830
106.....................................        20.88217      -157.63645
107.....................................        20.88363      -157.63063
108.....................................        20.88650      -157.62785
109.....................................        20.88775      -157.61990
110.....................................        20.89247      -157.61262
111.....................................        20.89350      -157.60863
112.....................................        20.89658      -157.60333
113.....................................        20.90247      -157.58420
114.....................................        20.91300      -157.57330
115.....................................        20.91492      -157.56742
116.....................................        20.91800      -157.56410
117.....................................        20.92455      -157.54203
118.....................................        20.92668      -157.54018
119.....................................        20.92918      -157.53400
120.....................................        20.93228      -157.51517
121.....................................        20.93332      -157.51258
122.....................................        20.93677      -157.51002
123.....................................        20.95480      -157.51053
124.....................................        20.95687      -157.50825
125.....................................        20.96230      -157.50560
126.....................................        20.96370      -157.50022
127.....................................        20.96297      -157.48638
128.....................................        20.96348      -157.47968
129.....................................        20.96643      -157.46747
130.....................................        20.96768      -157.45805
131.....................................        20.96547      -157.44568
132.....................................        20.96437      -157.43420
133.....................................        20.96467      -157.43267
134.....................................        20.96665      -157.41177
135.....................................        20.96680      -157.40153
136.....................................        20.96775      -157.39682
137.....................................        20.97320      -157.36605
138.....................................        20.97452      -157.36303
139.....................................        20.98998      -157.34743
140.....................................        20.99072      -157.32977
141.....................................        20.99190      -157.32160
142.....................................        20.99507      -157.30917
143.....................................        20.99557      -157.30762
144.....................................        21.01912      -157.29510
145.....................................        21.02553      -157.28297
146.....................................        21.02898      -157.26972
147.....................................        21.02618      -157.26433
148.....................................        21.02597      -157.26192
149.....................................        21.02657      -157.25772
150.....................................        21.03008      -157.25323
151.....................................        21.03068      -157.25138
152.....................................        21.03127      -157.24270
153.....................................        21.03105      -157.23557
154.....................................        21.02877      -157.23173
155.....................................        21.02883      -157.23033
156.....................................        21.03318      -157.22548
157.....................................        21.03473      -157.21687
158.....................................        21.03693      -157.21223
159.....................................        21.03942      -157.20958
160.....................................        21.04333      -157.20678
161.....................................        21.05092      -157.20428
162.....................................        21.05768      -157.19582
163.....................................        21.06085      -157.19302
164.....................................        21.06012      -157.18750
165.....................................        21.05820      -157.18183
166.....................................        21.05783      -157.17373
167.....................................        21.05667      -157.16718
168.....................................        21.05673      -157.15313
169.....................................        21.05122      -157.14150
170.....................................        21.05137      -157.13833
171.....................................        21.05490      -157.12958
172.....................................        21.05658      -157.12333
173.....................................        21.05777      -157.11310
174.....................................        21.06042      -157.10125
175.....................................        21.05923      -157.09455
176.....................................        21.05238      -157.08093
177.....................................        21.05062      -157.07527
178.....................................        21.05040      -157.06997
179.....................................        21.05357      -157.06217
180.....................................        21.04458      -157.03868
181.....................................        21.04128      -157.03603
182.....................................        21.03502      -157.03472
183.....................................        21.03282      -157.03332
184.....................................        21.03023      -157.02985
185.....................................        21.02795      -157.02198
186.....................................        21.02663      -157.02110
187.....................................        21.02207      -157.01955
188.....................................        21.01817      -157.01955
189.....................................        21.01662      -157.01742
190.....................................        21.01463      -157.01638
191.....................................        21.00640      -157.01808
192.....................................        20.99727      -157.01573
193.....................................        20.98770      -157.01522
194.....................................        20.98408      -157.01690
195.....................................        20.98107      -157.01550
196.....................................        20.97945      -157.01595
197.....................................        20.97710      -157.01823
198.....................................        20.97673      -157.01983
199.....................................        20.97555      -157.02418

[[Page 16243]]

