[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50926-50988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20617]



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Vol. 80

Friday,

No. 162

August 21, 2015

Part II





 Department of Commerce





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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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50 CFR Part 226





 Endangered and Threatened Species: Final Rulemaking To Revise Critical 
Habitat for Hawaiian Monk Seals; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 2015 / 
Rules and Regulations  

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 226

[Docket No. 110207102-5657-03]
RIN 0648-BA81


Endangered and Threatened Species: Final Rulemaking To Revise 
Critical Habitat for Hawaiian Monk Seals

AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:  Final rule.

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SUMMARY:  We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), issue a 
final rule to revise the critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal 
(Neomonachus schauinslandi) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. 
Specific areas for designation include sixteen occupied areas within 
the range of the species: ten areas in the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands (NWHI) and six in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). These areas 
contain one or a combination of habitat types: Preferred pupping and 
nursing areas, significant haul-out areas, and/or marine foraging 
areas, that will support conservation for the species. Specific areas 
in the NWHI include all beach areas, sand spits and islets, including 
all beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent inland, lagoon waters, 
inner reef waters, and including marine habitat through the water's 
edge, including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine 
habitat within 10 meters (m) of the seafloor, out to the 200-m depth 
contour line around the following 10 areas: Kure Atoll, Midway Islands, 
Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianski Island, Laysan Island, Maro Reef, 
Gardner Pinnacles, French Frigate Shoals, Necker Island, and Nihoa 
Island. Specific areas in the MHI include marine habitat from the 200-m 
depth contour line, including the seafloor and all subsurface waters 
and marine habitat within 10 m of the seafloor, through the water's 
edge 5 m into the terrestrial environment from the shoreline between 
identified boundary points on the islands of: Kaula, Niihau, Kauai, 
Oahu, Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai), and 
Hawaii. In areas where critical habitat does not extend inland, the 
designation ends at a line that marks mean lower low water. Some 
terrestrial areas in existence prior to the effective date of the rule 
within the specific areas lack the essential features of Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat because these areas are inaccessible to seals for 
hauling out (such as cliffs) or lack the natural areas necessary to 
support monk seal conservation (such as hardened harbors, shorelines or 
buildings) and therefore do not meet the definition of critical habitat 
and are not included in the designation. In developing this final rule 
we considered public and peer review comments, as well as economic 
impacts and impacts to national security. We have excluded four areas 
because the national security benefits of exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of inclusion, and exclusion will not result in extinction of 
the species. Additionally several areas are precluded from designation 
under section 4(a)(3) of the ESA because they are managed under 
Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans that we have found provide 
a benefit to Hawaiian monk seals.

DATES:  This final rule becomes effective September 21, 2015.

ADDRESSES:  The final rule, maps, and other supporting documents 
(Economic Report, Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 4(b)(2) Report, 
and Biological Report) can be found on the NMFS Pacific Island Region's 
Web site at http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_critical_habitat.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jean Higgins, NMFS, Pacific Islands 
Regional Office, (808) 725-5151; Susan Pultz, NMFS, Pacific Islands 
Regional Office, (808) 725-5150; or Dwayne Meadows, NMFS, Office of 
Protected Resources (301) 427-8403.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) was listed as 
endangered throughout its range under the ESA in 1976 (41 FR 51611; 
November 23, 1976). In 1986, critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk 
seal was designated at all beach areas, sand spits and islets, 
including all beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent inland, 
lagoon waters, inner reef waters, and ocean waters out to a depth of 10 
fathoms (18.3 m) around Kure Atoll, Midway Islands (except Sand 
Island), Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianski Island, Laysan Island, 
Gardner Pinnacles, French Frigate Shoals, Necker Island, and Nihoa 
Island in the NWHI (51 FR 16047; April 30, 1986). In 1988, critical 
habitat was expanded to include Maro Reef and waters around previously 
designated areas out to the 20 fathom (36.6 m) isobath (53 FR 18988; 
May 26, 1988).
    On July 9, 2008, we received a petition dated July 2, 2008, from 
the Center for Biological Diversity, Kahea, and the Ocean Conservancy 
(Petitioners) to revise the Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat 
designation (Center for Biological Diversity 2008) under the ESA. The 
Petitioners sought to revise critical habitat by adding the following 
areas in the MHI: Key beach areas; sand spits and islets, including all 
beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent inland; lagoon waters; 
inner reef waters; and ocean waters out to a depth of 200 m. In 
addition, the Petitioners requested that designated critical habitat in 
the NWHI be extended to include Sand Island at Midway, as well as ocean 
waters out to a depth of 500 m (Center for Biological Diversity 2008).
    On October 3, 2008, we announced a 90-day finding that the petition 
presented substantial scientific information indicating that a revision 
to the current critical habitat designation may be warranted (73 FR 
57583; October 3, 2008). On June 12, 2009, in the 12-month finding, we 
announced that a revision to critical habitat is warranted because of 
new information available regarding habitat use by the Hawaiian monk 
seal, and we announced our intention to proceed toward a proposed rule 
(74 FR 27988). Additionally, in the 12-month finding we identified the 
range of the species as throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago and 
Johnston Atoll.
    Following the 12-month finding, we convened a critical habitat 
review team (CHRT) to assist in the assessment and evaluation of 
critical habitat. Based on the recommendations provided in the draft 
biological report, the initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and 
section 4(b)(2) analysis (which considers exclusions to critical 
habitat based on economic, national security and other relevant 
impacts), we published a proposed rule on June 2, 2011 (76 FR 32026) to 
designate sixteen specific areas in the Hawaiian archipelago as 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. In accordance with the definition 
of critical habitat under the ESA, each of these sixteen areas 
contained physical or biological features essential to conservation of 
the species, and which may require special management consideration or 
protections. In the proposed rule, we described the physical or 
biological features that support the life history needs of the species 
as essential features, which included (1) areas with characteristics 
preferred by monk seals for pupping and nursing, (2) shallow, sheltered 
aquatic areas adjacent to coastal locations preferred by monk

[[Page 50927]]

seals for pupping and nursing, (3) marine areas from 0 to 500 m in 
depth preferred by juvenile and adult monk seals for foraging, (4) 
areas with low levels of anthropogenic disturbance, (5) marine areas 
with adequate prey quantity and quality, and (6) significant areas used 
by monk seals for hauling out, resting, or molting. We requested public 
comments through August 31, 2011, on the proposed designation and then 
published a notification of six public hearings (76 FR 41446; July 14, 
2011). In response to requests, we reopened the public comment period 
for an additional 60 days and accepted all comments received from June 
2, 2011 through January 6, 2012 (76 FR 68710l; November 7, 2011).
    During the public comment periods, we received comments that 
indicated that substantial disagreement existed over the identification 
of the essential features in the MHI. On June 25, 2012, we announced a 
6-month extension for the final revision of critical habitat for the 
Hawaiian monk seal and committed to evaluating information provided 
through comments and additional information from over 20 GPS-equipped 
cellular transmitter tags deployed on seals in the MHI (new MHI GPS 
tracking information) to aid in resolving the disagreement (77 FR 
37867).
    The CHRT was reconvened to review comments, information used to 
support the proposed rule, and newly available information, including 
new MHI GPS tracking information. This final rule describes the final 
critical habitat designation, including the responses to comments, CHRT 
recommendations, a summary of changes from the proposed rule, 
supporting information on Hawaiian monk seal biology, distribution, and 
habitat use, and the methods used to develop the final designation.
    For a complete description of our proposed action, including the 
natural history of the Hawaiian monk seal, we refer the reader to the 
proposed rule (76 FR 32026; June 2, 2011).

Statutory and Regulatory Background for Critical Habitat

    The ESA defines critical habitat under section 3(5)(A) as: ``(i) 
the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the 
species, at the time it is listed . . . , on which are found those 
physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation of 
the species and (II) which may require special management 
considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed . . 
. upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential 
for the conservation of the species.''
    Section 4(a)(3) of the ESA precludes military land from 
designation, where that land is covered by an Integrated Natural 
Resource Management Plan that the Secretary has found in writing will 
benefit the listed species.
    Section 4(b)(2) of the ESA requires us to designate critical 
habitat for threatened and endangered species ``on the basis of the 
best scientific data available and after taking into consideration the 
economic impact, the impact on national security, and any other 
relevant impact, of specifying any particular area as critical 
habitat.'' This section also grants the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) discretion to exclude any area from critical habitat if she 
determines ``the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
specifying such area as part of the critical habitat.'' However, the 
Secretary may not exclude areas that ``will result in the extinction of 
the species.''
    Once critical habitat is designated, section 7 of the ESA requires 
Federal agencies to insure they do not fund, authorize, or carry out 
any actions that will destroy or adversely modify that habitat. This 
requirement is additional to the section 7 requirement that Federal 
agencies insure their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence 
of listed species.

Summary of Changes From the Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    After considering public comments received and updating the best 
scientific information available, we have (1) eliminated ``areas with 
low levels of anthropogenic disturbance'' as an essential feature; (2) 
combined the marine and terrestrial essential features that describe 
Hawaiian monk seal reproduction and rearing sites to clarify how these 
habitats are interconnected in supporting Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation; (3) clarified the location of pupping and nursing areas 
essential to Hawaiian monk seals by providing further description for 
the term ``preferred;'' (4) clarified the location of haul-out areas 
essential to Hawaiian monk seals by providing further description for 
the term ``significant;'' (5) combined the marine areas and prey 
features that support Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas to describe 
better how these features are interrelated; (6) refined the boundaries 
for depth and height of marine foraging areas to describe better those 
areas that support the foraging ecology and conservation of the 
Hawaiian monk seal; (7) refined the description of critical habitat 
areas in the NWHI to eliminate areas that are inaccessible to seals or 
manmade structures that do not support monk seal conservation, such as 
hardened harbors and shorelines or buildings, and (8) refined the 
boundaries of preferred pupping and nursing areas and significant haul-
out habitats. These changes from the proposed rule are discussed 
further below.
    1. The essential feature ``areas with low levels of anthropogenic 
disturbance'' was included in the proposed rule to protect habitat 
areas used by Hawaiian monk seals, which are sensitive to disturbance 
caused by human activity. Public comments received about this essential 
feature requested clarification about what role this feature plays in 
Hawaiian monk seal ecology; some noted that this feature does not 
appear to align with monk seal behavior or habitat use in the MHI, and 
other comments questioned whether development or access would be 
restricted in areas with low anthropogenic disturbance that are not 
used by seals. Such comments triggered a reevaluation of this proposed 
essential feature. To consider the significance of this feature to 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation the CHRT re-examined the information 
that was used to support this feature in the NWHI and considered the 
information available regarding monk seal habitat use in the MHI. The 
historical examples from military settlement in the NWHI highlight that 
chronic disturbance in sensitive monk seal habitat, such as pupping and 
nursing sites or important haul-out areas, can alter the conservation 
value of these areas. In the proposed rule we also noted that three 
aerial surveys of the MHI in 2000 and 2001 indicate that seals showed a 
preference for more remote areas (Baker and Johanos 2004). However, 
since 2004, seal use of the MHI has continued to increase and review of 
the more recent sighting and cell phone tracking data indicate that 
monk seals regularly haul-out in both highly trafficked and relatively 
remote areas of the MHI. For example, Kaena point experiences 
relatively low levels of human activity in comparison with White Plains 
Beach, yet both of these areas remain important haul-out sites for 
seals on Oahu. Upon further consideration of available information, the 
CHRT was unable to define the service or function that ``areas with low 
levels of anthropogenic disturbance'' would provide to Hawaiian monk 
seal conservation as a singular or stand-alone feature. We agree that 
this feature does not appear to provide a service or function for monk 
seal conservation, which would support identification as

[[Page 50928]]

an independent essential feature. We have removed this as an essential 
feature for monk seal conservation, but recognize that this may be a 
characteristic important to some preferred pupping and nursing areas or 
significant haul out areas.
    2. The proposed rule identified two essential features that support 
reproduction: ``areas with characteristics preferred by monk seals for 
pupping and nursing'' and ``shallow sheltered aquatic areas adjacent to 
coastal locations preferred by monk seals for pupping and nursing.'' 
Public comments expressed criticism about the description of where 
these two areas exist and the role these two areas play in supporting 
Hawaiian monk seals. Comments suggested that we should identify known 
areas of significance for pupping and nursing, because these areas are 
limited based on available information and that a more precise 
designation would ensure that protections are focused on those 
important areas. Other comments suggested that ``shallow, sheltered 
aquatic areas'' could be found throughout the State and that the 
current description was insufficient to identify areas that were 
important to Hawaiian monk seal reproduction. The CHRT determined that 
these two proposed essential features describe a terrestrial and marine 
component of a single area that supports Hawaiian monk seal 
reproduction and growth. The CHRT recommended, and we agreed, that 
combining these two features would better identify these areas as 
interconnected habitats that support Hawaiian monk seal mothers and 
pups through birth, lactation and weaning. The revised feature is now 
described as, ``Terrestrial areas and the adjacent shallow sheltered 
aquatic areas with characteristics preferred by monk seals for pupping 
and nursing.''
    3. After considering public comments, the CHRT also examined how 
``preferred'' pupping areas may be better defined for the species. As 
identified in the proposed rule (76 FR 32026; June 2, 2011), monk seals 
generally return to the same site year after year for birthing, and 
those sites with characteristics including a shallow and sheltered area 
protected from predators and weather, may draw multiple females to the 
same site. Still, some females prefer to use more solitary locations 
for pupping, returning to these sites multiple times throughout their 
reproductive lifetime to birth and rear pups. The CHRT determined that 
both of these types of favored reproductive sites remain essential to 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation to support reproduction and population 
growth. After considering public comments requesting a more accurate 
location for these areas in the MHI, the CHRT reviewed pupping data 
from throughout the range to consider how these two types of 
reproductive sites may be best described to match the description from 
the proposed rule.
    In the NWHI, terrestrial pupping areas are well established and 
over 30 years of data identify pupping areas on the various islands and 
islets. Records indicate that some pupping areas support multiple 
mothers in any given year, while other pupping areas may support a 
single female for multiple years and/or multiple females spanning 
multiple generations. In the MHI, pupping habitat has not been clearly 
established for all the specific areas. For example, data indicate that 
some MHI mothers have given birth in one location and have chosen an 
alternative birth site in subsequent years. To avoid applying 
unnecessary protections to areas that monk seals found unsuitable for 
repeat pupping, the CHRT recommended that preferred pupping and nursing 
areas be defined as those areas where multiple females have given birth 
or where a single female has given birth in more than one year. This 
allows for the protection of areas that are used by multiple mothers 
year after year, and protection of those areas where individual females 
have returned to a more solitary pupping site. We agree that this 
description of ``preferred'' provides clarity to the public about which 
areas are likely to support Hawaiian monk seal conservation and also 
helps to conserve sufficient habitat to support Hawaiian monk seal 
recovery.
    4. The proposed rule incorporated all coastal terrestrial areas 
from the water's edge to 5 m inland of the shoreline in the MHI, with 
the exception of those areas that are manmade structures (e.g., harbors 
or seawalls) and/or inaccessible to seals (e.g., cliffs), to ensure 
that all existing ``significant haul-out areas'' would be captured in 
the designation. We relied upon this approach, rather than using 
voluntary MHI monk seal data to identify favored haul-out areas, due to 
concerns we expressed in the proposed rule regarding potential biases 
associated with the collection of MHI voluntary monk seal sighting 
information (i.e., highly trafficked areas by humans are likely to 
report monk seal sightings more often than remote areas that seals may 
still use) and the limited information available regarding habitat use 
in areas with a small number of seals (76 FR 32026; June 2, 2011). 
Public comments expressed criticism of this expansive approach. In 
particular, comments pertaining to terrestrial essential features 
suggested that the 2011 proposed designation was too broad, and that 
all areas of MHI coastline could not possess the features ``essential'' 
to Hawaiian monk seal conservation. Some comments suggested that there 
was insufficient analysis to support the identification of all areas of 
coastline for the designation, as monk seal habitat use indicates that 
not all coastlines in the MHI can be accessed by seals and therefore 
not all habitat should be considered essential. Other comments 
suggested that the analysis was insufficient because the designation 
does not match known habitat use patterns of Hawaiian monk seals in 
various areas of the MHI, nor does it identify habitat that will 
support recovery of the population.
    In reviewing these comments and considering the available data, the 
CHRT agreed that the 2011 proposal was too broad for stakeholders to be 
able to distinguish those features that are essential to Hawaiian monk 
seal conservation from other areas of coastline, and that available 
data suggest that significant haul-out areas and preferred pupping 
areas may be described with more precision. The CHRT acknowledged that, 
although Hawaiian monk seals may use many accessible areas of coastline 
to haul-out, not all haul-out areas of the MHI are of the same value to 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation and not all areas would be described as 
essential. To be responsive to comments requesting more precision in 
identifying the essential features and to use the best available 
information for describing the essential features, the CHRT re-
evaluated information relied upon in the proposed rule to describe 
significant haul-out areas. As indicated in the proposed rule, Hawaiian 
monk seals do not congregate in large numbers at particular sites like 
some other pinnipeds such as sea lions. However, Hawaiian monk seals 
reliably return to stretches of coastline that are favored for resting, 
molting, and socializing, and multiple individuals are likely to use 
the same stretches of coastline around a particular island. Identifying 
the combination of characteristics that are common to stretches of 
coastline that monk seals favor for hauling out is difficult, because 
habitat characteristics are not uniform from one favored haul-out area 
to another. For example, the relatively remote stretches of beach along 
Laau point on Molokai do not display all of the same characteristics as 
the beaches along Oahu's busy southwestern shoreline; however, both

[[Page 50929]]

of these areas are consistently used by monk seals for hauling out and 
are recognized by scientists, managers, and the public as important 
haul-out habitat. For this reason, the CHRT determined that stretches 
of coastline that maintain a combination of characteristics favored by 
monk seals for resting, molting and socializing may best be identified 
by evaluating actual monk seal usage of each island and using the 
frequency of use as a proxy for identifying those areas with 
significant characteristics. Since the June 2, 2011 publication of the 
proposed rule (76 FR 32026), the number of monk seals instrumented with 
cell phone tracking devices has doubled and this information 
supplements information regarding MHI monk seal habitat use in the MHI 
that was available at the time that the proposed areas were delineated. 
Spatial comparisons of these available data sets demonstrate that the 
voluntary sighting data successfully captures areas frequented by monk 
seals throughout the MHI, alleviating our previous concerns that 
significant haul-out areas may be missed due to the remote nature of a 
particular site (or the lack of human reporting). To describe better 
where significant haul-out areas exist using the available data, the 
CHRT reviewed spatial patterns of monk seal locations by mapping 
available cell phone tracking data, the past voluntary sighting 
information, and aerial survey data from across the MHI. The mapped 
data displayed where seal sightings were concentrated and allowed the 
CHRT to evaluate areas of higher use and importance to Hawaiian monk 
seals.
    The CHRT determined that the number of seals using each particular 
island varies; therefore, the importance of particular habitats also 
varies from island to island. To account for this variation and to 
ensure that significant areas used by monk seals for hauling out and 
thus essential to monk seal conservation were included for each 
specific area, the CHRT defined ``significant'' as those areas where 
monk seals use is at least 10 percent or greater than the area(s) with 
highest seal use for each island. This description of significant haul-
out areas allows for inclusion of contiguous stretches of coastline 
regularly used by monk seals where experts agree that monk seals are 
more likely to haul-out, accounts for data that may be underrepresented 
in frequency due to a lower likelihood of reporting, and, in areas with 
lower seal numbers, provides sufficient habitat for monk seals to use 
as the population expands to meet recovery goals. A detailed 
description of the evaluation of the information used to refine the 
description of this essential feature may also be found in the 
biological report (NMFS 2014).
    5. Comments raised questions regarding how foraging areas were 
described in the proposed rule. First, comments from Hawaii's 
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) identified that 
``marine areas from 0 to 500 m in depth preferred by juvenile and adult 
monk seals for foraging'' and ``marine areas with adequate prey 
quantity and quality'' are two features describing the same type of 
area and should be combined. Having reviewed this comment, the CHRT 
acknowledged, and we agree, that these features were both proposed to 
provide protection for monk seal foraging areas which support prey 
items important to Hawaiian monk seal conservation. After considering 
this comment and to provide clarity regarding those features that 
support Hawaiian monk seal conservation, we have combined these two 
overlapping features into a single feature that describes important 
Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas.
    6. Numerous comments expressed disagreement with the scope of the 
designation in marine habitat, stating that the designation was too 
broad and did not adequately take into account the best available 
information about monk seal foraging in the MHI to describe those 
foraging depths that are ``essential'' to the conservation of the 
species. Comments questioned the depths at which Hawaiian monk seals 
forage, and the types of activities that may affect Hawaiian monk seal 
foraging features.
    With regard to the depths at which monk seals forage, one commenter 
suggested that the current information indicates that depths out to 200 
m are the primary foraging habitats for monk seals in the MHI, not 500 
m in depth. In addition, new MHI cell phone tracking information that 
supplemented information examined for the proposed rule indicates that 
deeper areas are used less frequently by monk seals in the MHI. This 
suggests that deeper foraging areas may not play as significant a role 
in Hawaiian monk seal conservation as previously thought. After 
considering these comments, the CHRT reviewed the information from the 
proposed rule and information received since 2011 from seals tracked 
throughout the MHI to re-evaluate the information that describes marine 
foraging areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation.
    As noted in the proposed rule, Hawaiian monk seals exhibit 
individual foraging preferences and capabilities (Iverson 2006), but 
the species has adapted to the low productivity of a tropical marine 
ecosystem by feeding on a wide variety of bottom-associated prey 
species across a wide expanse of habitat. The 2011 proposed rule relied 
on maximum dive depths demonstrated in the NWHI and limited diving data 
available from the MHI to identify the outer boundaries of where 
Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas exist. The proposed designation 
focused on incorporating adequate areas to support the conservation of 
a food-limited population in the NWHI and a growing population in the 
MHI.
    In the NWHI the best available information indicates that monk 
seals are regularly feeding at depths that are deeper than 20 fathoms 
(approximately 37 m), the depth boundary for the 1988 critical habitat 
designation. From 1996 to 2000 a total of 147 seals were tracked for 
several months at a time in the NWHI using satellite-linked radio 
transmitters (Stewart et al. 2006). Additionally, at French Frigate 
Shoals, seals were outfitted for shorter time periods with Crittercams 
(mounted cameras) to provide more information about monk seal foraging 
ecology. Dive data throughout the NWHI indicate that seals spend a 
great deal of time in waters less than 40 m, but that in most areas 
seals are regularly diving at depths greater than 40 m, sometimes even 
exceeding depths of 550 m (Stewart et al. 2006). From Crittercam 
observations, Parrish et al. (2000) describe greater than 50 percent of 
seal behavior as sleeping or socially interacting and note that these 
behaviors are exhibited at depths as deep as 80 m. While seals with 
Crittercams displayed active foraging behavior at various depths, at 
deeper depths behaviors were focused on foraging, i.e., seals spent 
more time actively searching along or near the bottom for prey at these 
depths (Parrish et al. 2000). Specifically, Parrish et al. (2000) 
observed most feeding between 60-100 m at French Frigate Shoals, with 
seals focusing on the uniform habitat found along the slopes of the 
atoll and neighboring banks. A low percentage of dives also occurred in 
the subphotic habitats greater than 300 m. Across the NWHI, Stewart et 
al. (2006) described various modes represented in the dive data that 
suggest depth ranges where foraging efforts may be focused, but 
describe a majority of diving behavior occurring at depths less than 
150 m. The deeper diving behavior was exhibited at French Frigate 
Shoals, Kure, Midway, Lisianski, and Laysan, where seals displayed 
various modes at deeper depth ranges, many of which occurred

[[Page 50930]]

at less than 200 m in depth (Abernathy 1999, Stewart and Yochem 2004a, 
Stewart and Yochem 2004b). However, modes also occurred at 200 to 400 m 
at Midway and Laysan and at 500 m at Kure (Abernathy 1999, Stewart and 
Yochem 2004a, Stewart and Yochem 2004b). Although these modes in the 
data suggest a focus around particular depth ranges in the various 
locations, the deeper areas are used less frequently; data from French 
Frigate Shoals, Laysan, and Kure demonstrate that less than 10 percent 
of all diving effort recorded in these areas occurred in depths greater 
than 200 m (Abernathy 1999, Stewart and Yochem 2004a, Stewart and 
Yochem 2004b). The NWHI data demonstrate that seal foraging behavior is 
focused beyond the boundary of the 1988 designation and that depths 
beyond 100 m provide important foraging habitat for this species. While 
foraging areas deeper than 100 m remain important to the species' 
conservation, the variation in diving behavior displayed among the NWHI 
subpopulations made the significance of these areas difficult to 
determine.
    Information from the MHI taken across multiple years indicates that 
monk seal foraging behavior is similar to the behavior of seals in the 
NWHI, but that foraging trip duration and average foraging distance in 
the MHI is shorter (Cahoon 2011). Although a few monk seals have been 
recorded as diving to depths around 500 m in the MHI, these dives are 
rare and do not describe the majority of diving behavior in the MHI 
(NMFS 2012). Cell phone tracking data received within the last 2 years 
in the MHI indicate that approximately 95 percent of all recorded dives 
in the MHI have occurred at 100 m or less, and that approximately 98 
percent of dives occur at 200 m or less (NMFS 2012). These numbers 
indicate a relatively low frequency of use for foraging areas between 
100 m and 200 m; however, monk seal population numbers in the MHI are 
acknowledged to be low but increasing.
    Although the frequency of use of deeper foraging areas is different 
from the NWHI, seal foraging behavior in the MHI is described as 
similar in nature to their NWHI counterparts, with seals' core areas 
focused over submerged banks and most seals focusing efforts close to 
their resident islands (Cahoon 2011). Baker and Johanos (2004) suggest 
that monk seals in the MHI area are experiencing favorable foraging 
conditions due to decreased competition in these areas, which is 
reflected in the healthy size of animals and pups in the MHI. This 
theory is supported by Cahoon's (2011) recent comparisons of foraging 
trip duration and average foraging distance data. For both the 
recommendations for proposed and final rules, the CHRT indicated that 
marine foraging areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation are the same depth in the NWHI and in the MHI. Although 
MHI monk seal foraging activity currently occurs with less frequency at 
depths between 100-200 m than their NWHI counterparts, MHI seal numbers 
are still low (approximately 153 individuals) and expected to increase 
(Baker et al. 2011). As seal numbers increase around resident islands 
in the MHI, seals' foraging ranges are expected to expand in order to 
adjust as near-shore resources are shared by more seals whose core 
foraging areas overlap. Given that 98 percent of recorded dives are 
within 200 m depth in the MHI, and the lack of information supporting a 
500 m dive depth, we are satisfied that the 200 m depth boundary 
provides sufficient foraging habitat to support a recovered population 
throughout the range.
    Accordingly, we have revised the foraging areas' essential feature 
to reflect the best available information about monk seal foraging to, 
``Marine areas from 0 to 200 m in depth that support adequate prey 
quality and quantity for juvenile and adult monk seal foraging.''
    After considering public comments, we recognize that many 
activities occur in the marine environment and are unlikely to cause 
modification to the bottom-associated habitat and prey that make up 
essential Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas. As noted in the proposed 
rule and the biological report (NMFS 2014a), monk seals focus foraging 
efforts on the bottom, capturing prey species located on the bottom 
within the substrate of the bottom environment or within a short 
distance of the bottom (such that the prey may be easily pinned to the 
bottom for capture). In other words, the proposed rule recognized that 
the features that support Hawaiian monk seal foraging exist on and just 
above the ocean floor. The proposed rule identified foraging areas as 
essential to the Hawaiian monk seal and not those marine areas where 
monk seals travel and socialize. To clarify for the public where 
Hawaiian monk seal essential features exist and where protections 
should be applied, we have revised the delineation to incorporate the 
seafloor and marine habitat 10 m in height from the bottom out to the 
200 m depth contour. That portion of the water column above 10 m from 
the bottom is not included within the critical habitat designation.
    7. All terrestrial areas in the NWHI, with the exception of Midway 
harbor, were included in the proposed designation; however, in the MHI 
we identified that major harbors and areas that are inaccessible to 
seals or that have manmade structures that lack the essential features 
of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat were not included in the 
designation. We received comments indicating that the NWHI, similar to 
the MHI, also have areas that are inaccessible to seals or that have 
manmade structures that do not support monk seal conservation (such as, 
seawalls and buildings), and that these areas should similarly not be 
included in the designation. We agree and have revised the designation 
of the final rule to acknowledge that areas that are inaccessible to 
seals and/or have manmade structures that lack the essential features 
are not included in the designation for Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat throughout all sixteen specific areas.
    8. Last, to ensure that the boundaries of the designation reflect 
the revisions to the definitions of preferred pupping and nursing areas 
and significant haul-out habitats we reviewed NMFS Pacific Islands 
Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) records from the NWHI and the MHI. 
These records indicate that seals in the NWHI have preferred pupping 
and nursing sites and significant haul-out areas on the islands and 
islets of eight of the ten areas designated in the 1988 designation. 
Since the low-lying islands and islets of the NWHI provide 
characteristics (e.g., sandy sheltered beaches, low-lying vegetation, 
and accessible shoreline) that support terrestrial essential features, 
we have included the entire land areas in the designation (with the 
exception of inaccessible areas and/or manmade structures as stated 
above). Identification of where these features exist in the specific 
areas may be found in the biological report (NMFS 2013). We identified 
significant haul-out areas using sighting and tracking information 
mapped across the MHI displaying frequency of seal use as described 
above. Final areas of terrestrial critical habitat within the MHI were 
delineated to include all significant haul-out areas and preferred 
pupping and nursing sites. Segments of the coastline in the MHI that 
include these features and which are delineated and included in this 
final designation are described in the Critical Habitat Designation 
section below.

Summary of Comments and Responses

    We requested comments on the proposed rule and associated 
supporting

[[Page 50931]]

reports to revise critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal as 
described above. The draft biological report and draft economic 
analysis were also each reviewed by three peer reviewers. We received 
20,898 individual submissions in response to the proposed rule 
(including public testimony during the six hearings). This included 
20,595 form letter submissions in support of revising Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat and 303 unique submissions. The majority of 
comments concerned economic and other impacts for consideration for 
exclusions, the regulatory process for critical habitat designation, 
legal issues, essential features, additions to critical habitat and 
biological issues. Additionally, among the 303 submissions we received 
multiple petitions in opposition and support of the proposed rule; in 
all we received 2,950 signatures in opposition to the proposed rule and 
5,872 signatures in support.
    We have considered all public and peer reviewer comments, and 
provide responses to all significant issues raised by commenters that 
are associated with the proposed revision to Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat.
    We have not responded to comments or concerns outside the scope of 
this rulemaking. For clarification purposes, a critical habitat 
designation is subject to the rulemaking provisions under section 4 of 
the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1533). When finalized, a critical habitat 
designation creates an obligation for Federal agencies under section 7 
of the ESA to insure that actions which they carry out, fund, or 
authorize (permit) do not cause destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat. Research and management activities for endangered 
species are subject to provisions described under section 10 of the 
ESA, which requires the issuance of a Federal permit to allow for 
activities that may otherwise be prohibited under section 9 of the ESA. 
Because the research and management actions in the PEIS are carried out 
by a Federal agency and they require Federal permitting, these actions 
have been reviewed in accordance with section 7 to ensure that the 
actions would not jeopardize the continued existence of a listed 
species or cause destruction or adverse modification to critical 
habitat. Accordingly, critical habitat designations in no way authorize 
research and management activities to occur and do not ease or secure 
the authorization of such activities.

Peer Review

    Comment 1: One peer reviewer questioned whether there are temporal 
differences in the use of Hawaiian monk seal habitat features. The 
reviewer suggested that if temporal aspects exist, such as changes in 
prey abundance or availability, variations in weather or environmental 
conditions, which make some areas inaccessible or less preferable to 
seals, or seasonal differences that may influence human-seal 
interactions, that we describe these aspects in more detail in the 
biological report.
    Response: Factors that influence when Hawaiian monk seals use 
habitat features are described in the Habitat section of the biological 
report (NMFS 2014). Life-history stages influence when and how Hawaiian 
monk seals use habitat features; consequently, annual changes in 
habitat use may reflect the demographics of the resident population of 
seals. Differences, or peaks, in habitat use of preferred pupping areas 
or significant haul-out areas may occur when resident seals are 
reproductively active or experiencing their molt. Some preferred 
pupping areas may be used more frequently by females and pups during 
common birthing months between February and August (Johanos et al. 
1994, NMFS 2007). Additionally, significant haul-out areas may be used 
more as resident animals of various ages and each sex undergo their 
annual molt (see NMFS 2014a).
    Little information is available to indicate that monk seal use of 
foraging areas is influenced annually by seasonal variations in 
weather. Stewart et al. (2006) noted seasonal variation in core 
foraging areas for individual seals, but not for others tracked during 
a single year at Pearl and Hermes reef. Cahoon (2011) tested the summer 
and winter diets of seals and found no statistical differences in 
composition between seasons. However, in both studies sample sizes are 
limited and additional data may provide more clarity.
    No information suggests that there is a seasonality associated with 
human-seal interactions, or that Hawaiian monk seal habitat use is 
currently influenced in a seasonal way by human activities. Historical 
factors associated with human-use of the NWHI and impacts to Hawaiian 
monk seal habitat use are discussed in the Population Status and Trends 
section of the biological report (NMFS 2014).
    Comment 2: Several peer review comments suggested that we provide 
additional information about the ecology of Hawaiian monk seals to 
better demonstrate how habitat supports behaviors that are important to 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation. Specifically, reviewers requested that 
additional information be provided about resting, molting, and 
socializing behaviors.
    Response: We have added additional information to the Habitat 
section of the biological report (NMFS 2014a) to better identify how 
specific habitat features support Hawaiian monk seal behaviors, such as 
resting, molting, and socializing and to describe the significance of 
these activities to Hawaiian monk seals. With regard to the 
significance of these behaviors, we provide the following information. 
Resting provides energetic benefits by allowing these phocids' recovery 
from the energetically demanding marine environment (Brasseur et al. 
1996). Molting is considered a metabolically demanding process whereby 
pinnipeds renew skin, fur, and hair for critical waterproofing and 
insulation purposes. Studies indicate that seals may minimize energetic 
costs of heat loss during this demanding transition by hauling-out on 
land (Boily 2002). Monk seals are a relatively solitary species, and 
the most substantial social bonding occurs between the mother and pup 
throughout the nursing period, which is important for early nourishment 
and protection. In addition to this early pairing, Hawaiian monk seals 
do socialize from time to time with other conspecifics. In later years 
pairing activities are directed towards reproductive output. In 
summary, seals haul-out for a variety of reasons including rest, 
thermoregulation, predator avoidance, social interaction, molting and 
pupping and nursing. Generally, the objective of natural behaviors is 
believed to enhance the animals' fitness by providing energetic, 
survival, and reproductive benefits to the species.
    Comment 3: A peer reviewer questioned what studies are being done 
on monk seal prey species and whether changes in Hawaiian monk seal 
prey abundance have been recorded.
    Response: It is still difficult to determine the relative 
importance of particular prey items given the variation that is seen in 
the diets of Hawaiian monk seals and the dynamic nature of the marine 
ecosystem across the range of the Hawaiian monk seal. To better 
characterize Hawaiian monk seal foraging ecology, NMFS' Hawaiian Monk 
Seal Research Program directs foraging research towards evaluating monk 
seal diet, foraging behavior and habitat use, and understanding 
linkages between foraging success and changing oceanographic 
conditions. Information gained from the foraging program is discussed 
throughout the Habitat section of the biological report (NMFS 2014a).

