Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/03/26/2015-06441/proposed-expansion-regulatory-revision-and-new-management-plan-for-the-hawaiian-islands-humpback
Timestamp: 2019-09-18 23:54:12
Document Index: 302642142

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 922', 'art 922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u200913', '§\u2009188', 'art 922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', 'art 922', 'art 922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', 'art 222', '§\u2009922', 'art 904', 'art 904', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', 'art 904', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922', 'art 904', '§\u2009922', '§\u2009922']

Federal Register :: Proposed Expansion, Regulatory Revision and New Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 03/26/2015
Comments on this proposed rule will be considered if received by June 19, 2015.
16223-16247 (25 pages)
Docket No. 140207122-4122-01
(1) Hale`iwa, HI (O`ahu)
(2) Honolulu, HI (O`ahu)
(3) Kihei, HI (Maui)
(4) Lahaina, HI (Maui)
(5) Kaunakakai, HI (Moloka`i)
(6) Lāna`i City, HI (Lāna`i)
(7) Kilauea City, HI (Kaua`i)
(8) Ni‘ihau, HI *
(9) Lihu‘e, HI (Kaua`i)
(10) Kailua-Kona, HI (Hawai`i)
3. History of the Management Plan Review Process
1. Change Focus of Management From Single Species to Ecosystem
2. Add New Areas to the Sanctuary Boundary
a. Ni`ihau and Lehua
b. Kaua`i
(i) Hā`ena Ahupua`a
(ii) Pīla`a Ahupua`a
c. O`ahu
d. Penguin Bank and Maui Nui
3. Change the Name of the Sanctuary
4. Approaching a Humpback Whale
5. Operating an Aircraft Within 1,000 Feet of Humpback Whales
6. Taking or Possessing Humpback Whales
7. Interfering With Investigation
8. Marking or Defacing Any Signs
9. Removing or Damaging Historical and Cultural Resources
10. Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs)
10a. Taking or Possessing Any Marine Mammal, Sea Turtle, Seabird, ESA Listed Species or HI Listed Species in the SSMAs
10b. Discharging Material Into the SSMAs
10c. Dredging, Drilling Into or Otherwise Altering the Submerged Lands of the SSMAs
10d. Possessing or Using Explosives in the SSMAs
10e. Introducing or Releasing Introduced Species in or Into the SSMAs
11. Permits and Authorizations
11a. General Permits
11b. Authorizations
11c. Special Use Permits
DESIGNATION OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS [HUMPBACK WHALE] NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY—NĀ KAI `EWALU
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS [HUMPBACK WHALE] NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY—NĀ KAI `EWALU BOUNDARY COORDINATES
Subpart Q—Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu
Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 922—Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu Boundary Description and Coordinates of the Lateral Boundary Closures and Excluded Areas
Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 922—Special Sanctuary Management Area Boundaries
B.1 Maunalua Bay Special Sanctuary Management Area
B.2 Penguin Bank Special Sanctuary Management Area
B.3 Maui Nui Special Sanctuary Management Area
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-06441 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-06441
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to expand the boundaries and scope of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or sanctuary), amend the regulations for HIHWNMS, change the name of the sanctuary, and revise the sanctuary's terms of designation and management plan. The purpose of this action is to transition the sanctuary from a single-species management approach to an ecosystem-based management approach. A draft environmental impact statement and draft revised management plan have been prepared for this proposed action. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft environmental impact statement, and draft revised management plan.
You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NOS-2015-0028, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​NOAA-NOS-2015-0028, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA/DKIRC, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Malia Chow, Superintendent.
Public hearings will be held in the following locations at the locales and times indicated:
Location: Sunset Beach Recreation Center.
Address: 59-540 Kamehameha Highway, Hal`eiwa, HI 96712.
Location: Honolulu Waldorf School.
Address: 350 Ulua Street, Honolulu, HI 96821.
Location: Kihei Youth Center.
Address: 131 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753.
Location: Kaunoa Senior Center.
Address: 788 Pauoa St., Lahaina, HI 96761.
Location: Lanikeha Community Center.
Address: 2200 Farrington Ave., Kaunakakai, HI 96748.
Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Location: Lāna`i High and Elementary School.
Address: 555 Fraser Avenue, Lāna`i City, HI 96763.
Location: Kilauea Elementary School Cafeteria.
Address: 2440 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754.
Location: Ni‘ihau School Cafeteria.
Address: Puuwai Village, Ni‘ihau, HI 96769.
* Please note that due to limited access to the island this is not a public meeting. This meeting is for people residing on and landowners of Ni‘ihau Island.
Location: King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School Cafeteria.
Address: 4380 Hanama‘ulu Road, Lihu'e, HI 96766.
Location: Kealakehe High School Cafeteria.
Address: 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or sanctuary) covers approximately 1,031.4 square nautical miles (1,366 square miles) of federal and state waters in the Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuary lies within the shallow warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands which are a nationally significant marine environment. The area is a diverse and unique ecosystem with marine resources including coral reefs, highly endangered Hawaiian monk seals, three species of sea turtles, marine species endemic to this area such as monk seals, corals, and seagrasses, and 25 species of cetaceans including humpback whales. This area constitutes one of the world's most important humpback whale habitats. The warm, calm waters in this area are used by humpback whales for breeding, calving, and nursing. The waters in this area also contain a number of cultural Start Printed Page 16225and historical resources including those reflecting native Hawaiian traditions and uses. The area supports fishing activities, and is also a destination for visitors worldwide who come for whale watching, diving, and other ocean-related activities in the sanctuary waters. Congress designated the sanctuary in 1992 through the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA, Subtitle C of the Oceans Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-587), which declared that the purposes of the sanctuary were to (1) protect humpback whales and their habitat; (2) educate and interpret for the public the relationship of humpback whales to the Hawaiian Islands marine environment; (3) manage human uses of the sanctuary consistent with the Act and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA); and (4) provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is co-managed by NOAA and the State of Hawai`i (State) through a compact agreement that was signed in 1998 which clarifies the relative jurisdiction, authority, and conditions of the NOAA-State partnership for managing the sanctuary. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) serves as the lead agency for the State's co-management of the sanctuary.
When Congress designated the HIHWNMS in 1992, it mandated NOAA to provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the sanctuary. The current management plan review process seeks to carry out this mandate. Started in 2010, the sanctuary management plan review provided an opportunity to: Consider the value of marine ecosystems, assess existing threats and protections to these valuable resources; and determine where NOAA can provide added value to the resource management efforts provided by the state and other federal agencies.
NOAA believes that an ecosystem-based, rather than single-species based, management approach for HIHWNMS would provide sanctuary management with the platform to begin to evaluate and potentially address the full suite of resource management issues currently faced by marine resources in the main Hawaiian Islands. By focusing on the biological, physical, and human components of a healthy marine environment, an ecosystem-based management approach in the sanctuary would be more comprehensive and inclusive of all aspects of the marine ecosystem than the current single species approach. Humpback whales and their habitat are an essential component of the marine ecosystem in Hawai`i and the sanctuary would continue to support current humpback whale management programs, but would also engage in research, resource protection, education, community engagement, and education for other areas and issues of the sanctuary environment.
This management approach is also consistent with Native Hawaiians' management practices, which have traditionally used a holistic approach to conserve both land and marine resources. Native Hawaiians also view natural and cultural resources as being interrelated and, that all biological resources are culturally significant. NOAA recognizes the importance of including Native Hawaiian knowledge and practices in the management framework of the sanctuary and intends to incorporate the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources into its management planning. In addition, the sanctuary management plan and regulations will strive to accommodate traditional uses and achieve sustainable cultural practices.
During the 2002 management plan review (MPR), NOAA received comments from the general public requesting that HIHWNMS, consistent with section 2304(b) of the HINMSA, consider the conservation and management of marine resources in addition to humpback whales and their habitat. In response, NOAA included a goal in the HIHWNMS 2002 management plan to “identify and evaluate resources and ecosystems for possible inclusion in the sanctuary”. NOAA followed up by conducting an assessment of living marine resources and maritime heritage resources within the sanctuary, including human population trends, past and current threats, existing management authorities, and conservation needs. The assessment report was shared with then Governor Linda Lingle in 2007 who publicly expressed her support for NOAA to consider protecting additional marine species within the sanctuary.
Between April 2009 and July 2010, NOAA conducted a series of meetings and workshops to solicit public input on the inclusion of additional marine resources into sanctuary management and raise awareness about the management plan review process. These events were conducted formally and informally across the State of Hawai`i on all the main islands.