 
200.....................................        20.97438      -157.02595
201.....................................        20.96178      -157.03588
202.....................................        20.94892      -157.05282
203.....................................        20.94023      -157.06210
204.....................................        20.93478      -157.07343
205.....................................        20.92853      -157.07895
206.....................................        20.92522      -157.08462
207.....................................        20.92205      -157.08578
208.....................................        20.91807      -157.08542
209.....................................        20.91182      -157.08727
210.....................................        20.90468      -157.08793
211.....................................        20.89902      -157.09013
212.....................................        20.89622      -157.09013
213.....................................        20.88202      -157.08462
214.....................................        20.87450      -157.07998
215.....................................        20.86427      -157.07152
216.....................................        20.85168      -157.05885
217.....................................        20.84647      -157.05157
218.....................................        20.84462      -157.04532
219.....................................        20.84433      -157.03795
220.....................................        20.84300      -157.03280
221.....................................        20.83932      -157.02625
222.....................................        20.83248      -157.01757
223.....................................        20.82192      -157.01188
224.....................................        20.79377      -157.00950
225.....................................        20.77772      -157.00940
226.....................................        20.77303      -157.00873
227.....................................        20.76695      -157.00653
228.....................................        20.76258      -157.00627
229.....................................        20.75048      -157.00143
230.....................................        20.74437      -156.99613
231.....................................        20.73483      -156.98978
232.....................................        20.73038      -156.98588
233.....................................        20.72995      -156.98367
234.....................................        20.72655      -156.97945
235.....................................        20.72133      -156.97505
236.....................................        20.71268      -156.96152
237.....................................        20.71115      -156.95765
238.....................................        20.71073      -156.94107
239.....................................        20.70910      -156.93135
240.....................................        20.71043      -156.92313
241.....................................        20.70872      -156.90960
242.....................................        20.70872      -156.90348
243.....................................        20.70570      -156.88575
244.....................................        20.70790      -156.88125
245.....................................        20.71742      -156.87293
246.....................................        20.72425      -156.86528
247.....................................        20.72860      -156.86423
248.....................................        20.73072      -156.86198
249.....................................        20.73190      -156.85750
250.....................................        20.73430      -156.85262
251.....................................        20.74113      -156.84095
252.....................................        20.74228      -156.83092
253.....................................        20.74180      -156.82460
254.....................................        20.74467      -156.82188
255.....................................        20.74553      -156.81897
256.....................................        20.74390      -156.81242
257.....................................        20.73865      -156.80897
258.....................................        20.73578      -156.80897
259.....................................        20.73258      -156.81285
260.....................................        20.73162      -156.81298
261.....................................        20.73018      -156.81117
262.....................................        20.73072      -156.80515
263.....................................        20.73440      -156.79635
264.....................................        20.73440      -156.79377
265.....................................        20.73277      -156.79140
266.....................................        20.73233      -156.79100
267.....................................        20.72818      -156.79143
268.....................................        20.72568      -156.78875
269.....................................        20.72268      -156.77808
270.....................................        20.72253      -156.76680
271.....................................        20.72077      -156.76490
272.....................................        20.71900      -156.76422
273.....................................        20.71513      -156.76518
274.....................................        20.71360      -156.76490
275.....................................        20.71278      -156.76380
276.....................................        20.71140      -156.75772
277.....................................        20.71307      -156.74668
278.....................................        20.71230      -156.74228
279.....................................        20.71150      -156.67635
280.....................................        20.71097      -156.67578
281.....................................        20.71102      -156.67300
282.....................................        20.70915      -156.67110
283.....................................        20.71078      -156.66870
284.....................................        20.70685      -156.66297
285.....................................        20.70728      -156.65585
286.....................................        20.70332      -156.64777
287.....................................        20.70265      -156.64542
288.....................................        20.70337      -156.64260
289.....................................        20.69858      -156.63638
290.....................................        20.69645      -156.63420
291.....................................        20.69583      -156.63433
292.....................................        20.69423      -156.61873
293.....................................        20.69538      -156.61478
294.....................................        20.69342      -156.61248
295.....................................        20.69113      -156.60780
296.....................................        20.69045      -156.60747
297.....................................        20.68873      -156.60913
298.....................................        20.68735      -156.60832
299.....................................        20.68663      -156.60253
300.....................................        20.68497      -156.60053
301.....................................        20.67722      -156.59785
302.....................................        20.67115      -156.59112
303.....................................        20.66143      -156.58503
304.....................................        20.65910      -156.58480
305.....................................        20.65642      -156.58662
306.....................................        20.65585      -156.58633
307.....................................        20.65537      -156.58447
308.....................................        20.65312      -156.58217
309.....................................        20.65337      -156.57010
310.....................................        20.65083      -156.55297
311.....................................        20.64968      -156.54895
312.....................................        20.64765      -156.54352
313.....................................        20.64352      -156.53553
314.....................................        20.63307      -156.52033
315.....................................        20.62652      -156.51245
316.....................................        20.62168      -156.50818
317.....................................        20.61412      -156.50335
318.....................................        20.60713      -156.49718
319.....................................        20.59948      -156.49223
320.....................................        20.60063      -156.48987
321.....................................        20.60027      -156.48925
322.....................................        20.59627      -156.49012
323.....................................        20.59472      -156.48835
324.....................................        20.59463      -156.48693
325.....................................        20.59660      -156.48332
326.....................................        20.59640      -156.48128
327.....................................        20.59423      -156.47673
328.....................................        20.59567      -156.47567
329.....................................        20.59970      -156.47500
330.....................................        20.60118      -156.47580
331.....................................        20.60418      -156.47960
332.....................................        20.60553      -156.47990
333.....................................        20.60627      -156.47863
334.....................................        20.60623      -156.47563
335.....................................        20.60750      -156.47080
336.....................................        20.60188      -156.46703
337.....................................        20.59798      -156.46570
338.....................................        20.58188      -156.46357
339.....................................        20.57773      -156.45373
340.....................................        20.57488      -156.45112
341.....................................        20.57272      -156.44752
342 *...................................        20.58308      -156.41192
343 *...................................        20.79025      -156.51013
344 *...................................        20.79033      -156.51097
345 *...................................        20.87173      -156.67920
346.....................................        20.87192      -156.67931
347 *...................................        20.87229      -156.67855
348 *...................................        21.02445      -156.63918
349.....................................        21.07042      -156.66362
350.....................................        21.08872      -156.67335
351 *...................................        21.15802      -156.71095
352 *...................................        21.15843      -156.70948
353 *...................................        21.08595      -157.02030
354.....................................        21.07737      -157.02810
355.....................................        21.08035      -157.03287
356 *...................................        21.08802      -157.02589
357 *...................................        21.08465      -157.24863
358 *...................................        21.08382      -157.24965
359 *...................................        21.22350      -157.25400
360 *...................................        21.22442      -157.25400
361.....................................        21.22380      -157.31272
362 *...................................        20.78593      -156.99232
363 *...................................        20.78308      -156.99152
364 *...................................        20.74253      -156.88680
365 *...................................        20.74317      -156.88740
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The coordinates in the table above marked with an asterisk (*) are
  not a part of the sanctuary boundary. These coordinates are landward
  reference points used to draw a line segment that intersects with the
  shoreline.

Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 922--Special Sanctuary Management Area 
Boundaries

    Coordinates listed in this appendix are unprojected (Geographic) 
and based on the North American Datum of 1983.

B.1 Maunalua Bay Special Sanctuary Management Area

    The Maunalua SSMA extends throughout the sanctuary waters in 
Maunalua Bay south of Oahu and is defined by the coordinates in 
table B1 and the following textual description. Point 1 of the SSMA 
boundary is located roughly 1.3 nautical miles SE of 
K[umacr]pikipiki`[omacr] Point (Black Point) on the sanctuary 
boundary. From Point 1 the SSMA boundary extends along the sanctuary 
boundary to the east to Point 21 roughly 0.5 nautical miles south of 
Kawaihoa Point, Koko Head. From Point 21 the SSMA boundary extends 
towards Point 22 until it intersects the shoreline. From this 
intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the west around 
Kawaihoa Point and north around Maunalua Bay until it intersects the 
line segment between Point 23 and Point 24 at the eastern entrance 
to Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves 
towards Point 24 across the entrance to the marina until it 
intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the 
shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between 
Point 25 and Point 26 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai 
Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 26 
across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline 
again. The

[[Page 16244]]

boundary then follows the shoreline westward continuing around 
Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 27 
and Point 28 at K[umacr]pikipiki`[omacr] Point (Black Point). From 
this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the SE to Point 
28.

                 Table B1--Coordinates for Maunalua Bay
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        21.23560      -157.78076
2.......................................        21.23856      -157.77153
3.......................................        21.23835      -157.76540
4.......................................        21.23895      -157.76426
5.......................................        21.24269      -157.76264
6.......................................        21.24427      -157.75741
7.......................................        21.24385      -157.74535
8.......................................        21.24458      -157.73833
9.......................................        21.24606      -157.73490
10......................................        21.24570      -157.73037
11......................................        21.24323      -157.72720
12......................................        21.23959      -157.72534
13......................................        21.23484      -157.72541
14......................................        21.23209      -157.72239
15......................................        21.23090      -157.71620
16......................................        21.23203      -157.71399
17......................................        21.23592      -157.71225
18......................................        21.23830      -157.71003
19......................................        21.24200      -157.70882
20......................................        21.24458      -157.70903
21......................................        21.25209      -157.70641
22 *....................................        21.25964      -157.70717
23 *....................................        21.28117      -157.71132
24 *....................................        21.28152      -157.71197
25 *....................................        21.28508      -157.71852
26 *....................................        21.28530      -157.71885
27 *....................................        21.25545      -157.79180
28......................................        21.23560      -157.78076
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The coordinates in the table above marked with an asterisk (*) are
  not a part of the sanctuary boundary. These coordinates are landward
  reference points used to draw a line segment that intersects with the
  shoreline.