[[Page 50932]]

    Generally, climate patterns (e.g., El Nino) drive changes in 
temperatures and/or ocean mixing that result in changes to ocean 
productivity. This influence extends up the food web, altering prey 
abundance for top predators like the Hawaiian monk seal, which 
eventually affects juvenile survival (Baker et al. 2012). Researchers 
found that variation in Hawaiian monk seal abundance trends across the 
NWHI appears to reflect shifts in ocean productivity that are driven by 
various climate patterns (Polovina et al. 1995; Polovina & Haight 1999; 
Antonelis et al. 2003; Baker et al. 2007; Baker et al. 2012). The final 
biological report provides updated information about Hawaiian monk seal 
foraging ecology and additional information on how various climate 
patterns may influence productivity and prey abundance.
    Comment 4: One peer reviewer expressed concerns that NMFS had 
overlooked discussing the adverse effects of anthropogenic noise on 
Hawaiian monk seal habitat. The reviewer stated that literature 
documents the adverse effects of underwater activities (e.g., military 
training, dredging, and pile driving) as well as in-air acoustics 
(e.g., jet landing and takeoff, boats, construction related, and live 
firings) on pinnipeds, including responses such as avoidance, startle, 
generalized disturbance, and auditory damage. The reviewer recommended 
including information in the biology section of the report and in other 
sections as appropriate.
    Response: We have updated the Natural History section of the 
biological report to provide additional information about the hearing 
capabilities and vocalizations of Hawaiian monk seals. Limited 
information suggests that Hawaiian monk seal hearing is less sensitive 
than that of other pinnipeds (Southall et al. 2007). Seals 
communicating in the airborne environment rely largely on short-range 
signals to alert conspecific animals, or to keep them informed of a 
signaler's location or general behavioral state (Miller and Job 1992). 
In addition, vocalization occurs between moms and pups, but studies 
indicate that females do not distinguish their pups' vocalizations from 
other pups (Job et al. 1995). Note that impacts to Hawaiian monk seals, 
including those associated with sound, are already analyzed in 
accordance with obligations to avoid jeopardy during ongoing section 7 
consultation.
    Comment 5: Several peer reviewers commented that marine debris is a 
threat to Hawaiian monk seals and their habitat and requested that 
additional information about this threat be provided in the biological 
report. Specifically, reviewers commented that lost fishing nets and 
gear may affect Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas by reducing the 
abundance of prey species due to entanglement or habitat loss. A 
reviewer also commented that lost fishing gear washing ashore in 
critical habitat areas could impact either where seals haul out or 
cause injury and mortality if they become entangled in debris onshore.
    Response: We agree that marine debris is a threat to Hawaiian monk 
seals and their critical habitat and that fishery associated debris may 
affect Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas by reducing the abundance of 
prey species due to entanglement or habitat loss. We have added 
additional information about this threat and the activities associated 
with this threat into the Special Management Considerations or 
Protections section of the biological report (NMFS 2014a) under 
fisheries activities and environmental response activities.
    Fisheries related debris can affect Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat and this threat is prevalent in the NWHI where the combination 
of prevailing ocean currents (in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre) 
and wind patterns causes marine debris, including fishing gear from 
fisheries throughout the Pacific Rim, to accumulate. Lost fishing gear 
may be snagged in coral reefs causing damage to these areas and/or 
entangling monk seal prey species within Hawaiian monk seal foraging 
areas. Additionally, marine debris may accumulate on land, reducing the 
quality or availability of terrestrial habitat. Although some gear is 
lost from Hawaii's fisheries, a majority of the gear observed from the 
NWHI marine debris removal efforts includes trawl netting, monofilament 
gillnet, and maritime line from other Pacific Rim fisheries (Donohue et 
al. 2001). Similar gear also accumulates around the main Hawaiian 
Islands; areas of heavy accumulation include the windward coasts of 
many of the islands (PIFSC 2010). Due to the widespread nature of these 
problems, and the number of species and ecosystems affected by this 
threat, the NOAA Marine Debris Response Program encourages partnerships 
among agencies to address marine debris response.
    Comment 6: One reviewer commented that the biological report should 
make a distinction between impacts from initial construction versus the 
on-going operation of new energy-generating devices. This reviewer also 
questioned whether short-term activities would be allowed within 
critical habitat areas or if the vulnerability of the population would 
forbid all activities due to the lack of experimental research on the 
response of Hawaiian monk seals to such activities.
    Response: We agree that energy development projects may have 
impacts associated both with construction and with on-going operations 
and we have revised the Special Management Considerations or 
Protections section of the biological report (NMFS 2014a) to reflect 
these potential impacts to essential features.
    Protections for critical habitat are applied under section 7 of the 
ESA. In Federal section 7 consultations, the Services (NMFS and the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the agencies that implement the 
ESA) may recommend specific measures or actions to prevent or reduce 
the likelihood of impacts to the important resources in designated 
areas. Recommendations to protect critical habitat depend on how a 
project or activity might affect the quantity, quality, or availability 
of essential features, and this is determined through a thorough review 
of the action to identify any environmental stressors and to assess the 
responses to exposure and risk from the activity. Generally, if short 
term impacts are anticipated, the section 7 process will assist in 
minimizing those impacts. For projects in which impacts of the activity 
are more uncertain, Federal agencies are still held to the same 
standards to avoid destruction and adverse modification. During section 
7 consultations, agencies meet this standard by using the best 
available information to determine the likely impacts of the activity 
on a listed species and its critical habitat.
    Comment 7: Peer review comments indicated that an expansive 
designation meets the biological needs of the species, but questioned 
how large areas would be managed adequately. Among these comments, a 
reviewer questioned if regulations would be in place to limit new 
structures built right up to the shoreline in critical habitat.
    Response: Protections for critical habitat are applied under 
section 7 of the ESA as described above in the response to comment 6. 
The designation does not establish new regulations specific to a type 
of activity, such as building a structure on the shoreline.
    Comment 8: Peer review comments stated that the draft economic 
analysis (ECONorthwest 2010) did not clearly describe the overall 
impacts of the proposed designation with regard to the spatial 
distribution of expected impacts and the types of activities. One 
reviewer

[[Page 50933]]

questioned whether impacts are uniformly distributed.
    Response: The draft economic analysis (ECONorthwest 2010) did note 
that potential impacts are expected to be largely associated with in-
water and construction activities; however, we agree that the 
discussion of spatial distribution of the expected impacts resulting 
from the proposed designation could be improved. The final economic 
analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) has been revised to describe more 
clearly the spatial distribution of economic impacts associated with 
the designation as well as how individual activities are expected to be 
affected.
    Comment 9: A peer reviewer questioned whether impacts associated 
with the 1988 designation were used to inform the economic analysis. 
The reviewer recommended that the economic analysis more clearly 
identify the types of activities that occur within the current 
designation and use past consultation history from these areas to 
inform the full analysis.
    Response: Since the 1988 designation, there is a limited history of 
activities in the NWHI from which to inform the revised designation, 
because little human activity occurs within the NWHI. This is due to 
the remoteness of the region as well as the fact that the areas have 
received environmental protections as a national wildlife refuge and 
then later as a national monument. The economic analysis uses NMFS' 
section 7 consultation history to anticipate the types, number, and 
location of activities that may occur within the areas designated for 
this final rule. This includes those areas from the 1988 designation in 
the NWHI, where consultations have already considered the effects of 
actions on Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. After considering this 
and other comments, the final economic analysis (Industrial Economics 
2014) was revised to articulate more clearly the impacts anticipated 
for each specific area, including those areas in the NWHI. Activities 
in these areas are described in Chapter 12 of the economic analysis as 
research permits, education activities, recreation management, and 
maintenance of existing structures (Industrial Economics 2014). Annual 
anticipated impacts range from less than $177 per year at Nihoa Island 
to $1,090 per year at French Frigate Shoals.

Public Comments

Legal Comments
    Comment 10: We received comments questioning why NMFS did not 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and/or an Environmental 
Analysis (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA). Comments voiced concerns that NMFS completed an EIS for the 
original 1986 designation, which analyzed the impacts of five 
alternatives, but did not complete an equivalent NEPA analysis for the 
current proposed designation. One of the comments further noted that 
the proposed critical habitat expansion to the main Hawaiian Islands 
has potential for greater social, cultural, and economic impacts than 
the original designation, and that the sheer number of section 7 
consultations and associated biological opinions with this designation 
could be debilitating to the State. An additional comment questioned 
NMFS' reliance on Douglas County v. Babbitt 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. 
1995), cert. denied, 116 S. Ct. 698 (1996), to determine that an 
environmental analysis as provided for under NEPA compliance was not 
required. This comment noted that NEPA requirements associated with 
critical habitat designations remain unsettled because the 10th 
circuit's decision in Catron County Board of Commissioners v. United 
States Fish & Wildlife Service 75 F.3d 1429, 1433 (10th Cir. 1996) 
required the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare an Environmental 
Assessment for the Mexican Spotted Owl designation.
    Response: We disagree that NMFS is required to complete analysis 
under NEPA for the current designation. In 1980, when we first 
considered providing habitat protections for the Hawaiian monk seal we 
wished to evaluate the benefits and impacts associated with either 
designating a sanctuary under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act 
(NMSA), or critical habitat under the ESA in the NWHI. Section 304 of 
the NMSA requires the Secretary to prepare a draft EIS, in compliance 
with NEPA, when proposing to designate a national marine sanctuary; 
therefore, a draft EIS was prepared to evaluate this option for 
Hawaiian monk seal habitat protection. The alternatives were presented 
to the public in 1980 in compliance with the NMSA and NEPA. Comments 
received mostly supported the designation of critical habitat under the 
ESA; however, the boundaries for designation remained undecided and we 
postponed further action to await recovery team recommendations (51 FR 
16047; April 30, 1986). In 1985, in accordance with recommendations 
from the 1983 recovery plan, NMFS proposed critical habitat for the 
Hawaiian monk seal under the ESA and then finalized the action in 1986. 
The 1986 final rule (51 FR 16047; April 30, 1986) determined that NEPA 
was not necessary to move forward with the designation of critical 
habitat under the ESA. Nonetheless, however, we elected to complete the 
EIS process since a draft and supplemental report had already been 
prepared to meet the requirements of NMSA.
    Since the original designation of monk seal critical habitat, in 
Douglas County v. Babbitt 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 
116 S. Ct. 698 (1996), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals directly 
addressed the question of whether NEPA applies to critical habitat 
designations. The Ninth Circuit held that because it was apparent that 
Congress intended the comprehensive ESA procedures for designating 
critical habitat to replace the NEPA requirements, NEPA does not apply 
to critical habitat designations. In particular, the Ninth Circuit 
noted that ESA procedures for critical habitat designations, including 
a ``carefully crafted congressional mandate for public participation'' 
through extensive public notice and hearing provisions, renders NEPA 
procedures superfluous. Although we recognize that the 10th Circuit 
Court of Appeals disagrees with the Douglas County decision, we note 
that recently in Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, et. al., v. Jewell, 
F.3d, 2015 WL 3894308 (9th Cir. June 26, 2015), the Ninth Circuit 
reaffirmed its decision in Douglas County as controlling law. 
Accordingly, NMFS was not required to prepare an environmental impact 
statement for the revision of monk seal critical habitat.
    Comment 11: Several comments suggested NMFS did not comply with 
various legal requirements associated with other laws while preparing 
this rulemaking, including the National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA), the Clean Water Act, and the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act, 
Chapter 343, HRS, as amended by Act 50. Comments regarding the NHPA 
either indicated that Native Hawaiians or indigenous people were not 
consulted in accordance with section 106 prior to this proposal or 
requested that Native Hawaiian organizations be a part of a 
consultation process.
    Response: The designation of critical habitat merely establishes an 
additional consideration to existing Federal ESA section 7 consultation 
processes. The designation would not alter the physical characteristics 
of areas within the boundaries and would not authorize a specific 
project, activity, or program to occur. As stated above, the critical 
habitat designation only establishes additional consultation 
considerations

[[Page 50934]]

for Federal agencies to ensure that actions undertaken do not destroy 
or adversely affect Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. Accordingly, 
the designation and associated consultation has no potential to alter 
the characteristics of any historic properties, or otherwise authorize 
the discharge of pollutants that may degrade the water; therefore, the 
requirements of the above-referenced authorities are not triggered. 
Notably, any future Federal actions that are subject to section 7 
consultations would remain subject to the consultation provisions of 
section 106 of the NHPA, provided such action has the potential to 
cause effects to historic properties.
    Furthermore, the associated ESA section 7 consultation process does 
not preclude any applicable protections or requirements associated with 
the Clean Water Act. Finally, while HEPA does not directly apply to 
NMFS' designation of critical habitat, applicants for state permits in 
designated critical habitat areas must continue to comply with all 
applicable Hawaii state requirements.
    Comment 12: One comment indicated that NOAA's declaration of 
critical habitat in the State's ocean resources constitutes a taking of 
resources.
    Response: We disagree. Executive Order (E.O.) 12630 requires 
Federal agencies to consider the impact of proposed actions on private 
property rights. The Classification section of this rule and the 
proposed rule provides a summary of our determination on E.O. 12630 
with regard to takings. This final rule does not result in a physical 
invasion of private property, nor does it substantially affect the 
value or use of private property. Rather, in designating critical 
habitat for Hawaiian monk seals, this final rule establishes 
obligations on Federal agencies to consider the impact of their 
proposed actions, and to avoid destroying or adversely modifying areas 
designated as critical habitat. Accordingly, we disagree that this 
designation would constitute a taking of resources.
Need To Designate
    Comment 13: Several comments indicated that we are not required to 
designate critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal, because the 
species was listed in 1976 prior to the 1978 amendment to the ESA 
(which required critical habitat be designated concurrent with 
listing). These comments cited Southwest Florida Conservancy v. United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service (citation: No. 11-11915) (11th Cir. 
2011), which upheld the USFWS' discretion to not designate critical 
habitat for the Florida panther because the species was listed prior to 
1978. One of these comments indicated that this case proves we 
incorrectly identified in public meetings that the petition gave us no 
choice but to declare critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal.
    Response: The comments correctly identify that the Hawaiian monk 
seal was listed in 1976, prior to the 1978 amendment to the ESA, which 
required to the maximum extent prudent and determinable that critical 
habitat be designated for newly listed species. However, we do have the 
discretion to designate critical habitat for species listed before the 
amendment, and we exercised that discretion in 1986 (51 FR 16047; April 
30, 1986). Due to the existing monk seal critical habitat designation, 
our obligations under the ESA are different than those of the USFWS in 
the case of the Florida panther, in which critical habitat was never 
designated for the species. Under the 1982 amendments to the ESA, the 
Services ``may'' revise critical habitat designations ``from time-to-
time . . . as appropriate.'' 16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(A).
    Although the Services are not compelled to revise critical habitat 
for a listed species, we were required by the petition response process 
under the ESA to make a decision as to whether substantial scientific 
information indicates that a revision may be warranted (U.S.C. 
1533(b)(D)(i)). As we announced in our 12-month finding, new 
information about Hawaiian monk seal foraging and habitat use in the 
MHI indicates that physical and biological features essential to the 
conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal (which may require special 
management considerations or protections) are located outside of the 
boundaries of the 1988 critical habitat designation and throughout the 
Hawaiian Archipelago (74 FR 27988; June 12, 2009). Consistent with the 
standards for announcing our 12-month finding (U.S.C. 1533(b)(D)(ii)) 
we announced our intention to proceed with the requested revision. As 
we noted in public meetings, applying the best available science, we 
believe that a revision is necessary to define more accurately the 
essential features and areas that support Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation. Additionally, we believe that this revision will 
facilitate better Federal, State, and local planning for monk seal 
recovery.
    Comment 14: A number of comments maintained that a revised critical 
habitat designation was unnecessary because existing protections both 
on the Federal and State level already adequately protect Hawaiian monk 
seals. Among these comments Hawaii's DLNR identified such existing 
management measures as those provided for under the ESA (including 
section 7), the existing critical habitat designation, protections 
under the MMPA, and State zoning and land use protections in place for 
Special Management Areas under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). 
Additionally, some of the comments questioned the need for the 
designation because they did not understand how protections for 
critical habitat would differ from those protections that already 
exist.
    Response: The ESA defines critical habitat in relevant part, as 
``the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the 
species, at the time it is listed . . . on which are found those 
physical and biological features (I) essential to the conservation of 
the species and (II) which may require special management 
considerations or protection,'' 16 U.S.C. 1532(5)(A)(i). The phrase 
``may require'' indicates that critical habitat includes features that 
may now, or at some point in the future, be in need of special 
management or protection.
    As explained in the proposed rule, we determined that each 
essential feature may require special management considerations or 
protections. We agree that certain laws and regulatory regimes already 
protect, to different degrees and for various purposes, the essential 
features identified for Hawaiian monk seals. However, in determining 
whether essential features may require special management 
considerations or protection, we do not base our decision on whether 
management is currently in place, or whether that management is 
adequate. That is, we cannot read the statute to require that 
``additional'' special management be required before we designate 
critical habitat (See Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton, 240 
F.Supp.2d 1090 (D. Ariz. 2003)). That habitat may be under an existing 
conservation program is not determinative of whether it meets the 
definition of critical habitat.
    Moreover, we do not believe that existing laws and regulations 
adequately ensure that current and proposed Federal actions will not 
adversely modify or destroy Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, 
currently or into the future. While the MMPA provides protections to 
Hawaiian monk seals, the MMPA offers little direct protection to the 
features upon which their survival and recovery depend. Additionally, 
while Hawaii's Special Management Areas may provide some protections 
for Hawaiian monk seal habitat, they do not inform Federal agency 
decisions that

[[Page 50935]]

may directly affect monk seal essential features.
    Under the ESA, Hawaiian monk seals receive other protections for 
the species itself. ``Take'' of the species is broadly prohibited 
unless authorized by a permit or incidental take statement, and Federal 
agencies must ensure that their activities do not result in 
``jeopardy'' to the species. In some circumstances ``take'' may be 
described as harm, which may include habitat modifications, but ESA 
prohibitions apply only when the modification or degradation is 
significant and ``actually kills or injures'' the species by 
``significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including, 
breeding, spawning, rearing, migrating, feeding or sheltering,'' (See 
50 CFR 222.102).
    The revision and expansion of critical habitat for this species 
also informs Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the 
public of the importance of these areas to the species' recovery. 
Additionally, the designation helps to ensure that Federal activities 
are planned and conducted in a manner that safeguards Hawaiian monk 
seal essential features, and becomes one tool in a suite of 
conservation measures to support recovery goals for this species (NMFS 
2007a). Finally, the consultation process under section 7 of the ESA 
will provide NMFS with a powerful tool with which to propose project 
modifications and, as appropriate, reasonable and prudent alternatives, 
before adverse impacts occur.
    Comment 15: Some commenters asserted that the proposed critical 
habitat designation is unnecessary, misguided, and/or will be 
ineffective, because the designation would not address the major 
threats to the species in either the NWHI or the MHI, including those 
identified in the recovery plan. Among these comments Hawaii's DLNR 
expressed that the designation would provide no additional benefits to 
the species than already exist, and suggested that we should 
concentrate our efforts on more active or valid management techniques 
that address the major threats to the species, including those 
threatening the status of the seals in the NWHI, such as juvenile food 
limitations, shark predation, and mobbing. Similarly, another comment 
suggested the designation would not address the main management problem 
for monk seals, which is the destruction of the monk seals' main food 
source by the commercial lobster fishery in the NWHI, and proposed 
enhancing lobster stocks as a solution. An additional comment stated 
that the most detrimental threats to the species cannot be addressed 
through the designation because the threats are not caused by federally 
funded, authorized, or permitted activities, or because they are not 
issues of habitat. Another comment stated that the proposed designation 
did not align with our recovery plan for the species, and this 
commenter stated that the designation would fail to remove the 
``sociological problems'' that the recovery plan lists as threats to 
the MHI seals.
    Response: The Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan (NMFS 2007a) 
acknowledges multiple threats to the species, and ranks those threats 
as crucial, serious, and moderate. The plan additionally provides 
prioritized recommendations on conservation actions or programs that 
support recovery. Generally, conservation actions that address crucial 
threats are given top priority. We recognize that a revision to 
critical habitat does not necessarily address all of the crucial 
threats that are outlined in the recovery plan, such as food 
limitation, entanglement, and shark predation; however, we disagree 
with comments that suggest that the revision to critical habitat 
provides no benefit to this species and/or does not align with the 
goals of the recovery plan.
    Because just over a thousand Hawaiian monk seal individuals remain 
in the population, priority management actions and recommendations in 
the Hawaiian monk seal recovery plan focus on diminishing the 
population-limiting threats, such as food limitations, entanglement, 
and shark predation in the NWHI. While management actions to address 
crucial threats are necessary to ensure the survival of the species, 
other management actions are also necessary to plan for and accomplish 
recovery of the species throughout its range. In the Recovery Plan, 
habitat loss is considered a serious threat to the species, and the 
recovery plan provides recommendations, which received priority 2 
ranking, to maintain protections for existing critical habitat with 
possible expansions as information is available (NMFS 2007a). 
Accordingly, contrary to comments received, the revision to critical 
habitat does align with the recovery plan.
    With regard to the benefits of the designation, critical habitat 
uniquely protects the essential features that a listed species needs to 
survive and recover. These protections are applied through Federal 
section 7 consultation when an activity carried out, funded or 
authorized by a Federal agency may affect critical habitat. During 
consultation the activity is carefully planned in order to avoid 
impacts to the essential features, such that the critical habitat areas 
remain functional for the species' use now and in the future. While a 
critical habitat designation may not be able to prevent the priority 
threats to the Hawaiian monk seal, it is a valuable tool that helps to 
ensure that Federal planning and development does not limit recovery 
for the species.
    As stated in our response to Comment 13, we were required to 
respond to the 2008 petition to revise critical habitat. Moreover, we 
believe that any effective, broad-based conservation program must 
address threats not only to the listed species but also to the habitat 
upon which the species depends. We believe that a revision to critical 
habitat will support recovery of the species because it will provide 
information about and protections for habitat and resources that are 
not exclusively detailed and protected under the 1988 critical habitat 
designation.
    In addition to revising critical habitat for the species, we plan 
to continue to work towards addressing other obstacles to recovery 
through other directed research, management, and educational 
initiatives.
    With regard to the comment about lobsters in the NWHI; we 
acknowledge that food limitations appear to limit juvenile survival in 
the NWHI; however, we do not have information to confirm the 
commenter's theory that the declines in the Hawaiian monk seal 
population are a direct result of the decreased lobster population. 
Moreover, we note that all commercial fishing within the 
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, including crustacean 
fishing, ceased in 2011, removing competition for those resources by 
commercial fishermen.
    Current information indicates that Hawaiian monk seals are foraging 
generalists feeding on a wide variety of species; the relative 
importance of lobster in the diet is not clear. Alternatively, both of 
these populations may have experienced similar declines due to changes 
in productivity in the region associated with climate and ocean 
variability following periods of overexploitation (Schultz et al. 
2011), and seal declines may have occurred regardless of any influence 
that lobsters have on the diet. In addition, by referring to 
``sociological problems'' we assume the commenter was referring to 
obstacles associated with improving co-existence between humans and 
monk seals in the MHI. We recognize that successful recovery efforts 
for monk seals in the MHI depends on cooperation from Hawaii's 
communities and we have been and will continue to work with the public 
to address

[[Page 50936]]

concerns that hinder monk seal conservation and peaceful co-existence 
in the MHI.
    Comment 16: Some of the comments stated that the proposed expansion 
of critical habitat was not justified, or that it was unnecessary for 
reasons relating to the status of the species. Specifically, some of 
these comments stated that the 1988 critical habitat designation has 
proven to be unnecessary or ineffective, because the species is 
declining within critical habitat in the NWHI and increasing in the 
MHI, where critical habitat is not designated. One such comment stated 
that NMFS had not adequately demonstrated that the existing critical 
habitat in the NWHI had contributed to conservation and recovery of the 
monk seal, nor demonstrated how the revision would contribute to the 
recovery goals of the species. Another comment stated that the proposed 
designation did not meet the definition of critical habitat, because 
the proposed areas were not essential to the conservation of the 
species and that the 1988 designation has not proven to be essential to 
the recovery of the species. Additional comments stated that the 
increasing numbers and the health of the population in the MHI suggest 
that seals are adequately protected and that no additional protection 
is necessary in the MHI.
    Response: As noted in the biological report (NMFS 2014a), the 
difference in the status between these two areas of the Hawaiian monk 
seal's range is believed to be a reflection of the differences in 
environmental conditions between these two regions. Evidence evaluating 
seal health, growth, survival and fecundity in various regions of the 
NWHI indicates that food limitations may be influencing the lack of 
recovery in this region (Craig and Ragen 1999; Harting et al. 2007; 
Baker 2008). Researchers suggest that climate-ocean variability leads 
to variable ocean productivity, which in turns affects these top 
predators (Polovina et al. 1995; Polovina and Haight 1999; Antonelis et 
al. 2003; Baker et al. 2007; Baker et al. 2012). We recognize that 
protections established under a critical habitat designation have not 
and will not alone ameliorate the primary threat of food limitations in 
the NWHI. However, this does not mean that critical habitat protections 
are not an important component of an effective recovery program. 
Critical habitat protections are designed to protect a listed species' 
habitat from Federal activities that may result in destruction or 
adverse modification. Therefore, the success or effectiveness of each 
particular designation may only be measured by determining how agencies 
were able to minimize the impacts of their activities, or prevent 
adverse modification or destruction of critical habitat. Contributions 
to Hawaiian monk seal conservation resulting, at least in part, from 
the 1988 designation include the continued existence of monk seal 
essential features in the NWHI and the various measures that Federal 
agencies have taken over the past 26 years to mitigate or minimize the 
potential impacts to this habitat. We believe that this revision to 
critical habitat is supported by new information that is available 
regarding the ecological needs of the Hawaiian monk seal and that a 
revised designation will support Federal agencies (as well as State and 
local governments) in planning for the protection of resources for 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation.
    The comment that stated that the proposed areas did not meet the 
definition of critical habitat has incorrectly applied the definition 
of unoccupied habitat to the areas proposed for designation. The ESA 
defines critical habitat in part, as ``the specific areas within the 
geographical area occupied by the species . . . on which are found 
those physical and biological features (I) essential to the 
conservation of the species and (II) which may require special 
management considerations or protection.'' 16 U.S.C. 1532(5)(A)(i). 
Critical habitat includes areas outside of the geographical areas 
occupied by the species if such areas are essential for the 
conservation of the species. 16 U.S.C. 1532(5)(A)(ii). Habitat proposed 
for Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat designation within the MHI 
meets the definition of occupied critical habitat. Specifically, these 
areas are within the range used by the species, have features essential 
to conservation of the species, and these features may require special 
management considerations or protections from certain activities, as 
outlined in the biological report (NMFS 2014a). Regarding the comment 
that suggested that the previous designation has not proven to be 
essential to recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal, we think this 
statement fails to appreciate the complexity of recovering a species 
from a depleted status. We maintain that recovery for a listed species 
most often requires a suite of recovery actions and that critical 
habitat is just one tool that maintains the habitat to support the 
recovered population, as intended by Congress (see our response to 
comment 4). We refer back to our previous discussion about calculating 
the effectiveness of the 1988 designation and maintain that the former 
designation has played a role in conserving the essential features 
within the NWHI portion of the species range. Further, we believe that 
by expanding the 1988 designation to other significant areas of the 
Hawaiian monk seals' range, we can more effectively conserve the 
habitat that is necessary to support a recovered population.
    Concerning comments that suggest that increasing numbers of seals 
in the MHI indicate that additional protections are unnecessary, we 
refer back to our responses to comments 15 and 16, which describe how 
the best available information indicates that Hawaiian monk seal 
essential features exist throughout the MHI and that they require 
special management or protection. Therefore, we believe a revised 
critical habitat designation including habitat throughout the species' 
range will help to safeguard resources Hawaiian monk seals will need 
for recovery.
    Comment 17: Several comments appear to confuse the protections that 
monk seals are afforded under a critical habitat designation with those 
that currently exist to protect the species under the MMPA and other 
parts of the ESA, or other habitat protections. One comment stated that 
the critical habitat designation was not warranted because ``human-seal 
interaction'' and enforcement in the MHI was too low to clearly 
establish a need for additional regulations. Other comments suggested 
that there was not information to indicate a need for a reserve or for 
the Federal government to own the land. Still other comments suggested 
that the designation was unnecessary because of the thousands of square 
miles that are already protected within the National Marine Monument 
and the Sanctuary.
    Response: The comments indicate that at least some protections for 
critical habitat may be misunderstood and/or misconstrued. We have 
grouped these comments in an effort to clarify the protections that 
exist with a critical habitat designation and to express how critical 
habitat protections differ from other forms of protections that were 
mentioned.
    Critical habitat designations identify those areas where features 
exist that are essential to the conservation of the species and which 
may require special management considerations or protection. 
Protections for critical habitat are applied under section 7 of the ESA 
(see Statutory and Regulatory Background section). These designations 
are used as a planning tool for Federal agencies to protect the 
essential features such that the areas may support survival and 
recovery of

[[Page 50937]]

the listed species. In section 7 consultation, the Services may 
recommend specific measures or actions to prevent or reduce the 
likelihood of impacts to the important resources in these areas. 
Recommendations to prevent harm to critical habitat depend on how a 
project or activity might impact the essential features, and for this 
reason, recommendations may be project or activity specific.
    A critical habitat designation does not create a reserve or a 
preserve. Critical habitat designations do not change the ownership of 
land, and they do not change the other local or State jurisdiction over 
a particular area. A critical habitat designation generally has no 
effect on property where there is no Federal agency involvement; for 
example, a private landowner undertaking a project that involves no 
Federal funding or permit.
    We assume that the comment referencing ``human-seal interaction'' 
and enforcement is referring to incidents of ``take'' where people 
interact with seals on the beaches or in the water, resulting in harm 
or disturbance to the species. The commenter is suggesting that low 
``take'' enforcement records in Hawaii implies that critical habitat 
protections are unnecessary. To clarify, a critical habitat designation 
protects essential features and habitat; it does not regulate day to 
day ``human-seal interaction'' where take may occur, nor does it change 
the existing regulations that prevent take or harassment of monk seals 
under the ESA or the MMPA.
    The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument was established by 
Executive Order in 2006 to protect the exceptional array of natural and 
cultural resources that include the NWHI and the surrounding marine 
resources. The area is managed jointly by the State, NOAA, and the 
USFWS. The 1988 monk seal critical habitat designation, as well as the 
proposed expansion in the NWHI, falls entirely within the boundaries of 
Papahanaumokuakea. We agree that the Hawaiian monk seal and the 
essential features of its critical habitat receive some protections 
from the ecosystem approach to management that is used by the 
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. However, these areas 
continue to meet the definition of critical habitat for the species 
because the essential features exist within these areas and they 
require special management or protection. The ecosystem in this area 
has experienced a great deal of perturbation and it falls on the 
managing agencies to ensure that current and future management efforts 
support the vast array of species that use this habitat, including the 
Hawaiian monk seal. A revision to critical habitat and acknowledgment 
of its existence within these protected areas, at a minimum, provides 
the management authorities with the information necessary to 
responsibly plan for the specific protection of monk seal critical 
habitat essential features, while using the ecosystem approach to 
management.
    The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 
(HIHWNMS) was established in 1992 and is jointly managed by NOAA and 
the State of Hawaii. While covering key areas that are significant to 
the humpback whale, HIHWNMS waters do not encompass the entirety of 
areas in the MHI that support Hawaiian monk seal essential features. 
Management within HIHWNMS waters currently focuses on providing 
protections for humpback whales and their habitat. Recently the 
National Ocean Service proposed to expand the boundaries and scope of 
the HIHWNMS to include an ecosystem-based management approach, 
including providing specific regulatory protections for various 
locations. Although existing protections and proposed measures, if 
finalized, may provide some form of protection for Hawaiian monk seal 
essential features; they do not, ensure that current and proposed 
actions will not adversely modify or destroy Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat within the HIHWNMS boundaries.
Natural History
    Comment 18: Multiple comments referenced the historical use of MHI 
habitat by Hawaiian monk seals, and the proposed designation in these 
areas. These comments expressed divergent perspectives including the 
belief that Hawaiian monk seals are not native to the MHI, or the 
belief that MHI habitat has supported Hawaiian monk seals for many 
years.
    We received many comments referring to Hawaiian monk seals as not 
native, as introduced, or as invasive in the MHI. Some of these 
comments questioned the origin of the name, and whether it is an 
indigenous species due to a lack of Hawaiian cultural references. Other 
comments attributed the increase in the number of seals in the MHI and 
their use of MHI habitat to historical translocation efforts. 
Additionally, a couple of comments speculated that seals were not found 
historically in the MHI, because Hawaiians would likely have extirpated 
the seals to prevent competition for resources.
    In contrast, other comments acknowledged that Hawaiian monk seals 
exist throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and that historical accounts of 
monk seals in the MHI indicate that the species has been using the 
habitat for longer periods of time than previously acknowledged. A 
couple of these comments indicated that the seals' use of the Main 
Hawaiian Islands predates human presence in Hawaii, and other comments 
expressed the importance of educating the public about the historical 
information that is available. One of these comments theorized that 
seals were driven from the MHI due to hunting pressures. One comment 
acknowledged that they were unsure about historical monk seal use of 
the MHI, but noted that the current increase in the number of seals in 
the MHI signifies that MHI habitat does not have the same problems for 
monk seal growth as NWHI habitat; consequently, monk seals are going to 
continue to use the MHI habitat. This commenter also noted that the MHI 
was part of the same chain as the NWHI and that these areas represent 
the same ecosystem.
    Response: We recognize these conflicting views regarding the 
Hawaiian monk seal's historical use of the MHI in the biological report 
(NMFS 2014a); however, we agree with comments that note that Hawaiian 
monk seals are native to the Hawaiian Islands and a natural part of the 
ecosystem in this region.
    An invasive or non-native species most commonly refers to species 
that are human-introduced in some manner to an ecosystem. However, 
Hawaiian monk seals have been in the Pacific basin for millions of 
years and express ecological adaptations to Hawaii's tropical marine 
environment in their foraging ecology, reproductive behavior, and 
metabolism. ``Hawaiian'' describes the geographical area where the 
species, found nowhere else on earth, was first recorded by European 
explorers in the late 1800s and fossils have been found on the Island 
of Hawaii dating back 1,400-1,760 years ago, well before any of the 
historically written accounts of seals (Rosendahl, 1994). Early 
historical accounts of seals in the MHI, the fossil evidence, and the 
similarities in ecology between the NWHI and the MHI, indicate that MHI 
habitat is within the species' natural range.
    As noted in the biological report, we translocated 21 males to the 
MHI in 1994 to alleviate male aggression issues at Laysan Island. 
However, Hawaiian monk seals were already established in the MHI prior 
to the 1994 translocation efforts. This is corroborated by reports of 
seals on Niihau in the 1970s and public sighting reports received 
throughout the MHI in the 1980s (Baker

[[Page 50938]]

and Johanos 2004), which included eight seal births in the MHI prior to 
the male-only translocation effort in 1994. Hawaiian monk seal numbers 
in the MHI have continued to grow naturally with births on seven of the 
MHI. While some of the 1994 translocated males may have sired pups in 
the MHI, the naturally occurring female monk seals in the MHI are 
responsible for the propagation of seals in the MHI.
    Comment 19: We received multiple comments that questioned the 
accuracy of the description of monk seal use of the MHI habitat. In 
general these comments questioned how seals arrived in the MHI, how 
many seals are moving on their own to the MHI, whether the species is 
migratory, and whether we have ever translocated seals to the MHI in 
the past, or present.
    Response: As noted in the biological report (NMFS 2014a), the 
current population of monk seals in the MHI is believed to have been 
founded by seal dispersal from the NWHI to under-documented areas of 
the MHI, such as Niihau or Kaula. Local accounts from Niihau indicate 
that seals were regularly using the Island as early as the 1970s (Baker 
and Johanos 2004). In the past 40 years seal numbers have grown in the 
MHI and seals have begun to utilize habitat throughout the MHI. Since 
early tagging efforts began in the NWHI in the 1980s, only a small 
number of seals have been documented moving from the NWHI to the MHI. 
The growth of the MHI seal population cannot be explained by this small 
number of migrations; instead, the population is growing due to high 
survival and reproduction of the local MHI population. As noted in our 
response to comment 18, 21 male seals were translocated to the MHI to 
manage an aggression problem at Laysan Island, but female seals have 
not been translocated to the MHI.
    Comment 20: We received several comments regarding Hawaiian monk 
seal foraging behaviors. Some of these comments expressed concerns or 
stated that monk seals may be damaging to the reef environment or 
competing directly with humans for fishing resources. Other comments 
wished to clarify what monk seals eat, and how much they eat to better 
understand their impacts on various resources.
    Response: The biological report (NMFS 2014a) provides information 
about Hawaiian monk seal foraging behavior and preferences that we 
summarize here.
    Video footage of foraging monk seals indicates that the species 
uses a variety of techniques to capture prey species, including probing 
the bottom with their nose and vibrissae, using their mouth to squirt 
streams of water at the substrate, and flipping small loose rocks with 
their heads or shoulders in uniform bank, slope, and sand habitats 
(Parrish et al. 2005). However, there is no evidence to suggest that 
these natural seal foraging behaviors that may cause some disturbance 
to the bottom are causing damage to the coral reefs or the surrounding 
environment. In fact, the largest numbers of seals exist in the NWHI 
(around 900 animals) and the reefs in this area of the Archipelago are 
generally understood to be more diverse and less degraded than in the 
MHI (Friedlander et al. 2009).
    In general, Hawaiian monk seals are considered foraging generalists 
that feed on a wide variety of bottom-associated prey species. Goodman 
and Lowe (1998) identified inshore, benthic, and offshore teleost or 
bony fishes, as the most represented prey items in monk seal scat, 
followed by cephalopods (squid, octopus and cuttlefish); from the 940 
scats sampled, the study identified 31 families of teleosts or bony 
fishes and 13 families of cephalopods. It is difficult to precisely 
determine the degree of overlap between MHI fisheries and the Hawaiian 
monk seal diet, because the available data only show the families of 
fishes that monk seals eat and the species of fish caught by MHI 
fisheries. These data do not clarify whether competition exists for the 
same types or size of fish, in the same geographic areas, or at the 
same depths or time. Importantly, pelagic fisheries, such as tunas, 
mahi-mahi, and wahoo, which make up a majority of commercial and 
recreational landings in Hawaii, are not considered in competition with 
Hawaiian monk seals because seals focus on much smaller, bottom-
associated prey species found closer to shore.
    To consider how monk seal prey items may overlap with Hawaii's 
near-shore commercial and recreational fisheries Sprague et al. (2013) 
compared fish families landed in the Hawaiian monk seal diet with the 
most prevalent fish families found in the near-shore commercial and 
recreational fisheries. This evaluation excluded pelagic species, which 
make up 95 percent of commercially reported landings and 90 percent of 
recreational landings, and are not Hawaiian monk seal prey species. Of 
the 32 fish families found in the Hawaiian monk seal diet or in 
commercial or recreational near-shore landings, there was overlap in 15 
families (Cahoon 2011; Sprague et al. 2013). With all pelagic landings 
excluded, these 15 families make up about 27 percent of the remaining 
reported commercial fishery landings by weight, and 39 percent of the 
remaining reported recreational fishery landings by weight (Cahoon 
2011; Sprague et al. 2013). In other words, only about 27 percent of 
the near-shore commercial fishery landings and 39 percent of the near-
shore recreational fishery landings are from families of fish also 
known to be eaten by monk seals. In summary, based on currently 
available data, it appears that Hawaiian monk seals are not likely to 
have a large impact on the available biomass in the MHI.
    Sprague et al. (2013) also estimated that the maximum current MHI 
population of about 200 seals consumes around 1300kg/day (2900 lbs/day, 
or about 15lbs/day per seal); this is about 0.009 percent of the 
estimated available prey biomass in the near-shore waters (<30 meters) 
around the MHI. Spread out over their likely foraging habitat in the 
MHI (out to 200 m depth), the estimate above translates to about 0.17 
kg per square kilometer per day (or about 1 lb/square mile per day). In 
perspective, apex predatory fishes in the MHI are estimated to consume 
at least 50 times more biomass daily and recreational and commercial 
fisheries in the MHI (excluding pelagic species) are estimated to land 
approximately three times more near-shore marine resources than are 
consumed by the current monk seal population (Sprague et al. 2013).
    Comment 21: One comment stated that the proposed rule process was 
presenting misinformation regarding the seals' population and their 
pending extinction. This comment goes on to cite a 2007 report, that 
presented the number of seals at about 1,200 animals with a computer 
generated decline of 4 percent and a 2011 report that gives the numbers 
as 1,100 with a decline again given as 4 percent. This commenter 
concluded that the projected extinction has no bearing in fact, and 
that the population has been essentially constant over the last five 
years.
    Response: We disagree with the commenter's conclusion, because the 
commenter has incorrectly applied information presented on the NWHI 
population to the entire monk seal population estimates and has 
associated an incorrect time scale to the data presented. The 
population estimates and percent decline estimates referred to in the 
comment are taken from the annual Stock Assessment Reports (SARs). The 
approximate 4.5 percent decline (2009 SARs) referred to in the proposed 
rule is based solely on the six NWHI subpopulations (using a log-linear 
regression of estimated abundance on year for the past 10 years) and 
does not represent a percent decline