NOAA formally initiated the public scoping process on July 14, 2010, by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 40759) and informing the public that NOAA was initiating a review of its management plan and regulations and preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). In August 2010, NOAA held ten public scoping meetings in communities across Hawai`i. In total, 12,375 public comments, including two petitions with a total of 12,019 signatures, were received over the 90-day public comment period (July to October 2010).
Many people commended HIHWNMS for their active role in promoting the conservation of humpback whales and their habitat, but suggested that NOAA consider expanding the scope of sanctuary management to conserve additional marine species and habitats. Other comments identified the need to address anthropogenic threats to the marine environment including pollution, offshore development, and climate change. The public also identified opportunities and recommendations for HIHWNMS to:
Improve and expand upon enforcement, management effectiveness, and marine animal assessment and response;
better integrate Native Hawaiian cultural resources and maritime heritage resources into sanctuary management and planning;
emphasize ocean literacy programs; and
update research programs, regulations, and sanctuary boundaries.
Comments were submitted by agencies, organizations, elected officials and community members from throughout Hawai`i, the U.S. mainland and elsewhere. NOAA documented all comments received during the public comment period as part of the administrative record; the comments are available online at www.regulations.gov.
In response to many of these comments, this proposed rule proposes several changes to the HIHWNMS regulations and boundaries as described below in the “Summary of the Regulatory Amendments.” The environmental effects of these proposed changes are analyzed in a DEIS published concurrently with this proposed rule. NOAA has also developed an associated draft management plan describing sanctuary management activities in research, Start Printed Page 16226resource protection and education. NOAA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule, DEIS, and draft management plan, which are available at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/​management/​management_​plan_​review.html or may be obtained by contacting the individual listed under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
NOAA is proposing to amend § 922.180(a)-(b) to reflect the inclusion of other marine resources in the resource protection mission of the proposed ecosystem-based sanctuary. Similarly, NOAA is proposing to remove the current species-based definition of “sanctuary resource” and “habitat” in § 922.182, which currently only includes humpback whales and their habitat in the definition of sanctuary resource. The definition that would then apply to the sanctuary would be the existing definition presented in the regulations for all national marine sanctuaries at § 922.3.
This national definition for sanctuary resource is: “any living or non-living resource of a National Marine Sanctuary that contributes to the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic value of the Sanctuary, including, but not limited to, the substratum of the area of the Sanctuary, other submerged features and the surrounding seabed, carbonate rock, corals and other bottom formations, coralline algae and other marine plants and algae, marine invertebrates, brine-seep biota, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, seabirds, sea turtles and other marine reptiles, marine mammals and historical resources (15 CFR 922.3).” In a separate rulemaking NOAA has proposed to update this national definition to add cultural resources to the definition of sanctuary resources (78 FR 5998). Upon completion of that separate national rulemaking the updated definition of sanctuary resources would then apply to all national marine sanctuaries.
NOAA is proposing to expand the current boundaries to include five additional areas in the sanctuary, adding 192.6 total square nautical miles (255 square miles) to the sanctuary bringing the total area to 1,224 square nautical miles (1,621 square miles). Under this action, NOAA is proposing to: (1) Extend the sanctuary boundary on the north shore of O`ahu west to include waters adjacent to the Ali`i Beach Park; (2) extend the sanctuary boundaries on the north shore of Kaua`i east to include waters adjacent to the Pīla`a ahupua`a; (3) extend the sanctuary boundaries on the north shore of Kaua`i west to include waters adjacent to the Hā`ena ahupua`a; (4) include the waters around the island of Ni`ihau, southwest of Kaua`i; and (5) modify the southern boundary of Penguin Bank and Maui Nui to simplify the convolutions of the current boundary where the approximation of the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths is too intricate for enforcement and to include additional important habitat. Ahupua`a are a system of traditional Hawaiian land division extending from the upland to the sea or watershed boundary. NOAA is also proposing a technical correction to the seaward boundary of the full sanctuary to include latitude/longitude coordinates approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths and where needed the three nautical mile line to define the boundary, which would result in minor modification to the overall area estimate of the sanctuary.
The proposed boundary changes were selected through a public process to identify and assess marine areas that could more effectively complement current management authorities or enhance natural and cultural resource value. Collectively, these new areas capture a greater diversity of habitats and biological resources than currently protected by HIHWNMS. Inclusion of these areas within the sanctuary system would provide additional regulatory protection, resources for management, and improved public awareness of their natural and cultural resource value. The technical correction addresses the current seaward boundary of the sanctuary which is defined as following the historic 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths. NOAA proposes to modernize the boundary by employing a textual description coupled with a table of latitude/longitude coordinates that approximates the 100-fathom (182.9 meter) isobath. The correction is being made to clarify the boundary for paper and electronic nautical charts, to provide a more accurately defined boundary for use by ships using GPS technology, and to improve enforceability. The technical change is not intended to add any additional area to the sanctuary and is distinct from the five new areas being proposed for addition to the sanctuary. The harbors currently excluded from the sanctuary boundaries continue to be excluded. Those harbors are Kawaihae Boat Harbor & Small Boat Basin on Hawai`i; Kaumalapau Harbor and Manele Harbor on Lāna`i; Lahaina Boat Harbor and Mā`alaea Boat Harbor on Maui; Hale o Lono Harbor and Kaunakakai Harbor on Moloka`i; and Kuapa Pond (Hawai`I Kai) and Hale`iwa Harbor on O`ahu. The proposed boundary changes for the five new areas are described in more detail below.
NOAA is proposing to incorporate the waters around the island of Ni`ihau into the sanctuary, including the waters surrounding Lehua Island. The boundary for this area would extend around the islands seaward from the shoreline three nautical miles. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be 163.9 square nautical miles (217 square miles). Ni`ihau is the seventh largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago and is the westernmost island of the populated Hawaiian Islands. The island has an area of approximately 69.5 square miles (180 square km) and is located approximately 18 miles (29 km) west of the island of Kaua`i across the Kaulakahi Channel. Uninhabited Lehua Islet lies 0.7 miles (1.1 km) directly north of Ni`ihau.
Ni`ihau is the closest of the populated Hawaiian Islands to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and is at the interface between the two bioregions, serving as a functional transition zone in the archipelago. The specific biophysical and cultural connectivity dynamics at this interface are of special interest. The coral at Ni`ihau and Lehua have significantly lower prevalence of coral disease than elsewhere in the populated Hawaiian Islands. The waters around Ni‘ihau and Lehua also have a higher level of fish biomass and a higher number of endemic species than the other populated Hawaiian Islands.
Ni`ihau is also an important habitat for dolphins, monk seals and humpback whales. The endangered Hawaiian monk seals have a significant presence in Ni`ihau and Lehua. Lehua Islet is an important monk seal feeding and resting site. Aerial surveys conducted in 2000, 2001, and 2008 documented approximately three times more monk seals on the coastal areas of Ni`ihau and Lehua than on other islands in the populated Hawaiian Islands. Island-wide surveys of Ni`ihau have observed between 17 and 69 monk seals at a particular time, higher than any other reported sightings on the populated Hawaiian Islands. Recent research Start Printed Page 16227indicates that the population of monk seals at Ni`ihau may be distinct and do not travel to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Humpback whales have been observed in high numbers near the coast of Ni`ihau, and dolphins and false killer whales populate the waters.
The current sanctuary boundary on the north shore of Kaua`i extends along the shoreline from Kailiu Point eastward to Mokolea Point and seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 m) isobath. NOAA is proposing to extend the sanctuary boundary in two areas to more closely include the waters of the adjacent ahupua‘a.
On the north shore of the island of Kaua`i, west of the town of Hanalei, NOAA is proposing to extend the western boundary of the sanctuary to Ke`e Beach and include the waters of the Hā`ena ahupua`a seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. The boundary extension would also include the Hā`ena community-based subsistence fishing area (CBSFA) which is currently managed by the State of Hawai`i. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 6 square nautical miles (8 square miles).
NOAA is also proposing to extend the eastern-boundary of the sanctuary on the north shore of Kaua`i to include the waters from Mokolea Point to Kepuhi Point including those of the Pīla`a ahupua`a seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 3.8 square nautical miles (5 square miles). The proposed sanctuary area would be used to pilot traditional Hawaiian marine resource management approaches along with science-informed management to restore the degraded coral reef ecosystem.