B.2 Penguin Bank Special Sanctuary Management Area

    The Penguin Bank SSMA extends throughout the federal waters of 
the Penguin Bank area southwest of Moloka`i and is defined by the 
coordinates in table B2 and the following textual description. The 
SSMA boundary begins roughly 3.3 nautical miles west of `[Imacr]lio 
Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1 at the 
intersection of the sanctuary boundary and the three nautical mile 
line. From Point 1 the SSMA boundary follows the sanctuary boundary 
to the SW and then back around Penguin Bank to the NE to Point 158 
located at the intersection of the sanctuary boundary and the three 
nautical mile line to the SSW of Lono Harbor on Moloka`i. From Point 
158 the SSMA boundary approximates the three nautical mile line 
extending west and then north to Point 185 west of northwest tip of 
Moloka'i.

                 Table B2--Coordinates for Penguin Bank
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        21.21938      -157.31378
2.......................................        21.20960      -157.31750
3.......................................        21.19332      -157.33268
4.......................................        21.18093      -157.35280
5.......................................        21.17182      -157.37275
6.......................................        21.16902      -157.38062
7.......................................        21.16815      -157.38555
8.......................................        21.16502      -157.39072
9.......................................        21.16172      -157.40372
10......................................        21.15897      -157.41582
11......................................        21.15757      -157.42950
12......................................        21.15815      -157.48270
13......................................        21.15992      -157.49052
14......................................        21.15977      -157.49598
15......................................        21.16400      -157.51087
16......................................        21.16420      -157.51713
17......................................        21.16250      -157.52100
18......................................        21.15935      -157.52552
19......................................        21.14960      -157.54817
20......................................        21.14587      -157.55430
21......................................        21.13998      -157.56070
22......................................        21.13005      -157.56862
23......................................        21.12538      -157.57398
24......................................        21.12152      -157.58915
25......................................        21.12010      -157.59217
26......................................        21.11398      -157.60032
27......................................        21.11063      -157.61628
28......................................        21.10790      -157.62245
29......................................        21.10395      -157.62590
30......................................        21.10122      -157.62655
31......................................        21.09598      -157.62547
32......................................        21.09000      -157.62688
33......................................        21.08793      -157.62815
34......................................        21.08638      -157.64073
35......................................        21.08667      -157.64747
36......................................        21.08440      -157.65763
37......................................        21.08087      -157.65977
38......................................        21.07898      -157.65933
39......................................        21.07202      -157.65358
40......................................        21.07042      -157.65293
41......................................        21.06740      -157.65387
42......................................        21.06593      -157.65628
43......................................        21.06712      -157.66142
44......................................        21.06480      -157.66490
45......................................        21.05858      -157.66980
46......................................        21.04922      -157.67460
47......................................        21.04823      -157.67893
48......................................        21.04197      -157.68637
49......................................        21.03627      -157.68960
50......................................        21.03428      -157.69402
51......................................        21.02722      -157.69850
52......................................        21.02428      -157.70122
53......................................        21.02362      -157.70432
54......................................        21.02553      -157.70895
55......................................        21.02268      -157.71652
56......................................        21.01285      -157.71805
57......................................        20.99600      -157.72255
58......................................        20.99253      -157.72507
59......................................        20.98757      -157.73145
60......................................        20.98167      -157.73470
61......................................        20.96713      -157.73572
62......................................        20.95993      -157.73808
63......................................        20.95725      -157.74017
64......................................        20.95113      -157.75002
65......................................        20.93860      -157.75783
66......................................        20.93642      -157.75822
67......................................        20.92492      -157.75177
68......................................        20.92162      -157.75163
69......................................        20.90925      -157.75475
70......................................        20.90548      -157.75652
71......................................        20.90228      -157.75925
72......................................        20.89710      -157.76182
73......................................        20.89360      -157.76263
74......................................        20.88710      -157.76087
75......................................        20.88213      -157.75663
76......................................        20.87747      -157.74822
77......................................        20.87683      -157.74167
78......................................        20.87448      -157.73667
79......................................        20.87213      -157.73533
80......................................        20.86733      -157.73457
81......................................        20.86332      -157.73522
82......................................        20.85518      -157.73948
83......................................        20.85253      -157.73885
84......................................        20.85070      -157.73525
85......................................        20.84945      -157.72498
86......................................        20.84920      -157.71832
87......................................        20.85037      -157.71212
88......................................        20.85000      -157.70652
89......................................        20.85162      -157.70387
90......................................        20.85670      -157.70343
91......................................        20.86250      -157.69857
92......................................        20.86502      -157.69475
93......................................        20.86575      -157.69173
94......................................        20.86383      -157.68598
95......................................        20.86427      -157.67730
96......................................        20.86502      -157.67523
97......................................        20.87097      -157.66773
98......................................        20.87222      -157.66545
99......................................        20.87347      -157.65898
100.....................................        20.87715      -157.65485
101.....................................        20.87782      -157.65067
102.....................................        20.88127      -157.64455
103.....................................        20.88223      -157.64138
104.....................................        20.88267      -157.63830
105.....................................        20.88217      -157.63645
106.....................................        20.88363      -157.63063
107.....................................        20.88650      -157.62785
108.....................................        20.88775      -157.61990
109.....................................        20.89247      -157.61262
110.....................................        20.89350      -157.60863
111.....................................        20.89658      -157.60333
112.....................................        20.90247      -157.58420
113.....................................        20.91300      -157.57330
114.....................................        20.91492      -157.56742
115.....................................        20.91800      -157.56410
116.....................................        20.92455      -157.54203
117.....................................        20.92668      -157.54018
118.....................................        20.92918      -157.53400
119.....................................        20.93228      -157.51517
120.....................................        20.93332      -157.51258
121.....................................        20.93677      -157.51002
122.....................................        20.95480      -157.51053
123.....................................        20.95687      -157.50825
124.....................................        20.96230      -157.50560
125.....................................        20.96370      -157.50022
126.....................................        20.96297      -157.48638
127.....................................        20.96348      -157.47968
128.....................................        20.96643      -157.46747
129.....................................        20.96768      -157.45805
130.....................................        20.96547      -157.44568
131.....................................        20.96437      -157.43420
132.....................................        20.96467      -157.43267
133.....................................        20.96665      -157.41177
134.....................................        20.96680      -157.40153
135.....................................        20.96775      -157.39682
136.....................................        20.97320      -157.36605
137.....................................        20.97452      -157.36303
138.....................................        20.98998      -157.34743
139.....................................        20.99072      -157.32977
140.....................................        20.99190      -157.32160