[[Page 50939]]

for the entire population. The population numbers presented by the 
commenter are for the entire population of seals located throughout the 
Archipelago, including estimates for Necker, Nihoa, and the MHI. The 
proposed rule did not use the decline rate for the NWHI to predict the 
extinction of the species, but rather to demonstrate the status of the 
declining population in the NWHI in comparison with the increasing MHI 
population. Population projections of the Hawaiian monk seal indicate 
that these two populations could equalize in less than 15 years (Baker 
et al. 2011). We believe the different trajectories between these two 
sub-populations expresses the critical role that the MHI population 
plays in supporting the survival of this species and emphasizes the 
importance of protecting MHI habitat.
Essential Features
    Comment 22: We received several comments regarding the essential 
feature describing low levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Some 
comments suggested that human activity in MHI habitat makes some or all 
of MHI areas not conducive to monk seal population recovery because the 
areas do not offer low levels of anthropogenic disturbance. One comment 
suggested that the 1986 designation did not include the MHI, because 
the NWHI areas were sparsely populated by humans in comparison to the 
MHI.
    Response: After considering these and other comments, we further 
evaluated the role that areas with low levels of anthropogenic 
disturbance play in supporting monk seal conservation. We have 
determined that low levels of anthropogenic disturbance are not a 
physical or biological feature that is essential to Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation because they do not independently provide a service or 
function for Hawaiian monk seal conservation. Instead we find that low 
levels of anthropogenic disturbance may be a characteristic that 
describes some Preferred pupping and nursing areas or significant haul-
out areas, which are the two terrestrial features that were found to be 
essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation (see Summary of Changes 
from the Proposed Designation section above for more details).
    Areas designated as critical habitat for Hawaiian monk seals in the 
MHI support the three essential features: Preferred pupping areas, 
significant haul-out areas, and/or foraging areas. In response to the 
comment regarding the 1986 designation, the areas identified as part of 
the 1986 designation in the NWHI were included due to the existence of 
five essential features found throughout these areas (51 FR 16047; 
April 30, 1986), based on the then-available scientific information, 
not because the area is sparsely populated by humans.
    Comment 23: We received a couple of comments that questioned how 
the boundaries of critical habitat were determined and/or what data 
support the designation. One of these comments questioned why the 1988 
boundary of 20 fathoms could not also apply to the revised designation.
    Response: As identified in the proposed rule and the biological 
report (NMFS 2014a), we identified habitat features essential to the 
conservation of Hawaiian monk seals, and delineated specific areas 
within the geographical area occupied (or range) which contain at least 
one essential feature. Since the proposed designation, and after 
considering public comments, we have refined our description of the 
essential features to identify more precisely those areas where these 
features exist. As described in the Changes from the Proposed 
Designation section of this rule, we believe that depths up to 200 m, 
used by monk seals for foraging, support features essential to Hawaiian 
monk seal conservation. At this time, we do not have sufficient 
available information to conclude that waters deeper than 200 m support 
these essential features. Consequently, the boundaries of this 
designation are set at 200 m depth to encompass this refined essential 
feature. The terrestrial boundaries are set to encompass preferred 
pupping and nursing areas as well as significant haul-out areas. The 
information that supports the designation is described more fully in 
the Habitat section of the biological report (NMFS 2014a) and includes 
information on foraging ecology to describe where preferred marine 
foraging areas exist and monk seal sighting and tracking information to 
describe where preferred pupping and nursing areas and significant 
haul-out areas exist.
    The 20 fathom (37 m) boundary in marine areas in the NWHI was 
established in 1988 at a time when our understanding of monk seal 
foraging ecology was limited. Advances in technology since the 1980s 
has led to a better understanding of Hawaiian monk seal ecology and we 
believe that the best available information indicates that foraging 
areas essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation exist outside the 20 
fathom (37 m) boundary established for the 1988 designation. For 
example, data from the NWHI indicates that seals are regularly diving 
at depths greater than 40 m, that at deeper depths behaviors are 
focused on foraging and that a majority of deeper diving behavior is 
captured at depths less than 200 m (Parrish et al. 2000; Stewart et al. 
2006).
    Comment 24: The DLNR submitted comments stating that the detail 
provided and/or the analysis associated with five of the proposed six 
essential features was inadequate to meet the regulatory requirements 
of the ESA to establish critical habitat. In these comments the DLNR 
identified that pupping and nursing areas appear to meet the definition 
of ``essential,'' but that shallow aquatic sites occur everywhere and 
that these sites can be decreased in number based on the occurrence of 
pupping and nursing areas. The DLNR also suggested that two of the 
essential features regarding foraging habitat are identical in nature 
and should be consolidated. Additionally, they contend that the 
designation of critical habitat is not necessary because adequate 
protections are in place in the MHI where Hawaiian monk seal food 
availability is not constrained. The DLNR also identified that haul-out 
areas need to be physically accessible to seals and that areas such as 
high cliff shorelines should not be included in the proposed 
designation. The DLNR concluded that in considering this information 
that the designation should be revised to reduce the coastal areas 
proposed.
    Response: We agree with the DLNR and other comments suggesting that 
some of the essential features could be refined or combined to 
eliminate unnecessary duplication. To address these comments, we 
reconvened the CHRT to review comments, information used to support the 
proposed rule, and newly available information, including more recent 
MHI GPS tracking information. The Summary of Changes from the Proposed 
Designation section of this rule provides more specific information 
about refinements to the essential features.
    We note that these comments indicate some confusion about the role 
of certain essential features in Hawaiian monk seal ecology. The 
proposed rule may have contributed to that confusion by identifying 
certain habitat features as separate essential features, even though 
they defined similar features that are used by monk seals to support a 
specific life-history stage or ecological function. For example, in the 
proposed designation ``areas with characteristics preferred by monk 
seals for pupping and nursing'' described the terrestrial component and 
``shallow sheltered

[[Page 50940]]

aquatic areas adjacent to coastal locations preferred by monk seals for 
pupping and nursing'' described the marine component of the areas that 
support Hawaiian monk seal mothers and pups throughout birth, lactation 
and weaning. To simplify and clarify the role of this habitat in 
Hawaiian monk seal ecology we have combined the two features in this 
final rule to describe the entire area that supports Hawaiian monk seal 
reproduction and rearing as, ``Terrestrial areas and the adjacent 
shallow, sheltered, aquatic areas with characteristics preferred by 
monk seals for pupping and nursing. Similarly, we have combined the two 
proposed essential features that described marine foraging areas that 
are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation as a single feature.''
    With regard to the comment that the critical habitat designation is 
unnecessary where existing habitat protections exist, we incorporate 
the response to comment 14. The purpose of critical habitat is to 
identify the occupied areas that contain features that are essential to 
the conservation of a listed species and the unoccupied areas that are 
essential to the conservation of the species. The best available 
information indicates that marine foraging areas out to 200 m are 
essential to support conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal throughout 
its range. While the ESA provides NMFS with broad discretion to exclude 
areas from designation based on consideration of national security, 
economic, and other relevant impacts, it does not provide authority to 
exclude areas where essential features are found merely because those 
areas may be subject to existing conservation measures.
    Finally, we agree with the DLNR that haul-out areas need to be 
physically accessible to seals. In the proposed designation we 
indicated that those areas in the MHI that were inaccessible, such as 
cliffs, were not considered to meet the definition of Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat. However, as noted in the Summary of Changes From 
the Proposed Rule section, we did not clearly state that these areas 
are not included in the NWHI portion of the designation. Accordingly, 
we have revised the final rule to clarify that areas found within the 
boundaries of this final designation that are inaccessible to monk 
seals, such as cliffs and manmade structures, are not designated 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat because they do not meet the 
statutory definition.
    Comment 25: One comment argued that the low survival rate of pups 
and juvenile monk seals is the primary factor contributing to the 
decline of the population in the NWHI and recommended that the 
essential features focus on the habitat requirements of pups and 
juveniles, not adults. This comment went on to recommend that critical 
habitat in the MHI be revised to depths between 0-100 m to match 
preferred juvenile foraging habitat. Additionally, this comment went on 
to acknowledge if the 500 m depth is considered ``essential'' on the 
basis of a few dive records from the MHI, then NMFS should equally 
include all shoreline and adjacent marine areas with previous records 
of monk seal haul outs as these would also be considered essential, 
including Waikiki Beach, Kaneohe Bay, and Hanalei Bay.
    Response: The ESA defines critical habitat to include occupied 
areas that contain those physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the species, and which may require special 
management considerations or protections. We believe that providing 
protections only to those features that provide a service to a 
particular life-history stage of the species, without regard to the 
habitat needs of the listed species as a whole, is inconsistent with 
the ESA.
    With regard to the depth contour selected for the designation, we 
have re-evaluated NWHI dive data and supplementary MHI tracking and 
dive data after considering this and other comments received regarding 
the clarity of the described essential features (see Summary of Changes 
from the Proposed Designation section of this rule). We have determined 
that foraging habitat that supports all age classes of Hawaiian monk 
seals and is essential to the conservation of the species is best 
described as foraging areas out to a depth of 200 m. This depth 
boundary encompasses foraging habitat that supports a majority of 
diving behavior throughout the island chain and includes foraging 
habitat that will support recovery of seals in the MHI. Additionally, 
in the Critical Habitat Review Team Process section of the biological 
report (NMFS 2014a) we have clearly described the significant haul-out 
areas essential feature to better describe those coastal areas that 
support important terrestrial habitat for Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation.
    Comment 26: One comment agreed that pupping and nursing areas are 
essential features for Hawaiian monk seals, but disagreed that haul out 
areas may be described as equally essential and contended that 
identifying most of the coastline as critical habitat is misleading or 
inadequate. This comment asserted that seal terrestrial use is most 
sensitive during pupping and rearing stages, and that seal haul out 
locations are not as resource/site specific or sensitive. The comment 
went on to further state that areas with no known seal activity cannot 
be assumed to be critical habitat and that haul-out habitat and 
reproductive habitat need to be delineated and mapped.
    Response: We agree with the commenter that pupping and nursing 
areas are an essential feature for Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, 
but maintain that the evidence shows that haul-out areas are an 
essential feature as well. A feature is essential if it provides an 
essential service or function to the conservation of the listed species 
and may require some form of management or protection. As noted in the 
biological report, monk seals use haul-out areas for resting, molting, 
and as a refuge from predators. Additionally, frequented haul-out areas 
provide space for social interactions with other seals and support 
behaviors associated with mating and reproduction. Although monk seals 
may use a variety of accessible areas of coastline for hauling out, 
there are areas of coastline where monk seal haul out activity is more 
prevalent, and we believe these areas are essential to promote natural 
monk seal behaviors. In the proposed rule, we recognized that preferred 
pupping and nursing areas and significant haul-out areas do not occur 
continuously along the coastlines and, after considering public 
comments, we recognized that we could provide greater clarity on where 
features are found (see Summary of Changes from the Proposed 
Designation section of this rule). These more precise descriptions were 
then used to identify where the essential features exist within each 
specific area and we have revised the boundaries of the designation to 
reflect more accurately those areas that meet the definition of 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. We are satisfied that this 
approach has identified sufficient haul-out habitat to meet the needs 
of a recovered monk seal population in the MHI.
    Comment 27: One comment asserted that the proposed rule failed to 
take into account the ``Hawaii reef strategy: Priorities for the 
management in the main Hawaiian Islands 2010-2020'' (State of Hawaii 
2010) when considering food limitations in the NWHI as a basis for 
including marine foraging areas as an essential feature. The commenter 
indicated that the State of Hawaii (2010) publication states that 
standing fish stock in the NWHI is 260 percent greater than in the MHI, 
and that most of the dominant species that are present, regardless of 
trophic level, are nearly

[[Page 50941]]

always larger in the NWHI than in the MHI. The commenter questioned 
whether food limitations were a threat to the species.
    Response: We believe that the commenter incorrectly equates the 
numbers presented in the Hawaii reef strategy to available prey 
resources for monk seals. These numbers are taken from a study by 
Friedlander and DeMartini (2002), which compared density, size, and 
biomass of reef fishes between the NWHI and the MHI to consider how 
fishing has affected assemblages in the MHI. The NWHI numbers include 
the apex predator biomass, which was reported as 54 percent of the 
total fish biomass in the NWHI (Friedlander and DeMartini 2002), as 
well as other fish species that are generally not considered prey 
resources for Hawaiian monk seals. While we agree that total fish 
biomass is greater in the NWHI than the MHI, this difference in biomass 
does not equate to available prey resources for monk seals and does not 
take into account the number of predators competing for those 
resources.
    As noted in the proposed rule, the best scientific information 
available, including evidence of seal health, growth, survival, and 
fecundity in the NWHI (Baker 2008), indicates that food limitations are 
primarily responsible for the decline of the monk seal population in 
the NWHI.
    Comment 28: We received a few comments in agreement with the 
proposed essential features, and these comments identified the 
important role that critical habitat plays in providing protections for 
features and habitat to support recovery. Among these comments, the 
Marine Mammal Commission asserted that the descriptions of the physical 
and biological features are adequate and that the list of habitat types 
are complete and appropriate for consideration as essential.
    Response: We acknowledge these comments. We have further evaluated 
the role that each proposed feature plays in monk seal survival and 
recovery and have made minor clarifications to resolve confusion over 
differences between identified features, the importance of specific 
habitat areas, and the characteristics which describe these areas. We 
refer to the Summary of Changes from the Proposed Designation section 
of this rule and our responses to the comments regarding the essential 
features 35-39 for additional details.
Best Available Science
    Comment 29: A commenter argued that the rationale behind the 500 m 
depth boundary in the MHI was inconsistent with section 4(b)(2) of the 
ESA requiring the use of the best available information. This comment 
went on to note that current diving information indicates that monk 
seals forage within the 200 m isobaths in the MHI and that the 
unpublished MHI diving data presented in the proposed rule is limited 
and only demonstrates that monk seals are capable of diving to these 
depths, not that these depths are ``preferred.'' This commenter also 
argued that there is no literature to indicate that intra-specific 
competition plays a role in food limitation in the NWHI; therefore, 
NMFS' rationale for expanding MHI boundaries to 500 m to accommodate 
both population increase and intra-specific competition in the MHI is 
speculative.
    Response: We have re-evaluated the information used to support the 
proposed essential feature for marine foraging areas and agree that 
only those marine foraging areas in water depths of 0 to 200 m are 
essential to the conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal (see discussion 
in the Summary of Changes from the Proposed Designation section of this 
rule for further information).
    As noted in the proposed rule, decline of the monk seal population 
in the NWHI has been attributed to food limitations, and evidence 
supporting this conclusion has been demonstrated by evaluating seal 
health, growth, survival, and fecundity in the NWHI (Baker 2008). 
Several factors may influence the availability of prey resources and 
intraspecific competition (competition between the same species) has 
been one of the factors indicated in the literature as playing a role 
in food limitations in the NWHI. For example, Craig and Ragen (1999) 
indicated that an earlier population boom at French Frigate Shoals 
Atoll may have led to more pronounced declines in juvenile survival in 
the late 1980s-1990s in comparison to Laysan Island's subpopulation, 
because juvenile seals at French Frigate Shoals faced more competition 
during periods of low productivity. We believe that the substantial 
overlap demonstrated in the generalized home ranges of seals within 
resident areas of the NWHI (Stewart et al. 2006) indicate that these 
seals are using similar resources and that some degree of intraspecific 
competition is occurring. The literature also indicates that 
interspecific competition with other predatory fishes is occurring 
(Parrish et al. 2008) and that changes in overall abundance and 
distribution of prey due to climate-ocean factors is influencing food 
availability for Hawaiian monk seals in the NWHI (Polovina et al. 1999, 
1995; Antonelis et al. 2003, Baker et al. 2007; Baker et al. 2012). 
Within the complexity of ecosystem dynamics it is difficult to measure 
how much any one of these factors is influencing food limitations for 
Hawaiian monk seals; however, all factors contribute to Hawaiian monk 
seals' ability to successfully forage.
    As noted earlier, dive data collected in the MHI indicate that 
seals are using areas from 100-200 m less frequently than their NWHI 
counterparts; however, Hawaiian monk seals are capable of diving and 
foraging at depths exceeding 550 m (Stewart et al. 2006). Available 
scientific information indicates that foraging behaviors in the MHI are 
similar to seals in the NWHI in that seals' foraging focuses on 
submerged banks and most seals focus their foraging efforts close to 
their resident island (Cahoon 2011). Baker and Johanos (2004) suggest 
that monk seals in the MHI area are experiencing favorable foraging 
conditions due to decreased competition (both interspecific and 
intraspecific) in these areas, which is reflected in the healthy size 
of animals and pups in the MHI. This theory is supported by Cahoon's 
(2011) recent comparisons of foraging trip duration and average 
foraging distance data between these two areas, which indicates that 
MHI seals do not travel as far or as long as NWHI seals.
    In both the proposed and this final rule, we noted that marine 
foraging areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation 
are at the same depth in the NWHI and in the MHI. Although a majority 
of MHI monk seal foraging activity currently occurs at depths that are 
shallower than their NWHI counterparts, MHI seal numbers are still low 
(approximately 153 individuals) and expected to increase (Baker et al. 
2011). We anticipate that as seal numbers increase around resident 
islands in the MHI, seals' foraging ranges will expand in order to 
adjust as near-shore resources become shared by more seals whose core 
foraging areas may overlap. As density-dependent factors are known to 
influence large mammals and have been shown to influence pinnipeds 
within specified geographic areas (Kuhn et al. 2014), NMFS is satisfied 
that foraging areas out to 200 m depth are essential for monk seal 
conservation throughout the species' range.
    Comment 30: We received one comment that NOAA had not met its 
obligations for decision making under the ESA to use the best available 
scientific information because the CHRT considered factors such as 
economic

[[Page 50942]]

and societal impacts in the biological report.
    Response: The commenter is misinformed about the role of the CHRT 
and the biological report in our decision making process. Our decision 
to designate critical habitat is consistent with the requirements of 
section 4(b)(2) of the ESA, which requires that we designate critical 
habitat using the best scientific data available after taking into 
consideration economic, national security and other relevant impacts. 
Our CHRT, consisting of biologists from NMFS PIFSC and PIRO with 
expertise in Hawaiian monk seal research and management, was 
responsible for using the best available scientific data to identify 
the features that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation and 
this information was summarized in the biological report (NMFS 2014a), 
which was peer reviewed by independent scientific experts. A complete 
economic analysis was separately conducted by consultants with 
expertise in economics and reported in an economic analysis report 
(Industrial Economics 2014). The draft economic analysis report was 
subjected to rigorous review by three independent peer reviewers, and 
the report was revised for this designation in response to comments 
received from peer reviewers and the public. Our decision to designate 
critical habitat was based on a thorough consideration of public 
comments as well as all information contained in the biological report, 
the economic report, national security impacts identified by the DOD or 
Department of Homeland Security, and other relevant impacts, and the 
weighing process for this is outlined in the 4(b)(2) report as well as 
this final rule.
Areas Proposed
    Comment 31: Several comments questioned the rationale behind 
expanding the critical habitat designation to the MHI because of 
differences in environmental conditions between the NWHI and the MHI. 
Some of these comments question the seals' ability to recover in areas 
of high human use, when they are not recovering in the ``pristine'' 
areas of the NWHI. Still other comments propose that the inability to 
survive in a ``pristine'' environment indicates that the seals are 
naturally headed towards extinction.
    Response: Our response to comment 15 clearly outlines the 
regulatory and scientific rationale that generated this revision. 
Additionally, as previously stated, the proposed critical habitat areas 
were selected by identifying those areas that have the features 
essential for monk seal conservation, in accordance with the definition 
under the ESA.
    Habitat throughout the MHI meets the definition of critical habitat 
because it contains features essential to Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation, including preferred pupping and nursing areas, and 
foraging areas. Since the 1988 designation of critical habitat, 
Hawaiian monk seals have naturally increased in numbers in the MHI. The 
continued growth and health of monk seals in these areas demonstrate 
that monk seals are doing well in MHI habitat, despite any perceived 
conflicts with human uses. As indicated in the Hawaiian monk seal 
recovery plan (NMFS 2007a), MHI habitat must support a minimum of 500 
seals as part of the recovered population for this species. Critical 
habitat provides a mechanism to protect some of the habitat necessary 
for this recovering population.
    We disagree with comments that imply that the decline of the 
Hawaiian monk seal is a natural progression to extinction because the 
decline is occurring in a ``pristine'' environment. Although often 
portrayed as pristine, the NWHI ecosystem has been subject to intense 
anthropogenic perturbations including harvesting of seabirds, turtles, 
monk seals, sharks, fish, invertebrates, and island resources (Schultz 
et al. 2011), which have impacted the integrity of this complex marine 
ecosystem. Historical records of extraction give a rough estimate of 
the difference in biological assemblages of commercially sought after 
species, but there is not enough information to understand how key 
relationships in this environment may have been altered. However, the 
lack of recovery in certain species such as Hawaiian monk seals, pearl 
oysters, and two lobster species (Schultz et al. 2011) provides 
evidence that the current assemblage of species continues to reflect an 
altered system. While human extraction has been mostly eliminated as a 
threat in the NWHI, historical perturbations left remnants of these 
populations to survive in a habitat that was undoubtedly altered by 
human activities. Small population size leads to instability in 
population dynamics, which leaves small populations more vulnerable to 
the changes that occur within their ecosystem, especially to changes in 
resource availability (Copenhagen 2000). Although the current decline 
in the NWHI monk seal population appears to be a result of resource 
limitations that may be associated with climate and ocean variability 
(Baker et al. 2012), the populations' natural ability to withstand 
ecological shifts in their environment was most likely altered by 
earlier human exploitation. Describing the decline of the Hawaiian monk 
seal as a natural event overlooks the impacts that historical human 
exploitation has had on this population and its environment.
    Regardless of the cause of the decline, the ESA requires that we 
work to mitigate the threats to this species to assist in its survival 
and recovery. Recovery in the NWHI may require additional time for the 
ecosystem to stabilize, but active management efforts are important to 
bolster the resilience of the monk seal population. As previously 
stated in our response to comment 15, we recognize that a critical 
habitat designation will not alone mitigate these problems in the NWHI; 
however, the designation is required by the ESA and is expected, along 
with other conservation efforts, to facilitate the survival and 
recovery of the monk seal.
    Comment 32: Hawaii's DLNR submitted comments stating the proposed 
designation was overly broad and not consistent with the actual 
physical and biological needs of the Hawaiian monk seal. They suggested 
that NMFS take a more targeted approach to designate critical habitat 
by identifying the ``best available habitat'' that can be protected and 
managed for the species. The DLNR identified six qualities important 
for targeted areas. These included: (1) Relatively intact off-shore 
coral beds for feeding; (2) relatively secluded beaches and shorelines 
to provide haul-out; (3) resting, loafing, and pup rearing sites; (4) 
areas with low levels or potential for discharge of urban and 
industrial pollutants, erosion, and mammalian disease pathogens (they 
suggested we investigate Class AA water and exclude Class A waters 
identified by the State Department of Health to meet this quality 
criterion); (5) areas with low or infrequent human use of beach, ocean 
recreation, and surface boat traffic; and (6) areas where the above 
activities can be controlled. They additionally suggested directing 
management efforts towards those targeted areas to tie into the overall 
recovery efforts. Additional comments from the DLNR, received during 
the second public comment period, provided more detail about this 
targeted approach, noting that 34 percent of Hawaii's coastlines and 
adjacent reef habitat could provide more than enough high quality 
habitat and food for the Hawaiian monk seal consistent with the goals 
of the Federal recovery plan.
    Response: After considering this and other comments, we have 
further evaluated the proposed essential features and have refined them 
to better

[[Page 50943]]

describe how these features provide a service or function to the 
conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal. Additionally, we have revised 
the delineation of the designation to accurately reflect where these 
essential features exist, providing more precision to the designation. 
Some of the qualities recommended by the DLNR are already incorporated 
in the designation, including resting and pupping sites. However, other 
qualities recommended by the DLNR focused on the human-use of the area 
and, although we did consider human-uses when conducting our exclusion 
analyses for national security, economic, and other relevant impacts 
under our section 4(b)(2), we believe that the approach described by 
DLNR does not adequately consider the ecology of the species or the 
best scientific information available regarding Hawaiian monk seal 
habitat use, as required by the ESA. In particular, under the ESA, if 
the occupied habitat contains those features that are essential to 
conservation of the species and NMFS determines that they may require 
special management considerations or protection, then the habitat area 
is subject to critical habitat designation, unless an appropriate 
exclusion applies, regardless of human use of the area. We disagree 
that the ESA would have us designate only a portion of occupied habitat 
where there might be sufficient forage, haul-out, and area to support 
the needs of the species within that habitat area, particularly when 
there are sizeable undesignated areas of occupied habitat that contain 
essential features outside that area. Moreover, we believe that the 
DLNR's assessments are unlikely to reflect the foraging needs of a 
recovered population of the Hawaiian monk seal, because their 
assessment includes all available biomass and focuses on fish species 
that have limited overlap with the Hawaiian monk seal diet.
    Focusing on the ecological patterns and needs of the species, we 
have identified preferred pupping areas, significant haul-out areas, 
and foraging areas to 200 m. The areas designated meet the definition 
of critical habitat and this designation will support Federal agencies 
(as well as State and local agencies) in planning for the protection of 
resources for Hawaiian monk seal conservation throughout the areas 
designated.
    Comment 33: A few comments requested that additional occupied areas 
be considered for inclusion in the proposed designation to provide 
further protections for areas that monk seals use or for important 
habitat features.
    A couple of these comments noted that monk seals currently occupy 
beaches with disturbance and manmade structures, including Waikiki and 
Maunalua Bay on Oahu, and one comment even noted that a monk seal pup 
had been born at the Honolulu airport on property not proposed for 
designation. These comments suggested adding such areas to the 
designation because they are important to monk seals despite the 
presence of manmade structures.
    One comment requested that we include marine areas a specific 
distance from land rather than at a specified depth. This comment 
expressed concern that the 500 m depth contour is reached quickly off 
the Island of Hawaii, and that monk seals have been seen in these areas 
and should be protected. Another comment recommended including areas 
further inland than 5 meters in order to provide adequate vegetative 
habitat for monk seals to use as shelter. Lastly, a comment recommended 
that areas with poor habitat quality be included in the designation, 
and questioned whether improved water quality and other factors could 
make an area eligible for designation.
    Response: The definition of critical habitat requires us to 
identify the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by 
the species at the time of listing that contain physical and biological 
features essential to the conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal, and 
which may require special management considerations or protections, or 
identify those specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by 
the species at the time of listing which are essential to conservation 
of the species. We did not include in this designation portions of the 
coastline that include large stretches with manmade structures, such as 
Waikiki, because these areas do not support features essential to the 
conservation of Hawaiian monk seals (not because these areas are high 
human use areas). We acknowledge that individual monk seals may use 
some manmade areas throughout the range for various purposes because 
these areas are accessible to seals; however, monk seal sighting data 
indicate that these areas are used at a lower frequency than other 
areas, and do not have the same importance to monk seal ecology. Monk 
seals still receive protections under the ESA throughout their range 
(see response to comment 11), including in areas with manmade 
structures that are not included in the designation; however, these 
areas would not receive the protections provided by a section 7 
consultation to ensure that critical habitat is not likely to be 
destroyed or adversely modified by an action with a Federal nexus.
    The marine boundary for the critical habitat designation is set to 
encompass those areas where essential features exist; specifically, in 
the marine environment this includes preferred foraging areas to a 
depth of 200 m. While we acknowledge that monk seals may use habitat 
outside of these depth boundaries and at various distances from shore 
throughout its range, we have not identified the existence of essential 
features in other areas of the range. Because monk seals' preferred 
prey species are bottom-associated, essential foraging areas are 
described using the depth contour where monk seals' preferred prey 
species and foraging areas exist. Tracking information from across the 
MHI, including off the Island of Hawaii, indicates that a majority of 
diving behavior occurs within the 200 m depth boundary. In some areas, 
such as areas off the Island of Hawaii, the bathymetric gradient 
increases quickly; however, we have no information to indicate that 
deeper areas are essential to Hawaiian monk seals or that features a 
specific distance from shore are in some way essential to the ecology 
of the Hawaiian monk seal.
    We have considered the request to include areas further inland than 
5 m from the shoreline to provide adequate vegetative habitat as 
shelter for Hawaiian monk seals; however, we have determined that the 
areas 5 m inland from the shoreline provide adequate space to encompass 
significant haul-out and preferred pupping areas as features that are 
essential for the conservation of Hawaiian monk seals. Monk seals 
occasionally haul out under vegetation, presumably for shelter; 
however, we have not determined that vegetation is itself an essential 
feature, although it is certainly a characteristic found in certain 
preferred areas.
    Lastly, with regard to the comment about poor habitat quality, we 
emphasize that areas that were not included in the designation lack the 
features essential for monk seal conservation. Nevertheless, we are not 
precluded from revising the designation in the future should 
information indicate that features (which may require special 
management) essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation, such as 
natural preferred pupping areas, or significant haul out areas, exist 
outside of the areas designated as critical habitat.
    Comment 34: One comment expressed concern that the exclusion of 
manmade structures and its description in the

[[Page 50944]]

proposed rule is vague, and may lead to unintended adverse impacts on 
monk seal critical habitat. This comment recommended that we be more 
explicit that new Federal actions in the vicinity of such manmade 
structures may still trigger consultation requirements.
    Response: We acknowledge that our list of potential existing 
manmade structures is not exhaustive, but that it is important for 
providing effective notice to recognize that these structures do not 
have the features essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation. To 
provide further clarity we have included a more complete list of 
examples to include docks, seawalls, piers, fishponds, roads, 
pipelines, ramparts, jetties, groins, buildings, and bulkheads. With 
regard to concerns about unintended impacts to critical habitat, we 
anticipate that most Federal actions will already be undergoing 
consultation to consider the effects that the activities may have on 
Hawaiian monk seals. Accordingly, in most cases, we will be able to 
identify any potential impacts to critical habitat during the existing 
consultation process. Even so, we recognize that protection for these 
features includes continued outreach and we have noted in this 
designation that activities that are carried out, funded, or authorized 
by a Federal agency which have the potential to affect Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat are subject to section 7 consultation under the 
ESA.
    Comment 35: One comment stated that the proposed rule's exemption 
of military bases, Waikiki Beach, and Kaneohe Bay ``implies that there 
is no specific critical habitat as proposed, to be essential to the 
conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal'' (emphasized by commenter). The 
comment goes on to state that Waikiki beach is an excellent haul out 
and pupping area and that the exemption of this area suggests that it 
is to avoid consultation for sand replenishment activities for the 
State of Hawaii. The comment states that monk seals haul out, pup, and 
occupy waters wherever they choose, so specifically exempting areas is 
unrealistic.
    Response: As indicated in our response to comment 14, within 
occupied habitat, the definition of critical habitat includes those 
areas where features exist essential to the conservation of the species 
which may require special management consideration or protection. We 
note that the features, not the area in which they are found, are what 
are considered essential to conservation of the species, and a critical 
habitat designation identifies those features that are to be protected 
from destruction or adverse modification. As identified in the 
biological report, monk seals may use accessible terrestrial habitat 
throughout their range for the purposes of hauling out or pupping; 
however, we have included only those areas that meet the definition of 
critical habitat in the designation; in other words, those areas that 
contain features that are essential to the conservation of the species.
    Waikiki was not included in the proposed designation because this 
area does not contain those essential features of Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat, i.e., the area does not have features that support a 
preferred pupping area or significant haul-out area. As noted in the 
Summary of Changes From the Proposed Critical Habitat Designation 
section, we have refined the description of preferred pupping areas and 
significant haul-out areas to clarify the roles that these features 
play in Hawaiian monk seal ecology and to identify better where these 
features are located. Although monk seals may occasionally haul out 
along Waikiki, monk seal sighting information indicates low use of the 
area in comparison to other areas on Oahu, such that it does not meet 
the criteria established for a significant haul-out area. Contrary to 
the commenter's assertion, we have no record of pupping occurring on 
Waikiki beach. Further, large portions of this coastline contain 
manmade structures, such as harbors, seawalls, groins or buildings that 
do not support monk seal conservation and are not included in the 
designation. This final designation includes portions of marine habitat 
in Kaneohe Bay that support Hawaiian monk seal foraging areas; however, 
the 500-yard buffer of marine area that surrounds the Marine Corps Base 
Hawaii (MCBH) on the Mokapu peninsula is ineligible for designation 
under 4(a)(3) of the ESA (see the Military Areas Ineligible for 
Designation (4(a)(3) Determinations section of this rule). In 
conclusion, we have not exempted these areas due to the human 
activities associated with these sites; rather we have not included 
these areas because either they lack the features that are essential to 
monk seal conservation, or they have been precluded from designation 
under 4(a)(3) of the ESA.
    Comment 36: Several comments suggested that the proposed 
designation was inappropriate due to the excessive size of the 
designation. Among these, a couple of the comments also indicated that 
the proposed designation was contrary to section 3(5)(C) of the ESA. A 
comment received by the State DLNR argued that critical habitat should 
not include the entire geographic area of the State of Hawaii, and that 
the designation of all marine habitat everywhere is an abdication of 
responsibility to make an affirmative judgment regarding which areas 
are best suited for recovery and then actively manage those areas. 
Additionally, another comment indicated that the designation of 
critical habitat is limited to habitat that is essential for the 
conservation of a species that may require special management or 
protection, and that the entire area occupied may not be designated 
unless determined necessary by the Secretary. The comment argues that 
the Secretary must be discriminating when designating critical habitat 
and the decision must be supported by conclusive evidence.
    Response: According to section 3(5)(C) of the ESA, ``critical 
habitat shall not include the entire geographical area which can be 
occupied,'' by the listed species, except in rare circumstances where 
determined necessary. In other words, we are generally prevented from 
designating all occupied (i.e., the current range) and unoccupied areas 
as critical habitat. The range for the Hawaiian monk seal includes the 
entire Hawaiian Archipelago and Johnston Atoll. The proposed 
designation was limited to 16 specific areas within the Hawaiian 
Archipelago, including foraging areas in greater depths. Therefore, we 
did not designate the entire geographical area which can be occupied by 
the Hawaiian monk seal.
    In addition, as more fully explained in the biological report (NMFS 
2014a), we have refined the essential features to account for 
supplemental information regarding habitat use in the MHI, and to 
clarify the description and location of essential features after 
considering public comment. These targeted changes have further reduced 
the overall size of the designation, while ensuring that the features 
identified in the original proposal as essential for monk seal 
conservation receive the full protection of critical habitat 
designation. We are satisfied that the final designation will 
appropriately meet the ecological needs of this wide-ranging species. 
As we have not designated the entire range of the species, nor have we 
designated any unoccupied critical habitat, the designation complies 
with section 3(5)(c) of the ESA.
    With regard to the comment which suggests that habitat must be 
``essential,'' we refer to our response to comment 14, and note that 
the definition of occupied critical habitat requires that the areas 
contain those physical or biological features that are essential to the 
conservation of the species and which may require special