The current sanctuary boundary on the north shore of O`ahu extends from Pua`ena Point eastward to Māhie Point and seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. With this action, NOAA is proposing to extend the western boundary of the sanctuary from Pua`ena Point to approximately Ali`i Beach Park and seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath to include the North Shore Surfing Reserve. The designation of the Surfing Reserve in 2010 was part of a state-led effort to acknowledge the cultural and historic significance of important surf sites in Hawai`i. The proposed sanctuary boundary extension would exclude Hale`iwa Harbor. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 3 square nautical miles (4 square miles).
The current sanctuary boundary in the area around Penguin Bank off the southwest shore of Moloka`i and in Maui Nui between the islands of Lāna`i and Kaho`olawe closely approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. The current boundary in these areas meanders significantly due to the complexity of the seafloor bathymetry, currently making enforcement of sanctuary regulations difficult. As part of a sanctuary-wide effort to modernize the sanctuary boundary by employing a textual description coupled with a table of latitude/longitude coordinates that approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath, NOAA proposes to improve the boundary in these areas by simplifying the convolutions of the current boundary, thus eliminating any potential confusion regarding the location of the boundary due to the complexity of the bathymetry. The new, less intricate boundary will make enforcement less difficult and for Penguin Bank the area is also defined to be inclusive of precious corals, mesophotic corals and monk seal foraging areas. The net result is an addition of approximately 15.9 square nautical miles (21 square miles) to the sanctuary in federal waters.
In recognition of the proposed change to an ecosystem-based approach to management, NOAA is proposing that the sanctuary be renamed “Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu”. The phrase “Nā Kai `Ewalu” means “the eight seas” in Native Hawaiian and refers to the ocean channels between the populated Hawaiian Islands and a Native Hawaiian poetic reference to the Hawaiian Islands themselves. It illustrates the interconnectedness between the ocean, the people of Hawai`i and their communities. Since the current name no longer fits NOAA is proposing a change that communicates both the management approach and a sense of community throughout Hawai'i, recognizing humans as part of the ecosystem.
The current sanctuary regulation prohibits approaching, or causing a vessel or other object to approach, within the sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as authorized under the MMPA and the ESA. NOAA is proposing to add interception (e.g. placing a vessel in the path of an oncoming humpback whale so that the whale changes its behavior), as well as disrupting the normal behavior or prior activity of a whale by any other act or omission, to this existing prohibition.
These proposed changes to the existing humpback whale approach regulation would help to minimize incidences of humpback whale harassment or injury within the sanctuary, reduce adverse behavioral responses, and limit vessel strikes within the sanctuary. NOAA is proposing to apply these changes to the exiting regulation to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.
NOAA is proposing to apply the current overflight prohibition on operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet of humpback whales, to the new proposed areas for the sanctuary.
NOAA is proposing to combine the existing prohibitions on take and possession of humpback whales within the sanctuary into one regulation to be consistent with humpback whale take and approach regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the State of Hawai`i Administrative Rules 13-124 and apply the new proposed regulation to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.
NOAA proposing to apply the current prohibition on interfering with enforcement to the new proposed areas in the sanctuary.
NOAA is proposing to prohibit damaging, removing or displacing any signs, notices, placards, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers related to the sanctuary. NOAA is proposing to apply this to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.
NOAA is proposing to prohibit removing, damaging, or tampering with any historical or cultural resources within the sanctuary. Cultural heritage Start Printed Page 16228resources found within the sanctuary include traditional Hawaiian fishpond systems, heritage sites related to traditional Hawaiian surfing, and heritage sites related to traditional voyaging and its cultural traditions. It also includes submerged heritage sites related to Native Hawaiian traditions and practices. Maritime heritage resources include shipwreck sites, historic aircraft sites, the remains of landings and dock facilities, and other types of materials.
This proposed prohibition would provide additional protection for maritime heritage resources within the sanctuary and complement existing state and Federal statutes, such as the National Historical Preservation Act and Sunken Military Craft Act. NOAA is proposing to apply these changes to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary.
NOAA is proposing to create three Special Sanctuary Management Areas. NOAA is proposing a number of regulations specific to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas at Penguin Bank and the Maui Nui area (both in federal waters outside of 3 nautical miles) and Maunalua Bay (state waters within 3 nautical miles). For a map of these three areas, see the HIHWNMS Web page (http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/​). For more information on permit options for the prohibitions described here, see section 12 on Permits and Authorizations. The following regulations would only apply in these three areas:
As a complement to existing protections, NOAA is proposing to prohibit taking or possessing any marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, ESA-listed species or Hawai`i Revised Statutes chapter 195D listed species, within or above sanctuary waters in the three SSMAs, with an exception for species authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, or Hawai`i State Law.
NOAA is proposing to modify the current prohibition on discharging or altering any submerged lands by separating the regulation into two parts, and refining the language for clarity and enforceability. Due to the proposed expanded scope of the sanctuary, NOAA understands that the scope of the application of the prohibition has also expanded. Therefore NOAA is seeking to assess value of the regulation in the SSMAs only instead of applying them sanctuary-wide at this time. With respect to the prohibition on discharging, NOAA is proposing to prohibit discharging or depositing any material or matter into the three SSMAs, except:
Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or resulting from fishing in the sanctuary;
treated biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use;
water generated by routine vessel operations, such as engine exhaust, deck wash down; engine cooling water, clean bilge water or anchor wash; and
biodegradable materials for traditional ceremonies associated with culturally important customs and usage (e.g. the discharge of leis, paper lanterns).
This prohibition, and its associated exceptions, would also apply to discharge adjacent to these areas, should that discharge subsequently enter and injure a sanctuary resource within the SSMAs. This prohibition will likely enhance water quality in the Penguin Bank and Maui Nui SSMAs, and reduce impacts from pollutants and debris to the biological and physical environment in the Maunalua Bay SSMA. NOAA could use the authorization authority proposed in this rulemaking to evaluate whether to authorize activities that receive a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the State of Hawai'i and include additional conditions for those activities to protect sanctuary resources from activities.
NOAA is proposing to modify the current prohibition on discharging or altering any submerged lands by separating the regulation into two parts, and refining the language for clarity and enforceability. Due to the proposed expanded scope of the sanctuary, NOAA understands that the scope of the application of the prohibition has also expanded. Therefore, NOAA is seeking to assess the value of the regulation in the SSMAs only, instead of applying them sanctuary-wide at this time. With respect to the prohibition on altering any submerged lands, NOAA is proposing to refine the current regulations to prohibit dredging, drilling into, or otherwise altering in any way submerged lands in the three SSMAs, except:
Anchoring a vessel on sandy bottom or substrate;
routine maintenance of docks, seawalls, breakwaters, piers authorized by federal, state or local authorities with jurisdiction;
the installation and maintenance of navigational aids authorized by federal, state or local authorities with jurisdiction; and
aquaculture or fishing activities authorized under a permit issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawai`i Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.
Submerged lands include bottom formations, live rock and coral. There are currently no regulations for any non-precious stony corals, including mesophotic corals, in federal waters of Penguin Bank and the Maui Nui area. The proposed regulation supports and enhances efforts to protect previous corals in the Maui Nui area that have been designated Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Similarly, the proposed regulation would reduce direct physical and biological damage to coral and other marine habitats in Maunalua Bay.
Under the proposed regulations, NOAA would have the authority to authorize federal, state, or local permits for construction and dredging activities that would otherwise violate the proposed regulations in Maunalua Bay. Under the proposed regulation, any permittee with a pre-existing (at the time of final rule) federal, state, or local permit would need to notify NOAA of the permitted activity. Then the permittee would need to come into compliance with the sanctuary regulations by getting an authorization from NOAA within 1 year of the effective date of the final regulations. See Section 11 below for more information on authorization authority.
NOAA is proposing to prohibit possessing or using explosives within the SSMAs, with exceptions for explosives used for valid law enforcement purposes.
This proposed prohibition is consistent with the current State of Hawai`i regulations. Currently, the state prohibits the possession and use of explosives in or around fishing areas in state waters within three nautical miles (HAR § 13-75, HRS § 188-23).Start Printed Page 16229
NOAA is proposing to prohibit introducing or otherwise releasing an introduced species into the SSMAs, with an exception for species cultivated by aquaculture activities in state waters pursuant to a valid lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by DLNR or NMFS on the effective date of this final regulation. Introduced species can pose a major economic and environmental threat to the living resources and habitats of a sanctuary as well as the commercial and recreational uses that depend on these resources. NOAA understands that not all introduced species will become invasive species; however, national marine sanctuaries are mandated by law to preserve the natural character of national marine sanctuary ecosystems and any proposed alteration of the natural biological community (e.g. introduction of a foreign species) is contrary to the purpose of sanctuary designation.