[[Page 16245]]

 
141.....................................        20.99507      -157.30917
142.....................................        20.99557      -157.30762
143.....................................        21.01912      -157.29510
144.....................................        21.02553      -157.28297
145.....................................        21.02898      -157.26972
146.....................................        21.02618      -157.26433
147.....................................        21.02597      -157.26192
148.....................................        21.02657      -157.25772
149.....................................        21.03008      -157.25323
150.....................................        21.03068      -157.25138
151.....................................        21.03127      -157.24270
152.....................................        21.03105      -157.23557
153.....................................        21.02877      -157.23173
154.....................................        21.02883      -157.23033
155.....................................        21.03318      -157.22548
156.....................................        21.03473      -157.21687
157.....................................        21.03693      -157.21223
158.....................................        21.03942      -157.20958
159.....................................        21.03807      -157.22824
160.....................................        21.03587      -157.23534
161.....................................        21.03443      -157.24328
162.....................................        21.03422      -157.25383
163.....................................        21.03594      -157.26426
164.....................................        21.04060      -157.27854
165.....................................        21.04294      -157.29650
166.....................................        21.04342      -157.30569
167.....................................        21.04481      -157.31271
168.....................................        21.04893      -157.32567
169.....................................        21.05564      -157.33776
170.....................................        21.06479      -157.34835
171.....................................        21.07731      -157.35771
172.....................................        21.08558      -157.36150
173.....................................        21.09584      -157.36398
174.....................................        21.10581      -157.36422
175.....................................        21.11550      -157.36240
176.....................................        21.12477      -157.35857
177.....................................        21.13269      -157.35324
178.....................................        21.14126      -157.35083
179.....................................        21.15314      -157.34602
180.....................................        21.16897      -157.33692
181.....................................        21.17781      -157.33065
182.....................................        21.18854      -157.32154
183.....................................        21.19845      -157.30977
184.....................................        21.20836      -157.31292
185.....................................        21.21938      -157.31378
------------------------------------------------------------------------

B.3 Maui Nui Special Sanctuary Management Area

    The Maui Nui Special Sanctuary Management Area (SSMA) extends 
throughout the federal waters of the Maui Nui area between Maui, 
Moloka`i and Lana`i and is defined by the coordinates in table B3 
and the following textual description. Point 1 of the SSMA boundary 
is located at approximately the intersection of the Moloka`i three 
nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary south of Kaunakakai on 
Moloka'i near the Kalohi Channel. From Point 1, the SSMA boundary 
extends eastward approximating the three nautical mile line south of 
the Moloka`i coastline to Point 29 in numerical order at 
approximately the intersection of the Moloka`i three nautical mile 
line and the sanctuary boundary line that extends across Pailolo 
Channel from Cape Halawa on Moloka`i to Lipoa Pt. on Maui. From 
Point 29, the SSMA boundary extends southeast to Point 30 at 
approximately the intersection of the Maui three nautical mile line 
and the sanctuary boundary line NW of Lipoa Point on Maui. From 
Point 30, the SSMA boundary curves southwest and then southeast 
approximating the three nautical mile line west and south of the 
Maui coastline until it intersects the Kaho`olawe three nautical 
mile line and the sanctuary boundary WNW of Molokini between Maui 
and Kaho`olawe at Point 87. From Point 87 the SSMA boundary briefly 
approximates the Kaho`'olawe three mile line extending west to Point 
90 at the intersection of the three nautical mile line north of the 
coastline of Kaho`olawe and the sanctuary boundary. From Point 90, 
the SSMA boundary extends west along the sanctuary boundary across 
the Kealaikahiki Channel until it intersects the Lana`i three 
nautical mile line SE of Kamaiki Point at Point 133. From Point 133 
the SSMA boundary extends north and then NW to the east of Lana`i to 
Point 161 at the intersection of the Lana`i three nautical mile line 
and the sanctuary boundary NW of Pohakuloa Point on Lana`i. From 
Point 161 the SSMA boundary then follows the sanctuary boundary 
north across the Kalohi Channel until it intersects with the 
Moloka'i three nautical mile line at Point 175 south of Kaunakakai 
on Moloka'i.