[[Page 50945]]

management considerations or protection. These essential features are 
identified in this rule and in the biological report (NMFS 2014a), and 
the information about where those features exist provides evidence of 
why areas are designated as critical habitat that will support the 
survival and recovery of the species.
    Comment 37: A few comments stated that MHI habitat was not suitable 
for designation because seals will face more threats in these developed 
areas of the archipelago. The commenters identified that increasing 
seal numbers in the MHI would increase the likelihood that seals will 
encounter or be affected by these threats and that the MHI habitat may 
be of poor quality due to pollution, risk of disease transferred from 
domestic animals, and increased risk of human interactions. One of 
these comments suggested that the negative impacts make MHI habitat not 
qualify as critical habitat. Another comment suggested that the 
designation is based on the narrow-sighted view that it is ``better'' 
for the monk seals to live and reproduce in the MHI. The last of these 
comments stated that the population of tiger sharks has increased due 
to an increase in turtles around the MHI, and that these sharks would 
be likely to prey on juvenile monk seals.
    Response: We disagree that MHI habitat is unsuitable for 
designation. As noted in our response to comment 14, MHI areas were 
included in the designation with NWHI areas because all of these areas 
meet the definition of critical habitat. In the biological report and 
the 2007 recovery plan, we acknowledge that some threats differ between 
the MHI and the NWHI. The threats facing seals in the MHI may be 
significant, but this fact alone does not indicate that the habitat is 
of such poor quality that it does not meet the definition of critical 
habitat. In fact, the monk seal population in the MHI is increasing 
despite identified threats and in contrast to their NWHI counterparts. 
We believe this growth is attributable to favorable environmental 
conditions (see response to comment 16).
    By designating critical habitat in the MHI, we are not suggesting 
that it is ``better'' for seals to live and reproduce in the MHI; 
rather, we have determined that essential features exist within 
occupied areas of the MHI which are important to monk seal survival and 
recovery, and that these features may require special management 
considerations or protection. As noted in the 2007 recovery plan for 
the species, healthy populations of seals will be necessary in both the 
NWHI and the MHI to meet recovery goals. Accordingly, critical habitat 
protections in both of these areas will assist in conservation efforts 
for this species.
    Comment 38: A number of comments suggest that expansion of critical 
habitat to the MHI is inappropriate or not beneficial to recovery, 
because the promotion of seal populations in the MHI increases the risk 
of harmful impacts to people and/or seals. Some of these comments 
expressed concern that seals will behave aggressively towards people, 
either harming residents and tourists, or stealing food from fishermen, 
especially as seal numbers increase. Other comments suggested that 
aggressive seal behavior or increased restrictions will create 
animosity towards seals and may cause people to retaliate, consequently 
increasing the risk of harm to seals and hindering recovery efforts. 
Additional comments suggested that increased seal numbers in the MHI 
would increase the number of predatory sharks found in MHI waters, 
which may result in more shark attacks on people. One additional 
comment suggested that seals may affect people by bringing disease.
    Response: See our above discussion of the rationale for finding 
that HMS critical habitat exists in the MHI and recovery benefits of 
MHI critical habitat. With regard to effects of Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat and seals in the MHI on people, see our response to 
comment 37.
    With regard to challenges associated with human interactions in the 
MHI, all scientific evidence, field observations, and public reports to 
date indicate that public safety risks associated with Hawaiian monk 
seals in the wild are extremely low. Monk seals are not aggressive by 
nature and only exhibit aggressive behavior toward humans when they 
feel threatened or when previous interactions have been encouraged, 
causing the animal to seek out human contact. Through our MHI 
management efforts and planning we will continue to conduct activities 
to prevent and mitigate these human-seal interactions, and work with 
the public to increase awareness and understanding to foster peaceful 
coexistence in Hawaii's coastal areas. With regard to the concern about 
sharks, there is currently no evidence that more monk seals in the MHI 
will lead to more shark attacks on humans. While the monk seal 
population has increased in the MHI over the past 10 years, incidents 
of shark attacks on people have shown no corresponding increase. 
Additionally, there is no evidence that the population growth of 
Hawaiian monk seals in the MHI presents an increased disease risk to 
humans.
Activities Affected by the Designation
    Comment 39: The National Defense Center of Excellence for Research 
in Ocean Research (CEROS) program requested that categorical exceptions 
be considered for routine ocean science field activities, which they 
suggested could be seriously affected by the proposed designation. 
CEROS requested clarification about the procedural steps associated 
with the section 7 consultation process and noted concerns that the 
procedure could include reviews or public comment periods that may make 
it impossible for the research to be carried out within the 12-month 
contracted period of performance.
    Response: In designating critical habitat we are not able to 
provide categorical exceptions from section 7 obligations for specific 
activities. Although section 4(b)(2) of the ESA allows for the 
consideration of exclusion for particular areas where the benefits of 
exclusion may outweigh the benefits of designation, impacts to these 
types of activities are expected to be low (Industrial Economics 2014). 
Therefore, we did not exclude areas where these activities are 
prevalent (see also response to comment 52).
    For clarification, procedural steps associated with the Section 7 
process may be found at the following Web site: http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_esa_section_7.html. A final critical habitat 
designation does not create new or unknown procedures, nor does it 
create a new public comment period associated with Federal actions. The 
final critical habitat designation creates an additional obligation for 
Federal agencies under section 7 of the ESA to insure that actions that 
they carry out, fund, or authorize (permit) are not likely to destroy 
or adversely modify critical habitat. As consultation is already 
required for federally funded research activities under the jeopardy 
standard, we do not anticipate the additional consultation standard of 
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat to result in 
significant, additional project delays.
    Comment 40: Comments requested that restrictions be placed on jet 
skis, long-term camping and permanent structures, such as homes with 
leaking septic systems, to prevent disturbance and pollution in 
critical habitat areas.
    Response: Protections for critical habitat are established under 
section 7 of the ESA and are specific to Federal activities that may 
affect Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, including those activities 
that are authorized, funded or carried out by a Federal

[[Page 50946]]

agency. Private activities, such as jet skiing or camping that are not 
linked to a Federal activity are not subject to section 7 consultation 
requirements. See our response to comment 14 for further information on 
the protections that critical habitat provides for a listed species.
    Comment 41: We received comments from the Center for Biological 
Diversity and KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance expressing 
concerns and providing details about the threats of sea level rise, 
global warming and ocean acidification to monk seal critical habitat. 
The comment asserted that the global scope of these threats did not 
excuse the need to manage anthropogenic greenhouse gas contributions 
that are affecting monk seals and their habitat.
    Response: The biological report (NMFS 2014a) recognizes that 
processes associated with global climate change may alter the 
availability of coastal habitat and/or the range and distribution of 
Hawaiian monk seal prey species. Unfortunately, at this time, the scope 
of existing science does not allow us to predict the resultant impacts 
to Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat with any certainty. We recognize 
the need to manage for this threat and as impacts from these forces are 
better understood, activities that exacerbate impacts to the essential 
features will be further scrutinized and associated management efforts 
may be pursued. At this time, no single activity has been identified as 
contributing specifically to these threats in the economic analysis 
(Industrial Economics 2014). Nonetheless, climate change impacts will 
be accounted for through the individual consultation process when 
individual project details are known.
    Comment 42: One comment stated that the proposed critical habitat 
and the 2007 Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan do not adequately factor 
future critical habitat loss to erosion and global sea level rise, 
especially in the low elevation of the NWHI. This comment suggested 
that the recovery plan must be revised before implementing critical 
habitat.
    Response: We disagree. Both the 2007 Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery 
Plan and the critical habitat designation consider the impacts of 
habitat loss to erosion and sea level rise, based on the best available 
science at the time of publication. The Hawaiian monk seal recovery 
plan (NMFS 2007) recognizes the threat of habitat loss to Hawaiian monk 
seal habitat and provides recommendations to assist in conserving 
habitat throughout the species' range. Among these, the plan recommends 
maintaining and expanding the current ESA critical habitat designation 
and recommends exploring habitat restoration in the low lying areas of 
the NWHI.
    For this critical habitat designation we considered the threat of 
habitat loss linked to erosion and sea level rise in both the proposed 
rule (74 FR 27988; June 12, 2009) and the biological report (NMFS 
2014), and how these threats may affect the features essential to 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation. Specifically, we considered how 
habitat in the NWHI and the MHI may be affected by this threat and we 
incorporated features that will support recovery for the Hawaiian monk 
seal in this predominantly low-lying coastal and marine habitat.
    The low lying areas of the NWHI experience erosion and saltwater 
inundation throughout the year due to storm activity and storm surges, 
and we anticipate flooding and inundation from future storm activities 
and/or future variations in sea level (Baker 2006). With these 
considerations in mind, we determined that essential features exist 
across these low-lying and dynamic islands and islets and we included 
all islands and islets existing within the specific areas previously 
designated in 1988. In the MHI where coastal habitat may not shift as 
dramatically, we have determined that essential features exist within a 
relatively short distance from the shoreline, where Hawaiian monk seals 
haul out to rest, molt, or pup. We included habitat 5 m inland of the 
shoreline to ensure that terrestrial habitat inland of the shoreline 
which provides space for hauling out remains incorporated in the 
designation.
    We believe that we have considered the threats identified in the 
comment using the best available information to inform this 
designation. We find no reason to support delaying the critical habitat 
revision until such time that the Recovery Plan is updated. A revised 
designation assists recovery efforts by providing protections from some 
activities that may exacerbate threats associated with habitat loss and 
provides important planning information for government agencies. 
Further, should additional information become available regarding 
features or areas that are essential to conservation of the Hawaiian 
monk seal outside of this designation we may revise the designation to 
protect those features or areas.
    Comment 43: A few comments requested clarification about whether 
the following activities may be subject to section 7 consultations as a 
result of the proposed designation: all Army Corps of Engineers Clean 
Water Act section 401 and section 404 permits, National Pollutant 
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, Federal highway projects 
in proximity to the ocean or which cross waters flowing to the ocean, 
state programs that are funded by Federal money such as the Dingell-
Johnson funds, open ocean effluent dumping, and federally funded 
community and education programs. One comment questioned whether 
consultation could result in delays in funding or if permitting or 
increased fees were possible. Additionally, this commenter asked 
whether NMFS has the capacity to process such permits or consultations.
    Response: The requirement for section 7 consultation is triggered 
when an activity is (1) carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal 
agency (i.e., a Federal nexus is established), (2) the agency retains 
discretionary involvement or control over the activity, and (3) the 
activity may affect an ESA-listed species or its designated critical 
habitat. In some cases, Federal agencies may determine that the action 
will have no effect on a listed species or its critical habitat, in 
which case the agencies' obligations under section 7 are satisfied. The 
activities identified in the comment have a Federal nexus and therefore 
must undergo section 7 consultation.
    As noted in the economic report (Industrial Economics 2014), Clean 
Water Act section 404 permits are issued by the Army Corps of Engineers 
for the discharge of dredged or fill material into wetlands and other 
waters of the U.S. Any Federal permit or license authorizing a 
discharge into the waters of the United States also requires a Clean 
Water Act section 401 Certification from the State of Hawaii indicating 
that State water quality standards have been met. Activities subject to 
this type of federal permit and which may have the potential to impact 
Hawaiian monk seal essential features are described under three 
activity categories in the economic report: in-water and coastal 
construction, dredging and disposal of dredged materials, and energy 
projects (discussions about these activities may be found in Chapters 
3, 5, and 6 of the economic report respectively). Federal highway 
projects in proximity to the ocean or which cross waters flowing to the 
ocean are also discussed under Chapter 3, in-water and coastal 
construction. Impacts to these three activities (in Chapters 3, 5, and 
6) from the consultation process are described as largely 
administrative in nature; however, depending on the location and scope 
of the project (e.g.,

[[Page 50947]]

adjacent to preferred pupping and nursing areas) additional project 
modifications may be required to avoid impacts to Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat.
    As identified in Chapter 9 of the economic report (Industrial 
Economics 2014), the EPA has delegated its authority to implement and 
enforce the Clean Water Act to the Hawaii Department of Health Clean 
Water Branch (CWB), which includes the issuance of NPDES permits. Once 
EPA has approved a state's NPDES permitting program and transfers 
responsibility for issuing water pollution permits to that state, 
section 7 will not apply to permitting decisions. Recognizing this, the 
EPA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Fish & Wildlife Service 
and NMFS (66 FR 11202, February 22, 2001) through which the EPA, in 
exercising its continuing oversight of state permitted discharges, may 
communicate and address protected species concerns to state pollution 
permitting agencies and work collaboratively to reduce the detrimental 
impacts of those permits. In appropriate circumstances, and where 
consistent with the EPA's CWA authority, EPA may object to and 
federalize the permit. However, in no circumstances are states bound to 
directly consult under section 7 with NMFS or USFWS on their permitting 
decisions.
    State programs that are funded by Federal money such as the 
Dingell-Johnson funds, and federally funded community and education 
programs may be subject to section 7 consultation if activities 
associated with the funding may affect Hawaiian monk seals or their 
designated critical habitat. The USFWS issues funding under the Sport 
Fish Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act) 
and consults with NMFS on activities that receive funding under this 
Act which may affect Hawaiian monk seals. Impacts to these types of 
fisheries-related Federal aid activities are described in Chapter 4 of 
the economic report and the anticipated administrative costs of these 
types of consultations are factored into the overall costs to fisheries 
activities, which are described as largely administrative in nature.
    In general, during the consultation process the Services assist 
Federal agencies in fulfilling their duties to avoid jeopardy and 
destruction of critical habitat, and to otherwise minimize the impacts 
of their activities. The Effects of Critical Habitat Designation 
section of this rule provides information about the consultation 
process. There is no additional permitting process established with the 
designation of critical habitat, just the additional process associated 
with section 7 consultation, which may result in some administrative 
costs that are estimated for identifiable activities in the final 
economic analysis report (Industrial Economics 2014). As consultation 
is already required for many federally funded activities that may 
affect Hawaiian monk seals, we expect to meet our stakeholders' needs 
for consultation and do not anticipate the additional consultation 
standards associated with Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat to result 
in significant, additional project delays. Accordingly, we anticipate 
that Federal funding associated with these activities will be received 
in a manner similar to years past.
    Comment 44: A commenter wished to clarify if the proposed 
designation would end or affect a variety of activities, including 
ocean fish-farming, and fishpond restoration or creation, or if it 
would affect 501(c)3 funding (for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations), 
the National Park Service's lands and trails, and underwater heiaus 
(Hawaiian temple).
    Response: Because the categories of activities identified by the 
commenter may be expected to vary in place, scope, and duration, and 
involve different authorizing agencies, we cannot specifically address 
particular consultation requirements here. However, as a general 
statement, if such activities are carried out, funded, or authorized by 
a Federal agency (i.e., a Federal nexus is established), the agency 
retains discretionary involvement or control over the activities, and 
the activities may affect an ESA-listed species or its designated 
critical habitat, then consultation is required. While the great 
majority of activities that require a Federal agency to consult with us 
can proceed upon satisfaction of section 7(a)(2) requirements, in some 
cases modifications may be necessary to avoid adversely affecting 
critical habitat, and to otherwise minimize the impacts of their 
activities.
    The final economic analysis report (Industrial Economics 2014) 
provides additional detail regarding activities in the Hawaiian Islands 
that are anticipated to require critical habitat considerations during 
the section 7 consultation process. In particular, activities 
associated with ocean fish-farming are discussed under the aquaculture/
mariculture section of the report, and impacts associated with fish 
pond restoration or creation are discussed under activities associated 
with the in-water and coastal construction section of the report.
    To the extent that the other activities identified meet the 
criteria established to require section 7 consultation (i.e., they have 
a Federal nexus and may affect Hawaiian monk seal essential features), 
we will work with the Federal action agency, and where appropriate 
other entities, to ensure that activities are not likely to destroy or 
adversely modify Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat.
Comments on Ineligibilities and Exclusions
    We received a number of comments regarding DOD activities and their 
potential impacts on cetaceans and other marine mammals. Because these 
comments are outside the scope of this revision of critical habitat for 
Hawaiian monk seals, no response is provided.
    Comment 45: Several comments expressed concern and confusion over 
the areas that were ineligible for designation under section 4(a)(3) of 
the ESA, in comparison to those areas that were proposed for exclusion 
under section 4(b)(2) of the ESA. Many of these comments requested 
clarification in the rule (and on maps) to distinguish how and why 
areas were omitted from the designation and to understand the 
protections that would exist in those areas for monk seals. Among these 
comments people also questioned why military areas were the only ones 
excluded, how those areas or protecting monk seals is related to 
national defense, why Nimitz and White Plains Beach were excluded given 
the areas are not used for national defense, and how monk seals would 
be affected if wave energy projects go forward and Kaneohe Bay is 
omitted from the designation. Additionally, one comment identified that 
all DOD areas should be included in the revision of critical habitat, 
while another comment asserted that seals should not be more important 
than protecting national security.
    Response: Section 4(a)(3) and section 4(b)(2) of the ESA establish 
two different standards under which areas that otherwise qualify for 
critical habitat will not be incorporated into a final designation of 
critical habitat. Standards under section 4(a)(3) are unique to areas 
managed under a Department of Defense (DOD) integrated natural 
resources management plan (INRMP) and review focuses on whether the 
INRMP provides a benefit to the listed species and its habitat. 
Standards under section 4(b)(2) focus on the impacts of the critical 
designation and review focuses on the economic, national security and 
other relevant impacts of designating critical

[[Page 50948]]

habitat in any particular area. We provide additional information below 
to help distinguish these two review processes and to address 
associated concerns identified above.
    Section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the ESA was amended by the National 
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2004. This section of the ESA does 
not allow the Services to designate critical habitat in areas where we 
have determined that a DOD INRMP provides a benefit to the listed 
species for which critical habitat is proposed for designation. Section 
4(a)(3) requires that we evaluate INRMPs that overlap with areas under 
consideration for critical habitat and make a determination as to 
whether the INRMP provides adequate conservation measures, programs, 
and/or plans to support the conservation of a listed species. Areas 
managed under INRMPs that we determine to be a benefit to a listed 
species and its habitat are often referred to as ``ineligible'' or 
``precluded'' from critical habitat designation for that species. 
During the 4(a)(3) review for this designation, we evaluated three 
INRMPs that overlapped with areas under consideration for Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat (see Military Areas Ineligible for Designation 
section) using specific criteria to ensure that Hawaiian monk seals and 
their habitat are provided conservation benefits through structured 
management programs. Those areas that have been identified as 
``ineligible'' for this designation (under 4(a)(3)), are managed under 
DOD INRMPs that we have determined provide benefits to Hawaiian monk 
seals' and their habitat, because these INRMPs implement conservation 
measures that support Hawaiian monk seal recovery. Examples of 
conservation measures that are implemented in these areas include seal 
monitoring programs, marine debris removal, feral animal control, and 
public education. In addition to these conservation measures, Hawaiian 
monk seals continue to receive protections associated with listing 
throughout these ineligible areas and the military must consult with 
NMFS under section 7(a)(2) of the ESA, as appropriate, to ensure that 
their activities do not jeopardize the species.
    Section 4(b)(2) of the ESA requires that we consider the economic, 
national security, and any other relevant impacts of designating any 
particular area as critical habitat. Under this section of ESA, we have 
the discretion to exclude particular areas from a critical habitat 
designation if the benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits 
of designating the area, as long as exclusion will not result in the 
extinction of the species. During the designation process we considered 
the impacts relevant to the aforementioned categories and we describe 
the exclusion process in the ESA Section 4(b)(2) Analysis section of 
this rule. In our analysis of impacts, we found four areas (Kingfisher 
Underwater Training area, the Pacific Missile Range Facility Offshore 
Areas, the Puuloa Underwater Training, and the Shallow Water Minefield 
Sonar Training Range) where we determined that the benefits of 
exclusion (e.g., avoiding modifications to DOD activities) outweighed 
the benefits of designation. Specifically, the Navy considers these 
particular areas as important for national defense because the areas 
are used for military training exercises that support troop 
preparedness (see Exclusions Based on Impacts to National Security 
section below). Although these areas are identified for exclusion 
because military activities have some likelihood of causing impacts to 
habitat, these areas are not devoid of protection for Hawaiian monk 
seals. The DOD is subject to Federal ESA consultation for actions that 
have the potential to adversely affect Hawaiian monk seals in all areas 
where the species exists and their activities are evaluated during 
consultation to ensure that these activities are not likely to result 
in jeopardy to the species. Additionally, as identified in our 4(b)(2) 
weighing process for national security exclusion, the DOD sometimes 
already provides some protection for Hawaiian monk seal essential 
features through existing DOD environmental safeguards. For example, 
standard operating procedures may already work to minimize the impacts 
to marine habitat from military activities, and Hawaiian monk seals may 
inherently receive some protections from other threats (e.g., hookings) 
due to the limited access to certain military sites.
    With regard to Nimitz and White Plains Beach, in the proposed rule 
we included these areas despite the Navy's request for national 
security exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the ESA because the areas 
are not used for military training activities and we were provided no 
specific justification for national security exclusion (76 FR 32026; 
June 2, 2011). This remains true; however, since the 2011 proposal the 
Navy enhanced their conservation measures implemented under the Navy's 
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) INRMP, and we have determined 
that the INRMP provides a benefit to the Hawaiian monk seal and its 
habitat in accordance with section 4(a)(3) of the ESA. Because Nimitz 
and White Plains Beach are managed under the JBPHH INRMP, these areas 
are ineligible for designation under section 4(a)(3). At these publicly 
used beaches the Navy maintains conservation benefits for Hawaiian monk 
seals, including supporting monitoring, education, and enforcement 
efforts.
    We recognize that opinions vary regarding the balance to be struck 
between national security concerns and the conservation needs of listed 
species; however, we believe that we have properly evaluated these two 
needs such that areas excluded for national security reasons can 
support troop preparedness while not impeding the recovery of Hawaiian 
monk seals. Finally, in response to public recommendations we have 
distinguished those areas that are ineligible for critical habitat 
under 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the ESA, from those areas that have been 
excluded from the critical habitat designation under 4(b)(2) of the ESA 
in the maps that depict this designation.
    Comment 46: Several comments expressed concern about whether the 
DOD would provide adequate protection for monk seals in areas that were 
ineligible for designation under 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the ESA. Citing 
military settlement impacts on the NWHI population, one comment 
suggested that NMFS should ensure that DOD conservation actions are 
commensurate with the standards that would otherwise have been afforded 
under a critical habitat designation. Another comment warned that 
review of INRMPs should include not only whether a plan exists, but 
also whether the plan is implemented and funded. An additional comment 
argued that 4(a)(3)(B)(i) ineligibilities undermined protections for 
listed species and that NMFS should analyze the potential impacts of 
excluding military areas and voice its criticism.
    Response: As identified in the Military Areas Ineligible for 
Designation section of this rule and our response to comment 45, during 
review of DOD INRMPs we consider the conservation benefits to the 
species. Specifically, we consider whether the responsible division of 
DOD has a demonstrated history of implementation, whether the plan is 
likely to be implemented (funded), as well as whether the plan is 
likely to be effective. We have found plans to be effective when they 
have a structured process to gain information (through monitoring and 
reporting), a process for recognizing program deficiencies and 
successes (review), and a procedure for addressing any

[[Page 50949]]

deficiencies (allowing for management adaptation to suit conservation 
needs). In some cases, we identified concerns about the management 
plans and provided recommendations that would strengthen the overall 
effectiveness of these plans. In all cases in which we have determined 
that a management plan provides a benefit to the Hawaiian monk seal and 
its habitat, the military installations have dedicated natural resource 
staff that have worked to ensure that procedures, programs, and/or 
staff are available to implement the various conservation measures that 
support Hawaiian monk seal conservation. As previously stated, a 
critical habitat designation implements a consultation process that 
ensures that Federal agencies are not likely to destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat. The benefits of the conservation measures 
implemented under an INRMP may not directly replicate the benefits of a 
critical habitat designation; however, in our reviews of the INRMPs, we 
have emphasized the importance of Hawaiian monk seal essential features 
and the importance of implementing conservation measures that would 
protect those features. Further, we will continue to work with DOD 
staff to provide guidance with regard to Hawaiian monk seal management 
issues through participation in annual INRMP review processes, through 
outreach and education efforts, and as requested by the various 
military installations.
    Comment 47: Earthjustice submitted a comment in opposition to the 
Department of Army's request for 4(a)(3)(B)(i) INRMP review and/or 
4(b)(2) exclusion for the Makua Military Reservation (MMR). The comment 
indicated that there is no basis for review pursuant to 4(a)(3)(B)(i), 
because the shoreline areas near MMR are State lands which are neither 
``owned'' nor ``controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated 
for its use,'' as required by the ESA. The comment also indicated that 
the Army did not provide a valid reason for excluding the area under 
4(b)(2) of the ESA because the live-fire exercises that the Army's 
letter claimed would be affected by the designation were unlikely to 
occur at MMR.
    Response: The coastal areas of Makua Military Reservation are not 
included in the final designation, because these areas do not support 
the refined essential features for significant haul-out areas or 
preferred pupping areas and therefore do not meet the definition of 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. Therefore, we provide no further 
consideration regarding this area.
    Comment 48: Several comments expressed concern about areas that 
were proposed for national security exclusions under 4(b)(2) of the 
ESA, and questioned the protections that would be in place for monk 
seals or their habitat in these areas, now and in the future. Among 
these comments, one noted that NMFS should take additional precaution 
in reviewing military actions in the excluded areas since the habitat 
won't receive protections. Another comment suggested that we should 
impose additional mitigation measures to protect monk seals from the 
adverse effects (as described in Nowacek and Tyack 2007; NRC 2003; 
Richardson et al. 1995; Weilgart 2007) associated with sound generated 
by military active sonar in excluded areas in order to ensure that 
seals are offered adequate protections from all activities, including 
noise pollution. Lastly, a comment expressed particular concerns that 
the exclusion does not take into account the possibility that military 
facilities, such as PMRF, could be closed, leaving the areas without 
protection.
    Response: As noted in our response to comment 45, monk seals 
continue to remain protected under the ESA throughout areas that are 
excluded from a critical habitat designation, because Federal agencies, 
including the DOD, remain subject to Federal ESA consultation for 
actions that may affect Hawaiian monk seals wherever they exist. 
Additionally, as identified in the ESA Section 4(b)(2) Analysis section 
of this rule and our response to comment 45, existing DOD safeguards 
may provide additional protections for habitat in these areas.
    With regard to the comment on active sonar, the articles referenced 
by the commenter are more specific to cetaceans, a group of marine 
mammals known to be highly dependent on sound as their principal sense, 
and the associated impacts described in these references are not 
necessarily relevant to Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat or Hawaiian 
monk seals themselves. The commenter's concerns regarding sonar appear 
to be focused on impacts to individual animals and not to the essential 
features of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. Impacts to Hawaiian 
monk seals, including those associated with sound, are already analyzed 
during ongoing section 7 consultations.
    Finally with regard to the comment that expressed concern that the 
4(b)(2) exclusion process could leave areas unprotected if military 
facilities were to close, section 4(b)(2) of the ESA provides the 
Services with discretion to exclude areas when the benefits of 
exclusion outweigh the benefits of designation, as long as the 
exclusion does not result in extinction of the species. Although 
activities and use of areas may be subject to change, we are limited by 
the available information to inform our 4(b)(2) decision-making 
process. We have received no information to indicate that the military 
would discontinue use of areas that were excluded from monk seal 
critical habitat designation for national security reasons. Although we 
may exercise discretion and include areas where national security 
impacts are expected to occur, we cannot exercise our discretion based 
on speculation or surmise that a future event may occur. Further, if 
future circumstances were to change regarding the use of particular 
areas, we may consider revising the designation to protect features and 
areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal recovery.
    Comment 49: The USFWS Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex submitted comments stating that they do not 
believe there is any conservation value to the Hawaiian monk seal from 
designation of critical habitat within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine 
National Monument, especially at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. 
These comments highlighted the existing protections for monk seals 
throughout this area, and stated that the designation would delay 
impending necessary repairs to the failing cap in the bulky dump on 
Midway or create additional administrative burdens, which would take 
away from other necessary conservation management actions over time. 
The comment further stated that, at a minimum, the final rule should 
not include a majority of the shoreline at Sand Island, because these 
shoreline areas either do not meet the definition of critical habitat 
for Hawaiian monk seals or will not provide an increased conservation 
benefit to the species compared to current conservation benefits being 
implemented by the Refuge and Monument.
    Response: First, while we acknowledge that the protected areas 
identified by USFWS may provide various forms of protection for 
different aspects of the environment or for wildlife, under the ESA, 
the protections within these areas may not serve as a substitute for a 
critical habitat designation nor is the benefit of designation negated 
by other existing protections. If the occupied habitat contains those 
features that are essential to conservation and we determine that they 
may require special management considerations or protection, then the 
habitat area is subject to critical habitat

[[Page 50950]]

designation, unless an appropriate exclusion applies. We believe that 
the benefits from designation described in this final rule will accrue 
to the Hawaiian monk seal, even in those areas currently protected by 
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and USFWS National Wildlife 
Refuges. However, because of the level of protection already afforded 
the monk seal and other protected species in these areas, we do not 
anticipate that significant conservation measures or project 
modifications will be needed above and beyond those already required to 
avoid jeopardy to the species.
    As noted in our response to comment 1, the revision and expansion 
of critical habitat for this species, at a minimum, informs Federal 
agencies and the public of the importance of these areas to the 
species' recovery, and through the consultation process, allows for the 
consideration of specific project modifications and best management 
practices that reduce impacts to habitat areas. We acknowledge that the 
designation of critical habitat may create some additional 
administrative burdens; however, given the clear directive to Federal 
agencies to avoid jeopardy and adverse modification under section 7, we 
do not believe that the administrative cost and burden of the 
consultation process alone justifies relief from critical habitat 
designation. The consideration of impacts to critical habitat during 
consultation allows for improved planning for Federal agencies and is a 
benefit of the designation.
    However, we have conferred with USFWS Hawaiian and Pacific Islands 
National Wildlife Refuge staff and are aware that manmade structures 
exist within the NWHI similar to those areas which were not included in 
the MHI designation because the areas fail to meet the definition of 
critical habitat for the species. To address the inconsistency in the 
proposed designation between the two geographic regions of the monk 
seal's range, and in response to this comment, we have revised the 
description of critical habitat in the NWHI to no longer include those 
areas of manmade structures in the NWHI which do not meet the 
definition of critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal. Refer to the 
Summary of Changes from the Proposed Designation section of this rule 
for these revisions.
    Additionally, we have considered concerns raised by USFWS staff 
about delays to impending projects; however, as consultation is already 
required under the jeopardy standard, we do not anticipate the 
additional consultation standard of destruction or adverse modification 
of critical habitat to result in significant, additional project 
delays. In the specific example provided (delays to the repairs for the 
failing bulky dump cap), the area of Sand Island where repair is 
necessary is not included in the designation because it is a manmade 
landfill that is surrounded on the three seaward sides by approximately 
10-foot-thick bands of concrete and stone rip rap. As noted above, this 
area does not meet the definition of critical habitat for the species. 
Provided this project is planned carefully to avoid impacts to any 
nearby essential features, we anticipate no delays to this project that 
would be attributed to the designation.
    Comment 50: The Hawaii DLNR submitted comments requesting the 
exclusion of multiple areas, including unsuitable habitat areas and 
those areas that are already protected by the State of Hawaii and which 
effectively serve to protect monk seals. DLNR recommended exclusion of 
heavily populated areas and areas of high runoff because these areas 
present the highest risk of frequent human interaction, and exposure to 
contaminants and disease, and because these areas do not enhance monk 
seal's health and vitality. Heavily populated areas were described as 
Hilo and Kailua-Kona, on Hawaii; Kahului, Kihei, and Lahaina, on Maui; 
Kanakakai, Kamalo, and Pukoo, on Molokai; Manele, and Kumalapau harbors 
on Lanai; Waikiki, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Ewa, Kalaeloa, Nanakuli, 
Maili, Waianae, Haleiwa, Kaneohe, Kailua, Waimanalo, and Maunulua Bay, 
on Oahu; and Lihue, Kapaa, Hanalei Bay, and Hanapepe, on Kauai. 
Additionally, high runoff areas were described as those areas with 
consistently high rainfall and runoff.
    The areas identified as protected by the State by the DLNR include 
11 Marine Life Conservation Districts, Fishery Management Areas that 
occupy 30 percent of the West Hawaii coastline, a marine environment 
natural area reserve on Maui, ``no-netting'' areas on all islands, the 
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and 
protective subzone designations of coastal and submerged land areas 
within the State's conservation district.
    Response: Section 4(b)(2) of the ESA provides the Secretary of 
Commerce with the discretion to exclude areas from critical habitat if 
the Secretary determines the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of designation, provided the exclusion would not result in 
extinction of the species. The State's request that we exclude the 
above identified areas does not specifically describe the benefit of 
excluding these particular areas with regard to the impacts of the 
designation.
    In consideration of the request to exclude heavily populated areas, 
we note that either the entire area or large portions of the areas that 
the State has asked us to exclude were not included in the proposed 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat because the harbors and manmade 
structures that are found throughout many of the identified areas do 
not meet the definition of critical habitat. The same is true for the 
final designation: Many of the identified areas do not meet the 
definition of critical habitat and were not included in the 
designation. However, significant haul-out areas have been identified 
along the coastline of Ewa, Nanakuli, Maili, and Waianae on Oahu and on 
Kapaa on Kauai. Additionally, significant haul-out areas have been 
identified in coastal areas adjacent to Hilo and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii 
and Kahului on Maui. Coastal habitat segments (but not including 
manmade structures within these segments) have been included in the 
designation along these areas because they meet the definition of 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat by supporting Hawaiian monk seal 
essential features which may require special management considerations 
or protections. We recognize that some areas present higher risks to 
monk seals and we will continue to work with our State partners to try 
to ameliorate those threats. However, we believe that the State's 
method of excluding habitat from the designation based on the presence 
of threats would eliminate large portions of the Hawaiian monk seals' 
range upon which essential features are found and that may require 
protection to support recovery. Additionally, we believe the State's 
approach does not adequately consider the ecology of the species or the 
best scientific information available regarding Hawaiian monk seal 
habitat use to identify areas that are consistently used to support 
resident populations of seals.
    With regard to State protected areas, the State argues that the 
benefits of including these areas are reduced because they already 
offer protections to Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. We 
acknowledge that the protected areas identified by the State may 
provide various forms of protection for different aspects of the 
environment or for wildlife; however, under the ESA, the protections 
within these areas may not serve as a substitute for a critical habitat 
designation, nor is the benefit of designation negated by other 
existing protections. The phrase ``which may require special management

[[Page 50951]]

considerations or protection'' does not mean that designation must 
provide ``additional'' protection to already existing conservation 
measures. Furthermore, as noted in our response to comment 15, we know 
of no such State area whose purpose specifically includes the 
conservation of monk seal habitat or their essential features. We 
believe that the benefits from designation described in this final rule 
will accrue to the Hawaiian monk seal, even in those areas currently 
protected for other purposes by the State of Hawaii, such as the MLCDs 
and the sanctuary.
    Although the State did not provide specific evidence of the 
benefits of excluding the identified protected areas, in responding to 
this comment we also considered economic impacts associated with the 
designation in areas identified by the State and included in the 
designation; however, the analysis indicates that the majority of 
impacts are associated with the requirement to consult on Federal 
actions under section 7 of the ESA, which would occur regardless of the 
critical habitat designation. In the Hawaiian Islands, most Federal 
actions that require consultation tend to occur in those areas that 
were not included in the designation (because the area did not meet the 
definition of critical habitat). Within the areas identified for 
designation, most costs were estimated to be minimal and associated 
with administrative costs. In conclusion, we find that the benefits of 
designating the areas identified by the DLNR for exclusion, including 
those benefits associated with section 7 consultations that may occur 
in the areas, and the educational benefits associated with the 
designation, outweigh the benefits of exclusion.
    Comment 51: We received a comment that stated that fishing 
communities would benefit greatly from exclusion. Specifically this 
comment identified that traditional konohiki fishing grounds, marine 
kuleana awards, and traditional limu and opihi beaches should be 
excluded from the designation.
    Response: We disagree that an exclusion for the referenced areas, 
which support traditional and customary fishing and gathering 
practices, is warranted, and we note that the commenter does not 
describe specifically how these areas may benefit from exclusion (i.e., 
describe impacts or harms from the designation). We are unable to base 
an exclusion under section 4(b)(2) on speculative impacts. We emphasize 
that where no Federal authorization, permit, or funding exists (i.e., 
there is no Federal nexus), the activity is not subject to section 7 of 
the ESA and therefore effects to these activities due to designation 
are not anticipated.
    In an attempt to identify potential impacts we considered, through 
our economic impacts analysis, whether a particular activity or area 
may be affected by the designation. Chapter 12 of the final economic 
analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) discusses the potential impacts to 
Native Hawaiian activities (in response to concerns raised through 
public comments), such as changes to beach or other coastal area access 
and fishing activities. The chapter identifies that Native Hawaiians 
may be affected by the designation if they are engaged in activities 
which already are subject to section 7 consultation, such as fishing 
activities or fishpond restoration, both of which have a Federal nexus. 
However, as described in the Benefits of Exclusion Based on Economic 
Impacts section of this rule, economic impacts involved with these 
activities are expected to be low and we found the impacts did not 
outweigh the benefits of designating critical habitat for the Hawaiian 
monk seal. Therefore, no areas were excluded for economic reasons.
    With no additional information to suggest that the above activities 
may be subject to other relevant impacts as a result of the 
designation, we cannot conclude that the benefits of excluding these 
areas from designation outweigh the benefits of inclusion as critical 
habitat for other reasons.
    Comment 52: CEROS is a State of Hawaii program that is supported by 
Federal funds. CEROS has provided more than $100 million in research 
contracts to the Hawaiian high-technology sector in 19 years to carry 
out basic and applied ocean science research. The commenter suggested 
the CEROS program could be seriously affected by the proposed 
designation and noted that the proposed rule does not adequately 
evaluate the potential adverse effects on routine ocean research 
activities such as use of ocean gliders, seafloor surveys, current 
surveys, underwater cabling, moored or seabed instrument arrays, 
research and installation of renewable energy equipment and systems, 
use of submersibles and other activities. CEROS requested that coastal 
areas of historically high research activity (e.g., the leeward coasts 
of the islands of Oahu and Hawaii) be excluded.
    Response: We have considered CEROS' comments about federally funded 
research efforts, and note that the draft economic report did use 
historical section 7 consultations to determine the potential costs of 
the designation, which included consultations on federally funded 
research efforts throughout Hawaii, similar to those described by 
CEROS. However, these consultations on research activities were grouped 
under other activity headings based on the type of activity that this 
research supported. For example, we considered past consultations for 
research efforts associated with renewable energy development off 
Hawaii and added those costs into our predicted costs for future energy 
development in those areas. For clarification, the final economic 
report does consider impacts to research activities separately; 
however, the final analysis found the costs associated with these 
efforts to be minimal. This is because most Federal actions (funded, 
authorized or carried out) associated with research activities are 
already subject to section 7 consultation to ensure that Federal 
actions are not likely to jeopardize Hawaiian monk seals (and other 
listed species).
    We have considered the exclusion of areas with historically high 
research activities based on economic impacts from the designation; 
however, we have not excluded these areas because the economic impacts 
are expected to be generally low (Industrial Economics 2014) and areas 
off the leeward coast, such as Oahu, are highly used by monk seals and 
therefore are of high conservation value to the species. Therefore, we 
have determined that the benefits of exclusion do not outweigh the 
benefits of designation.
    Comment 53: We received a comment that agreed with our decision to 
not propose areas for economic exclusions. This commenter noted that 
although baseline protections are strong, they are not enough to 
protect critical habitat for monk seals. Additionally, the commenter 
noted that the uncertainty associated with the impacts of future 
activities on critical habitat requires project-by-project 
consideration to prevent harm to critical habitat.
    Response: The economic report describes the baseline protections as 
including those habitat protections already afforded the monk seal, 
either as a result of its listing as an endangered species or as a 
result of other Federal, State, and local regulations (Industrial 
Economics 2014). The report does provide evidence that baseline 
protections are strong for marine and coastal areas in Hawaii; however, 
as noted in our response to comment 15, these protections do not 
provide specific protections for Hawaiian monk