NOAA is proposing to add to HIHWNMS regulations the authority to consider permits for the following four activities otherwise prohibited:
Discharges of material or matter in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs);
discharges of material or matter outside SSMAs that may enter and injure;
disturbance of submerged lands of the SSMAs; and
damaging cultural and maritime resources.
As proposed, NOAA's permitting authority would apply sanctuary-wide only to activities prohibited by the proposed damaging cultural and maritime resources regulation. NOAA would only consider permits for activities prohibited by the proposed regulations for discharge and disturbance of the submerged lands in the SSMAs (and are therefore limited to the SSMAs).
Similar to other national marine sanctuaries, NOAA is proposing to consider these permits only for the purposes of sanctuary education, research, and management (see the Summary of Regulations below for a specific description of these categories). NOAA is also proposing to add a fourth permit category for actions involving “installation of submarine cables.” This permit category would only apply to submarine cable activities otherwise prohibited in the SSMAs (and, therefore, apply only to the SSMAs).
To address the above additions to the ONMS general permit authority for HIHWNMS, NOAA would amend regulatory text in the program-wide regulations in sections 922.48 and 922.50 to add references to Subpart Q, as appropriate. NOAA would also add a new section 922.188 in Subpart Q titled “Permit procedures and review criteria.” Further, NOAA would add a subparagraph to 922.184 that would specify which general permit categories apply to which prohibited activities.
NOAA also proposes to provide HIHWNMS with the authority to consider allowing an otherwise prohibited activity if such activity is specifically authorized by any valid Federal, State, or local lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization. Authorization authority is intended to streamline regulatory requirements by reducing the need for multiple permits and would apply to all proposed prohibitions at 922.49 Subpart Q. As such, NOAA proposes to amend the regulatory text at 922.49 to add reference to Subpart Q and at 922.184 (HIHWNMS regulations).
NOAA proposes to allow the ONMS Director to issue special use permits (SUPs) at HIHWNMS as established by Section 310 of the NMSA. Although SUP authority is established statutorily, NOAA has not exercised this authority at HIHWNMS. In the proposed regulatory changes, NOAA intends to make it clear that the ONMS Director may issue SUPs at HIHWNMS.
SUPs can be used to authorize the conduct of specific activities in a sanctuary if such authorization is necessary (1) to establish conditions of access to and use of any sanctuary resource; or (2) to promote public use and understanding of a sanctuary resource. The activities that qualify for a SUP are set forth in the Federal Register (78 FR 25957; May 3, 2013). Categories of SUPs may be changed or added to through public notice and comment. The list of categories subject to the requirements of special use permits is:
The NMSA places certain requirements on any issuance of a SUP by the ONMS Director. Specifically, it states that the Director:
The NMSA allows the assessment and collection of fees for the conduct of any activity under a SUP. The fees collected could be used to recover the administrative costs of issuing the permit, the cost of implementing the permit, and the fair market value of the use of sanctuary resources.
Section 304(a)(4) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) requires that the terms of designation include the geographic area included within the sanctuary; the characteristics of the area that give it conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic value; and the types of activities that will be subject to regulation by the Secretary of Commerce to protect these characteristics.
Pursuant to the NMSA and the HINMSA, the terms of designation of the sanctuary shall be modified pursuant to Sections 303 and 304 of the NMSA and Sections 2305 and 2306 of the HINMSA.
With this proposed rule, NOAA is proposing changes to the HIHWNMS terms of designation, which were previously published in the Federal Start Printed Page 16230Register on March 28, 1997 (62 FR 14799). The changes would:
1. Modify the introduction to change the name of the sanctuary to the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu, and re-characterize the purpose of the sanctuary as ecosystem-based (rather than single species).
2. Modify Article I. Effect of Designation to change the name of the sanctuary to the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu.
3. Modify Article II. Description of the Area to update the boundary description with the new areas NOAA proposes adding to the sanctuary and remove the outdated text pertaining to Kahoolawe Island.
4. Modify Article III. Characteristics of the Area to update information on the abundance of humpback whales found near the Hawaiian Islands.
5. Modify Article IV. Scope of Regulations to update the activities regulated to include the activities covered by the proposed regulations.
6. Modify Article V to update the reference to the NMSA.
The revised terms of designation are proposed to read as follows (new text in bold and deleted text in brackets and italics):
On November 4, 1992, President Bush signed into law the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA or Act; Subtitle C of the Oceans Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-587) which designated the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary [(HIHWNMS or Sanctuary)], now called the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu (Sanctuary). The purposes of the Sanctuary are to:
(1) protect and conserve the marine ecosystem of the Hawaiian islands including humpback whales, marine turtles and other protected species, [and their] Sanctuary habitat, and historic and cultural resources and values;
(2) educate and interpret for the public the value [relationship] of [humpback whales to] the natural, historic and cultural value of the Hawaiian Islands marine environment; and
(3) manage human uses of the Sanctuary consistent with the designation and Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, as amended (MPRSA; also cited as the National Marine Sanctuaries Act or NMSA), 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. [; and
(4) provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the Sanctuary.]
Section 2306 of the HINMSA requires the Secretary to develop and issue a comprehensive management plan and implementing regulations to achieve the policy and purposes of the Act, consistent with the procedures of sections 303 and 304 of the NMSA. Section 304 of the NMSA authorizes the issuance of such regulations as are necessary and reasonable to implement the designation, including managing and protecting the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational and aesthetic resources and qualities of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary , now called the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu. Section 1 of Article IV of this Designation Document lists activities subject to regulation which are those activities that may be regulated on the effective date of the regulations, or at some later date in order to implement the Sanctuary designation.
The HINMSA identified a Sanctuary boundary but authorized the Secretary to modify the boundary as necessary to fulfill the purposes of the designation. The Sanctuary boundary was modified by the Secretary to encompass the submerged lands and waters off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands extending seaward from the shoreline, cutting across the mouths of rivers and streams,—
(1) O`ahu: The sanctuary boundary on the southern shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A1 and the following textual description. The boundary begins ENE of Makapu`u Point roughly 3.2 nautical miles offshore at Point 1. It approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line extending first clockwise to the SE, then to the SW, and finally to the west to Point 68 in numerical order. From Point 68 the boundary extends NE towards Point 69 until it intersects the tip of the Kapahulu Groin. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 70 until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary then follows the shoreline eastward around Diamondhead Crater and Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 71 and Point 72 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 72 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline eastward until it intersects the line segment between Point 73 and Point 74 at the eastern entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 74 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline south around Koko Head and then northward around Pai`olu`olu Point, into Hanauma Bay and then back out and around Palea Point. The boundary then continues to follow the shoreline to the NE until it intersects the line between Point 75 and Point 76 at Makapu`u Point. From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the NE to Point 76. The sanctuary boundary on the North Shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A2 and the following textual description. The boundary extends from Point 1, located roughly 3.3 nautical miles NW of Ali`i Beach Park in Hale`iwa, approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line first to the NE and then to the SE to Point 60 in numerical order roughly 2.5 nautical miles NE of Māhie Point. The eastern edge of the sanctuary extends SW from Point 60 towards Point 61 at Māhie Point (aka Makahonu Point) until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the NW around Kahuku Point and then to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 62 and Point 63 at the eastern breakwater protecting Haleiwa Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 63 and the western breakwater until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 64 and Point 65 at the southwestern end of Ali`i Beach Park. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends seaward to the NW to Point 65.
(2) Hawai`i: The sanctuary boundary of Hawai`i Island is defined by the coordinates provided in table A3 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore roughly 0.5 nautical miles west of Keāhole Point at Point 1, and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line as it extends northward to Point 102 in numerical order. The northeastern edge of the sanctuary boundary extends from Point 102 south towards Point 103 on Start Printed Page 16231the northern tip of `Upolu point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection, the boundary extends west and then south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 104 and Point 105 to the north of Kawaihae Harbor. Kawaihae Harbor is excluded from the sanctuary so the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor from this intersection towards Point 105 on the outer breakwater of Kawaihae Harbor until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 106 and Point 107 at the westernmost tip of Hawai`i Island (Keāhole Point), west of the southern end of Kona Airport. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward approximately 0.5 nautical miles west to Point 107.