                   Table B3--Coordinates for Maui Nui
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point ID No.                   Latitude        Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................        21.03023      -157.02985
2.......................................        21.03049      -157.02138
3.......................................        21.02705      -157.00787
4.......................................        21.02346      -157.00062
5.......................................        21.02127      -156.99402
6.......................................        21.01712      -156.97004
7.......................................        21.01445      -156.96069
8.......................................        21.00991      -156.93421
9.......................................        21.00547      -156.91735
10......................................        20.99932      -156.90155
11......................................        20.99696      -156.89138
12......................................        20.99586      -156.87167
13......................................        20.99663      -156.86473
14......................................        20.99893      -156.85595
15......................................        20.99884      -156.84286
16......................................        21.00206      -156.82933
17......................................        21.00980      -156.81031
18......................................        21.01616      -156.80073
19......................................        21.01808      -156.78962
20......................................        21.02005      -156.78311
21......................................        21.02869      -156.76519
22......................................        21.03652      -156.75394
23......................................        21.04036      -156.74628
24......................................        21.04407      -156.74093
25......................................        21.05202      -156.73280
26......................................        21.06728      -156.71150
27......................................        21.08102      -156.69629
28......................................        21.08312      -156.68590
29......................................        21.08871      -156.67334
30......................................        21.07042      -156.66361
31......................................        21.06248      -156.67605
32......................................        21.05499      -156.68365
33......................................        21.05109      -156.69316
34......................................        21.04752      -156.69903
35......................................        21.04327      -156.70435
36......................................        21.03575      -156.71112
37......................................        21.02408      -156.71747
38......................................        21.01320      -156.72087
39......................................        21.00803      -156.72176
40......................................        20.98584      -156.73247
41......................................        20.97786      -156.73546
42......................................        20.96520      -156.74238
43......................................        20.95575      -156.74497
44......................................        20.94800      -156.74578
45......................................        20.94098      -156.74854
46......................................        20.93456      -156.75000
47......................................        20.91471      -156.75057
48......................................        20.90157      -156.74803
49......................................        20.88914      -156.74198
50......................................        20.87936      -156.74188
51......................................        20.86963      -156.74032
52......................................        20.86037      -156.73677
53......................................        20.85463      -156.73336
54......................................        20.84464      -156.72480
55......................................        20.83061      -156.71496
56......................................        20.82338      -156.70795
57......................................        20.81548      -156.69811
58......................................        20.80430      -156.69025
59......................................        20.79795      -156.68372
60......................................        20.79212      -156.67581
61......................................        20.78533      -156.67177
62......................................        20.77577      -156.66422
63......................................        20.76699      -156.65388
64......................................        20.76102      -156.64148
65......................................        20.75919      -156.63461
66......................................        20.75725      -156.62101
67......................................        20.75108      -156.61012
68......................................        20.74827      -156.60341
69......................................        20.74598      -156.59654
70......................................        20.74409      -156.58607
71......................................        20.73787      -156.57521
72......................................        20.73108      -156.56518
73......................................        20.72588      -156.55239
74......................................        20.72436      -156.54448
75......................................        20.72389      -156.53404
76......................................        20.72499      -156.52123
77......................................        20.72788      -156.50927
78......................................        20.71633      -156.50584
79......................................        20.70620      -156.50062
80......................................        20.69323      -156.49907
81......................................        20.68368      -156.49924
82......................................        20.68075      -156.51493
83......................................        20.67829      -156.52150
84......................................        20.67322      -156.53047
85......................................        20.66401      -156.54055
86......................................        20.65861      -156.54451
87......................................        20.64968      -156.54895
88......................................        20.65083      -156.55297
89......................................        20.65337      -156.57010
90......................................        20.65312      -156.58217
91......................................        20.65537      -156.58447
92......................................        20.65585      -156.58633
93......................................        20.65642      -156.58662
94......................................        20.65910      -156.58480
95......................................        20.66143      -156.58503
96......................................        20.67115      -156.59112
97......................................        20.67722      -156.59785
98......................................        20.68497      -156.60053
99......................................        20.68663      -156.60253
100.....................................        20.68735      -156.60832
101.....................................        20.68873      -156.60913
102.....................................        20.69045      -156.60747
103.....................................        20.69113      -156.60780
104.....................................        20.69342      -156.61248
105.....................................        20.69538      -156.61478
106.....................................        20.69423      -156.61873
107.....................................        20.69583      -156.63433
108.....................................        20.69645      -156.63420
109.....................................        20.69858      -156.63638