[[Page 50952]]

seal essential features. Accordingly, we believe that this designation 
will ensure that Federal actions are not likely to destroy or adversely 
modify Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat.
Economic Impacts and Effects of the Designation
    Comment 54: Several comments expressed concerns that there may be 
unanticipated impacts that result from the designation. Concerns 
expressed included the designation of critical habitat being a stepping 
stone for future restrictions or closures either at the State or local 
level, or the designation being used by nonprofit organizations to file 
lawsuits.
    Response: We recognize that local, State and Federal agencies may 
choose to manage areas differently once aware of a critical habitat 
designation; however, in our discussions with local, State, and other 
Federal agencies we have been made aware of no plans to institute 
future restrictions or closures to provide habitat protections for monk 
seals. We cannot speculate regarding future management actions that may 
be taken in response to this critical habitat revision. Moreover, we 
cannot speculate regarding the likelihood of future litigation 
resulting from this critical habitat revision, and the mere risk of 
litigation is not a legal basis for refusing to designate critical 
habitat supported by the best available scientific information under 
the processes of the ESA.
    Comment 55: A couple of comments suggested that we had inadequately 
considered the economic impacts of the proposed designation on offshore 
and inshore aquaculture industries. These comments stated that 
aquaculture projects invest millions of dollars and require investor 
confidence which may be derailed by a critical habitat designation.
    Response: The final economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) 
includes additional information regarding the impacts of this 
designation on aquaculture/mariculture activities. The report describes 
the industry in Hawaii, including both offshore and inshore activities, 
and acknowledges that the industry is expected to continue to grow in 
the future. Impacts associated with this designation are expected to be 
largely administrative in nature and experienced by those projects that 
require cages or pens to be anchored to the seafloor, where Hawaiian 
monk seal foraging habitat may be disturbed by such activities. To the 
extent that a project avoids disturbance of benthic habitat, using 
anchorless systems offshore, the activity will be less likely to affect 
monk seal foraging habitat and therefore less likely to be affected by 
the monk seal critical habitat designation. For those projects using 
anchors, Best Management Practices and compliance with existing 
regulations and permits (see Chapter 8 of the economic analysis) help 
to mitigate or avoid major impacts to the seafloor. While ESA section 7 
consultation is expected to occur for those projects that are funded, 
permitted, or carried out by Federal agencies, additional project 
modifications beyond those that are implemented under the current 
regulatory environment are not anticipated. Given the relatively low 
impacts described, we have no reason to believe critical habitat 
designation will diminish investor and/or public support for marine 
aquaculture in Hawaii, particularly where NMFS and the State have also 
committed resources to supporting this emerging industry.
    Comment 56: Many comments expressed concern that restrictions on 
beach access and ocean use activities may result from the proposed 
designation. Some comments expressed concern that beaches or 
campgrounds would be closed due to the designation. One of these 
comments suggested that beach closings or restrictions will affect 
tourism, which is one of the top industries in Hawaii. Other comments 
suggested that restrictions or bans may be placed on certain activities 
such as fishing, diving, or surfing. Another comment asserted that 
critical habitat will encourage seal population growth and that blocked 
areas of beach will increase with 10 to 20 animals on the beach.
    Response: Chapter 12 of the economic analysis report addresses 
concerns with regard to beach recreation and tourism (Industrial 
Economics 2014). We emphasize that critical habitat designations do not 
restrict beach access or place bans on the areas identified or on 
specific activities. As previously noted, the designation of critical 
habitat creates a second obligation under section 7 of the ESA for 
Federal agencies to ensure that activities that they carry out, 
authorize, or fund are not likely to destroy or adversely modify 
critical habitat. Those activities that have a Federal connection may 
be subject to Federal section 7 consultation if the activity has the 
potential to impact critical habitat; however, these projects are 
likely already undergoing Federal section 7 consultation to ensure that 
actions that they take are not likely to jeopardize Hawaiian monk seals 
or other listed species (see our response to comment 43).
    With regard to the comment about blocked areas of beach due to 
large numbers of seals, we refer to our response to comment 38 
regarding the likelihood that critical habitat will influence 
population growth in a measurable manner. Monk seals are known to be a 
relatively solitary species, and it is rare for a large number of monk 
seals to haul out in a given area. Even with increased numbers in the 
MHI, seals using this habitat are unlikely to congregate in large 
numbers. In addition, we will continue to work on addressing ocean 
resource conflicts as they pertain to Hawaiian monk seals through our 
MHI management planning efforts.
    Comment 57: One comment questioned whether the designation may 
affect property values for shoreline property.
    Response: Critical habitat has been shown to have both positive and 
negative impacts on property values, depending on local land use 
regulations (Auffhammer and Sunding 2009). We anticipate that the 
critical habitat designation is not likely to have a large impact on 
shoreline property values, in part because most future residential, 
commercial, and resort development activity in Hawaii is anticipated to 
occur outside of the designated areas (Industrial Economics 2014). Even 
within designated critical habitat, we anticipate that the consultation 
process will result in recommendations to mitigate impacts to essential 
features, and largely duplicate those existing recommendations and 
measures for the listed species. We refer the commenter to Chapter 7 of 
the Economic analysis, which discusses development along shoreline 
areas of the designation in more detail.
    Comment 58: One comment suggested that the protection of areas with 
low levels of anthropogenic disturbance would prevent plans for 
increasing public access to an area now or in the future. The commenter 
also expressed concern about what this would mean for the island of 
Hawaii which has a lot of undeveloped land that is privately owned with 
little public access.
    Response: As more fully discussed in our response to comment 22, we 
have removed low levels of anthropogenic disturbance as an essential 
feature (see response to comment 22); therefore, only those locations 
which support preferred pupping and nursing areas and/or significant 
haul out areas will be evaluated when planning for development in 
coastal areas to ensure that the development is not likely to destroy 
or adversely modify critical habitat.

[[Page 50953]]

    Comment 59: The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 
(the Council) provided multiple comments regarding the insufficiency of 
the draft economic analysis and the lack of a systematic approach for 
the economic analysis in the draft 4(b)(2) report.
    The Council commented that the draft economic report is incomplete, 
because it does not sum the impacts by area, as outlined in the 
analysis approach of the report. Additionally, the Council argued that 
the quality of the draft economic analysis is not comparable to recent 
similar analyses and does not meet the regulatory analysis guidelines 
set forth by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which notes 
that a cost effective analysis (CEA) should be conducted when primary 
benefits cannot be expressed in monetary units. They argue the report 
also underestimates the impacts to fishing and aquaculture activities. 
With regard to fisheries, the Council commented that the report does 
not quantify the value of federally managed fisheries as an activity, 
the potential costs of modification to the fisheries, or the economic 
value of recreational and subsistence fisheries (which have a Federal 
nexus in the form of the new National Saltwater Angler Registry). 
Additionally, the Council argued that the report does not properly 
consider the impacts to offshore aquaculture operations, which are 
promoted through the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007.
    The Council also noted that the draft 4(b)(2) report lacks a 
rigorous and systematic approach in weighing the benefits of 
designation against the benefits of exclusion to determine if any area 
should be excluded based on economic impacts. The Council requested 
that NMFS reconsider the analysis for the draft 4(b)(2) report so that 
determination of exclusion due to economic impacts is conducted in a 
thorough manner consistent with other recent critical habitat 
designations.
    Response: After considering this and other comments received, we 
have revised and updated the final economic analysis (Industrial 
Economics 2014) to better demonstrate the spatial distribution of the 
economic impacts across the specific areas (see our response to peer 
review comments 8 and 9 on economics). The final economic analysis also 
provides additional information about the types of activities that are 
likely to be affected by the designation. This includes a thorough 
discussion and evaluation of the economic value of fisheries activities 
in Chapter 4 and aquaculture related activities in Chapter 8.
    The final economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) provides an 
assessment of both monetized and unquantified impacts, a framework that 
allows us to apply a modified cost-effectiveness analysis for the 
purposes of 4(b)(2) decision-making. In the ESA Section 4(b)(2) 
Analysis section of this rule and the 4(b)(2) report (NMFS 2014b), we 
further describe how the economic impacts were considered for the 
analysis and provide conservation values for the particular areas, 
similar to other NMFS critical habitat designations, in weighing the 
benefits of exclusion against the benefits of designation.
    Comment 60: Several comments suggested that impacts to the 
bottomfish fisheries were not fully considered. Specifically, comments 
indicated that the proposed rule did not quantify economic impacts to 
this fishery and did not address the impacts that monk seal foraging 
would have on the fishery. One comment claimed that the economic 
impacts to the bottomfish fishery should outweigh the benefits of the 
designation. This commenter stated that the MHI critical habitat 
designation could result in restrictions to, or closure of, this 
fishery. This comment also claimed that the rule would provide 
conservation groups with another opportunity to file suit when the 
Hawaiian monk seal population within the MHI exceeds carrying capacity 
of resources and will result in closure of the well-managed bottomfish 
fishery, as was done in the NWHI.
    Response: We do not believe that the economic impacts of this 
designation outweigh the benefits of designation based on this fishery 
because expected economic impacts are relatively low overall, including 
fishery-related impacts, and we believe that areas in the MHI are of 
medium to high conservation to the Hawaiian monk seals and therefore 
are appropriate for designation. The impacts to all fishery activities, 
including specifics on the bottomfish fishery, are discussed in Chapter 
4 of the economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014). As discussed 
later in this rule, we do not anticipate modifications to Federal 
fisheries management programs in order to avoid adverse modification of 
critical habitat because these activities generally do not use 
destructive gear or fishing practices that may significantly alter 
foraging areas, or their essential features. To date, ESA consultations 
on listed species and federally managed fisheries in the MHI have not 
identified jeopardizing impacts for monk seals. Moreover, MHI seals do 
not appear to face food limitations in MHI foraging areas where fishery 
activities overlap with the designation, and the overlap between 
targeted species for these fisheries and monk seal diet is considered 
low and may not extend beyond the family taxonomic level (Cahoon 2011; 
Sprague et al. 2013). In addition, as noted by the commenter, the 
bottomfish fishery is actively managed under annual catch limits in 
order to ensure a sustainable market supply of fish on a continuing 
basis.
    We acknowledge that environmental conditions in the future are 
difficult to predict and some uncertainty remains regarding the 
relative importance of particular prey species for Hawaiian monk seals. 
Consequently, we cannot rule out the possibility that future 
modifications to these fisheries may be required, either to avoid 
jeopardy or destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. 
Nor can we speculate on the likelihood of future litigation resulting 
from this critical habitat revision.
    Comment 61: One comment indicated that fishermen are already 
affected by seals in the MHI (referring to near-shore interactions with 
gear and fishing spots) and that designating critical habitat in the 
MHI will cause more impacts to fishing, including impacts to jobs and 
food resources. Another commenter suggested that the designation could 
be linked to increased Hawaiian monk seal population growth and that 
this growth will deplete MHI fisheries.
    Response: We recognize the importance of fishing to the lives of 
many Hawaii residents and our Hawaiian monk seal recovery program is 
working on mitigation measures designed to address concerns regarding 
the adverse impacts of fisherman-monk seal interactions. However, as 
noted in the above responses to comments about fishing activities, 
economic impacts in the MHI area that will result from this critical 
habitat designation are expected to be low, because impacts are 
expected to be largely administrative in nature and limited to those 
activities with a Federal nexus. See also Chapter 4 of the economic 
analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) for further detail on fishery-
related impacts.
    With regard to the comment on resource depletion associated with 
Hawaiian monk seal growth in the MHI, the Hawaiian monk seal has been 
an integral part of a healthy Hawaiian marine ecosystem for many 
millions of years. We have no information to indicate that competition 
from a recovered Hawaiian monk seal population in the MHI would deplete

[[Page 50954]]

MHI fisheries resources, which are managed to ensure sustainability. We 
refer the commenter to our response to comment 20 for further 
information about Hawaiian monk seal feeding habits.
    Comment 62: Multiple comments expressed concerns about impacts to 
Hawaii's fisheries activities, especially near-shore fisheries and 
fisheries-related actions that receive Federal funding. Many of these 
comments requested additional information about the types of fishery 
activities that may be impacted by designation. Some comments claimed 
that the proposed rule would result in impacts such as fishery 
restrictions, economic impacts, restrictions on tours, closed fishing 
areas, new fishing licenses, or decreased fishing seasons or limits. 
Comments noted that consultation on potential impacts to critical 
habitat could cause unnecessary delays in the management of ongoing 
Federal fisheries programs such as the National Saltwater Angler 
Registry, or add additional costs for federally-funded processes like 
the Dingle-Johnson and Wallop-Breaux Funds. The latter commenter noted 
that a registry for shoreline fishers was discussed when the National 
Saltwater Angler registry was created and the commenter claimed it is 
not inconceivable that shore fishermen may have a Federal nexus in the 
future.
    Response: As noted in our response to comments above, the impacts 
to Fishery activities are discussed in Chapter 4 of the economic 
analysis (Industrial Economics 2014). The report identifies that there 
have been at least 14 past section 7 consultations on fisheries 
programs potentially affecting the Hawaiian monk seal within the 
designated areas; three were consultations related to fisheries 
management plans, five were related to fishery plan amendments, and 
five were related to Federal aid for recreational fishing. As discussed 
in our response to comment 59 above, the impacts to fisheries 
activities associated with this designation are expected to be low and 
largely administrative in nature. At this time, we have no reason to 
anticipate modifications to Federal fisheries management programs in 
order to avoid adverse modification of critical habitat (see our 
response to comment 60).
    The consultation process requires Federal agencies to consider the 
potential impacts on monk seal critical habitat of programs that they 
fund, authorize, or carry out, so as to reduce and, where possible, 
avoid adverse impacts to its critical habitat. In many cases, we expect 
that the designation of critical habitat will impose little or no 
additional burden on agencies where consultation is already required 
for the listed species. Although we cannot eliminate all potential for 
Federal project delays, we are prepared to work closely with Federal 
agencies to ensure that consultations are completed as thoroughly and 
efficiently as possible. Moreover, while we cannot predict future 
determinations by Federal action agencies, we expect that many Federal 
projects, federally-administered grant programs, and Federal 
administrative activities will have no impact on monk seal critical 
habitat, and therefore will not be subject to formal consultation at 
all. In any event, because we designate critical habitat to support 
species' recovery needs (subject only to limited exceptions), and 
because Federal agencies are required by the ESA to ensure that their 
Federal activities are not likely to jeopardize the species or destroy 
or adversely modify critical habitat, the possibility that 
consultations may result in additional administrative delay is not a 
basis for failing to designate critical habitat.
    Comment 63: One comment expressed concern that the boundary of 
critical habitat 5 m inland from the shoreline will migrate mauka 
(towards the mountains or inland) as sea level rise continues and will 
result in more economic impacts to Federal projects. The commenter also 
asked whether there must be a State certified shoreline to determine 
where 5 m begins, and if there is a setback or management criteria 
associated with this.
    Response: We recognize that as sea levels change, the boundary of 
the designation may shift over time at the inland extent as well as the 
seaward extent of the designation. The boundaries of the designation 
were identified to incorporate those features that are essential to the 
conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal and we anticipate that Hawaiian 
monk seal use of areas will reflect shifts in habitat and biological 
communities over time. The economic analysis considers the impacts of 
this designation out to 10 years because the activities and resulting 
impacts across the study area become uncertain beyond this timeframe 
(Industrial Economics 2014). Although we are limited in our ability to 
predict future impacts, we do expect that development patterns will 
also migrate inland overtime to reflect the changing shoreline in 
Hawaii and to ensure stability of the project as well as to protect 
Hawaii's natural coastlines and resources.
    Critical habitat applies only to section 7 of the ESA, which 
applies only to Federal agencies (see Comment 17). During 
consultations, Federal agencies use the best available information to 
avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. For 
purposes of section 7 consultation under the ESA, there is no 
requirement to obtain a State certified shoreline. We are satisfied 
that our definition provides sufficient notice to the public and 
Federal agencies that their activities may affect essential features 
within designated areas and may require consultation. We note, however, 
that projects may be required to provide this certification to meet 
other Federal or State regulatory or permitting requirements 
independent of this critical habitat designation. As noted in earlier 
responses to comments and the economic analysis, modification 
recommendations associated with Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, if 
any, are likely to be project-specific, based on the location and scope 
of the project. Accordingly, there are no designation-wide established 
setback guidelines.
    Comment 64: Several comments stated that the impacts to the State's 
energy projects were not fully realized in the draft economic analysis 
for this proposed rule. Particularly, the State Department of Business, 
Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) presented concerns that the 
Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative to reduce Hawaii's dependence on 
imported fossil fuels by 70 percent by 2030 may be hindered by the 
designation. Renewable energy projects that would help support this 
goal include on-shore wind, solar, geothermal, wave energy, ocean 
energy, and off-shore wind resources. Currently there are several 
projects in the areas of ocean thermal energy conversion on the island 
of Hawaii and off the coast of Oahu, wave energy projects near Kaneohe 
Marine Corps Base and off the coast of Maui, sea water air conditioning 
on Oahu, as well as proposed off-shore wind energy in Hawaii's windward 
areas. The proposed rulemaking could hinder progress in developing a 
new energy industry and affect jobs or job growth in Hawaii.
    Response: We have updated the economic analysis after considering 
public comments requesting a more complete description of the economic 
impacts of this designation. For energy impacts in particular, the 
Hawaii State Energy Office provided additional information which is 
captured in Chapter 6 of the final economic analysis (Industrial 
Economics 2014). The expected impact to energy projects over the next 
10 years is $7,740 per year. This cost reflects additional 
administrative effort to consider critical

[[Page 50955]]

habitat designation as part of formal consultation on seven proposed 
energy developments in marine or coastal habitat in the MHI, including 
wind, geothermal, and wave energy projects mentioned in the comment. 
Even with the additional information provided by the State, the final 
economic analysis indicates that impacts to these types of activities 
are expected to be low, in part because these activities are already 
subject to many conservation requirements that provide existing 
baseline protections for Hawaiian monk seal essential features. 
Further, the protective measures that have been identified for the PEIS 
prepared by the State and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, for 
Hawaii's energy development provides best management practices that 
largely complement our recommendations to avoid adverse modification 
(Industrial Economics 2014). In addition, recommendations for this PEIS 
also include avoiding Hawaiian monk seal pupping and haul-out areas.
    Comment 65: Comments submitted through the public comment process 
by the Hawaiian monk seal recovery team noted that there is a common 
misconception that critical habitat may affect every activity that 
occurs within it, when in fact many activities will not be affected at 
all. They recommended that NMFS develop some tentative positions 
describing what will be involved in management of critical habitat that 
provide potentially affected parties with a clearer understanding of 
what this means to them, particularly with regard to fisheries that 
have a Federal nexus and would be subject to section 7 review.
    Response: We agree that protections associated with critical 
habitat are commonly misunderstood and we have revised the biological 
report (NMFS 2014a) and economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014), 
as well as provided information throughout this rule to clarify the 
types of activities that have a Federal nexus and are likely to be 
subject to Federal ESA section 7 consultation as a result of this 
designation. In particular, Chapter 4 of the economic analysis provides 
an in-depth look at activities, including federally managed fisheries, 
which have a Federal nexus, and the expected impacts associated with 
future consultations.
    Comment 66: Several comments indicated that the draft economic 
analysis (EcoNorthwest 2010) did not adequately address impacts of the 
designation to specific Native Hawaiian activities. One comment noted 
that impacts to Native Hawaiian activities, including traditional and 
cultural practices, traditional fishing, taro farming and gathering 
practices were not adequately addressed.
    Response: The final economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) 
provides an in-depth analysis of the potential impacts of this 
designation on Native Hawaiian activities in Chapters 4 and 12 as they 
relate to fishing activities. As noted in our response to Comment 51, 
if there is no Federal authorization, permit, or funding associated 
with the activity (i.e., no Federal agency action exists), the activity 
is not subject to section 7 of the ESA. To the extent that Native 
Hawaiian activities may seek Federal grants or approval, ESA 
consultation may be required and we will work with Federal agencies to 
ensure that the federally-funded or approved activity would not result 
in destruction or adverse modification of Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat.
    Comment 67: Comments requested that NMFS clarify how fishponds may 
be affected by the designation. One comment requested clarification 
regarding what ``existing'' structures means in the proposed rule, and 
whether repairs, restorations or extensions of existing fishponds will 
be affected by the designation. Another commenter questioned whether 
fishponds are excluded from the designation.
    Response: The Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat designation does 
not include areas of manmade structures in existence prior to the 
effective date of the rule (see DATES section), including fishponds. 
These manmade structures do not meet the definition of Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat (see the revisions to 50 CFR 226.201 below). This 
exclusion includes structures that are in disrepair, but persisting in 
the environment. As noted in the economic analysis (Industrial 
Economics 2014) activities associated with building, repair, or 
restoration of fishponds in Hawaiian waters are subject to Federal 
permitting under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and already undergo 
section 7 consultation to ensure that activities are not likely to 
jeopardize Hawaiian monk seals. All past consultations have been 
informal in that adverse impacts to monk seals are unlikely to occur, 
and only one has been along a coastline included in the designation.
    Fishponds in need of repair or restoration that are present prior 
to the effective date of the designation are not within Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat and ESA consultations are expected to remain 
largely similar to the current requirements, though the economic 
analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) conservatively estimates that 
these consultations may be subject to some administrative costs 
associated with ensuring that activities are not likely to destroy or 
adversely modify adjacent areas of critical habitat. These costs are 
calculated with expected impacts to aquaculture activities in the 
Hawaiian Islands and are projected to be approximately $1,120 per year. 
For new fishponds (where no previous structure exists), similar to new 
construction, location and the scope of the activity will play the 
largest roles in determining what essential features may be affected 
and what modifications may be recommended to meet Federal obligations 
under the ESA. We found no information to indicate that new fishponds 
are under consideration within areas being designated for Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat.
    Comment 68: The Clean Islands Council indicated that the use of 
dispersants is pre-authorized for oil spill response in and around a 
majority of the Hawaiian Islands, and it provides a powerful tool to 
help mitigate the potential impacts of a large oil spill. Currently a 
``net environmental benefit'' decision is made by the Unified Command, 
which weighs the impacts to multiple elements, including wildlife, and 
decides if dispersants are appropriate for a specific spill incident. 
The Clean Islands Council expressed concern that the proposed 
regulation would be used by some individuals as a means to prevent the 
use of dispersants in the event of a large oil spill and requested that 
the rule include language that recognizes the special circumstances of 
an emergency oil spill response, reinforces the current policies of the 
Regional Response Team, and recognizes the value of enabling the 
cognizant Unified Command to use all the response tools at their 
disposal.
    Response: We have added additional information to the Special 
Management Considerations or Protection section of the biological 
report (NMFS 2014a) detailing how decisions are made consistent with 
Hawaii's Area Contingency Plan to protect sensitive habitat, including 
those areas used by Hawaiian monk seals. As recognized by the comment, 
decisions during an oil spill are made by the Unified Command, under 
the direction of the Federal On-scene Coordinator. We note, however, 
that in an oil spill, the Federal action is the response activity, not 
the spill itself. Accordingly, under the ESA, Federal agencies continue 
to have the responsibility to ensure that their

[[Page 50956]]

response activities are not likely to jeopardize listed species or 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat and, to this end, must 
consult with NMFS and/or the USFWS when adverse impacts may result. The 
ESA and its implementing regulations recognize the necessity to respond 
immediately to emergencies and provide special procedures that allow 
Federal agencies the latitude necessary to complete their emergency 
responses in order to secure human life and property, while still 
providing them with protections that normal compliance under the ESA 
would have afforded. In addition, an inter-agency Memorandum of 
Agreement sets forth principles for cooperation and understanding among 
agencies involved in ESA compliance at every stage of oil spill 
planning and response (available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/op/pds/documents/02/301/02-301-25.pdf). To this end, NMFS provides expertise 
during the emergency response planning process, as well as through 
emergency consultation, to identify any measures that may minimize and 
mitigate impacts on the species and their habitat. We do not expect the 
designation to alter this planning process as decisions are made based 
on area-specific factors associated with the spill.
Benefits of Critical Habitat
    Comment 69: Twenty-eight nongovernmental organizations submitted a 
comment suggesting that the designation would protect seals' habitat by 
providing a refuge for monk seals and protect Hawaii's beaches by 
preventing projects from interfering with beach access, degrading ocean 
quality, or contributing to shoreline armament.
    Response: As noted in our response to comment 16, the protections 
associated with a critical habitat designation are limited to 
activities that are carried out, funded or authorized by a Federal 
agency. We agree that these protections are meant to safeguard the 
essential features that will support Hawaiian monk seal recovery and 
that natural coastal areas may be provided some ancillary benefits from 
these protections. To the extent that the activities mentioned above 
are linked to Federal activities that are likely to result in 
destruction or adverse modification of Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat, this designation may provide protections for Hawaii's beaches.
    Finally, while we agree that this critical habitat designation may 
be expected to provide conservation benefits to monk seals, we want to 
be clear that it does not establish a refuge for monk seals. As 
discussed above, a critical habitat designation requires Federal 
agencies to consult to ensure that their activities are not likely to 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. A critical habitat 
designation does not directly limit private activities conducted on 
designated lands, nor does it restrict, regulate, or prohibit access to 
those areas. References to critical habitat areas as being refuges or 
preserves can be misleading and can potentially undermine public 
support for designation.
    Comment 70: We received several comments that either expressed 
concern or disbelief that a revised critical habitat designation would 
provide benefits to the Hawaiian monk seal. Comments that expressed 
concern often questioned what additional benefits the designation could 
provide the species, especially in the MHI where the population appears 
to be doing well. One such commenter requested further explanation of 
the benefits to the species and questioned whether a critical habitat 
designation is actually something that is going to help or if it's 
required. One of these commenters suggested that NMFS did not consider 
this designation to be a necessary action because it was not included 
in the suite of recovery and management actions listed under the PEIS 
and was instead initiated by petition. This commenter went on to assert 
that the USFWS identified in the final critical habitat rule for the 
Mexican spotted owl that designation of critical habitat provides 
little additional protection to most listed species.
    Response: We disagree that there are no benefits to the designation 
of critical habitat. At a minimum, this designation protects the 
essential features that will support Hawaiian monk seal recovery and 
ensures that Federal agencies, through the Federal section 7 
consultation process, consider the impacts of their activities and 
projects on Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. Further, including the 
MHI in this revised designation indicates the significant role that 
this habitat will play in Hawaiian monk seal recovery and provides 
stakeholders with educational information to support Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation.
    The Benefits of Designation section of this final rule provides a 
description of the benefits associated with the designation of critical 
habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal. In addition, our response to 
comment 5 discusses why these protections are different and important 
compared to other protections that are currently in place for coastal 
and marine resources, and our response to comment 4 describes our 
purpose for revising this designation.
    Comment 71: We received many comments that acknowledged the 
benefits that critical habitat designation provides for listed species 
as well as the benefits it provides for the listed species' resources 
and communities using those resources. Some of these comments described 
critical habitat as a planning tool for future development. These 
comments generally expressed approval for providing increased scrutiny 
on large development or government projects and often mentioned that 
the protections established through this review may benefit communities 
using those resources. One comment stated that critical habitat would 
disseminate enhanced information for natural resource planning at the 
Federal, State, and local levels as well as increase access to 
information about projects or activities that may affect the coastal 
areas, and raise public awareness about the ecosystem in general.
    Response: We agree that critical habitat may be seen as a tool to 
support thoughtful and well planned development at the Federal, State, 
or local levels because critical habitat designations provide important 
information about the resources that listed species depend upon for 
recovery. Additionally, we agree that protections associated with the 
designation of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat may provide some 
ancillary benefits to communities or species using the same resources.
    Comment 72: One comment acknowledged the important role that 
critical habitat plays in incorporating seal protection into Hawaii's 
local planning and developing decisions and stated that the critical 
habitat rule change was an important step in educating the government 
officials and civic and business leaders who design Hawaii's 
communities. This commenter also asserted that, currently, only a 
handful of Hawaii's leaders have taken an interest in the decline of 
the monk seal and more leadership is needed to develop public policies 
that secure Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat rather than hinder seal 
habitat. The commenter also suggested that the designation would 
provide further education and a cultural acknowledgement to the public 
about sharing resources with the monk seal, which is important to the 
public's understanding of their role in the recovery of the monk seal.
    Response: We agree that a revised Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat designation provides important and up-

[[Page 50957]]

to-date educational information about the ecological needs of the 
species to support thoughtful and well planned development at the 
Federal, State, or local levels, regardless of whether these entities 
are bound by the provisions of section 7 of the ESA. We believe that 
successful recovery planning for Hawaiian monk seals will depend on the 
support of all levels of government as well as Hawaii's communities. To 
gain this support, we will continue to work with all stakeholder groups 
to provide further education about the ecology of this endangered seal 
and encourage stakeholders to take an active role in the recovery of 
this species.
    Comment 73: One comment stated that the draft economic analysis 
(EcoNorthwest 2010) may have undervalued the benefits of the critical 
habitat designation. This commenter suggested that the designation may 
lead to more monk seal related tourism, enhance a tourist's experience, 
and/or bring additional tourism to areas commonly used by seals. The 
designation also provides an educational benefit, which may create a 
greater general awareness of anthropogenic threats to the ocean and 
increase ocean conservation. This commenter also agreed with the draft 
economic analysis that the critical habitat designation could lead to 
cleaner water, reductions of pollution, and limits on coastal 
development that will benefit ocean goers and users.
    Response: As noted in the final economic analysis (Industrial 
Economics 2014), the benefits of a critical habitat designation are 
difficult to quantify and monetize, because we are unable to measure 
how this designation may support Hawaiian monk seal population growth 
and recovery separately from all other actions that are taken to 
support this species. We also lack data on the public's willingness to 
pay for any incremental change to support Hawaiian monk seal recovery. 
Lacking this information, the final economic analysis (Industrial 
Economics 2014) does not attempt to place a value on these benefits; 
rather it provides a qualitative discussion regarding the value that 
the public may place on Hawaiian monk seal conservation as well as the 
ancillary benefits that may result from designation. We have no 
information that suggests that the designation will affect tourism 
either by enhancing or detracting from the industry specifically. 
However, the economic analysis report (Industrial Economics 2014) does 
recognize, and we agree, that conservation efforts taken for the monk 
seal to minimize impacts to the marine and/or coastal environment may 
protect the health of these ecosystems and as well as those people or 
species that use these areas for other purposes.

General Comments

    Comment 74: The Marine Mammal Commission commented that ``critical 
habitat is one of the least well understood recovery tools that Federal 
agencies have to promote species recovery. Given the anxiety that the 
term often causes among the public, it is worth noting that critical 
habitat regulations apply only to actions that Federal agencies 
authorize, fund, or carry out. They do not apply directly to the 
public, nor are they aimed at restricting the activities of the 
public.''
    Response: We agree that the protections associated with critical 
habitat are often misunderstood and/or misconstrued. Our response to 
comment 14 provides further detail about the protections that apply to 
critical habitat, and attempts to clarify misconceptions that we 
received in public comments.
    Comment 75: We received multiple comments that requested that NMFS 
provide additional outreach and education about critical habitat to 
allay common misconceptions or fears about the proposed designation. 
Several of these comments noted that this regulatory effort was easily 
confused with the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Action PEIS and that NMFS 
should attempt to clarify the two conservation initiatives. One comment 
questioned why the PEIS was not included as part of the critical 
habitat proposal and suggested that there must be an administrative 
policy to minimize duplication.
    Response: We recognize that the proposed critical habitat rule and 
the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Action PEIS may have confused some 
people because these two conservation actions were moving forward at 
the same time. However, the two actions are distinct in the role they 
play in supporting Hawaiian monk seal conservation and proceed under 
separate legal authorities. Below we provide more detail about the 
distinct nature of these actions.
    Critical habitat is a regulatory protection established to protect 
habitat from the adverse impacts of Federal activities under section 4 
of the ESA. The Services are required, when prudent and determinable, 
to identify critical habitat for newly listed species and from time to 
time the Services may revise a designation to reflect current 
information about the species' recovery needs. This revision to 
Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat was prompted by a petition under 
section 4 of the ESA (see our response to comment 13). As discussed in 
our response to comment 10, we are not required to complete a NEPA 
analysis for the proposed rule. The final designation is codified in 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and identifies the critical 
habitat areas subject to section 7 requirements. Once critical habitat 
is designated, all Federal agencies are responsible for insuring that 
actions that they carry out, authorize, or fund are not likely to 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat for a listed species under 
section 7 of the ESA.
    The PEIS for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions was an analysis to 
evaluate the impacts of research and management actions to be executed 
by NMFS to support Hawaiian monk seal recovery over a 10-year period 
that require scientific research and enhancement permits under section 
10 of ESA, as well as under the MMPA. Actions proposed in the PEIS were 
subject to NEPA and a draft PEIS was prepared and released to the 
public for review and comment, identifying the potential environmental 
impacts of the proposed actions on the environment. Because the 
research and enhancement activities are separate and distinct from the 
critical habitat revision, and involve different public processes to 
implement, they were not combined as one action. However, since NMFS 
will be funding and authorizing the research activities within 
designated areas of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat (in the NWHI), 
NMFS is responsible for ensuring that the activities carried out under 
research and enhancement permits, as analyzed in the PEIS, are not 
likely to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. More 
information about these activities may be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm.
    Finally, we reopened the public comment period for the proposed 
critical habitat rule for an additional 60 days after the PEIS comment 
period was closed to ensure that the public was able to comment on both 
the PEIS and the proposed critical habitat designation. In addition, we 
increased our efforts to provide clarification to the public, and 
local, State and Federal agencies and officials.
    Comments 76: We received several comments regarding the regulatory 
process associated with the critical habitat designation and how public 
comments were received and considered. Some comments expressed concern 
that the public was not given an appropriate amount of time or 
opportunities to provide input to the process, while other comments 
suggested that the decision had been

[[Page 50958]]

finalized prior to coming out for public comment. One comment requested 
public hearings on all main islands.
    Response: Our discussion at the beginning of the Summary of 
Comments and Responses section describes the number and timing of 
opportunities for public comment. We provided 150 days for public 
comment, well in excess of the minimum 60 days required for a proposed 
rule to revise critical habitat (50 CFR 424.16(c)(2)). We believe that 
this process allowed for robust public participation and meaningful 
opportunities for concerned citizens to comment on this proposed 
action. We considered all comments received throughout the comment 
period and at the public hearings pertaining to Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat prior to issuing this final rule.

Critical Habitat Identification

    In the following sections, we describe our methods for evaluating 
the areas considered for designation of critical habitat, our final 
determinations, and the final critical habitat designation. This 
description incorporates the changes described above in response to 
public comments and peer reviewers' comments.

Methods and Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat

    In accordance with section 4(b)(2) of the ESA and our implementing 
regulations (50 CFR part 424), this final rule is based on the best 
scientific information available concerning the range, habitat, 
biology, and threats to habitat for Hawaiian monk seals.
    To assist with the final Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat, we 
reconvened the CHRT. The CHRT used the best available scientific data 
and its best professional judgment to help us (1) identify the physical 
and biological features essential to the conservation of the species 
that may require special management considerations or protection; (2) 
identify specific areas within the occupied area containing those 
essential physical and biological features; and (3) identify activities 
that may affect any designated critical habitat. The CHRT's evaluation 
and conclusions are described in the following sections, as well as in 
the final biological report (NMFS 2014a). We then did the remaining 
steps of the designation including military exclusions and 4b2.

Physical or Biological Features Essential for Conservation

    The ESA does not specifically define physical or biological 
features; however, consistent with recent designations, the Services 
have published a proposed rule giving examples and describing the 
physical or biological features as those habitat features which support 
the life history needs of the listed species (79 FR 27066; May 12, 
2014). Physical or biological features may include, for example, 
specific prey species, water conditions, temperatures, or sites that 
support reproduction, rearing of offspring or shelter. In considering 
whether features are essential to the conservation of the species, the 
Services may consider an appropriate quality, quantity, and spatial and 
temporal arrangement of habitat characteristics in the context of the 
life-history needs, condition, and status of the listed species. 
Accordingly, the description of physical and biological features varies 
from one listed species to another and may be described simply by a 
single element or by a complex combination of characteristics depending 
on the ecological needs of the species. As described earlier, 
throughout this rule we describe the physical and biological features 
essential to the conservation of the Hawaiian monk seal as essential 
features.