(3) Ni`ihau: The sanctuary boundary around the island of Ni`ihau (including Lehua Island) is defined by the coordinates provided in table A4 and the following textual description. The landward boundary of Ni`ihau and Lehua is the shoreline. The seaward boundary of Ni`ihau and Lehua is approximately three nautical miles from the shoreline and extends around the islands from Points 1 to 60 in numerical order.
(4) Kaua`i: The sanctuary boundary off the north coast of Kaua`i is defined by the coordinates in table A5 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore nearly 3.3 nautical miles WNW of Ka`īlio Point at Point 1 and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meters) isobath line as it extends eastward in numerical order to Point 59, approximately 1.5 nautical miles NE of Kepuhi point at roughly the Pila`a/Waipake ahupua`a boundary. The eastern edge of the sanctuary boundary then extends SW from Point 59 towards Point 60 on Kepuhi Point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends westward along the shoreline of the north coast of Kaua`i, and then continues to follow the shoreline as it extends southward along the eastern shore of Hanalei Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 61 and Point 62 at approximately the mouth of the Hanalei River. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 62 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Hanalei Bay and then westward around Ka`ilio Point until it intersects the line between Point 63 and Point 64 at approximately the boundary of the Ha`ena/Hanakāpi`ai ahupua`a NE of Hanakāpi`ai beach. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward to the WNW to Point 64.
(5) Maui Nui: The sanctuary boundary of Maui Nui between the islands of Moloka`i, Lana'i, and Maui is defined by the coordinates in table A6 and the following textual description. The boundary begins roughly 3.5 nautical miles west of `Īlio Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1. The boundary approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line to the west and south around Penguin Bank and then back to the north and east following the coordinates in numerical order across Kalohi Channel to Point 196 to the NE of Kaena on Lana`i. The boundary then continues to approximate the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line south around Lana'i and then east crossing the Kealaikahiki Channel and continuing between Kaho`olawe and Molokini to the SE to Point 341 in numerical order roughly 2.2 nautical miles WSW of Hanamanioa Light on the southern shore of Maui. The boundary then continues ENE towards Point 342 until it intersects the shoreline near the Hanamanioa Light. At this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline northward to Mā`alaea Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 343 and Point 344 at the eastern breakwater of the entrance to Mā`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues toward Point 344 until it intersects the shoreline at the western breakwater of Mā`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline SW around McGregor and Papawai Points and then to the NW until it reaches Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The boundary continues along the shoreline of the outer breakwater of Lahaina Small Boat Harbor until it reaches the northern tip at the intersection of the shoreline and a line between points 345 and 346. From this intersection the boundary extends offshore to the NNW for approximately 25 meters to point 346. The boundary then heads WNW towards point 347 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary then continues to follow the shoreline northward until it intersects the line between Point 348 and Point 349 at Lipoa Point on the NW tip of Maui. From this intersection the boundary continues to the NNW across the Pailolo Channel through Point 349 and Point 350 to the intersection of the line segment between Point 351 and Point 352 and the shoreline at Cape Halawa on the NE tip of Molokai. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline to the SW and then westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 353 and Point 354 east of Kaunakakai Pier. From this intersection the boundary then continues offshore through Point 354 and Point 355 and towards Point 356 to the west of Kaunakakai Pier until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 357 and Point 358 on the eastern seawall at the entrance to Lono Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues towards Point 358 across the mouth of the harbor until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward around Lā`au Point, and then continues north until it reaches the intersection of the shoreline with the line segment between Point 359 and Point 360 at `Īlio Point on the NW tip of Moloka`i. From this intersection the boundary continues seaward to Point 361 west of `Īlio Point. The landward sanctuary boundary around the island of Lana`i is the shoreline. The boundary follows the western shoreline of the island south from Keanapapa Point until it intersects the line between Point 362 and Point 363 at the breakwater north of Kaumalapau Harbor. The boundary then extends towards Point 363 south of the harbor mouth, excluding Kaumalapau Harbor from the sanctuary, until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Palaoa Point and then east until it intersects the line between Point 364 and Point 365 at the SE breakwater of Manele Small Boat Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor towards Point 365 until it intersects the shoreline again at the NE breakwater, excluding Manele Small Boat Harbor from the sanctuary. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline of Lana'i to the NE around Kikoa Point and continues counterclockwise around the island back to Keanapapa Point.
[(1) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath adjoining the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, including Penguin Bank, but excluding the area within three nautical miles of the upper reaches of the wash of the waves on the shore of Kahoolawe Island;
(2) To the deep water area of Pailolo Channel from Cape Halawa, Molokai, to Nakalele Point, Maui, and southward; Start Printed Page 16232
(3) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath around the island of Hawaii;
(4) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath from Kailiu Point eastward to Makahuena Point, Kauai; and
(5) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath from Puaena Point eastward to Mahie Point, and from the Ala Wai Canal eastward to Makapuu Point, Oahu.
Excluded from the Sanctuary boundary are the following commercial ports and small boat harbors:
Hilo Harbor Honokohau Boat Harbor
Kawaihae Boat Harbor & Small Boat Basin
Ala Wai Small Boat Basin
As specified at sections 2305(b) of the HINMSA, on January 1, 1996, the area of the marine environment within 3 nautical miles of the upper reaches of the wash of the waves on the shore of Kahoolawe Island was to become part of the Sanctuary, unless during the 3 month period immediately preceding January 1, 1996, the Secretary certified in writing to Congress that the area was not suitable for inclusion in the Sanctuary. The Secretary made such a certification in December 1995. As such, the waters surrounding Kahoolawe are not included in the Sanctuary. The HINMSA was amended in 1996 to allow the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to request inclusion of the marine waters three miles from Kahoolawe in the Sanctuary. Upon receiving a request from the KIRC, should NOAA determine that Kahoolawe waters may be suitable for inclusion in the Sanctuary, NOAA will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement, management plan, and implementing regulations for that inclusion. This process will include the opportunity for public comment. Further, the Governor would have the opportunity to certify his or her objection to the inclusion, or any term of that inclusion, and if this occurs, the inclusion or term will not take effect.]
The Hawaiian Islands comprise an archipelago which consist of eight major islands and 124 minor islands, with a total land area of 6,471 [6,423] square miles, and a general coastline of 750 miles. The central North Pacific stock of endangered humpback whales, the largest of the three North Pacific stocks, estimated to be at approximately 50[10]% of its pre-whaling abundance, uses the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands for reproductive activities including breeding, calving and nursing. The warm, calm waters around the main Hawaiian Islands provide protective environments required for such activities. Of the known wintering and summering areas in the North Pacific used by humpback whales, the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands maintain the largest seasonally-resident population; approximately 12,000 to 16,000 [2,000 to 3,000] humpback whales use these waters. The proximity to shore helps support an active commercial whalewatch industry, which is supported annually by millions of visitors who either directly or indirectly enjoy the Sanctuary waters. In sections 2302 (1) and (4) of the HINMSA, Congressional findings state that “many of the diverse marine resources and ecosystems within the Western Pacific region are of national significance,” and “the marine environment adjacent to and between the Hawaiian Islands is a diverse and unique subtropical marine ecosystem.” In addition, Congress found that the Sanctuary could be expanded to include other marine resources of national significance. The waters around the Hawaiian Islands contain 24 other species of cetaceans, the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal, three species of sea turtles and many other marine species endemic to this environment. Coastal Hawaiian waters also support spectacular coral reef ecosystems which provide local people with an abundant source of fish and are a popular dive destination for visitors worldwide. These waters also contain a number of cultural/historical resources, including those reflecting native Hawaiian traditions and uses.
Section 1. Activities Subject to Regulation.
In order to implement the Sanctuary designation, the following activities may be regulated [are subject to regulation] to the extent necessary [and reasonable] to ensure the protection and management of the characteristics and values of the Sanctuary described above [; primarily the protection and management of humpback whales and their Sanctuary habitat. Regulation may include governing the method, location, and times of conducting the activity, and prohibition of the activity, after public notice and an opportunity to comment. If a type of activity is not listed it may not be regulated, except on an emergency basis, unless Section 1 of Article IV is amended by the procedures outlined in section 304(a) of the NMSA. Such activities are]:
a. Taking or otherwise damaging natural resources;
[a. Approaching, or causing another vessel or object to approach, by any means a humpback whale in the Sanctuary;]
b. [Flying over a humpback whale in the Sanctuary in any type of aircraft except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or runway;
c.] Discharging or depositing any substance; [, from within or from beyond the boundary of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter into, or that enters or could enter the Sanctuary, without, or not in compliance with, the terms or conditions of a required, valid Federal or State permit, license, lease or other authorization;]
c. Disturbing the benthic community;
d. Removing or otherwise harming cultural or historical resources;
e. Operating a vessel;
f. Moving, removing, or tampering with any sign or other Sanctuary property;
g. Introducing or otherwise releasing an introduced species.