[[Page 16246]]

 
110.....................................        20.70337      -156.64260
111.....................................        20.70265      -156.64542
112.....................................        20.70332      -156.64777
113.....................................        20.70728      -156.65585
114.....................................        20.70685      -156.66297
115.....................................        20.71078      -156.66870
116.....................................        20.70915      -156.67110
117.....................................        20.71102      -156.67300
118.....................................        20.71097      -156.67578
119.....................................        20.71150      -156.67635
120.....................................        20.71230      -156.74228
121.....................................        20.71307      -156.74668
122.....................................        20.71140      -156.75772
123.....................................        20.71278      -156.76380
124.....................................        20.71360      -156.76490
125.....................................        20.71513      -156.76518
126.....................................        20.71900      -156.76422
127.....................................        20.72077      -156.76490
128.....................................        20.72253      -156.76680
129.....................................        20.72268      -156.77808
130.....................................        20.72568      -156.78875
131.....................................        20.72818      -156.79143
132.....................................        20.73233      -156.79100
133.....................................        20.73277      -156.79140
134.....................................        20.74336      -156.78335
135.....................................        20.75400      -156.77792
136.....................................        20.76659      -156.76785
137.....................................        20.78643      -156.75726
138.....................................        20.79940      -156.75340
139.....................................        20.81653      -156.75192
140.....................................        20.83137      -156.75336
141.....................................        20.84395      -156.75769
142.....................................        20.85576      -156.76497
143.....................................        20.86235      -156.77027
144.....................................        20.87463      -156.77687
145.....................................        20.88903      -156.78849
146.....................................        20.90091      -156.80067
147.....................................        20.91454      -156.81671
148.....................................        20.92819      -156.83095
149.....................................        20.93291      -156.83751
150.....................................        20.94170      -156.84610
151.....................................        20.95280      -156.86190
152.....................................        20.96241      -156.88264
153.....................................        20.96897      -156.90386
154.....................................        20.97007      -156.91505
155.....................................        20.97363      -156.93338
156.....................................        20.97388      -156.96004
157.....................................        20.97771      -156.97295
158.....................................        20.97947      -156.98352
159.....................................        20.97955      -156.99051
160.....................................        20.97670      -157.01397
161.....................................        20.97673      -157.01983
162.....................................        20.97710      -157.01823
163.....................................        20.97945      -157.01595
164.....................................        20.98107      -157.01550
165.....................................        20.98408      -157.01690
166.....................................        20.98770      -157.01522
167.....................................        20.99727      -157.01573
168.....................................        21.00640      -157.01808
169.....................................        21.01463      -157.01638
170.....................................        21.01662      -157.01742
171.....................................        21.01817      -157.01955
172.....................................        21.02207      -157.01955
173.....................................        21.02663      -157.02110
174.....................................        21.02795      -157.02198
175.....................................        21.03023      -157.02985
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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2. Revise Sec.  922.48 to read as follows:


Sec.  922.48  National Marine Sanctuary permits--application procedures 
and issuance criteria.

    (a) A person may conduct an activity prohibited by subparts F 
through O, and Q, if conducted in accordance with the scope, purpose, 
terms and conditions of a permit issued under this section and subparts 
F through O, and Q, as appropriate. For the Florida Keys National 
Marine Sanctuary, a person may conduct an activity prohibited by 
subpart P if conducted in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and 
conditions of a permit issued under Sec.  922.166. For the Thunder Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, a person may conduct 
an activity prohibited by subpart R in accordance with the scope, 
purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under Sec.  922.195.
    (b) Applications for permits to conduct activities otherwise 
prohibited by subparts F through O, and Q, should be addressed to the 
Director and sent to the address specified in subparts F through O, and 
Q, or subpart R, as appropriate. An application must include:
    (1) A detailed description of the proposed activity including a 
timetable for completion;
    (2) The equipment, personnel and methodology to be employed;
    (3) The qualifications and experience of all personnel;
    (4) The potential effects of the activity, if any, on Sanctuary 
resources and qualities; and
    (5) Copies of all other required licenses, permits, approvals or 
other authorizations.
    (c) Upon receipt of an application, the Director may request such 
additional information from the applicant as he or she deems necessary 
to act on the application and may seek the views of any persons or 
entity, within or outside the Federal government, and may hold a public 
hearing, as deemed appropriate.
    (d) The Director, at his or her discretion, may issue a permit, 
subject to such terms and conditions as he or she deems appropriate, to 
conduct a prohibited activity, in accordance with the criteria found in 
subparts F through O, and Q, or subpart R, as appropriate. The Director 
shall further impose, at a minimum, the conditions set forth in the 
relevant subpart.
    (e) A permit granted pursuant to this section is nontransferable.
    (f) The Director may amend, suspend, or revoke a permit issued 
pursuant to this section for good cause. The Director may deny a permit 
application pursuant to this section, in whole or in part, if it is 
determined that the permittee or applicant has acted in violation of 
the terms and conditions of a permit or of the regulations set forth in 
this section or subparts F through O, and Q, subpart R or for other 
good cause. Any such action shall be communicated in writing to the 
permittee or applicant by certified mail and shall set forth the 
reason(s) for the action taken. Procedures governing permit sanctions 
and denials for enforcement reasons are set forth in subpart D of 15 
CFR part 904.
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3. Revise Sec.  922.49 to read as follows:


Sec.  922.49  Notification and review of applications for leases, 
licenses, permits, approvals, or other authorizations to conduct a 
prohibited activity.

    (a) A person may conduct an activity prohibited by subparts L 
through R of the part, if such activity is specifically authorized by 
any valid Federal, State, or local lease, permit, license, approval, or 
other authorization issued after the effective date of Sanctuary 
designation, or in the case of the Florida Keys National Marine 
Sanctuary after the effective date of the regulations in subpart P, 
provided that:
    (1) The applicant notifies the Director, in writing, of the 
application for such authorization (and of any application for an 
amendment, renewal, or extension of such authorization) within fifteen 
(15) days of the date of filing of the application or the effective 
date of Sanctuary designation, or in the case of the Florida Keys 
National Marine Sanctuary the effective date of the regulations in 
subpart P, whichever is later;
    (2) The applicant complies with the other provisions of this 
section;
    (3) The Director notifies the applicant and authorizing agency that 
he or she does not object to issuance of the authorization (or 
amendment, renewal, or extension); and
    (4) The applicant complies with any terms and conditions the 
Director deems reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and 
qualities.
    (b) Any potential applicant for an authorization described in 
paragraph (a) of this section may request the Director to issue a 
finding as to whether the activity for which an application is intended 
to be made is prohibited by subparts L through R, as appropriate.
    (c) Notification of filings of applications should be sent to the 
Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management at the 
address specified in subparts L through R of this part, as appropriate. 
A copy of the application must accompany the notification.
    (d) The Director may request additional information from the

[[Page 16247]]

applicant as he or she deems reasonably necessary to determine whether 
to object to issuance of an authorization described in paragraph (a) of 
this section, or what terms and conditions are reasonably necessary to 
protect Sanctuary resources and qualities. The information requested 
must be received by the Director within 45 days of the postmark date of 
the request. The Director may seek the views of any persons on the 
application.
    (e) The Director shall notify, in writing, the agency to which 
application has been made of his or her pending review of the 
application and possible objection to issuance. Upon completion of 
review of the application and information received with respect 
thereto, the Director shall notify both the agency and applicant, in 
writing, whether he or she has an objection to issuance and what terms 
and conditions he or she deems reasonably necessary to protect 
Sanctuary resources and qualities, and reasons therefor.
    (f) The Director may amend the terms and conditions deemed 
reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities 
whenever additional information becomes available justifying such an 
amendment.
    (g) Any time limit prescribed in or established under this Sec.  
922.49 may be extended by the Director for good cause.
    (h) The applicant may appeal any objection by, or terms or 
conditions imposed by, the Director to the Assistant Administrator or 
designee in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  922.50.
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4. Revise section Sec.  922.50 to read as follows:


Sec.  922.50  Appeals of administrative action.

    Except for permit actions taken for enforcement reasons (see 
subpart D of 15 CFR part 904 for applicable procedures), an applicant 
for, or a holder of, a National Marine Sanctuary permit; an applicant 
for, or a holder of, a Special Use permit issued pursuant to section 
310 of the Act; a person requesting certification of an existing lease, 
permit, license or right of subsistence use or access under Sec.  
922.47; or, for those Sanctuaries described in subparts L through R, an 
applicant for a lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by 
any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction 
(hereinafter appellant) may appeal to the Assistant Administrator:
    (a) The granting, denial, conditioning, amendment, suspension or 
revocation by the Director of a National Marine Sanctuary or Special 
Use permit;
    (b) The conditioning, amendment, suspension or revocation of a 
certification under Sec.  922.47; or
    (c) For those Sanctuaries described in subparts L through R, the 
objection to issuance of or the imposition of terms and conditions on a 
lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by any Federal, 
State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction.
[FR Doc. 2015-06441 Filed 3-25-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P