Essential Features

    As described above in the section, Summary of Changes From the 
Proposed Designation, public comments and supplementary information 
about Hawaiian monk seal habitat use in the MHI led us to take a closer 
look at the essential features we proposed for designation to protect 
important reproductive, resting, and foraging habitat. We have 
identified two terrestrial and one marine essential feature for the 
conservation of Hawaiian monk seals, which are described below.
    1. Terrestrial areas and adjacent shallow, sheltered aquatic areas 
with characteristics preferred by monk seals for pupping and nursing.
    Hawaiian monk seals have been observed to give birth and nurse in a 
variety of terrestrial coastal habitats; however, certain beaches may 
be preferred for pupping at the various atolls and islands within the 
range. Preferred pupping areas generally include sandy, protected 
beaches located adjacent to shallow sheltered aquatic areas where the 
mother and pup may nurse, rest, swim, thermoregulate, and shelter from 
extreme weather. Additionally, this habitat provides relatively 
protected space for the newly weaned pup to acclimate to life on its 
own. The newly weaned pup uses these areas for swimming, exploring, 
socializing, thermoregulatory cooling and the first attempts at 
foraging. Characteristics of terrestrial pupping habitat may include 
various substrates such as sand, shallow tide-pools, coral rubble, or 
rocky substrates, as long as these substrates provide accessibility to 
seals for hauling out. Some preferred sites may also incorporate areas 
with low lying vegetation used by the pair for shade or cover, or 
relatively low levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Characteristics of 
the adjacent sheltered aquatic sites may include reefs, tide pools, 
gently sloping beaches, and shelves or coves that provide refuge from 
storm surges and predators. Certain coastal areas with these 
characteristics may attract multiple mothers to the same area year 
after year for birthing; however, due to the solitary nature of the 
species, some mothers may prefer to return to a lesser used location 
year after year. Accordingly, preferred areas that serve an essential 
service or function for Hawaiian monk seal conservation are defined as 
those areas where two or more females have given birth or where a 
single female chooses to return to the same site more than one year.
    2. Marine areas from 0 to 200 m in depth that support adequate prey 
quality and quantity for juvenile and adult monk seal foraging.
    Hawaiian monk seals are considered foraging generalists that feed 
on a wide variety of bottom-associated prey species and use a wide 
range of benthic habitat to maximize foraging efficiency in tropical 
ecosystems, which are characterized by low and variable productivity. 
Inshore, benthic and offshore teleosts, cephalopods, and crustaceans 
are commonly found in monk seal scat with 31 families of teleosts and 
13 families of cephalopods currently identified (Goodman and Lowe 
1998). Relative importance of particular prey species is uncertain and 
may vary between individuals and/or according to environmental 
conditions that influence productivity. Knowledge of the foraging 
habits of seals helps to identify areas and habitat types that are 
regularly used for foraging, including sand terraces, talus slopes, 
submerged reefs and banks, nearby seamounts, barrier reefs, and slopes 
of reefs and islands (Parrish et al. 2000; Parrish et al. 2002). 
Foraging techniques vary among individuals, but monk seals use bottom 
habitats to flush or pin desired prey; therefore, areas of importance 
to monk seals are limited in vertical height from the bottom. Although 
monk seals may forage at deeper depths, nearly all foraging behavior is 
captured at depths less than 200 m in the NWHI and in the MHI (Stewart 
et al. 2006; NMFS 2012). Within these essential foraging areas, habitat 
conditions support growth and

[[Page 50959]]

recruitment of bottom-associated prey species that support monk seals. 
As a marine mammal, the Hawaiian monk seal has adapted to a tropical 
system defined by low productivity and environmental variability by 
feeding on a wide variety of bottom-associated prey species across a 
wide range of depths; accordingly, foraging areas essential to this 
species incorporate a wide range of foraging areas.
    3. Significant areas used by monk seals for hauling out, resting, 
or molting.
    Hawaiian monk seals use terrestrial habitat to haul out for resting 
and molting. Although many areas may be accessible for hauling out and 
are occasionally used, certain areas of coastline are more often 
favored by Hawaiian monk seals for these activities as demonstrated by 
non-random patterns in monk seal haul-out observations. These favored 
areas may be located close to preferred foraging areas, allow for 
relatively undisturbed periods of rest, and/or allow small numbers of 
Hawaiian monk seals to socially interact as young seals and 
reproductive adults. These haul-out sites are generally characterized 
by sandy beaches, sand spits, or low shelving reef rocks accessible to 
seals. Significant haul-out areas are defined by the frequency with 
which local populations of seals use a stretch of coastline or 
particular beach. To accommodate the ecology of this species as a 
solitary but wide-ranging pinniped, significant haul-out areas are 
defined as natural coastlines that are accessible to Hawaiian monk 
seals and frequented by Hawaiian monk seals at least 10 percent as 
often as the highest used haul out site(s) on individual islands, or 
islets. Significant haul-out areas are essential to Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation, because these areas provide space that supports natural 
behaviors important to health and development, such as resting, 
molting, and social interactions.

 Geographical Area Occupied and Specific Areas

    One of the first steps in the critical habitat process was to 
define the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of 
listing and to identify specific areas within this geographically 
occupied area that contain at least one of the essential features that 
may require special management considerations or protections. The range 
of the Hawaiian monk seal was defined in the 12-month finding on June 
12, 2009 (74 FR 27988) as throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago and 
including Johnston Atoll. Using the identified range, we identified 
``specific areas'' within the geographical area occupied by the species 
that may be eligible for critical habitat designation under the ESA. 
For an occupied area to meet the criteria of critical habitat, it must 
contain one or more of the essential features that may require special 
management considerations or protection.
    We reviewed all available information on Hawaiian monk seal 
distribution, habitat use, and features essential to the conservation 
of the species. Within the occupied geographical area we identified 
sixteen specific areas as potential critical habitat for the Hawaiian 
monk seal for the proposed rule. These specific areas were identified 
across the NWHI and MHI. After considering public comments we did not 
change the definition of the geographical area occupied by the species 
at the time of listing. We did refine the essential features to clarify 
further how each feature supports Hawaiian monk seal ecology and 
conservation. Consequently, we re-examined the sixteen specific areas 
identified in the proposed rule and revised the boundaries of the 
specific areas to identify more precisely where those features exist. 
The biological report describes in detail the methods used to assess 
the specific areas and provides the biological information supporting 
the assessment (NMFS 2014a). We present brief descriptions of the 
specific areas identified and reasons why they meet the definition of 
critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal, below.

Specific Areas in the NWHI

    Within the NWHI, we identified ten specific areas that contain 
essential features for Hawaiian monk seals. Each specific area in the 
NWHI, unless otherwise noted, includes beach areas, sand spits and 
islets, including all beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent 
inland, lagoon waters, inner reef waters, and marine habitat through 
the water's edge, including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and 
marine habitat within 10 m of the seafloor, out to the 200-m depth 
contour line (relative to mean lower low water) around the following 10 
areas: (1) Kure Atoll, (2) Midway Islands, (3) Pearl and Hermes Reef, 
(4) Lisianski Island, (5) Laysan Island, (6) Maro Reef, (7) Gardner 
Pinnacles, (8) French Frigate Shoals, (9) Necker Island, and (10) Nihoa 
Island. Some areas of coastline in the NWHI lack the essential features 
of monk seal critical habitat because these areas are inaccessible to 
seals for hauling out (e.g., cliffs on Nihoa and Necker), or they lack 
the areas necessary to support monk seal conservation (e.g., buildings 
on Tern Island, Sand Island, and Green Island). Accordingly, cliffs, 
and manmade structures (and the land on which they are located) in 
existence prior to the effective date of this rule do not meet the 
definition of critical habitat and are not included. In areas where 
essential features do not extend inland, the specific area ends at a 
line that marks mean lower low water.
    Specific Area 1: Located at the northwestern end of the archipelago 
and within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Kure atoll 
is comprised of the major island, Green Island, and a few small sand 
spits. Kure atoll supports one of the 6 major NWHI breeding 
subpopulations described under the NMFS stock assessment for the 
species (Carretta et al. 2013). The Atoll provides habitat and 
characteristics that support all three essential features for Hawaiian 
monk seal conservation, and the specific area is estimated to include 
124 mi\2\ (321 km\2\) of marine and terrestrial habitat. Manmade 
structures (and the land on which they are located) in existence prior 
to the effective date of this rule do not meet the definition of 
critical habitat and are not included in the specific area.
    Specific Area 2: Located northwest of Honolulu and within the 
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Midway Islands consists of 
three islands, Sand, Eastern, and Spit, located within a circular-
shaped atoll. Midway Islands support one of the 6 major NWHI breeding 
subpopulations described under the NMFS stock assessment for the 
species (Carretta et al. 2013). The islands and surrounding atoll 
provide habitat and characteristics that support all three essential 
features for Hawaiian monk seal conservation, and the specific area is 
estimated to include 137 mi\2\ (354 km\2\) of marine and terrestrial 
habitat. Although not included in the 1988 critical habitat 
designation, Sand Island is included here because it supports Hawaiian 
monk seal preferred pupping areas and significant haul-out areas. Today 
Sand Island supports a full time refuge staff, including residents that 
support and maintain a runway and a visitor program. Manmade structures 
(and the land on which they are located) in existence prior to the 
effective date of this rule do not meet the definition of critical 
habitat and are not included in the specific area.
    Specific Area 3: The first land area southeast of Midway and within 
the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the atoll of Pearl and 
Hermes Reef, consists of numerous islets, seven of which are above sea

[[Page 50960]]

level. Pearl and Hermes Reef's support one of the 6 major NWHI breeding 
subpopulations described under the NMFS stock assessment for the 
species (Carretta et al. 2013). The islands and surrounding atoll 
provide habitat and characteristics that support all three essential 
features for Hawaiian monk seal conservation, and the specific area is 
estimated to include 289 mi\2\ (749 km\2\) of marine and terrestrial 
habitat. Manmade structures (and the land on which they are located) in 
existence prior to the effective date of this rule do not meet the 
definition of critical habitat and are not included in the specific 
area.
    Specific Area 4: The single island of Lisianski and its surrounding 
reef is located about 1,667 km northwest of Honolulu within the 
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. This low sandy island 
measures approximately 1.8 km long and 1.0 km wide (NMFS 1983). 
Lisianski supports one of the 6 major NWHI breeding subpopulations 
described under the NMFS stock assessment for the species (Carretta et 
al. 2013). The island and surrounding marine areas provide habitat and 
characteristics that support all three essential features for Hawaiian 
monk seal conservation, and the specific area is estimated to include 
469 mi\2\ (1,214 km\2\) of marine and terrestrial habitat.
    Specific Area 5: Laysan Island is the second largest land area in 
the NWHI located within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. 
This coral-sand island encloses a hyper-saline lake in the middle of 
the island. Laysan supports one of the 6 major NWHI breeding 
subpopulations described under the NMFS stock assessment for the 
species (Carretta et al. 2013). The island is about 1.5 miles long (2.4 
km) and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and is partially surrounded by a fringing 
reef. The island and surrounding marine habitat provide habitat and 
characteristics that support all three essential features for Hawaiian 
monk seal conservation, and the specific area is estimated to include 
220 mi\2\ (570 km\2\) of marine and terrestrial habitat. Manmade 
structures (and the land on which they are located) in existence prior 
to the effective date of this rule do not meet the definition of 
critical habitat and are not included in the specific area.
    Specific Area 6: Maro Reef is the largest coral reef in the NWHI, 
located on top of a seamount and within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine 
National Monument. The reef is a complex maze of linear reefs that 
radiate out from the center and provide foraging habitat for the 
Hawaiian monk seal. This specific area incorporates approximately 776 
mi\2\ (2,009 km\2\) of marine habitat.
    Specific Area 7: Gardener Pinnacles consists of two pinnacles of 
volcanic rock between Maro Reef and French Frigate Shoals and within 
the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Underwater shelves 
surround the pinnacles, and land and the marine habitat within this 
specific area was estimated to be approximately 957 mi\2\ (2,478 
km\2\). Home to a wide variety of prey species, Gardner Pinnacles 
provides marine foraging habitat and haul-out area for the Hawaiian 
monk seal (NMFS 1983).
    Specific Area 8: French Frigate Shoals atoll, open to the west and 
partially enclosed by a crescent-shaped reef to the east, is located 
within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The Atoll lies 
about midpoint in the Hawaiian Archipelago and consists of several 
small sandy islets, the largest of which is Tern Island. French Frigate 
Shoals supports one of the 6 major NWHI breeding subpopulations 
described under the NMFS stock assessment for the species (Carretta et 
al. 2013). The islands and surrounding marine habitat provide all three 
essential features for the Hawaiian monk seal conservation, and the 
specific area is estimated to include 367 mi\2\ (950 km\2\) of marine 
and terrestrial habitat. Manmade structures (and the land on which they 
are located) in existence prior to the effective date of this rule do 
not meet the definition of critical habitat and are not included in the 
specific area.
    Specific Area 9: The Island also known as Mokumanamana is a small 
basalt island that is about 46 acres (19 hectares) in size and is 
located within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Habitat 
used by Hawaiian monk seals includes accessible rocky benches for 
hauling out, marine habitat for foraging, and areas where pupping has 
been recorded. Although the island is small in size, marine habitat 
surrounding the island is large. The islands and surrounding marine 
habitat provide habitat and characteristics that support all three 
essential features for Hawaiian monk seal conservation, and the 
specific area was estimated to be approximately 592 mi\2\ (1,533 
km\2\), including land and marine habitat.
    Specific Area 10: Nihoa is the easternmost island described in the 
NWHI within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The Island 
consists of a remnant volcanic peak with large foot cliffs, basalt rock 
surface, and a single beach. Hawaiian monk seals use the single beach 
and some accessible rock ledge areas for hauling out and giving birth. 
The islands and surrounding marine habitat provide habitat and 
characteristics that support all three essential features for Hawaiian 
monk seal conservation. The specific area is estimated to be 
approximately 214 mi\2\ (554 km\2\) incorporating all land and marine 
habitat.

Specific Areas in the MHI

    Within the MHI, we identified six specific areas that contain 
essential features for Hawaiian monk seals. In the MHI, unless 
otherwise noted, specific areas are defined in the marine environment 
by a seaward boundary that extends from the 200-m depth contour line 
(relative to mean lower low water), including the seafloor and all 
subsurface waters and marine habitat within 10 m of the seafloor, 
through the water's edge into the terrestrial environment where the 
inland boundary extends 5 m (in length) from the shoreline between 
identified boundary points listed in the table below around the 
following areas: (i) Kaula Island, (ii) Niihau, (iii) Kauai, (iv) Oahu, 
(v) Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai), and (vi) 
Hawaii. The shoreline is defined as the upper reaches of the wash of 
the waves, other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the 
season in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced 
by the edge of vegetation growth or the upper limit of debris. 
Locations for coastal segments included in the designation of each MHI 
specific area are described in Table 1. Some areas of coastline in the 
MHI lack the essential features of monk seal critical habitat because 
these areas are inaccessible to seals for hauling out or they lack the 
natural areas necessary to support monk seal conservation (e.g., cliffs 
on Lanai, buildings set close to the water, seawalls, riprap, or 
breakwaters). Accordingly, cliffs and manmade structures such as docks, 
seawalls, piers, fishponds, roads, pipelines, boat ramps, platforms, 
buildings and pilings in existence prior to the effective date of the 
rule, do not meet the definition of critical habitat and are not 
included in the designation. In areas where essential features do not 
extend inland, the specific area ends at a line that marks mean lower 
low water.
    Specific Area 11: This specific area includes only the marine areas 
that surround the island of Kaula. These marine areas provide important 
foraging areas for Hawaiian monk seal conservation, which likely 
supports seals that are resident to the island of Niihau, but may also 
support some

[[Page 50961]]

NWHI seals. The islet is located on a shoal that supports a large 
variety of marine life and is surrounded by 26 mi\2\ (66 km\2\) of 
marine habitat that falls within the 200-m depth contour. The U.S. Navy 
has jurisdiction over the island and the 3-nautical mile (5.6 km) 
danger zone surrounding the island.
    Specific Area 12: This specific area includes marine habitat from 
10 m in depth out to the 200-m depth contour line around the island of 
Niihau and including the marine habitat and terrestrial shorelines 
surrounding Lehua islet. The specific area is located southwest of 
Kauai and provides approximately 115 mi\2\ (298 km\2\) of marine 
foraging habitat that supports the largest number of seals in the MHI. 
As a privately owned island, access to Niihau is limited to Niihau 
residents, the U.S. Navy, and invited guests. Lehua Island, a tuff 
crater located a half mile (0.8 km) north of Niihau, provides shelves 
and benches that provide significant haul-out areas for Hawaiian monk 
seals. Lehua is administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, and activities 
are subject to Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources 
regulations because it is a Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary. The coastal 
habitat around Lehua is included in the specific area.
    Specific Area 13: Kauai's beaches and coastline are used by 
Hawaiian monk seals, and approximately 28 mi (45 km) of the Island's 
coastline provides habitat that supports preferred pupping and nursing 
areas and significant haul-out areas that are essential to Hawaiian 
monk seal conservation. In addition, marine waters surrounding the 
Island of Kauai provide marine foraging areas that are essential to 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation. The specific area incorporates 215 
mi\2\ (557 km\2\) of marine habitat.
    Specific Area 14: Oahu is the third largest island in the MHI 
chain. Oahu's beaches and coastline are used by Hawaiian monk seals and 
approximately 48 mi (78 km) of the Island's coastline provides habitat 
that supports preferred pupping and nursing areas and significant haul-
out areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation. In 
addition, marine waters surrounding the Island of Oahu provide marine 
foraging areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation. 
The specific area incorporates 363 mi\2\ (940 km\2\) of marine habitat.
    Specific Area 15: Maui Nui includes the islands Molokai, Lanai, 
Kahoolawe, and Maui and the surrounding marine waters. This specific 
area incorporates 1,445 mi\2\ (3,742 km\2\) of marine habitat, 72 mi 
(116 km) of coastline on Maui, 7 miles (12 km) of coastline on Molokai, 
31 miles (49 km) of coastline on Lanai, and 7 miles (12 km) of 
coastline on Kahoolawe. Molokai and Kahoolawe's coastlines provide 
habitat that supports preferred pupping and nursing areas and 
significant haul-out areas that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation. Coastlines on Lanai and Maui provide significant haul-out 
areas that support Hawaiian monk seal conservation, and marine waters 
surrounding the Maui Nui area provide marine foraging areas that are 
essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation.
    Specific Area 16: Hawaii is the largest island in the MHI. The 
specific area incorporates 404 mi\2\ (1048 km\2\) of marine habitat. 
Although the number of seals using this habitat is small, Hawaii's 
beaches and coastline are used by Hawaiian monk seals and approximately 
49 mi (79 km) of the island's coastline provides habitat that supports 
preferred pupping and nursing areas and significant haul-out areas that 
are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation. In addition, marine 
waters surrounding the Island of Hawaii provide marine foraging areas 
that are essential to Hawaiian monk seal conservation.

                    Table 1--Main Hawaiian Island Terrestrial Specific Area Segment Locations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Textual description of
    Area           Island                segment          Boundary points        Latitude          Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.........  Kauai.............  Southeast coast of      KA 11............  21[deg]53'08'' N.  159[deg]31'48''
                                  Kauai (Nomilu          KA 12............  21[deg]53'34'' N.   W.
                                  Fishpond area through                                        159[deg]24'25''
                                  Mahaulepu).                                                   W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Kawelikoa Point to      KA 21............  21[deg]54'26'' N.  159[deg]23'26''
                                  Molehu.                KA 22............  21[deg]54'48'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]23'08''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Lydgate Park through    KA 31............  22[deg]02'11'' N.  159[deg]20'08''
                                  Wailua canal.          KA 32............  22[deg]02'41'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]20'11''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Wailua canal through    KA 41............  22[deg]02'45'' N.  159[deg]20'10''
                                  Waikaea canal.         KA 42............  22[deg]04'14'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]18'60''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Waikaea canal through   KA 51............  22[deg]04'15'' N.  159[deg]19'01''
                                  Kealia.                KA 52............  22[deg]05'59'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]18'08''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Anahola and Aliomanu    KA 61............  22[deg]07'46'' N.  159[deg]17'35''
                                  areas.                 KA 62............  22[deg]09'28'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]18'18''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Moloaa Bay through      KA 71............  22[deg]11'38'' N.  159[deg]19'46''
                                  Kepuhi Point.          KA 72............  22[deg]12'52'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]21'14''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Southeast of Kilauea..  KA 81............  22[deg]13'48'' N.  159[deg]23'52''
                                                         KA 82............  22[deg]13'55'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]24'06''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Wainiha Beach Park      KA 91............  22[deg]12'60'' N.  159[deg]32'30''
                                  through Kee Beach      KA 92............  22[deg]13'13'' N.   W.
                                  Park.                                                        159[deg]35'01''
                                                                                                W.
13.........  Kauai.............  Milolii State Park      KA 101...........  22[deg]09'13'' N.  159[deg]42'52''
                                  Beach Area.            KA 102...........  22[deg]08'59'' N.   W.
                                                                                               159[deg]43'21''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Keana Point Area......  OA 11............  21[deg]34'43'' N.  158[deg]15'37''
                                                         OA 12............  21[deg]32'45'' N.   W.
                                                                                               158[deg]14'25''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Maili Beach through     OA 21............  21[deg]25'43'' N.  158[deg]10'48''
                                  Kalaeloa Barbers       OA 22............  21[deg]19'24'' N.   W.
                                  Point Harbor.                                                158[deg]07'20''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Kalaeloa Barbers Point  OA 31............  21[deg]19'18'' N.  158[deg]07'17''
                                  Harbor through         OA 32............  21[deg]19'20'' N.   W.
                                  Iroquois Point.                                              157[deg]58'17''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Diamond Head area.....  OA 41............  21[deg]15'27'' N.  157[deg]49'05''
                                                         OA 42............  21[deg]15'24'' N.   W.
                                                                                               157[deg]47'45''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Hanauma Bay through     OA 51............  21[deg]16'05'' N.  157[deg]41'50''
                                  Sandy Beach.           OA 52............  21[deg]17'45'' N.   W.
                                                                                               157[deg]39'27''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Makapuu Beach Area....  OA 61............  21[deg]18'36'' N.  157[deg]39'31''
                                                         OA 62............  21[deg]18'58'' N.   W.
                                                                                               157[deg]39'55''
                                                                                                W.

[[Page 50962]]

 
14.........  Oahu..............  Lori Point through      OA 71............  21[deg]40'26'' N.  157[deg]56'00''
                                  Waimea Bay.            OA 72............  21[deg]38'18'' N.   W.
                                                                                               158[deg]03'56''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Kapapa Island (Kaneohe  OAi1.............  21[deg]28'36'' N.  157[deg]47'55''
                                  Bay).                                                         W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Mokulua--Moku Nui.....  OAi2.............  21[deg]23'30'' N.  157[deg]41'56''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Mokulua--Moku Iki.....  OAi3.............  21[deg]23'16'' N.  157[deg]41'52''
                                                                                                W.
14.........  Oahu..............  Manana (Rabbit Island)  OAi4.............  21[deg]19'44'' N.  157[deg]39'24''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Molokai...........  Laau Point Area.......  MO 11............  21[deg]07'49'' N.  157[deg]17'47''
                                                         MO 12............  21[deg]05'21'' N.   W.
                                                                                               157[deg]15'50''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Molokai...........  Kalaupapa Area........  MO 21............  21[deg]12'33'' N.  156[deg]58'52''
                                                         MO 22............  21[deg]11'28'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]59'06''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Molokai...........  Moku Hooniki..........  MOi1.............  21[deg]07'59'' N.  156[deg]42'10''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Shipwreck Beach Area..  LA 11............  20[deg]54'45'' N.  156[deg]53'45''
                                                         LA 12............  20[deg]55'20'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]56'45''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Northwest Lanai         LA 21............  20[deg]55'42'' N.  156[deg]59'47''
                                  (Including Polihua     LA 22............  20[deg]52'02'' N.   W.
                                  Beach).                                                      157[deg]02'33''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  North of Kamalapau      LA 31............  20[deg]48'38'' N.  156[deg]59'15''
                                  Harbor.                LA 32............  20[deg]47'17'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]59'24''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Kamalapau Harbor        LA 41............  20[deg]47'13'' N.  156[deg]59'27''
                                  through Kaholo Pali.   LA 42............  20[deg]46'59'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]59'31''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Kaholo Pali through     LA 51............  20[deg]44'13'' N.  156[deg]58'01''
                                  Manele Harbor.         LA 52............  20[deg]44'29'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]53'15''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Manele Harbor through   LA 61............  20[deg]44'35'' N.  156[deg]53'14''
                                  Nakalahale Cliff.      LA 62............  20[deg]44'49'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]52'16''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Nakalahale Cliff        LA 71............  20[deg]45'07'' N.  156[deg]51'50''
                                  through Lopa Beach.    LA 72............  20[deg]48'21'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]48'24''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Lanai.............  Puupehe*..............  LAi1.............  20[deg]44'04'' N.  156[deg]53'25''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Kahoolawe.........  Mid-North coast         KH 11............  20[deg]34'36'' N.  156[deg]37'36''
                                  (including Kaukamoku   KH 12............  20[deg]34'10'' N.   W.
                                  and Ahupuiki).                                               156[deg]38'15''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Kahoolawe.........  Eastern coast of        KH 21............  20[deg]33'08'' N.  156[deg]40'35''
                                  Kahoolawe (Honokoa     KH 22............  20[deg]30'04'' N.   W.
                                  through Sailer's Hat).                                       156[deg]40'23''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Kuloa Point through     MA 11............  20[deg]40'02'' N.  156[deg]02'27''
                                  Hana Wharf and Ramp.   MA 12............  20[deg]45'21'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]58'54''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Hana Wharf and Ramp     MA 21............  20[deg]45'20'' N.  155[deg]58'56''
                                  through Kainalimu Bay. MA 22............  20[deg]46'08'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]59'04''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Keanae Pennisula to     MA 31............  20[deg]51'56'' N.  156[deg]08'46''
                                  Nauailua Bay.          MA 32............  20[deg]51'41'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]08'55''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Maliko Bay through      MA 41............  20[deg]56'11'' N.  156[deg]21'11''
                                  Papaula Point.         MA 42............  20[deg]54'30'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]25'06''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Kahului Harbor West     MA 51............  20[deg]53'53'' N.  156[deg]28'47''
                                  through Waihee Beach   MA 52............  20[deg]56'04'' N.   W.
                                  Park.                                                        156[deg]30'15''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Punalau Beach through   MA 61............  21[deg]01'20'' N.  156[deg]37'28''
                                  to Mala Wharf.         MA 62............  20[deg]53'09'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]41'10''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Southeast of Mala       MA 71............  20[deg]53'04'' N.  156[deg]41'12''
                                  Wharf through to       MA 72............  20[deg]52'26'' N.   W.
                                  Lahaina Harbor.                                              156[deg]40'43''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  Southeast of Lahaina    MA 81............  20[deg]52'12'' N.  156[deg]40'39''
                                  Harbor through to      MA 82............  20[deg]47'34'' N.   W.
                                  Papalaua.                                                    156[deg]34'00''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  East of Maalaea Harbor  MA 91............  20[deg]47'32'' N.  156[deg]30'34''
                                  through to Kihei boat  MA 92............  20[deg]42'29'' N.   W.
                                  ramp.                                                        156[deg]26'46''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  South of Kihei Boat     MA 101...........  20[deg]42'27'' N.  156[deg]26'47''
                                  Ramp through Ahihi     MA 102...........  20[deg]37'39'' N.   W.
                                  Bay.                                                         156[deg]26'40''
                                                                                                W.
15.........  Maui..............  La Perouse Bay from     MA 111...........  20[deg]35'43'' N.  156[deg]25'33''
                                  Kalaeloa Point         MA 112...........  20[deg]34'45'' N.   W.
                                  through Pohakueaea                                           156[deg]23'29''
                                  Point.                                                        W.
15.........  Maui..............  Molokini Crater.......  MAi1.............  20[deg]37'51'' N.  156[deg]29'43''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Waimanu through         HA 11............  20[deg]08'35'' N.  155[deg]37'59''
                                  Laupahoehoenui.        HA 12............  20[deg]09'54'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]39'18''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Keokea Bay through      HA 21............  20[deg]13'39'' N.  155[deg]44'49''
                                  Kauhola Point.         HA 22............  20[deg]14'44'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]46'18''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Kapaa Beach County      HA 31............  20[deg]12'16'' N.  155[deg]54'06''
                                  Park to Mahukona       HA 32............  20[deg]11'04'' N.   W.
                                  Harbor.                                                      155[deg]54'05''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  South of Mahukona       HA 41............  20[deg]10'60'' N.  155[deg]54'03''
                                  Harbor.                HA 42............  20[deg]10'51'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]54'07''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Pauoa Bay to Makaiwa    HA 51............  19[deg]57'03'' N.  155[deg]51'49''
                                  Bay area.              HA 52............  19[deg]56'38'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]52'10''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Anaehoomalu Bay area    HA 61............  19[deg]54'42'' N.  155[deg]53'26''
                                  through Keawaiki Bay   HA 62............  19[deg]53'09'' N.   W.
                                  area.                                                        155[deg]54'34''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Puu Alii Bay Area       HA 71............  19[deg]47'37'' N.  156[deg]01'33''
                                  through Mahaiula Bay.  HA 72............  19[deg]46'53'' N.   W.
                                                                                               156[deg]02'18''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Keahole Point through   HA 81............  19[deg]43'54'' N.  156[deg]03'26''
                                  Kaloko-Honokohau       HA 82............  19[deg]40'28'' N.   W.
                                  National Historic                                            156[deg]01'34''
                                  Park.                                                         W.
16.........  Hawaii............  South of Oneo Bay area  HA 91............  19[deg]38'10'' N.  155[deg]59'29''
                                  through to Holualoa    HA 92............  19[deg]36'31'' N.   W.
                                  Bay area.                                                    155[deg]58'41''
                                                                                                W.

[[Page 50963]]

 
16.........  Hawaii............  Kahaluu Bay Area        HA 101...........  19[deg]34'49'' N.  155[deg]57'59''
                                  through Keauhou Bay    HA 102...........  19[deg]33'43'' N.   W.
                                  Area.                                                        155[deg]57'43''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Kealakekua Bay Area...  HA 111...........  19[deg]28'38'' N.  155[deg]55'13''
                                                         HA 112...........  19[deg]28'25'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]55'10''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Honaunau Bay Area.....  HA 121...........  19[deg]25'35'' N.  155[deg]55'02''
                                                         HA 122...........  19[deg]25'01'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]54'42''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Milolii Bay Area        HA 131...........  19[deg]11'07'' N.  155[deg]54'29''
                                  through Honomalino     HA 132...........  19[deg]10'04'' N.   W.
                                  Bay Area.                                                    155[deg]54'35''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Ka Lae National         HA 141...........  18[deg]54'54'' N.  155[deg]40'59''
                                  Historic Landmark      HA 142...........  18[deg]55'00'' N.   W.
                                  District through                                             155[deg]40'09''
                                  Mahana Bay.                                                   W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Papakolea Green Sand    HA 151...........  18[deg]56'10'' N.  155[deg]38'47''
                                  Beach Area.            HA 152...........  18[deg]56'11'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]38'45''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Kaalualu Bay Area.....  HA 161...........  18[deg]58'14'' N.  155[deg]37'01''
                                                         HA 162...........  18[deg]58'18'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]36'49''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Whittington Beach Area  HA 171...........  19[deg]05'04'' N.  155[deg]33'03''
                                  through Punaluu Beach  HA 172...........  19[deg]08'06'' N.   W.
                                  Area.                                                        155[deg]30'09''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Halape Area through     HA 181...........  19[deg]16'14'' N.  155[deg]15'20''
                                  Keauhou Point Area.    HA 182...........  19[deg]15'45'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]13'59''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Kapoho Bay Area.......  HA 191...........  19[deg]29'38'' N.  154[deg]49'01''
                                                         HA 192...........  19[deg]30'10'' N.   W.
                                                                                               154[deg]48'46''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Lehia Beach Park        HA 201...........  19[deg]44'07'' N.  155[deg]00'38''
                                  through to Hilo        HA 202...........  19[deg]43'56'' N.   W.
                                  Harbor.                                                      155[deg]03'02''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Papaikou Area.........  HA 211...........  19[deg]46'39'' N.  155[deg]05'18''
                                                         HA 212...........  19[deg]46'43'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]05'18''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Onomea Bay Area.......  HA 221...........  19[deg]48'33'' N.  155[deg]05'34''
                                                         HA 222...........  19[deg]48'37'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]05'22''
                                                                                                W.
16.........  Hawaii............  Hakalau Area..........  HA 231...........  19[deg]54'02'' N.  155[deg]07'32''
                                                         HA 232...........  19[deg]54'05'' N.   W.
                                                                                               155[deg]07'43''
                                                                                                W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unoccupied Areas

    Section 3(5)(A)(ii) of the ESA defines critical habitat to include 
``specific areas outside the geographical areas occupied by the species 
at the time it is listed'' if those areas are determined to be 
essential to the conservation of the species. In our proposed rule we 
stated that we did not identify any specific areas outside the 
geographic area occupied by Hawaiian monk seals that may be essential 
for the conservation of the species. We did not receive any public or 
peer review comments on this topic; therefore, no unoccupied areas will 
be included in this analysis.

Special Management Considerations or Protections

    An occupied area may be designated as critical habitat only if it 
contains physical or biological features essential to the conservation 
of the species that ``may require special management considerations or 
protection.'' We have identified a number of activities that may 
threaten or adversely affect our identified essential features and 
which, therefore, may require special management considerations or 
protection. In our proposed rule, we grouped these activities into 
eight categories: (1) In-water and coastal construction, (2) dredging 
and disposal of dredged material, (3) energy development (renewable 
energy projects), (4) activities that generate water pollution, (5) 
aquaculture, (6) fisheries, (7) oil spills and vessel groundings 
response activities, and (8) military activities.
    We received several comments that suggested that impacts for 
certain activities were not recognized within the scope of our impacts 
analysis. In review we noted that several of these activities were 
included in our analysis, but that the broad title provided for the 
category did not make this easy to discern. We have revised the titles 
for several of these categories to identify more clearly the eight 
categories: (1) In-water and coastal construction (including 
development), (2) dredging (including disposal of dredged materials), 
(3) energy development (including renewable energy projects), (4) 
activities that generate water pollution, (5) aquaculture (including 
mariculture), (6) fisheries, (7) environmental response activities 
(including oil spills, spills of other substances, vessel groundings, 
and marine debris clean-up activities), and (8) military activities. 
All of the identified activities have the potential to affect one or 
more of the essential features by altering the quantity, quality or 
availability of the essential features for Hawaiian monk seals. The 
biological report (NMFS 2014a) and economic analysis report (Industrial 
Economics 2014) provide a more detailed description of the potential 
effects of each category of activities and threats on the essential 
features.

Military Areas Ineligible for Designation (section 4(a)(3) 
Determinations)

    The ESA precludes the Secretary from designating military lands as 
critical habitat if those lands are subject to an INRMP under the Sikes 
Act Improvement Act of 1997 (Sikes Act; http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2013-title16/pdf/USCODE-2013-title16-chap5C-subchapI-sec670.pdf) 
and the Secretary certifies in writing that the plan benefits the 
listed species (section 4(a)(3), Pub. L. 108-136).
    Refining the essential features (described above), after 
considering public comment and available information, has reduced the 
size of the specific areas under consideration for critical habitat 
(i.e., those areas where the essential features exist). Consequently, 
the overlap between areas under consideration for critical habitat and 
areas managed under certain DOD INRMPs has changed since the 2011 
proposed designation. Additionally, since 2011, several INRMPs have 
been revised to incorporate new management measures as well as newly 
managed areas; these changes, and our determinations as to whether the 
INRMP provides a benefit to the species, are discussed below.