[d. Drilling into, dredging or otherwise altering the seabed of the Sanctuary; or constructing, placing or abandoning any structure, material or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary without, or not in compliance with, the terms or conditions of a required, valid Federal or State permit, license, lease or other authorization;
e. Taking, removing, moving, catching, collecting, harvesting, feeding, injuring, destroying or causing the loss of, or attempting to take, remove, move, catch, collect, harvest, feed, injure, destroy or cause the loss of any humpback whale or humpback whale habitat;
f. Possessing within the Sanctuary a humpback whale or part thereof regardless of where taken, removed, moved, caught, collected or harvested; and
g. Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized Start Printed Page 16233property in connection with enforcement of the HINMSA or NMSA or any regulation or permit issued under the HINMSA or NMSA.]
Section 2. Emergencies.
Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a Sanctuary resource or quality; or minimize the imminent risk of such destruction, loss or injury, any activity, including those not listed in Section 1 of this Article, is subject to immediate temporary regulation, including prohibition. If such a situation arises, the Director of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries [Ocean and Coastal Resource Management] or his or her designee shall seek to notify and consult to the extent practicable with any relevant Federal agency and the Governor of the State of [Hawaii] Hawai`i.
Pursuant to section 304(c)(1) of the NMSA, 16 U.S.C. 1434(c)(1), no valid lease, permit, license, approval or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction, or any right of subsistence use or access, may be terminated by the Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee, as a result of this designation, or as a result of any Sanctuary regulation, if such authorization or right was in existence on the effective date of Sanctuary designation (November 4, 1992).
The terms of designation, as defined under section 304 (a) of the NMSA, may be modified only by the procedures outlined in section 304 (a) of the NMSA, including public hearings, consultation with interested Federal, State, and county agencies, review by the appropriate Congressional committees, and review and non-objection by the Governor of the State of [Hawaii] Hawai`i, and approval by the Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee.
Appendix A to subpart Q, part 922, 15 CFR sets forth the precise boundary coordinates for the Sanctuary.
NOAA has prepared a draft environmental impact statement to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed rulemaking. Copies are available at the address and Web site listed in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. Responses to comments received on this proposed rule will be published in the final environmental impact statement and preamble to the final rule.
Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA; 16 U.S.C. 1456) requires Federal agencies to consult with a state's coastal program on potential Federal regulations having an effect on state waters. Because the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary encompasses a portion of the Hawai`i State waters, NOAA intends to submit a copy of this proposed rule and supporting documents to the State of Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Program for evaluation of Federal consistency under the CZMA.
NOAA has concluded that this regulatory action does not have federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a federalism assessment under Executive Order 13132.
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) is intended to preserve historical and archaeological sites in the United States of America. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, and the State Historic Preservation Offices. Section 106 of the NHPA requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties, and afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) a reasonable opportunity to comment. The historic preservation review process mandated by Section 106 is outlined in regulations issued by ACHP (36 CFR 800). In coordinating its responsibilities under the NHPA, NOAA has solicited for and identified consulting parties, and will complete the identification of historic properties and the assessment of the effects of the undertaking on such properties in scheduled consultations with those identified parties. By this notice NOAA seeks to solicit public input, particularly in regard to the identification of historic properties within the proposed areas of potential effect. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.16(1)(1), historic properties includes: “any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. The term includes artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within such properties. The term includes properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that meet the National Register criteria.”
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows:
The SBA has established thresholds on the designation of businesses as “small entities”. A fish-harvesting business is considered a small business if it has annual receipts not in excess of $3.5 million (13 CFR 121.201). Sports and recreation businesses and scenic and sightseeing transportation businesses are considered small businesses if they have annual receipts not in excess of $6 million (13 CFR 121.201). According to these limits, each of the businesses potentially affected by the proposed rule, except those in the commercial marine transportation and submarine cable installation businesses would most likely be small businesses. The analysis presented here is based on limited quantitative information on how much activity occurs within the boundaries of the proposed expansion areas for HIHWNMS, except for commercial fishing operations.
Methodology. Due to the lack of quantitative data on the number of businesses directly affected by the proposed regulations and their levels of revenues, costs and profits from their activities in the HIHWNMS expansion area, the assessment here is qualitative.
NOAA analyzed four regulatory alternatives (identified as Alternatives 1-4 in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement). User groups that entail small businesses included commercial fishing operation and recreation-tourism related businesses. Other user groups included in the full regulatory impact review in the DEIS and not included here are research and education, people who receive passive economic use value Start Printed Page 16234from improvements in natural resource qualities/quantities, businesses in offshore energy (namely submarine cable installation) and those firms involved in marine transportation. Firms involved in offshore energy and marine transportation directly affected by the proposed regulations were judged not to be small businesses.
NOAA assessed two types of regulations included in the proposed action (discharges and submerged lands—seabed alterations), which are only proposed to apply to three areas called Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs) within the HIHWNMS. NOAA also analyzed the impact of all regulations combined. Submarine cable regulations addressed in the full regulatory impact review are not discussed here since that industry is judged not to involve small businesses.
Discharge Regulations. Under the proposed rule, NOAA would prohibit discharging or depositing any material or matter into the three SSMAs, with an exception for treated biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use. Many commercial vessels affected by the proposed regulations are expected to belong to commercial fishing operations and businesses involved in providing guide services in the recreation tourism industry (e.g. charter and party boat fishing operations and whale-watching or other wildlife observation or guide businesses). Boats are already prohibited from discharging untreated effluent in state waters under state law.
Of the three proposed Special Sanctuary Management Areas, Penguin Bank and Maui Nui are active commercial fishing grounds. According to Vessel Management System (VMS) data, only 68 commercial fishing vessels entered the Special Sanctuary Management Areas in the last year. There are 42 permitted commercial boats operating out of Lahaina and all of these boats are using the federal waters of Maui Nui. This information is generally consistent with the information compiled during the Ocean Etiquette trainings and the USCG Marine Safety Office inventory for Maui.
Based on a 2012 survey conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, there were roughly 170 active charter boat operations in the main Hawai`i Islands, with roughly 100 of these operating out of the big island of Hawai`i. Roughly 55 boats were based in Maui and O`ahu, the islands adjacent to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. The average charter boat length in Maui and O`ahu was 40 feet and 39 feet, respectively.
Additionally, 99 active tour vessels operate out of Maui County, of which 55 are whale-watching operations. These larger vessels carry dozens of passengers and are typically equipped with a Coast Guard certified Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) that, if properly used, is compliant with the proposed treatment requirement in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. At a minimum, most of the commercial operators have holding tanks.
There are pump out stations in the major harbors of the Maui Nui area (Lahaina and Mā`alaea), which ensures ease of compliance for boats that only have a holding tank. Furthermore, some tour operators have retrofitted their boats to increase the holding capacity and eliminate the need for discharging at sea.
Taking into account all of the above information, including the relatively modest total number of vessels operating in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas and the high proportion of vessels already equipped with compliant marine sanitation devices, NOAA expects there to be negligible costs from these new regulations.
NOAA expects both the commercial fishing industry and the recreation-tourism industry to receive moderate net benefits from these regulations in the form of improved habitat qualities, which would likely result in increased fish stocks for commercial and recreational fishing. In addition, NOAA expects that the resulting improved habitat qualities would benefit the recreation-tourism industry, which depends upon a healthy and thriving sanctuary ecosystem to support its business. Thus, NOAA expects that the commercial fishing and recreation-tourism industries would experience a net benefit from the discharge regulations. NOAA expects the proposed action to generate a mid-range level of costs with a mid-range level of net benefits compared with all other regulatory alternatives. Land use and development businesses would not be directly affected by the discharge regulations.
NOAA invites public comments from small business owners and members of the public potentially affected by the new discharge regulations to better understand and assess any impact of these proposed regulations.
Submerged lands — Seabed Alteration Regulations. Regulations prohibiting disturbances of the seabed in Special Sanctuary Management Areas would impact the commercial fishing industry and the recreation tourism industry. NOAA expects these industries to receive moderate net benefits from these regulations because of the improvement or maintenance of habitat qualities that these industries depend upon. NOAA also expects businesses in these industries to experience negligible increases in costs of operations because there is no significant anchoring activity in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. Because of the exceptions, permit, and authorization processes in the proposed action, which may allow for some activities that disturb the seabed, including a proposed submarine cable installation, costs would be expected to be in the mid-range of costs across all alternatives.
All other regulatory amendments to the HIHWNMS regulations proposed in this rulemaking are either technical changes or are not expected to have any measurable impact, economic or otherwise, on the resources and businesses operating in and near the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. Because this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, no initial regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared.
Because the impacts of this proposed rule on commercial fishing, recreational tourism, and land use and development businesses are minimal, the Chief Counsel for Regulation certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at SBA that this rulemaking would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
ONMS has a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number (0648-0141) for the collection of public information related to the processing of ONMS permits across the National Marine Sanctuary System. NOAA's proposal to expand HIHWNMS would likely result in an increase in the number of requests for ONMS general permits, special use permits, and authorizations since this action proposes to add general permits and special use permits, certifications, appeals, and the authority to authorize other valid federal, state, or local leases, permits, licenses, approvals, or other authorizations. An increase in the number of ONMS permit requests would require a change to the reporting burden certified for OMB control number 0648-0141. An update to this control number for the processing of ONMS permits would be requested as part of the final rule for sanctuary expansion.
Nationwide, NOAA issues approximately 200 national marine sanctuary permits each year. Of this amount, HIWHNMS is expected to add Start Printed Page 162354 to 5 permit requests per year. The public reporting burden for national marine sanctuaries permits is estimated to average 1.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Send comments regarding the burden estimate for this data collection requirement, or any other aspect of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NOAA (see ADDRESSES) and by email to OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov, or fax to (202) 395-7285. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number.
NOAA requests comments on this proposed rule for by June 19, 2015.
1. Revise subpart Q to read as follows:
§ 922.180
§ 922.181
§ 922.182
§ 922.183
§ 922.184
§ 922.185
§ 922.186
Penalties; appeals.
§ 922.187
§ 922.188
Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 922—Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu Boundary Description and Coordinates of the Lateral Boundary Closures and Excluded Areas.
Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 922—Special Sanctuary Management Area Boundaries.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. and subtitle C, title II, Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5055.
(a) The purpose of the regulations in this subpart is to implement the designation of the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu by regulating activities affecting the resources of the Sanctuary or any of the qualities, values, or purposes, for which the Sanctuary was designated, in order to protect, preserve, and manage the conservation, ecological, recreational, research, educational, historical, cultural, and aesthetic resources and qualities of the area. The regulations are intended to supplement and complement existing regulatory authorities; and to facilitate all public and private uses of the Sanctuary, to the extent compatible with the primary objective of an ecosystem-based management approach that is inclusive of all aspects of the marine ecosystem emphasizing the biological, physical, and human components of a healthy marine environment, including protecting the humpback whale and its habitat, that are essential components of the marine ecosystem. Public and private uses of the Sanctuary include, but are not limited to, uses of Hawaiian natives customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural, and religious purposes; as well as education, research, recreation, commercial and military activities; to reduce conflicts between compatible uses; to maintain, restore, and enhance the humpback whale and other protected species and their habitat; to contribute to the maintenance of natural assemblages of humpback whales and other protected species for future generations; more specifically to provide a place for humpback whales that are dependent on their Hawaiian Islands wintering habitat for reproductive activities, including breeding, calving, and nursing, and for the long-term survival of their species; and to achieve the other purposes and policies of the HINMSA and NMSA.
(b) These regulations may be modified to fulfill the Secretary's responsibilities for the Sanctuary, including the provision for additional protections of the Sanctuary ecosystem resources including for humpback whales and their habitat, as reasonably necessary, and the conservation and management of other marine resources, qualities and ecosystems of the Sanctuary determined to be of national significance. The Secretary shall consult with the Governor of the State of Hawai`i on any modifications to the regulations contained in this part that pertain to State of Hawai`i waters. For any modification of the regulations contained in this part that would contribute a change in a term of designation, as contained in the Designation Document for the Sanctuary, the Secretary shall follow the applicable requirements of section 303 and 304 of the NMSA, and sections 2305 and 2306 of the HINMSA.
(c) Section 304(e) of the NMSA requires the Secretary to review management plans and regulations every five years, and make necessary revisions. Upon completion of the five year review of the Sanctuary management plan and regulations, the Secretary will repropose the Sanctuary management plan and regulations in their entirety with any proposed changes thereto. The Governor of the State of Hawai`i will have the opportunity to review the re-proposed management plan and regulations before they take effect and if the Governor certifies any term or terms of such management plan or regulations as unacceptable, the unacceptable term or terms will not take effect in State waters of the Sanctuary.
(a) The Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu (sanctuary) encompasses an area of approximately 1,224 square nautical miles (1,621 square miles) of coastal and ocean waters, and submerged lands thereunder, cutting across the mouths of rivers and streams, surrounding the populated Hawaii Islands as described below. The precise boundary coordinates are listed in Appendix A to this subpart.
(1) O`ahu: The sanctuary boundary on the southern shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A1 and the following textual description. The boundary begins ENE of Makapu`u Point roughly 3.2 nautical miles offshore at Point 1. It approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line extending first clockwise to the SE., then to the SW., and finally to the west to Point 68 in numerical order. From Point 68 the boundary extends NE Start Printed Page 16236towards Point 69 until it intersects the tip of the Kapahulu Groin. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 70 until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary then follows the shoreline eastward around Diamondhead Crater and Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 71 and Point 72 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 72 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline eastward until it intersects the line segment between Point 73 and Point 74 at the eastern entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 74 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline south around Koko Head and then northward around Pai`olu`olu Point, into Hanauma Bay and then back out and around Palea Point. The boundary then continues to follow the shoreline to the NE until it intersects the line between Point 75 and Point 76 at Makapu`u Point. From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the NE to Point 76. The sanctuary boundary on the North Shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A2 and the following textual description. The boundary extends from Point 1, located roughly 3.3 nautical miles NW of Ali`i Beach Park in Hale`iwa, approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line first to the NE and then to the SE to Point 60 in numerical order roughly 2.5 nautical miles NE of Māhie Point. The eastern edge of the sanctuary extends SW from Point 60 towards Point 61 at Māhie Point (aka Makahonu Point) until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the NW around Kahuku Point and then to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 62 and Point 63 at the eastern breakwater protecting Haleiwa Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 63 and the western breakwater until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 64 and Point 65 at the southwestern end of Ali`i Beach Park. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends seaward to the NW to Point 65.
(2) Hawai`i: The sanctuary boundary of Hawai`i Island is defined by the coordinates provided in table A3 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore roughly 0.5 nautical miles west of Keāhole Point at Point 1, and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line as it extends northward to Point 102 in numerical order. The northeastern edge of the sanctuary boundary extends from Point 102 south towards Point 103 on the northern tip of `Upolu point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection, the boundary extends west and then south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 104 and Point 105 to the north of Kawaihae Harbor. Kawaihae Harbor is excluded from the sanctuary so the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor from this intersection towards Point 105 on the outer breakwater of Kawaihae Harbor until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 106 and Point 107 at the westernmost tip of Hawai`i Island (Keāhole Point), west of the southern end of Kona Airport. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward approximately 0.5 nautical miles west to Point 107.