[[Page 50964]]

Although the Army and the Air Force provided INRMPs for review, areas 
under consideration for Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat no longer 
overlap with Army or Air Force INRMP managed areas; therefore, these 
INRMPs require no review under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i).
    The Marine Corps' MCBH, and the Navy's PMRF and the JBPHH INRMPs 
continue to overlap with areas under consideration for monk seal 
critical habitat, and these INRMPs were reviewed in accordance with 
section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the ESA. Areas subject to the MCBH INRMP that 
overlap with the areas under consideration for critical habitat include 
the 500-yard buffer zone in marine waters surrounding the MCBH-KB on 
the Mokapu Peninsula, Oahu; and Puuloa Training Facility, on the Ewa 
coastal plain, Oahu. Overlap areas for the PMRF INRMP include Kaula 
Island and coastal and marine areas out to 10 m in depth around the 
island of Niihau, which are leased for naval training activities and 
use. Overlap areas for the JBPHH INRMP include Nimitz Beach, White 
Plains Beach, the Naval Defensive Sea Area, the Barbers Point 
Underwater Range, and the Ewa Training Minefield, all on Oahu.
    To determine whether a plan provides a benefit to the species, we 
evaluated each plan with regard to the potential conservation benefits 
to the species, the past known implementation of management efforts, 
and the management effectiveness of the plan. Plans determined to be a 
benefit to the species demonstrated strengths in all three areas of the 
review. While considering the third criterion, we determined that an 
effective management plan must have a structured process to gain 
information (through monitoring and reporting), a process for 
recognizing program deficiencies and successes (review), and a 
procedure for addressing any deficiencies (allowing for adaption for 
conservation needs).
    Although we previously determined that the 2006 MCBH INRMP provided 
a benefit to the Hawaiian monk seal (76 FR 32026; June 2, 2011), the 
2012 MCBH INRMP was evaluated for this final rule to ensure that 
conservation measures implemented under the renewed INRMP continue to 
provide a benefit to the Hawaiian monk seal as well as the refined 
essential features. In review, the MCBH INRMP identifies multiple 
conservation measures that may confer benefits to the Hawaiian monk 
seal or its habitat, including debris removal, prohibitions against lay 
nets and gill nets in the 500-yard buffer zone, restrictions on 
fishing, enforcement of established rules by a Conservation Law 
Enforcement Officer, interagency cooperation for rehabilitation events, 
use of established procedures for seal haul-out and pupping events, 
educational outreach for protected species (including classroom briefs, 
Web page, news articles, brochures, service projects, and on-site 
signage and monitoring), protected species scouting surveys prior to 
training exercises along the beach; invasive species removal (e.g., 
removing invasive mangroves to support native species habitat), 
ecological assessments in marine resources surveys and inventories, and 
water quality projects (minimizing erosion and pollution). 
Additionally, management effectiveness and plan implementation are 
demonstrated in the plan's appendices, which outline the conservation 
measures goals and objectives, provide reports and monitoring efforts 
from past efforts, report on the plan's implementation, and describe 
the achievement of the goals and objectives. Meeting all three criteria 
for review, we have determined that the MCBH INRMP provides a benefit 
to the Hawaiian monk seal and its habitat.
    In 2011, we found the Navy's two INRMPs did not meet the benefit 
criteria established for review and identified concerns with plan 
implementation and management effectiveness (76 FR 32026; June 2, 
2011). Since 2011, the Navy has worked with us to recognize and revise 
plan deficiencies. Additionally, the Navy has enhanced the management 
efforts associated with Hawaiian monk seal conservation that are 
implemented under the JBPHH and PMRF INRMPs. Plan effectiveness has 
been addressed for both INRMPs by including a performance monitoring 
element to the INRMPs, which creates an annual review with State and 
Federal wildlife agencies. During review, management measures and 
outcomes are evaluated to ensure that plan deficiencies are identified 
and addressed. Additionally, the Navy has enhanced the management 
efforts associated with Hawaiian monk seal conservation that are 
implemented under these INRMPs as follows. In review, the JBPHH INRMP 
demonstrates conservation benefits for the species, including marine 
debris removal, monitoring, and prevention; pet restrictions; 
restriction of access; protocol to prevent disturbance during naval 
activities; staff and public education; training to prevent ship 
groundings; marine mammal stranding and response training and 
protocols; enforcement (through base police and the game warden); and 
compliance and restoration programs for contaminants. Based on these 
benefits provided for the Hawaiian monk seal, and in combination with 
the concerted effort made by the Navy to enhance the plan's 
implementation and management effectiveness, we determined that the 
JBPHH INRMP provides a benefit to the Hawaiian monk seal and its 
habitat.
    Since 2011, the Navy has revised the PMRF INRMP's monitoring plan 
for Kaula Island to better reflect logistical constraints and 
accurately identify monitoring capabilities for this area. 
Additionally, the Navy has coordinated with NMFS staff to improve the 
effectiveness of monitoring activities for the Island. In addition to 
these changes, the Navy has amended the PMRF INRMP to include coastal 
and marine areas out to 10 m in depth surrounding the Island of Niihau, 
which are leased for Navy training activities and use. Conservation 
measures on Niihau related to Hawaiian monk seals or their habitat 
include the following: a coastal monitoring program for Hawaiian monk 
seals and sea turtles, periodic removal of feral pigs, bans on ATVs (to 
preserve the sand dunes and coastal areas), bans on dogs (to prevent 
disturbance to native wildlife), and continued limited access for 
guests. In review, the PMRF INRMP demonstrates elements of a successful 
conservation program that will benefit the species, including marine 
debris removal, monitoring, and prevention; trapping of feral pigs, 
cats, and dogs; pet restrictions; restriction of public access in 
certain areas; protocols to prevent wildlife disturbance; public 
education; training to prevent ship groundings; monk seal monitoring 
and reporting; and compliance and restoration programs for 
contaminants. Based on these benefits provided for the Hawaiian monk 
seal, and in combination with the concerted effort made by the Navy to 
enhance the plan's implementation and management effectiveness, we 
determined that the PMRF INRMP provides a benefit to the Hawaiian monk 
seal and its habitat.
    In conclusion, we have determined that the INRMPs for the MCBH, the 
PMRF, and the JBPHH each confer benefits to the Hawaiian monk seal and 
its habitat, and therefore the areas subject to these INRMPs are 
precluded from Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat.

ESA Section 4(b)(2) Analysis

    Section 4(b)(2) of the ESA requires the Secretary to consider the 
economic, national security, and any other relevant impacts of 
designating any particular area as critical habitat. Any particular

[[Page 50965]]

area may be excluded from critical habitat if the Secretary determines 
that the benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits of 
designating the area. The Secretary may not exclude a particular area 
from designation if exclusion will result in the extinction of the 
species. Because the authority to exclude is discretionary, exclusion 
is not required for any areas. In this final designation, the Secretary 
has applied statutory discretion as described below to exclude five 
occupied areas from critical habitat where the benefits of exclusion 
outweigh the benefits of designation.
    The first step in conducting the ESA section 4(b)(2) analysis is to 
identify the ``particular areas'' to be analyzed. The ``particular 
areas'' considered for exclusion are defined based on the impacts 
identified. Where we considered economic impacts and weighed the 
economic benefits of exclusion against the conservation benefits of 
designation, we used the same biologically-based ``specific areas'' we 
had identified under section 3(5)(A) (e.g., Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, etc.) 
above. Delineating the ``particular areas'' as the same units as the 
``specific areas'' allowed us to consider the conservation value of the 
designation most effectively. We also considered exclusions of smaller 
particular areas based on impacts on national security and other 
relevant impacts (i.e., for this designation, impacts on areas managed 
by USFWS in the NWHI). Delineating particular areas based on impacts to 
national security or other relevant impacts was based on land ownership 
or control (e.g., land controlled by the DOD within which national 
security impacts may exist or land owned or controlled by the USFWS). 
The next step in the ESA section 4(b)(2) analysis involves 
identification of the impacts of designation (i.e., the benefits of 
designation and the benefits of exclusion). We then weigh the benefits 
of designation against the benefits of exclusion to identify areas 
where the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of designation. 
These steps and the resulting list of areas excluded from designation 
are described in detail in the sections below.

Impacts of Designation

    The primary impact of a critical habitat designation stems from the 
requirement under section 7(a)(2) of the ESA that Federal agencies 
insure that their actions are not likely to result in the destruction 
or adverse modification of critical habitat. Determining this impact is 
complicated by the fact that section 7(a)(2) also contains the 
requirement that Federal agencies must also insure their actions are 
not likely to jeopardize the species' continued existence. Accordingly, 
the incremental impact of designation of critical habitat is the extent 
to which Federal agencies modify their actions to insure their actions 
are not likely to destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of 
the species beyond any modifications they already would be required to 
make because of the species' listing and the requirement to avoid 
jeopardy. When a project modification would be required due to impacts 
to both the species and critical habitat, the impact of the designation 
is considered co-extensive with the impact of the ESA listing of the 
species. Additional impacts of designation include state and local 
protections that may be triggered as a result of the designation and 
the benefits from educating the public about the importance of each 
area for species conservation. Thus, the impacts of the designation 
include conservation impacts for Hawaiian monk seal and its habitat, 
economic impacts, impacts on national security, and other relevant 
impacts that may result from the designation and the application of ESA 
section 7(a)(2).
    In determining the impacts of designation, we focused on the 
incremental change in Federal agency actions as a result of critical 
habitat designation and the adverse modification provision, beyond the 
changes expected to occur as a result of listing and the jeopardy 
provision. Following a line of recent court decisions, including: 
Arizona Cattle Growers Association v. Salazar, 606 F. 3d 1160 (9th Cir. 
2010)) (Arizona Cattle Growers); and Home Builders Association of 
Northern California et al. v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 616 F.3d 
983 (9th Cir. 2010) (Home Builders) economic impacts that occur 
regardless of the critical habitat designation are treated as part of 
the regulatory baseline and are not factored into the analysis of the 
effects of the critical habitat designation. In other words, consistent 
with the Arizona Cattle Growers and Home Builders decisions, we focus 
on the potential incremental impacts beyond the impacts that would 
result from the listing and jeopardy provision. In some instances, 
potential impacts from the designation could not be distinguished from 
protections that may already occur under the baseline (i.e., 
protections already afforded Hawaiian monk seals under its listing or 
under other Federal, state, and local regulations). For example, the 
project modifications to prevent the disturbance to an area of critical 
habitat may be similar to the project modifications necessary to 
prevent jeopardy to the species in an area. The extent to which these 
modifications differ may be project specific, and the incremental 
changes or impacts to the project may be difficult to tease apart 
without further project specificity. Thus, the analysis may include 
some impacts or project modifications that may have been required under 
the baseline regardless of the critical habitat rule.
    Once we determined the impacts of the designation, we then 
determined the benefits of designation and the benefits of exclusion 
based on the impacts of the designation. The benefits of designation 
include the conservation benefits for Hawaiian monk seals and their 
habitat that result from the critical habitat designation and the 
application of ESA section 7(a)(2). The benefits of exclusion include 
the economic impacts, impacts on national security, and other relevant 
impacts (e.g., impacts on Native lands) of the designation that would 
be avoided if a particular area were excluded from the critical habitat 
designation. The following sections describe how we determined the 
benefits of designation and the benefits of exclusion and how those 
benefits were weighed as required under section 4(b)(2) of the ESA to 
identify particular areas that may be eligible for exclusion from the 
designation. We also summarize the results of this weighing process and 
determinations of the areas that are eligible for exclusion.

Benefits of Designation

    The primary benefit of designation is the protection afforded under 
section 7 of the ESA via requiring all Federal agencies to insure their 
actions are not likely to destroy or adversely modify designated 
critical habitat. This is in addition to the requirement that all 
Federal agencies insure their actions are not likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of the species. In addition to the protections 
described above, the designation may also result in other forms of 
benefits, such as educational awareness about monk seals and their 
habitat needs. The economic analysis report (Industrial Economics 2014) 
discusses additional benefits in detail, including use benefits 
(associated with wildlife-viewing), non-use benefits (associated with 
the value that people place on the species' existence), or ancillary 
ecosystem benefits. Such ancillary benefits may include preserved water 
quality and enhanced or sustained marine habitat conditions supporting 
other marine and coastal

[[Page 50966]]

species as well as other area uses (e.g., recreational use).
    Most of these benefits are not directly comparable to the costs of 
designation for purposes of conducting the section 4(b)(2) analysis 
described below. Ideally, benefits and costs should be compared on 
equal terms; however, there is insufficient information regarding the 
extent of the benefits and the associated values to monetize all of 
these benefits. We have not identified any available data to monetize 
the benefits of designation (e.g., estimates of the monetary value of 
the essential features within areas designated as critical habitat, or 
of the monetary value associated with the designation supporting 
recovery). Further, section 4(b)(2) also requires that we consider and 
weigh impacts other than economic impacts that do not lend themselves 
to quantification in monetary terms, such as the benefits to national 
security of excluding areas from critical habitat. Given the lack of 
information that would allow us either to quantify or monetize the 
benefits of the designation for Hawaiian monk seals discussed above, we 
determined that conservation benefits should be considered from a 
qualitative standpoint.
    In determining the benefits of designation, we considered a number 
of factors. We took into account the essential features present in the 
area, the habitat functions provided by each area, and the importance 
of protecting the habitat for the overall conservation of the species. 
In doing so, we acknowledged that, as pinnipeds, Hawaiian monk seals 
are uniquely adapted to a tropical system defined by low productivity 
and environmental variability, which is reflected in their foraging and 
reproductive patterns. Ecologically, monk seals find success in this 
environment by foraging independently on assorted bottom-associated 
prey species, at various depths, across a wide-range, and their 
lifestyle reflects a solitary nature with no distinct breeding season. 
Therefore, habitat that supports this species' recovery must reflect 
and support these ecological requirements. We also acknowledged that 
variability associated with prey resources in this tropical environment 
means that the island/atoll habitats are likely to only support small 
resident numbers of these tropical seals (NMFS 2007). Thus, recovery 
for this species requires that multiple independent sub-populations are 
sufficiently populated across the Hawaiian Archipelago such that they 
may sustain ``random decline'', as outlined in the Recovery Plan for 
the Hawaiian Monk Seal (NMFS 2007).
    The specific areas (i.e., areas 1-16) identified in this final rule 
are aimed at supporting the sub-populations located throughout the 
range. Given the significant roles that these areas play in supporting 
monk seal conservation, the CHRT did not distinguish relative value 
amongst the 16 specific areas. However, we have determined that 
specific areas which provide all three essential features provide a 
high conservation value to the species, because these areas provide 
habitat features necessary to support the multiple independent 
subpopulations identified in the recovery plan. In the NWHI, eight of 
the specific areas, Kure Atoll, Midway Islands, Pearl and Hermes Reef, 
Lisianski Island, Laysan Island, French Frigate Shoals, Necker Island, 
and Nihoa Island, support all three essential features (foraging, 
preferred pupping, and significant haul-out areas) for seals. In the 
MHI, five specific areas, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui Nui, and Hawaii, 
support all three essential features. Two of the areas in the NWHI, 
Maro Reef and Gardner Pinnacles provide important foraging areas that 
may be used by several subpopulations, in a portion of the range where 
food limitations are known to be a critical threat (Stewart et al. 
2006; NMFS 2007). Marine areas around Kaula Island include marine 
foraging areas that may support seals from the NWHI and the MHI, and 
the island (which is precluded from designation) supports significant 
haul out areas. Relative to specific areas that provide all three 
essential features, we find that Maro Reef, Gardner Pinnacles, and 
Kaula Island provide a medium conservation value for Hawaiian monk 
seals because these three areas provide marine foraging areas that 
support seals from several subpopulations. We recognize that the 
contribution to conservation value of smaller particular areas within 
these larger specific areas may vary widely based on the size of the 
particular area in question and the number and type of the essential 
features present within the particular area. Therefore, factors 
attributed to the benefits of the designation of areas were 
individually considered within each particular area during the 
exclusion discussions.

Benefits of Exclusion Based on Economic Impacts

    The economic benefits of exclusion are the economic impacts (above 
those costs that result from the species' listing) that would be 
avoided by excluding particular areas from the designation. To 
determine these economic impacts, we identified activities within each 
specific area that may affect Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. The 
draft biological report (NMFS 2014a) identified eight categories of 
activities: (1) In water and coastal construction (including 
development), (2) dredging (including disposal of dredged materials), 
(3) energy development (including renewable energy projects), (4) 
activities that generate water pollution, (5) aquaculture (including 
mariculture) (6) fisheries, (7) environmental response activities 
(including oil spills, spills of other substances, vessel groundings, 
and marine debris clean-up activities), and (8) military activities. We 
then considered the range of modifications that we might seek in these 
activities to avoid destroying or adversely modifying Hawaiian monk 
seal critical habitat. Where possible, we focused on changes beyond 
those that may be required to avoid jeopardy to the continued existence 
of the species (i.e., protections in place resulting from listing the 
species). We relied on information from other ESA section 7 
consultations and NMFS expertise to determine the types of activities 
and potential range of changes. In addition to the above information, 
we reviewed comments received on the 2011 proposed rule (76 FR 32026; 
June 2, 2011). The economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) was 
revised and updated to incorporate analysis appropriate to the revised 
delineation, information received in comments, as well as additional 
information solicited and/or received from Federal and State agencies. 
The final economic analysis (Industrial Economics Inc. 2014) discusses 
the 8 activities highlighted above and provides discussions regarding 
development activities (a subset of in-water and construction 
activities), and response to spills of other substances. Additionally, 
the report discusses impacts that were identified in public comments, 
including activities associated with the NWHI, beach recreation and 
tourism, scientific research, and Native Hawaiian activities.
    The final economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) identifies 
the total estimated present value of the quantified impacts at $2.04 
million over the next 10 years; on an annualized basis, this is 
equivalent to impacts of $290,000 per year. Impacts reflect additional 
administrative effort to consider critical habitat in section 7 
consultation and are largely associated with the designation of areas 
in the MHI. Across the MHI, impacts are projected to be experienced 
strongest in the Maui Nui (40 percent of the

[[Page 50967]]

quantified impacts) and Oahu (27 percent of the quantified impacts) 
specific areas, likely because of the larger economic activity in these 
areas and the larger size of the Maui Nui area. Looking at impacts 
across the activities, 81 percent of the quantified impacts (i.e., 
$1.65 million) are associated with coastal construction and in-water 
construction activities (Industrial Economics 2014). Beyond the 
quantified impacts of the analysis, the report also emphasizes the 
potential for critical habitat to change the scope and scale of future 
projects or activities, which is difficult to quantify due to the 
uncertainty associated with the nature and scope of any future project 
modifications that will be necessary. This includes considerations 
associated with potential impacts to federally-managed fisheries under 
the Hawaii Fisheries Ecosystem Plan, coastal development projects 
requiring Federal or State permitting, and impacts associated with the 
military use of Niihau.
    At this time, Federal fishery management modifications to avoid 
adverse modification are not expected, because these activities 
generally do not adversely modify foraging areas. This assessment is 
based on the fact that MHI seals do not appear to face food limitations 
in MHI foraging areas where fishery activities overlap with the 
designation. Additionally, the overlap between targeted species for 
these fisheries and monk seal diet is considered low, and may not 
extend beyond the family taxonomic level (Cahoon 2011; Sprague et al. 
2013). However, future modifications were not ruled out, because future 
revised management measures could result as more information is gained 
about monk seal foraging ecology.
    Impacts to development projects may not be fully realized for 
projects situated close to terrestrial critical habitat areas. This is 
in part because project-specific details are necessary to assess the 
true impact that development may have on the characteristics that 
support local preferred pupping and significant haul-out areas in order 
to distinguish how mitigation measures may differ from existing 
baseline protections. The final economic report (Industrial Economics 
2014) identifies two areas on Kauai and one on Oahu where development 
projects are scheduled to occur near areas proposed for critical 
habitat and where characteristics of the sites may be described as 
relatively remote. Generally, existing State coastline protections, 
including those associated with the Coastal Zone Management Act, limit 
development such that the large developments are not located close to 
shore, i.e., within areas proposed for Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat. However, recommendations could be made on projects, once 
project-specific details associated with community developments are 
available, if they have the potential to alter important 
characteristics at preferred pupping areas or significant haul-out 
sites. Additionally, Hawaii's DLNR has recognized the potential for the 
designation to result in increased management recommendations 
associated with State land permits or leases, as necessary, but 
provided no detail as to how recommendations may deviate from existing 
measures.
    Military activities associated with the use of Niihau Island do not 
appear to affect the essential features of Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat and the designation is not expected to directly impact training 
or research activities surrounding Niihau. However, Niihau Ranch has 
expressed concerns that the designation of Niihau areas may result in 
diminished work with the DOD, because military officials may wish to 
avoid public scrutiny associated with military activities taking place 
in designated areas. Niihau Ranch indicates that 90 percent of the 
income on Island is derived from supporting DOD research and training 
(Industrial Economics 2014). Thus, losing this source of income could 
create an economic hardship for Niihau Ranch and the islands' 
residents.
    In summary, economic impacts from the proposed designation are 
expected largely as a result of the additional administrative effort 
necessary to consider the impacts that activities could have on 
Hawaiian monk seal essential features. Therefore, activities that are 
regularly occurring throughout these areas and already consulted on 
under section 7 in a jeopardy analysis of potential impacts to Hawaiian 
monk seals (such as in-water and coastal construction) reflect a 
majority of the burden of the designation. Similarly, those specific 
areas where economic activity is higher and/or where the specific area 
is larger also reflect the majority of the burden (e.g., Oahu and Maui 
Nui). The predicted impacts (or costs of designation) are expected to 
be spread across the specific area and no additional particular areas 
were identified within these units where the costs of the designation 
are expected to be disproportionately higher. Throughout the specific 
areas, we found that the activities of concern are already subject to 
multiple environmental laws, regulations, and permits that afford the 
proposed essential features a high level of baseline protection. For 
example, energy projects require extensive consideration of 
environmental impacts, and existing conservation recommendations that 
are outlined by the State and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (in 
a PEIS) to support Hawaii's energy development include measures that 
parallel NMFS' recommendations to avoid adverse modification to monk 
seal critical habitat. Thus, industry representatives agree that 
project modifications associated with this designation are not 
anticipated to result in increased burdens (Industrial Economics 2014). 
Despite these protections, uncertainty remains regarding the true 
extent of the impacts that some activities may have on the essential 
features, and economic impacts of the designation may not be fully 
realized. However, we considered the quantified impacts and found that 
the highest estimated annual economic cost associated with the 
designation of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat is $116,000 annually 
for a large unit in the MHI, estimated impacts of most other units in 
the MHI are below or well below $100,000, and in the NWHI portion of 
the chain impacts are expected to be less than $1,100. Typically, to be 
considered ``high,'' an economic value would need to be above several 
million dollars (sometimes tens of millions), and ``medium'' may fall 
between several hundred thousand and millions of dollars. Accordingly, 
we consider the economic costs associated with this designation to be 
``low'' economic impact for all particular areas.

Exclusions of Particular Areas Based on Economic Impacts

    Because all particular areas identified for Hawaiian monk seal 
critical habitat have a high to medium conservation value and because 
the economic impacts associated with designation is expected to be low 
in all particular areas, we find that the benefits of designation 
outweigh the benefits of exclusion, and that no areas are appropriate 
for exclusion. This has not changed from the proposed rule. Because no 
areas are being excluded based on economic impacts, we did not need to 
further consider whether exclusions would result in extinction of the 
Hawaiian monk seal.

Exclusions Based on Impacts to National Security

    The national security benefits of exclusion are the national 
security impacts that would be avoided by excluding particular areas 
from the designation. For the 2011 proposed rule, we evaluated 13 areas 
for exclusion

[[Page 50968]]

based on national security impacts and proposed to exclude 5 areas in 
the MHI (76 FR 32026; June 2, 2011). We received comments on the June 
2, 2011 proposed rule (76 FR 32026) from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army, 
and the U.S. Air Force, requesting that certain areas be re-evaluated 
and/or that additional areas be excluded due to national security 
impacts. The U.S. Navy, the USMC, and the U.S. Army identified areas 
where national security impacts may exist if critical habitat were 
designated based on the boundaries of the 2011 proposed designation; 
however, after refining the essential features, not all of the areas 
requested for exclusion overlap with the areas that meet the definition 
of critical habitat. For this final rule we have considered the 
national security impacts for 10 sites that overlap with the areas 
meeting the definition of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. These 10 
areas were considered for exclusion for the 2011 proposed rule; 
however, we have re-evaluated all of these requests for exclusion to 
consider information presented in public comments, as well as to 
evaluate differences in the proportion of habitat being requested for 
exclusion. To make our decision we weighed the benefits of exclusion 
(i.e., the impacts to national security that would be avoided) against 
the benefits of designation.
    The primary benefit of exclusion is that potential costs associated 
with conservation measures for critical habitat would be avoided and 
the DOD would not be required to consult with NMFS under section 7 of 
the ESA regarding DOD actions that may affect critical habitat in those 
areas. To assess the benefits of exclusion, we evaluated the intensity 
of use of the particular area by the DOD, the likelihood that DOD 
actions in the particular area would affect critical habitat and 
trigger an ESA section 7 consultation, and the potential conservation 
measures that may be required and that may result in delays or costs 
that affect national security. We also considered the level of 
protection provided to critical habitat by existing DOD safeguards, 
such as regulations to control public access and use of the area and 
other means by which the DOD may influence other Federal actions in the 
particular area.
    The primary benefit of designation is the protection afforded 
Hawaiian monk seals under the section 7 critical habitat provisions. To 
evaluate the benefit of designation for each particular area, we 
considered what is known regarding Hawaiian monk seal use of the 
particular area, the size of the particular area when compared to the 
specific area and the total critical habitat area, and the likelihood 
that other Federal actions occur in the area that may affect critical 
habitat and trigger a consultation.
    As discussed in ``The Benefits of Designation'' section, the 
benefits of designation may not be directly comparable to the benefits 
of exclusion for purposes of conducting the section 4(b)(2) analysis, 
because neither may be fully quantified or monetized. We identified 
that Hawaiian monk seal use of the area and conservation need for the 
habitat should be most heavily considered against the impacts (i.e., 
activity modification costs) that the designation, if finalized, may 
have on DOD activities; however, all factors discussed played a role in 
the decision. Table 2 outlines the determinations made for the 10 
particular areas identified and the factors that weighed significantly 
in that process. Notably, in 2011 we proposed the PMRF Main Base at 
Barking Sands, Kauai for exclusion. However, this area does not support 
Hawaiian monk seal essential features as refined and does not overlap 
with the areas under consideration for Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat; therefore, consideration of exclusion is no longer necessary. 
Additionally, several areas previously considered for national security 
exclusions in 2011 are now ineligible for designation because they are 
managed under the JBPHH or the PMRF INRMPs. Therefore, these areas will 
not be considered for national security exclusion.

  Table 2--Summary of the Assessment of Particular Areas Requested for Exclusion by the DOD Based on Impacts on
                                                National Security
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Overlapping
      DOD Site (size); Agency            particular area      Exclusion  warranted?      Significant weighing
                                             (size)                                             factors
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 3-mile danger zone in marine     Area 11--Kaula (26      No.....................  This area provides
 waters around Kaula Island (14       mi\2\, or 66 km\2\).                             Hawaiian monk seal
 mi\2\, or 37 km\2\)--Navy.                                                            foraging habitat that may
                                                                                       support seals from the
                                                                                       NWHI and the MHI, and we
                                                                                       have not been provided
                                                                                       information identifying
                                                                                       specific impacts to
                                                                                       national security. The
                                                                                       benefits of designation
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       exclusion.
(2) Marine waters from 10 m in       Area 12--Niihau (115    No.....................  The island of Niihau and
 depth to 12 nmi offshore of Niihau   mi\2\, or 298 km\2\).                            the surrounding waters
 (115+ mi\2\, or 298+ km\2\)--Navy.                                                    are of high value to
                                                                                       Hawaiian monk seal
                                                                                       conservation because it
                                                                                       supports the highest
                                                                                       number of seals in the
                                                                                       MHI. The request for
                                                                                       exclusion includes the
                                                                                       entire marine area
                                                                                       surrounding this
                                                                                       important habitat but
                                                                                       provides no specific
                                                                                       justification for this
                                                                                       larger marine area. The
                                                                                       benefits of designation
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       exclusion.
(3) Kingfisher Underwater Training   Area 12--Niihau (115    Yes....................  The Island of Niihau
 Area off of Niihau 2 mi\2\, or 4     mi\2\, or 298 km\2\).                            supports the highest
 km\2\)--Navy.                                                                         number of seals in the
                                                                                       MHI; however, the
                                                                                       particular area requested
                                                                                       is relatively small in
                                                                                       comparison to the overall
                                                                                       area. Impacts to national
                                                                                       security may result from
                                                                                       section 7 consultations
                                                                                       specific to the
                                                                                       construction and
                                                                                       maintenance of the
                                                                                       training range. The
                                                                                       benefits of exclusion
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       designation for this
                                                                                       area.
(4) PMRF Offshore areas (including   Area 13--Kauai (215     Yes....................  Impacts to national
 PMRF restricted area and the         mi\2\, or 557 km\2\).                            security may result from
 Shallow Water Training Range                                                          section 7 consultations
 (SWTR)) (58 mi\2\, or 149 km\2\)--                                                    specific to the
 Navy.                                                                                 installation of
                                                                                       hydrophones on the range.
                                                                                       Although the area is used
                                                                                       by monk seals, current
                                                                                       protocols in place
                                                                                       provide protections for
                                                                                       monk seals in this area.
                                                                                       The benefits of exclusion
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       designation for this
                                                                                       area.
(5) Puuloa Underwater Training       Area 14--Oahu (363      Yes....................  Impacts to national
 Range (10 mi\2\, or 25 km\2\)--      mi\2\, or 940 km\2\).                            security may result from
 Navy.                                                                                 section 7 consultations
                                                                                       specific to activities
                                                                                       that occur within the
                                                                                       range and this type of
                                                                                       training area is only
                                                                                       found in one other
                                                                                       location nationwide. The
                                                                                       marine foraging features
                                                                                       located within this
                                                                                       particular area are
                                                                                       believed to be of lower
                                                                                       value to Hawaiian monk
                                                                                       seal conservation. The
                                                                                       benefits of exclusion
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       designation.

[[Page 50969]]

 
(6) Commercial Anchorages B, C, D    Area 14--Oahu (363      No.....................  It is unlikely that Navy
 (1 mi\2\, or 2.6 km\2\)--Navy.       mi\2\, or 940 km\2\).                            activities will affect
                                                                                       essential features at
                                                                                       this site and the Navy
                                                                                       has no control over other
                                                                                       Federal activities
                                                                                       occurring within this
                                                                                       area. The benefits of
                                                                                       designation outweigh the
                                                                                       benefits of exclusion.
(7) Fleet Operational Readiness      Area 14--Oahu (363      No.....................  This area is believed to
 Accuracy Check Site (FORACS) (9      mi\2\, or 940 km\2\).                            be of high conservation
 mi\2\, 22 km\2\)--Navy.                                                               value to Hawaiian monk
                                                                                       seals. It is unlikely
                                                                                       that Navy activities will
                                                                                       affect essential features
                                                                                       at this site and other
                                                                                       Federal activities
                                                                                       occurring within this
                                                                                       area may affect these
                                                                                       features. The benefits of
                                                                                       designation outweigh the
                                                                                       benefits of exclusion.
(8) Marine Corps Training Area       Area 14--Oahu (363      No.....................  The boundaries of this
 Bellows Offshore--Navy and USMC      mi\2\, or 940 km\2\).                            area remain ill-defined
 (size not estimated).                                                                 and other Federal
                                                                                       activities occurring
                                                                                       within this area may
                                                                                       affect essential
                                                                                       features. The benefits of
                                                                                       designation outweigh the
                                                                                       benefits of exclusion.
(9) Shallow Water Minefield Sonar    Area 15--Maui Nui       Yes....................  The area requested is
 Training Range off Kahoolawe (4      (1,445 mi\2\, or                                 relatively small in
 mi\2\, or 11 km\2\)--Navy.           3,742 km\2\).                                    comparison to the total
                                                                                       area. Impacts to national
                                                                                       security may result from
                                                                                       section 7 consultations
                                                                                       specific to the
                                                                                       construction and
                                                                                       maintenance of the
                                                                                       training range. The
                                                                                       benefits of exclusion
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       designation for this
                                                                                       area.
(10) Kahoolawe Danger Zone (49       Area 15--Maui Nui       No.....................  Area supports all three
 mi\2\, or 127 km\2\)--Navy.          (1,445 mi\2\, or                                 essential features and is
                                      3,742 km\2\).                                    considered of high
                                                                                       conservation value for
                                                                                       Hawaiian monk seals. Navy
                                                                                       activities in this area
                                                                                       are infrequent and other
                                                                                       Federal activities may
                                                                                       benefit from section 7
                                                                                       consultation requirements
                                                                                       for this area. The
                                                                                       benefits of designation
                                                                                       outweigh the benefits of
                                                                                       exclusion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exclusions Based on Other Relevant Impacts

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act also allows for the consideration of 
other relevant impacts associated with the designation of critical 
habitat. Prior to the proposed rule we received comments from the USFWS 
requesting exclusion for Sand Island at Midway Islands due to economic 
and administrative burdens from the proposed designation. Similar to 
the National Security Analysis, we could not quantify the impacts on 
the USFWS in monetary terms or in terms of some other quantitative 
measure. To assess the benefits of excluding Sand Island, we evaluated 
the relative proportion of the area requested for exclusion, the 
intensity of use of the area, and the likelihood that actions on site 
will destroy or adversely modify habitat requiring additional section 7 
delays, costs, or burdens. We also considered the likelihood of future 
section 7 consultations and the level of protection provided to 
critical habitat by existing USFWS safeguards. Sand Island at Midway 
Islands provides important habitat with the essential features of 
significant haul-out areas and preferred pupping areas in the northwest 
end of the NWHI chain. USFWS noted that their management plans provide 
protections for Hawaiian monk seals from disturbance and revealed no 
additional plans to encroach on haul-out areas. In considering the 
above-listed factors we were not able to identify any additional costs, 
i.e., activities that the USFWS wished to engage in at this site that 
would require additional management measures or modifications to 
protect Hawaiian monk seal essential features. Therefore, Sand Island 
at Midway Islands was not proposed for exclusion in the proposed rule 
(76 FR 32026; June 2, 2011) because we found that the benefit of 
designation outweighed the benefits of exclusion.
    For the final designation, due to the refinements made to the 
designation and additional comments received from USFWS, we re-
evaluated the benefit of excluding Sand Island. Because Sand Island 
provides Hawaiian monk seals with preferred pupping and significant 
haul-out areas and we have no new information regarding the extent to 
which consultations would produce an outcome that has economic or other 
impacts, we conclude that the benefits of designation outweigh the 
benefits of exclusion. Therefore, this area has not been excluded from 
designation.

Critical Habitat Designation

    Based on the information provided above, the public comments 
received and the further analysis that was done since the proposed 
rulemaking, we hereby designate as critical habitat for Hawaiian monk 
seals Specific Areas 1-16, of marine habitat in Hawaii, excluding the 
four military areas discussed under Exclusions Based on Impacts to 
National Security and in this section. The designated critical habitat 
areas include approximately 6,712 mi\2\ (17,384 km\2\) and contain the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species that may require special management considerations or 
protection. This rule excludes from the designation the following areas 
based on national security impacts: Kingfisher Underwater Training area 
in marine areas off the northeast coast of Niihau; PMRF Offshore Areas 
in marine areas off the western coast of Kauai; the Puuloa Underwater 
Training Range in marine areas outside Pearl Harbor, Oahu; and the 
Shallow Water Minefield Sonar Training Range off the western coast of 
Kahoolawe in the Maui Nui area. Based on our best scientific knowledge 
and expertise, we conclude that the exclusion of these areas will not 
result in the extinction of the species, nor impede the conservation of 
the species. Additional areas are precluded from designation under 
section 4(a)(3) of the ESA because the areas are subject to management 
under three different DOD INRMPs that we found to provide a benefit to 
Hawaiian monk seals. These areas include Kaula Island; coastal and 
marine areas out to 10 m in depth around the Island of Niihau; and, on 
Oahu, the 500-yard buffer zone in marine waters surrounding the Marine 
Corps Base Hawaii (on the Mokapu Peninsula) (MCBH-KB), Puuloa Training 
Facility on the Ewa coastal plain, Nimitz Beach, White Plains Beach, 
the Naval Defensive Sea Area, the Barbers Point Underwater Range, and 
the Ewa Training Minefield.

[[Page 50970]]

Effects of Critical Habitat Designation

    Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA requires Federal agencies, including 
NMFS, to insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by 
the agency (agency action) does not jeopardize the continued existence 
of any threatened or endangered species or destroy or adversely modify 
designated critical habitat. When a species is listed or critical 
habitat is designated, Federal agencies must consult with us on any 
agency action to be conducted in an area where the species is present 
and that may affect the species or its critical habitat. During the 
consultation, we evaluate the agency action to determine whether the 
action may adversely affect listed species or adversely modify critical 
habitat and issue our finding in a biological opinion. If we conclude 
in the biological opinion that the agency action would likely result in 
the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat, we would 
also recommend any reasonable and prudent alternatives to the action. 
Reasonable and prudent alternatives are defined in 50 CFR 402.02 as 
alternative actions identified during formal consultation that can be 
implemented in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the 
action, that are consistent with the scope of the Federal agency's 
legal authority and jurisdiction, that are economically and 
technologically feasible, and that would avoid the destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies that have 
retained discretionary involvement or control over an action, or where 
such discretionary involvement or control is authorized by law, to 
reinitiate consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances in 
which (1) critical habitat is subsequently designated, or (2) new 
information or changes to the action may result in effects to critical 
habitat not previously considered in the biological opinion. 
Consequently, some Federal agencies may request re-initiation of 
consultation with us on actions for which formal consultation has been 
completed if those actions may affect designated critical habitat. 
Activities subject to the section 7 consultation process include 
activities on Federal lands, and activities on private or state lands 
requiring a permit from a Federal agency (e.g., a Clean Water Act 
section 404 dredge or fill permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers) or some other Federal action, including funding (e.g., ESA 
section 6, Federal Highway Administration, or Federal Emergency 
Management Agency funding). Section 7 consultation would not be 
required for Federal actions that do not affect listed species or 
critical habitat, nor for actions on non-Federal and private lands that 
are not carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal agency.

Activities That May Be Affected

    ESA section 4(b)(8) requires, to the maximum extent practicable, 
that any regulation to designate or revise critical habitat include a 
brief description and evaluation of those activities (whether public or 
private) that may adversely modify such habitat or that may be affected 
by such designation. A wide variety of activities may affect Hawaiian 
monk seal critical habitat and may be subject to the section 7 
consultation processes when carried out, funded, or authorized by a 
Federal agency. The activities most likely to be affected by this 
critical habitat designation once finalized are (1) in water and 
coastal construction (including development), (2) dredging (including 
disposal of dredged materials), (3) energy development (including 
renewable energy projects), (4) activities that generate water 
pollution, (5) aquaculture (including mariculture), (6) fisheries, (7) 
environmental response activities (including oil spills, spills of 
other substances, vessel groundings, and marine debris clean-up 
activities), and (8) military activities. Private entities may also be 
affected by this critical habitat designation if a Federal permit is 
required, Federal funding is received, or the entity is involved in or 
receives benefits from a Federal project. These activities would need 
to be evaluated with respect to their potential to destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat. Formal consultation under section 7(a)(2) of 
the ESA could result in changes to the activities to minimize adverse 
impacts to critical habitat or avoid destruction or adverse 
modification of designated critical habitat. We believe this final rule 
will provide Federal agencies, private entities, and the public with 
clear notification of critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal and 
the boundaries of such habitat. This designation will also allow 
Federal agencies and others to evaluate the potential effects of their 
activities on critical habitat to determine if section 7 consultation 
with NMFS is needed. Questions regarding whether specific activities 
would constitute destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat should be directed to NMFS (see ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

Information Quality Act and Peer Review

    On December 16, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
issued its Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review 
(Bulletin). The Bulletin was published in the Federal Register on 
January 14, 2005 (70 FR 2664), and went into effect on June 16, 2005. 
The primary purpose of the Bulletin is to improve the quality and 
credibility of scientific information disseminated by the Federal 
government by requiring peer review of ``influential scientific 
information'' and ``highly influential scientific information'' prior 
to public dissemination. Influential scientific information is defined 
as ``information the agency reasonably can determine will have or does 
have a clear and substantial impact on important public policies or 
private sector decisions.'' The Bulletin provides agencies broad 
discretion in determining the appropriate process and level of peer 
review. Stricter standards were established for the peer review of 
``highly influential scientific assessments,'' defined as information 
whose ``dissemination could have a potential impact of more than $500 
million in any one year on either the public or private sector or that 
the dissemination is novel, controversial, or precedent-setting, or has 
significant interagency interest.'' The draft biological report (NMFS, 
2010a) and economic analysis (ECONorthwest, 2010) supporting this rule 
to designate critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal are considered 
influential scientific information and subject to peer review. These 
two reports were distributed to three independent reviewers for review 
before the publication date of the proposed rule. The peer reviewer 
comments are addressed above and were compiled into a peer review 
report and are available at http://www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/prplans/PRsummaries.html.

Classification

Regulatory Planning and Review

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Office of Management and Budget 
determined this rule is not a significant regulatory action.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency publishes a notice of rulemaking 
for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make available for 
public comment a

[[Page 50971]]

regulatory flexibility analysis describing the effects of the rule on 
small entities (i.e., small businesses, small organizations, and small 
government jurisdictions). We prepared a final regulatory flexibility 
analysis (FRFA) pursuant to section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.; Industrial Economics 2014), which is 
included as Appendix C to the final economic analysis (Industrial 
Economics 2014). The FRFA incorporates information from the initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA). This document is available upon 
request (see ADDRESSES section above) and can be found on the NMFS 
Pacific Island Region's Web site at http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_critical_habitat.html. The results are summarized below.
    A statement of the need for and objectives of this final rule is 
provided earlier in the preamble and is not repeated here. This final 
rule will not impose any recordkeeping or reporting requirements.
    Three types of small entities identified in the analysis are (1) 
small business, (2) small governmental jurisdiction, and (3) small 
organization. The regulatory mechanism through which critical habitat 
protections are enforced is section 7 of the ESA, which directly 
regulates only those activities carried out, funded, or permitted by a 
Federal agency. By definition, Federal agencies are not considered 
small entities, although the activities they may fund or permit may be 
proposed or carried out by small entities. This analysis considers the 
extent to which this designation could potentially affect small 
entities, regardless of whether these entities would be directly 
regulated by NMFS through the final rule or by a delegation of impact 
from the directly regulated entity.
    The small entities that may bear the incremental impacts of this 
rulemaking are quantified in Chapters 3 through 12 of the final 
economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014) based on seven categories 
of economic activity (in-water and coastal construction (including 
development); fisheries; energy projects; development; aquaculture; 
activities that generate water pollution; and research and other 
miscellaneous activities) potentially requiring modification to avoid 
destruction or adverse modification of Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat. Small entities also may participate in section 7 consultation 
as an applicant or may be affected by a consultation if they intend to 
undertake an activity that requires a permit, license, or funding from 
the Federal government. It is therefore possible that the small 
entities may spend additional time considering critical habitat during 
section 7 consultation for the Hawaiian monk seal. Potentially affected 
activities include in-water and coastal construction, fisheries, energy 
projects, development, aquaculture, activities that generate water 
pollution, and research and other miscellaneous activities. Of the 
activities identified in the Benefits of Exclusion Based on Economic 
Impacts and Proposed Exclusions section of this rule, consultations on 
dredging, environmental response activities, and military activities 
are not expected to affect third parties, and are therefore are not 
expected to affect small entities. Additionally, impacts are not 
quantified for development or for activities that generate water 
pollution and these activities are described qualitatively in the FRFA 
to reflect on the potential magnitude of impacts. Exhibit C-1 in the 
final economic analysis summarizes estimated impacts to small entities 
by industry, and Exhibit C-3 describes potentially affected small 
businesses by NAICS code, highlighting the relevant small business 
thresholds. Although businesses affected indirectly are considered, 
this analysis considers only those entities for which impacts would not 
be measurably diluted, i.e., it focuses on those entities that may bear 
some additional costs associated with participation in section 7 
consultation.
    Based on the number of past consultations and information about 
potential future actions likely to take place within the critical 
habitat areas, the analysis forecasts the number of additional 
consultations that may take place as a result of critical habitat (see 
Chapters 3 through 12 of the economic analysis). Based on this 
forecast, incremental impacts associated with this rulemaking are 
expected to consist largely of administrative costs associated with 
section 7 consultations. In total, annualized incremental impacts are 
estimated at $290,000, of which approximately $121,000 may be borne by 
small entities. In addition to the quantified impacts, we also 
recognize that economic impacts that cannot be quantified are possible 
in the MHI related to fisheries, residential and commercial 
development, as well as military operations on Niihau. While most of 
these unquantified impacts would not be expected to change the relative 
rank of the affected units, unquantified impacts to Niihau could 
elevate that unit to be equal or greater in costs to the other MHIs.
    Ideally this analysis would directly identify the number of small 
entities which may engage in activities that overlap with the proposed 
designation; however, while we track the Federal agencies involved in 
the consultation process, we do not track the identity of past permit 
recipients or the particulars that would allow us to determine whether 
the recipients were small entities. Nor do we track how often Federal 
agencies have hired small entities to complete various actions 
associated with these consultations. In the absence of this 
information, the analysis utilizes Dun and Bradstreet databases, with 
supplemental data for fisheries participation, to determine the number 
of small businesses operating within the NAICS codes identified in 
Exhibit C-3 in each affected Hawaiian county.
    The final rule does not directly mandate ``reporting'' or ``record 
keeping'' within the meaning of the Paperwork Reduction Act, and does 
not impose record keeping or reporting requirements on small entities. 
A critical habitat designation requires Federal agencies to initiate a 
section 7 consultation to insure their actions do not destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat. During formal section 7 consultation 
under the ESA, NMFS, the action agency (Federal agency), and a third 
party participant applying for Federal funding or permitting may 
communicate in an effort to minimize potential adverse impacts to the 
habitat and/or the essential features. Communication may include 
written letters, phone calls, and/or meetings. Project variables such 
as the type of consultation, the location, affected essential features, 
and activity of concern, may in turn dictate the complexity of these 
interactions. Third party costs may include administrative work, such 
as cost of time and materials to prepare for letters, calls, or 
meetings. The cost of analyses related to the activity and associated 
reports may be included in these administrative costs. In addition, 
following the section 7 consultation process, entities may be required 
to monitor progress during the activity to ensure that impacts to the 
habitat and features have been minimized.
    A FRFA must identify any duplicative, overlapping, and conflicting 
Federal rules. The protections afforded to threatened and endangered 
species and their habitat are described in sections 7, 9, and 10 of the 
ESA. A final determination to designate critical habitat requires 
Federal agencies to consult, pursuant to section 7 of the ESA, with 
NMFS on any activities that Federal agency funds, authorizes or carries 
out, including permitting,

[[Page 50972]]

approving, or funding non-Federal activities (e.g., a Clean Water Act 
section 404 dredge or fill permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers). The requirement to consult is to ensure that any Federal 
action authorized, funded, or carried out will not likely jeopardize 
the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or 
result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. 
The incremental impacts forecast in the economic analysis and 
contemplated in the analysis are expected to result from the critical 
habitat designation and not the listing of the species or other Federal 
regulations.
    In accordance with the requirements of the RFA (as amended by 
SBREFA 1996), this analysis considered various alternatives to the 
critical habitat designation for the Hawaiian monk seal. The 
alternative of not designating critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk 
seal (Alternative 1) was considered and rejected because such an 
approach does not meet the legal requirements of the ESA. We considered 
the alternative of designating all specific areas (i.e., no areas 
excluded) (Alternative 2); however, in some cases the benefits of 
excluding particular areas based on national security impacts 
outweighed the benefits of including them in the designation. 
Additionally, this alternative may increase the impacts that this rule 
may have on small businesses, to the extent that these businesses are 
involved in work associated with certain military activities. Thus, we 
also considered the preferred alternative (Alternative 3) of 
designating all specific areas, but excluding particular areas based on 
the impacts to national security. As discussed early in Chapter 1 of 
the economic analysis, four areas were identified for the purposes of 
exclusion on the basis of national security under this alternative 
because the benefits of exclusion due to national security outweigh the 
benefits of designation. Although these areas are being excluded due to 
national security concerns, the exclusion of these areas from the 
designation may also in turn lessen the economic impacts on small 
businesses that may be contracted for work in these areas by the 
Department of Defense or on small businesses that plan on utilizing 
parts of these areas for other activities. The extent to which the 
economic impact to small entities would be reduced has not been 
determined based on the available information. Based on this analysis, 
impacts to small businesses resulting from the preferred alternative 
appear to be small, resulting in costs of 0.04 percent or less of small 
business revenue (see Exhibit C-1 in the economic analysis report). In 
conclusion, we were unable to determine significant economic impacts 
(Industrial Economics 2014) based on this designation; and, current 
information does not suggest that small businesses will be 
disproportionately affected by this designation.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, we make the 
following findings: The designation of critical habitat does not impose 
an ``enforceable duty'' on state, local, tribal governments, or the 
private sector and therefore does not qualify as a Federal mandate. In 
general, a Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute, or 
regulation that would impose an ``enforceable duty'' upon non-Federal 
governments or the private sector, and includes both ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.''
    Under the ESA, the only direct regulatory effect of this final rule 
is that Federal agencies must ensure that their actions do not destroy 
or adversely modify critical habitat under section 7. While non-Federal 
entities who receive Federal funding, assistance, permits, or otherwise 
require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action 
may be indirectly affected by the designation of critical habitat, the 
legally binding duty to avoid the destruction or adverse modification 
of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, 
to the extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly affected because 
they receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal 
aid program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply.
    We do not believe that this rule will significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments because it is not likely to produce a Federal 
mandate of $100 million or greater in any year; that is, it is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act. In addition, the designation of critical habitat imposes no 
obligations on local, state or tribal governments. Therefore, a Small 
Government Agency Plan is not required.

Takings

    Under Executive Order 12630, Federal agencies must consider the 
effects of their actions on constitutionally protected private property 
rights and avoid unnecessary takings of property. A taking of property 
includes actions that result in physical invasion or occupancy of 
private property, and regulations imposed on private property that 
substantially affect its value or use.
    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, the critical habitat 
designation does not pose significant takings implications. A takings 
implication assessment is not required. This final designation affects 
only Federal agency actions (i.e., those actions authorized, funded, or 
carried out by Federal agencies). Therefore, the critical habitat 
designation does not affect landowner actions that do not require 
Federal funding or permits.
    This critical habitat designation would not increase or decrease 
the current restrictions on private property concerning take of 
Hawaiian monk seals, nor do we expect the designation to impose 
substantial additional burdens on land use or substantially affect 
property values. Additionally, the final critical habitat designation 
does not preclude the development of Conservation Plans and issuance of 
incidental take permits for non-Federal actions. Owners of property 
included or used within the final critical habitat designation would 
continue to have the opportunity to use their property in ways 
consistent with the survival of listed Hawaiian monk seals.

Federalism

    Pursuant to the Executive Order on Federalism, E.O. 13132, we 
determined that this rule does not have significant Federalism effects 
and that a Federalism assessment is not required. We requested 
information from and coordinated development of this final critical 
habitat designation with appropriate Hawaii State resources agencies. 
This designation may have some benefit to State and local resource 
agencies in that the areas essential to the conservation of the species 
are more clearly defined, and the essential features of the habitat 
necessary for the survival of Hawaiian monk seals are specifically 
identified. While this designation would not alter where and what non-
federally sponsored activities may occur, it may assist local 
governments in long-range planning.
    Where State and local governments require approval or authorization 
from a Federal agency for actions that may affect critical habitat, 
consultation under section 7(a)(2) would be required. While non-Federal 
entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that 
otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for 
an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical 
habitat, the

[[Page 50973]]

legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat rests only on the Federal agency.

Civil Justice Reform

    In accordance with E.O. 12988, the Department of Commerce has 
determined that this final rule does not unduly burden the judicial 
system and meets the requirements of section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the 
Order. We are designating critical habitat in accordance with the 
provisions of the ESA. This final rule uses standard property 
descriptions and identifies the essential features within the 
designated areas to assist the public in understanding the habitat 
needs of the Hawaiian monk seal.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

    This final rule does not contain new or revised information 
collections that require approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This final rule will 
not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or local 
governments, individuals, businesses or organizations.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    We have determined that an environmental analysis as provided for 
under the NEPA of 1969 for critical habitat designations made pursuant 
to the ESA is not required. See Douglas County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495 
(9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 116 S. Ct. 698 (1996).

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)

    The CZMA emphasizes the primacy of state decision-making regarding 
the coastal zone. Section 307 of the CZMA (16 U.S.C. 1456), called the 
Federal consistency provision, is a major incentive for states to join 
the national coastal management program and is a powerful tool that 
states utilize to manage coastal uses and resources and to facilitate 
cooperation and coordination with Federal agencies.
    Federal consistency is the CZMA requirement by which Federal agency 
activities that have reasonably foreseeable effects on any land or 
water use or natural resource of the coastal zone (also referred to as 
coastal uses or resources and coastal effects) must be consistent to 
the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of a 
coastal state and federally approved coastal management program. We 
have determined that this final critical habitat designation is 
consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable 
policies of the approved Coastal Zone Management Program of Hawaii. 
This determination was submitted for review by the Hawaii Coastal Zone 
Management (CZM) Program. While the CZM program did generally express 
concerns about the expansiveness of the proposed designation and 
recommended only including areas that are vital for survival because 
monk seals are afforded protection outside of critical habitat areas 
under the ESA, the program concurred with our consistency determination 
in a letter issued on August 18, 2011. The program's concerns are 
addressed under our responses to comments 14 and 35 above.

Government to Government Relationship With Tribes

    The longstanding and distinctive relationship between the Federal 
and tribal governments is defined by treaties, statutes, executive 
orders, judicial decisions, and agreements, which differentiate tribal 
governments from the other entities that deal with, or are affected by, 
the Federal Government. This relationship has given rise to a special 
Federal trust responsibility involving the legal responsibilities and 
obligations of the United States towards Indian Tribes and the 
application of fiduciary standards of due care with respect to Indian 
lands, tribal trust resources, and the exercise of tribal rights. 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, outlines the responsibilities of the Federal Government in 
matters affecting tribal interests. If we issue a regulation with 
tribal implications (defined as having a substantial direct effect on 
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes), we 
must consult with those governments or the Federal Government must 
provide funds necessary to pay direct compliance costs incurred by 
tribal governments.
    Federally recognized tribe means an Indian or Alaska Native tribe 
or community that is acknowledged as an Indian tribe under the 
Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a. In 
the list published annually by the Secretary, there are no federally 
recognized tribes in the State of Hawaii (74 FR 40218; August 11, 
2009). As identified in the proposed rule, Native Hawaiian lands are 
not tribal lands for purposes of the requirements of the President's 
Memorandum or the Department Manual. In the proposed rule, we noted 
that Native Hawaiian organizations have the potential to be affected by 
Federal regulations and, as such, that consideration of these impacts 
may be evaluated as other relevant impacts from the designation. We 
solicited comments regarding areas of overlap with the designation that 
may warrant exclusion from critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal 
due to such impacts, and/or information from affected Native Hawaiian 
organizations concerning other Native Hawaiian activities that may be 
affected in areas other than those specifically owned by the 
organization. We responded to comments received regarding these 
concerns in Summary of Comments and Responses section above and in 
final economic analysis (Industrial Economics 2014).
    In conclusion we find that this critical habitat designation does 
not have tribal implications, because the final critical habitat 
designation does not include any tribal lands and does not affect 
tribal trust resources or the exercise of tribal rights.

Energy Effects

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare a Statement of 
Energy Effects when undertaking a ``significant energy action.'' 
According to Executive Order 13211 ``significant energy action'' means 
any action by an agency that is expected to lead to the promulgation of 
a final rule or regulation that is a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866 and is likely to have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. We have 
considered the potential impacts of this action on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy (see final economic analysis; Industrial 
Economics 2014). Energy projects may affect the essential features of 
critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal. Due to the extensive 
requirements of renewable energy projects to consider environmental 
impacts, including impacts on marine life, even absent critical habitat 
designation for the Hawaiian monk seal, we anticipate it is unlikely 
that critical habitat designation will change conservation efforts 
recommended during section 7 consultation for these projects. 
Consequently, it is unlikely the identified activities and projects 
will be affected by the designation beyond the quantified 
administrative impacts. Therefore, the designation is not expected to 
affect the level of energy production. It is unlikely that any impacts 
to the industry that remain

[[Page 50974]]

unquantified will result in a change in production above the one 
billion kilowatt-hour threshold identified in the Executive Order. 
Therefore, it is unlikely that the energy industry will experience ``a 
significant adverse effect'' as a result of the critical habitat 
designation for the Hawaiian monk seal.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this rule making may be 
found on our Web site at http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_critical_habitat.html, and is available upon request from the NMFS 
(see ADDRESSES).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 226

    Endangered and threatened species.

    Dated: August 14, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 226 is amended 
as follows:

PART 226--DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT

0
1. The authority citation for part 226 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1533.


0
2. Section 226.201 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  226.201  Critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus 
schauinslandi).

    Critical habitat is designated for Hawaiian monk seals as described 
in this section. The textual descriptions of critical habitat in this 
section are the definitive source for determining the critical habitat 
boundaries.
    (a) Critical habitat boundaries. Critical habitat is designated to 
include all areas in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section and as 
described in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section:
    (1) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Hawaiian monk seal critical 
habitat areas include all beach areas, sand spits and islets, including 
all beach crest vegetation to its deepest extent inland, lagoon waters, 
inner reef waters, and including marine habitat through the water's 
edge, including the seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine 
habitat within 10 m of the seafloor, out to the 200-m depth contour 
line (relative to mean lower low water) around the following 10 areas:
    (i) Kure Atoll,
    (ii) Midway Islands,
    (iii) Pearl and Hermes Reef,
    (iv) Lisianski Island,
    (v) Laysan Island,
    (vi) Maro Reef,
    (vii) Gardner Pinnacles,
    (viii) French Frigate Shoals,
    (ix) Necker Island, and
    (x) Nihoa Island.
    (2) Main Hawaiian Islands: Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat 
areas surrounding the following islands listed below are defined in the 
marine environment by a seaward boundary that extends from the 200-m 
depth contour line (relative to mean lower low water), including the 
seafloor and all subsurface waters and marine habitat within 10 m of 
the seafloor, through the water's edge into the terrestrial environment 
where the inland boundary extends 5 m (in length) from the shoreline 
between identified boundary points listed in the table below around the 
areas listed in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)-(vi) of this section. The 
shoreline is described by the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, 
other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season in 
which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the 
edge of vegetation growth or the upper limit of debris (except those 
areas identified in paragraph (c) of this section). In areas where 
critical habitat does not extend inland, the designation has a seaward 
boundary of a line that marks mean lower low water.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Textual description of
    Area           Island               segment           Boundary points        Latitude          Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.........  Kauai............  Southeast coast of      KA 11.............  21[deg]53'08'' N.    159[deg]31'48''
                                 Kauai (Nomilu          KA 12.............  21[deg]53'34'' N.                 W.
                                 Fishpond area through                                           159[deg]24'25''
                                 Mahaulepu).                                                                  W.
13.........  Kauai............  Kawelikoa Point to      KA 21.............  21[deg]54'26'' N.    159[deg]23'26''
                                 Molehu.                KA 22.............  21[deg]54'48'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]23'08''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Lydgate Park through    KA 31.............  22[deg]02'11'' N.    159[deg]20'08''
                                 Wailua canal.          KA 32.............  22[deg]02'41'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]20'11''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Wailua canal through    KA 41.............  22[deg]02'45'' N.    159[deg]20'10''
                                 Waikaea canal.         KA 42.............  22[deg]04'14'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]18'60''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Waikaea canal through   KA 51.............  22[deg]04'15'' N.    159[deg]19'01''
                                 Kealia.                KA 52.............  22[deg]05'59'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]18'08''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Anahola and Aliomanu    KA 61.............  22[deg]07'46'' N.    159[deg]17'35''
                                 areas.                 KA 62.............  22[deg]09'28'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]18'18''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Moloaa Bay through      KA 71.............  22[deg]11'38'' N.    159[deg]19'46''
                                 Kepuhi Point.          KA 72.............  22[deg]12'52'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]21'14''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Southeast of Kilauea..  KA 81.............  22[deg]13'48'' N.    159[deg]23'52''
                                                        KA 82.............  22[deg]13'55'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]24'06''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Wainiha Beach Park      KA 91.............  22[deg]12'60'' N.    159[deg]32'30''
                                 through Kee Beach      KA 92.............  22[deg]13'13'' N.                 W.
                                 Park.                                                           159[deg]35'01''
                                                                                                              W.
13.........  Kauai............  Milolii State Park      KA 101............  22[deg]09'13'' N.    159[deg]42'52''
                                 Beach Area.            KA 102............  22[deg]08'59'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 159[deg]43'21''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Keana Point Area......  OA 11.............  21[deg]34'43'' N.    158[deg]15'37''
                                                        OA 12.............  21[deg]32'45'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 158[deg]14'25''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Maili Beach through     OA 21.............  21[deg]25'43'' N.    158[deg]10'48''
                                 Kalaeloa Barbers       OA 22.............  21[deg]19'24'' N.                 W.
                                 Point Harbor.                                                   158[deg]07'20''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Kalaeloa Barbers Point  OA 31.............  21[deg]19'18'' N.    158[deg]07'17''
                                 Harbor through         OA 32.............  21[deg]19'20'' N.                 W.
                                 Iroquois Point.                                                 157[deg]58'17''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Diamond Head area.....  OA 41.............  21[deg]15'27'' N.    157[deg]49'05''
                                                        OA 42.............  21[deg]15'24'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 157[deg]47'45''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Hanauma Bay through     OA 51.............  21[deg]16'05'' N.    157[deg]41'50''
                                 Sandy Beach.           OA 52.............  21[deg]17'45'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 157[deg]39'27''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Makapuu Beach Area....  OA 61.............  21[deg]18'36'' N.    157[deg]39'31''
                                                        OA 62.............  21[deg]18'58'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 157[deg]39'55''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Lori Point through      OA 71.............  21[deg]40'26'' N.    157[deg]56'00''
                                 Waimea Bay.            OA 72.............  21[deg]38'18'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 158[deg]03'56''
                                                                                                              W.

[[Page 50975]]

 
14.........  Oahu.............  Kapapa Island (Kaneohe  OAi 1.............  21[deg]28'36'' N.    157[deg]47'55''
                                 Bay).                                                                        W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Mokulua--Moku Nui.....  OAi 2.............  21[deg]23'30'' N.  157[deg]41'56''W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Mokulua--Moku Iki.....  OAi 3.............  21[deg]23'16'' N.    157[deg]41'52''
                                                                                                              W.
14.........  Oahu.............  Manana (Rabbit Island)  OAi 4.............  21[deg]19'44'' N.    157[deg]39'24''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Molokai..........  Laau Point Area.......  MO 11.............  21[deg]07'49'' N.    157[deg]17'47''
                                                        MO 12.............  21[deg]05'21'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 157[deg]15'50''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Molokai..........  Kalaupapa Area........  MO 21.............  21[deg]12'33'' N.    156[deg]58'52''
                                                        MO 22.............  21[deg]11'28'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]59'06''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Molokai..........  Moku Hooniki..........  MOi 1.............  21[deg]07'59'' N.    156[deg]42'10''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Shipwreck Beach Area..  LA 11.............  20[deg]54'45'' N.    156[deg]53'45''
                                                        LA 12.............  20[deg]55'20'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]56'45''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Northwest Lanai         LA 21.............  20[deg]55'42'' N.    156[deg]59'47''
                                 (Including Polihua     LA 22.............  20[deg]52'02'' N.                 W.
                                 Beach).                                                         157[deg]02'33''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  North of Kamalapau      LA 31.............  20[deg]48'38'' N.    156[deg]59'15''
                                 Harbor.                LA 32.............  20[deg]47'17'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]59'24''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Kamalapau Harbor        LA 41.............  20[deg]47'13'' N.    156[deg]59'27''
                                 through Kaholo Pali.   LA 42.............  20[deg]46'59'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]59'31''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Kaholo Pali through     LA 51.............  20[deg]44'13'' N.    156[deg]58'01''
                                 Manele Harbor.         LA 52.............  20[deg]44'29'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]53'15''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Manele Harbor through   LA 61.............  20[deg]44'35'' N.    156[deg]53'14''
                                 Nakalahale Cliff.      LA 62.............  20[deg]44'49'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]52'16''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Nakalahale Cliff        LA 71.............  20[deg]45'07'' N.    156[deg]51'50''
                                 through Lopa Beach.    LA 72.............  20[deg]48'21'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]48'24''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Lanai............  Puupehe *.............  LAi 1.............  20[deg]44'04'' N.    156[deg]53'25''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Kahoolawe........  Mid-North coast         KH 11.............  20[deg]34'36'' N.    156[deg]37'36''
                                 (including Kaukamoku   KH 12.............  20[deg]34'10'' N.                 W.
                                 and Ahupuiki).                                                  156[deg]38'15''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Kahoolawe........  Eastern coast of        KH 21.............  20[deg]33'08'' N.    156[deg]40'35''
                                 Kahoolawe (Honokoa     KH 22.............  20[deg]30'04'' N.                 W.
                                 through Sailer's Hat).                                          156[deg]40'23''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Kuloa Point through     MA 11.............  20[deg]40'02'' N.    156[deg]02'27''
                                 Hana Wharf and Ramp.   MA 12.............  20[deg]45'21'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]58'54''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Hana Wharf and Ramp     MA 21.............  20[deg]45'20'' N.    155[deg]58'56''
                                 through Kainalimu Bay. MA 22.............  20[deg]46'08'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]59'04''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Keanae Pennisula to     MA 31.............  20[deg]51'56'' N.    156[deg]08'46''
                                 Nauailua Bay.          MA 32.............  20[deg]51'41'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]08'55''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Maliko Bay through      MA 41.............  20[deg]56'11'' N.    156[deg]21'11''
                                 Papaula Point.         MA 42.............  20[deg]54'30'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]25'06''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Kahului Harbor West     MA 51.............  20[deg]53'53'' N.    156[deg]28'47''
                                 through Waihee Beach   MA 52.............  20[deg]56'04'' N.                 W.
                                 Park.                                                           156[deg]30'15''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Punalau Beach through   MA 61.............  21[deg]01'20'' N.    156[deg]37'28''
                                 to Mala Wharf.         MA 62.............  20[deg]53'09'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]41'10''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Southeast of Mala       MA 71.............  20[deg]53'04'' N.    156[deg]41'12''
                                 Wharf through to       MA 72.............  20[deg]52'26'' N.                 W.
                                 Lahaina Harbor.                                                 156[deg]40'43''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  Southeast of Lahaina    MA 81.............  20[deg]52'12'' N.    156[deg]40'39''
                                 Harbor through to      MA 82.............  20[deg]47'34'' N.                 W.
                                 Papalaua.                                                       156[deg]34'00''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  East of Maalaea Harbor  MA 91.............  20[deg]47'32'' N.    156[deg]30'34''
                                 through to Kihei boat  MA 92.............  20[deg]42'29'' N.                 W.
                                 ramp.                                                           156[deg]26'46''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  South of Kihei Boat     MA 101............  20[deg]42'27'' N.    156[deg]26'47''
                                 Ramp through Ahihi     MA 102............  20[deg]37'39'' N.                 W.
                                 Bay.                                                            156[deg]26'40''
                                                                                                              W.
15.........  Maui.............  La Perouse Bay from     MA 111............  20[deg]35'43'' N.    156[deg]25'33''
                                 Kalaeloa Point         MA 112............  20[deg]34'45'' N.                 W.
                                 through Pohakueaea                                              156[deg]23'29''
                                 Point.                                                                       W.
15.........  Maui.............  Molokini Crater.......  MAi 1.............  20[deg]37'51'' N.    156[deg]29'43''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Waimanu through         HA 11.............  20[deg]08'35'' N.    155[deg]37'59''
                                 Laupahoehoenui.        HA 12.............  20[deg]09'54'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]39'18''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Keokea Bay through      HA 21.............  20[deg]13'39'' N.    155[deg]44'49''
                                 Kauhola Point.         HA 22.............  20[deg]14'44'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]46'18''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Kapaa Beach County      HA 31.............  20[deg]12'16'' N.    155[deg]54'06''
                                 Park to Mahukona       HA 32.............  20[deg]11'04'' N.                 W.
                                 Harbor.                                                         155[deg]54'05''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  South of Mahukona       HA 41.............  20[deg]10'60'' N.    155[deg]54'03''
                                 Harbor.                HA 42.............  20[deg]10'51'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]54'07''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Pauoa Bay to Makaiwa    HA 51.............  19[deg]57'03'' N.    155[deg]51'49''
                                 Bay area.              HA 52.............  19[deg]56'38'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]52'10''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Anaehoomalu Bay area    HA 61.............  19[deg]54'42'' N.    155[deg]53'26''
                                 through Keawaiki Bay   HA 62.............  19[deg]53'09'' N.                 W.
                                 area.                                                           155[deg]54'34''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Puu Alii Bay Area       HA 71.............  19[deg]47'37'' N.    156[deg]01'33''
                                 through Mahaiula Bay.  HA 72.............  19[deg]46'53'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 156[deg]02'18''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Keahole Point through   HA 81.............  19[deg]43'54'' N.    156[deg]03'26''
                                 Kaloko-Honokohau       HA 82.............  19[deg]40'28'' N.                 W.
                                 National Historic                                               156[deg]01'34''
                                 Park.                                                                        W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  South of Oneo Bay area  HA 91.............  19[deg]38'10'' N.    155[deg]59'29''
                                 through to Holualoa    HA 92.............  19[deg]36'31'' N.                 W.
                                 Bay area.                                                       155[deg]58'41''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Kahaluu Bay Area        HA 101............  19[deg]34'49'' N.    155[deg]57'59''
                                 through Keauhou Bay    HA 102............  19[deg]33'43'' N.                 W.
                                 Area.                                                           155[deg]57'43''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Kealakekua Bay Area...  HA 111............  19[deg]28'38'' N.    155[deg]55'13''
                                                        HA 112............  19[deg]28'25'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]55'10''
                                                                                                              W.

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16.........  Hawaii...........  Honaunau Bay Area.....  HA 121............  19[deg]25'35'' N.    155[deg]55'02''
                                                        HA 122............  19[deg]25'01'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]54'42''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Milolii Bay Area        HA 131............  19[deg]11'07'' N.    155[deg]54'29''
                                 through Honomalino     HA 132............  19[deg]10'04'' N.                 W.
                                 Bay Area.                                                       155[deg]54'35''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Ka Lae National         HA 141............  18[deg]54'54'' N.    155[deg]40'59''
                                 Historic Landmark      HA 142............  18[deg]55'00'' N.                 W.
                                 District through                                                155[deg]40'09''
                                 Mahana Bay.                                                                  W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Papakolea Green Sand    HA 151............  18[deg]56'10'' N.    155[deg]38'47''
                                 Beach Area.            HA 152............  18[deg]56'11'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]38'45''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Kaalualu Bay Area.....  HA 161............  18[deg]58'14'' N.    155[deg]37'01''
                                                        HA 162............  18[deg]58'18'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]36'49''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Whittington Beach Area  HA 171............  19[deg]05'04'' N.    155[deg]33'03''
                                 through Punaluu Beach  HA 172............  19[deg]08'06'' N.                 W.
                                 Area.                                                           155[deg]30'09''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Halape Area through     HA 181............  19[deg]16'14'' N.    155[deg]15'20''
                                 Keauhou Point Area.    HA 182............  19[deg]15'45'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]13'59''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Kapoho Bay Area.......  HA 191............  19[deg]29'38'' N.    154[deg]49'01''
                                                        HA 192............     19[deg]30'10''                 W.
                                                                                           N.    154[deg]48'46''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Lehia Beach Park        HA 201............  19[deg]44'07'' N.    155[deg]00'38''
                                 through to Hilo        HA 202............  19[deg]43'56'' N.                 W.
                                 Harbor.                                                         155[deg]03'02''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Papaikou Area.........  HA 211............  19[deg]46'39'' N.    155[deg]05'18''
                                                        HA 212............  19[deg]46'43'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]05'18''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Onomea Bay Area.......  HA 221............  19[deg]48'33'' N.    155[deg]05'34''
                                                        HA 222............  19[deg]48'37'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]05'22''
                                                                                                              W.
16.........  Hawaii...........  Hakalau Area..........  HA 231............  19[deg]54'02'' N.    155[deg]07'32''
                                                        HA 232............  19[deg]54'05'' N.                 W.
                                                                                                 155[deg]07'43''
                                                                                                              W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Kaula Island,
    (ii) Niihau,
    (iii) Kauai,
    (iv) Oahu,
    (v) Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai), and
    (vi) Hawaii.
    (b) Essential features. The essential features for the conservation 
of the Hawaiian monk seal are the following:
    (1) Terrestrial areas and adjacent shallow, sheltered aquatic areas 
with characteristics preferred by monk seals for pupping and nursing. 
Preferred areas that serve an essential service or function for 
Hawaiian monk seal conservation are defined as those areas where two or 
more females have given birth or where a single female chooses to 
return to the same site more than one year. Preferred pupping areas 
generally include sandy, protected beaches located adjacent to shallow 
sheltered aquatic areas, where the mother and pup may nurse, rest, 
swim, thermoregulate, and shelter from extreme weather. Additionally, 
this habitat area provides relatively protected space for the newly 
weaned pup to acclimate to life on its own. The newly weaned pup uses 
these areas for swimming, exploring, socializing, thermoregulatory 
cooling and the first attempts at foraging. Characteristics of 
terrestrial pupping habitat may include various substrates such as 
sand, shallow tide pools, coral rubble, or rocky substrates, as long as 
these substrates provide accessibility to seals for hauling out. Some 
preferred sites may also incorporate areas with low lying vegetation 
used by the pair for shade or cover, or relatively low levels of 
anthropogenic disturbance. Characteristics of the adjoined sheltered 
aquatic sites may include reefs, tide pools, gently sloping beaches, 
and shelves or coves that provide refuge from storm surges and 
predators.
    (2) Marine areas from 0 to 200 m in depth that support adequate 
prey quality and quantity for juvenile and adult monk seal foraging. 
Inshore, benthic and offshore teleosts, cephalopods, and crustaceans 
are commonly described as monk seal prey items. Habitat types that are 
regularly used for foraging include the sand terraces, talus slopes, 
submerged reefs and banks, nearby seamounts, barrier reefs, and slopes 
of reefs and islands. Monk seals focus foraging in bottom habitats on 
bottom-associated prey species, with most foraging occurring in waters 
between 0 to 200 m in depth. Habitat conditions, such as water quality, 
substrate composition and available habitat, should support growth and 
recruitment of bottom-associated prey species to the extent that monk 
seal populations are able to successfully forage.
    (3) Significant areas used by monk seals for hauling out, resting 
or molting. Significant haul-out areas are defined by the frequency 
with which local populations of seals use a stretch of coastline or 
particular beach. Significant haul-out areas are defined as natural 
coastlines that are accessible to Hawaiian monk seals and are 
frequented by Hawaiian monk seals at least 10 percent as often as the 
highest used haul out site(s) on individual islands, or islets. 
Significant haul-out areas are essential to Hawaiian monk seal 
conservation because these areas provide space that supports natural 
behaviors important to health and development, such as resting, 
molting, and social interactions. Hawaiian monk seals use terrestrial 
habitat to haul out for resting, and molting. Certain areas of 
coastline are more often favored by Hawaiian monk seals for hauling 
out. These favored areas may be located near preferred foraging areas, 
allow for relatively undisturbed periods of rest, or allow small 
numbers of Hawaiian monk seals to socially interact as young seals and 
reproductive adults. These haul-out sites are generally characterized 
by sandy beaches, sand spits, or low shelving reef rocks accessible to 
seals.
    (c) Areas not included in critical habitat. Critical habitat does 
not include the following particular areas where they overlap with the 
areas described in paragraph (a) of this section:
    (1) Pursuant to ESA section 3(5)(A)(i), all cliffs and manmade 
structures, such as docks, seawalls, piers, fishponds, roads, 
pipelines, boat ramps, platforms, buildings, ramparts and pilings 
existing within the legal boundaries on September 21, 2015.
    (2) Pursuant to ESA section 4(a)(3)(B) all areas subject to the 
Marine Corps Base Hawaii, the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and the 
Pacific Missile Range Facility Integrated Natural Resource Management 
Plans.
    (3) Pursuant to ESA section 4(b)(2) the following areas have been 
excluded from the designation: The Kingfisher Underwater Training area 
in marine

[[Page 50977]]

areas off the northeast coast of Niihau; the Pacific Missile Range 
Facility Offshore Areas in marine areas off the western coast of Kauai; 
the Puuloa Underwater Training Range in marine areas outside Pearl 
Harbor, Oahu; and the Shallow Water Minefield Sonar Training Range off 
the western coast of Kahoolawe in the Maui Nui area.
    (d) Maps of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat. The following are 
the overview maps of Hawaiian monk seal critical habitat:
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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[FR Doc. 2015-20617 Filed 8-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-C