(5) Maui Nui: The sanctuary boundary of Maui Nui between the islands of Moloka`i, Lana'i, and Maui is defined by the coordinates in table A6 and the following textual description. The boundary begins roughly 3.5 nautical miles west of `Īlio Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1. The boundary approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line to the west and south around Penguin Bank and then back to the north and east following the coordinates in numerical order across Kalohi Channel to Point 196 to the NE of Kaena on Lana`i. The boundary then continues to approximate the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line south around Lana'i and then east crossing the Kealaikahiki Channel and continuing between Kaho`olawe and Molokini to the SE to Point 341 in numerical order roughly 2.2 nautical miles WSW of Hanamanioa Light on the southern shore of Maui. The boundary then continues ENE towards Point 342 until it intersects the shoreline near the Hanamanioa Light. At this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline northward to Mā`alaea Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 343 and Point 344 at the eastern breakwater of the entrance to Mā`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues toward Point 344 until it intersects the shoreline at the western breakwater of Mā`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline SW around McGregor and Papawai Points and then to the NW until it reaches Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The boundary continues along the shoreline of the outer breakwater of Lahaina Small Boat Harbor until it reaches the northern tip at the intersection of the shoreline and a line between points 345 and 346. From this intersection the boundary extends offshore to the NNW for approximately 25 meters to point 346. The boundary then heads WNW towards point 347 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary then continues to follow the shoreline northward until it intersects the line Start Printed Page 16237between Point 348 and Point 349 at Lipoa Point on the NW tip of Maui. From this intersection the boundary continues to the NNW across the Pailolo Channel through Point 349 and Point 350 to the intersection of the line segment between Point 351 and Point 352 and the shoreline at Cape Halawa on the NE tip of Molokai. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline to the SW and then westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 353 and Point 354 east of Kaunakakai Pier. From this intersection the boundary then continues offshore through Point 354 and Point 355 and towards Point 356 to the west of Kaunakakai Pier until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 357 and Point 358 on the eastern seawall at the entrance to Lono Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues towards Point 358 across the mouth of the harbor until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward around Lā`au Point, and then continues north until it reaches the intersection of the shoreline with the line segment between Point 359 and Point 360 at `Īlio Point on the NW tip of Moloka`i. From this intersection the boundary continues seaward to Point 361 west of `Īlio Point. The landward sanctuary boundary around the island of Lana`i is the shoreline. The boundary follows the western shoreline of the island south from Keanapapa Point until it intersects the line between Point 362 and Point 363 at the breakwater north of Kaumalapau Harbor. The boundary then extends towards Point 363 south of the harbor mouth, excluding Kaumalapau Harbor from the sanctuary, until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Palaoa Point and then east until it intersects the line between Point 364 and Point 365 at the SE breakwater of Manele Small Boat Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor towards Point 365 until it intersects the shoreline again at the NE breakwater, excluding Manele Small Boat Harbor from the sanctuary. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline of Lana'i to the NE around Kikoa Point and continues counterclockwise around the island back to Keanapapa Point.
Other terms appearing in this subpart are defined at 15 CFR 922.3, and/or in the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.
Acts means the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA; sections 2301-2307 of Pub. L. 102-587), and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA; also known as Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.).
Adverse impact means an impact that independently or cumulatively damages, diminishes, degrades, impairs, destroys, or otherwise harms.
Alteration of the seabed means drilling into, dredging, or otherwise altering a natural physical characteristic of the seabed of the Sanctuary; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary.
Coral means but is not limited to species of the Phylum Cnidaria, including all species in the: Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia (stony corals); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Antipatharia (black corals); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Zoantharia, Family Parazoanthidae (gold coral); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Alcyonacea (soft corals, bamboo coral, pink coral); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Gorgonacea (gorgoneans); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Pennatulacea (sea pens); Class Hydrozoa, Subclass Hydroidolina, Order Anthoathecata, Suborder Filifera, Family Stylasteridae (stylasterids)
Introduced Species means any species (including, but not limited to, any of its biological matter capable of propagation) that is non-native to the ecosystems of the Sanctuary; or any organism into which altered genetic matter, or genetic matter from another species, has been transferred in order that the host organism acquires the genetic traits of the transferred genes.
Military activities means those military activities conducted by or under the auspices of the Department of Defense and any combined military activities carried out by the Department of Defense and the military forces of a foreign nation.
Sanctuary means the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary—Nā Kai `Ewalu.
Special Sanctuary Management Areas means discrete, biologically and/or culturally important areas that help sustain critical marine species and habitats.
Shoreline means the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season of the year in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves.
Take or taking a humpback whale means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect or injure a humpback whale, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. The term includes, but is not limited to, any of the following activities: collecting any dead or injured humpback whale, or any part thereof; restraining or detaining any humpback whale, or any part thereof, no matter how temporarily; tagging any humpback whale; operating a vessel or aircraft or doing any other act that results in the disturbing or molesting of any humpback whale.
(a) All activities except those prohibited by § 922.184 may be undertaken in the Sanctuary subject to any emergency regulations promulgated pursuant to § 922.185, subject to the interagency cooperation provisions of section 304(d) of the NMSA [16 U.S.C. 1434(d)] and § 922.187 of this subpart, and subject to the liability established by section 312 of the NMSA and § 922.46 of this part. All activities are also subject to all prohibitions, restrictions, and conditions validly imposed by any other Federal, State, or county authority of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Included as activities allowed under the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this section are all classes of military activities, internal or external to the Sanctuary, that are being or have been conducted before the effective date of these regulations, as identified in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Management Plan. Paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of § 922.184 do not apply to these classes of activities, nor are these activities subject to further consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA.
(c) Military activities proposed after the effective date of these regulations are also included as allowed activities under the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this § 922.183. Paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of § 922.184 apply to these classes of activities unless—Start Printed Page 16238
(1) They are not subject to consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and § 922.187 of this subpart, or
(2) Upon consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and § 922.187 of this subpart, NOAA's findings and recommendations include a statement that paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of § 922.184 do not apply to the military activity.
(d) If a military activity described in paragraphs (b) or (c)(2) of this section is modified such that it is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a Sanctuary resource in a manner significantly greater than was considered in a previous consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and § 922.187 of this subpart, or if the modified activity is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any Sanctuary resource not considered in a previous consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and § 922.187 of this subpart, the modified activity will be treated as a new military activity under paragraph (c) of this section.
(e) If a proposed military activity subject to section 304(d) of the NMSA and § 922.187 of this subpart is necessary to respond to an emergency situation and the Secretary of Defense determines in writing that failure to undertake the proposed activity during the period of consultation would impair the national defense, the Secretary of the military department concerned may request the Director that the activity proceed during consultation. If the Director denies such a request, the Secretary of the military department concerned may decide to proceed with the activity. In such case, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall provide the Director with a written statement describing the effects of the activity on Sanctuary resources once the activity is completed.
(1)(i) Approaching in the Sanctuary, by any means, including by interception (e.g. by placing a vessel or person in the path of an oncoming humpback whale so that the whale surfaces within 100 yards (91.4m) of the vessel or person), within 100 yards (91.4 m) of any humpback whale;
(ii) Causing a vessel or other object to approach within 100 yards (91.4 m) of a humpback whale;
(iii) Disrupting the normal behavior or prior activity of a whale by any other act or omission. A disruption of normal behavior may be manifested by, among other actions on the part of the whale, a rapid change in direction or speed; escape tactics such as prolonged diving, underwater course changes, underwater exhalation, or evasive swimming patterns; interruptions of breeding, nursing, or resting activities, attempts by a whale to shield a calf from a vessel or human observer by tail swishing or by other protective movement; or the abandonment of a previously frequented area;
(iv) Exceptions:
This paragraph (a)(1) does not apply to any approach is authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service through a permit issued under 50 CFR part 222, subpart C, General Permit Procedures or through a similar authorization;
(2) Operating any aircraft above the Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or runway, or as authorized under the MMPA and the ESA;
(3)(i) Taking or possessing any humpback whales within the Sanctuary except as authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), or the Endangered Species Act (ESA;
(ii) Taking or possessing any marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, Endangered Species Act-listed species or Hawai`i Revised Statutes chapter 195D listed species, within or above the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except as authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA); the Endangered Species Act (ESA); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA); the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; or Hawai`i State Law.
(4) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except:
(i) Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or resulting from lawful fishing activities within the Sanctuary, provided that such discharge or deposit is during the conduct of lawful fishing activities within the Sanctuary;
(ii) Biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use and generated by Type I and II marine sanitation devices approved in accordance with section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act33 U.S.C. 1322;
(iii) Water generated by routine vessel operations (e.g., cooling water, deck wash down, and gray water as defined by section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act33 U.S.C. 1322) excluding oily wastes from bilge pumping;
(iv) Engine exhaust; or
(v) Discharge of biodegradable materials for traditional ceremonies associated with culturally important customs and usage (e.g. the discharge of leis, paper lanterns).
(5) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter outside of the Special Sanctuary Management Areas if the discharge or deposit subsequently enters and injures a sanctuary resource within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas.
(6) Dredging, drilling into, or otherwise altering in any way the submerged lands (including natural bottom formations, live rock and coral) within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except:
(i) To anchor a vessel on sandy bottom or substrate other than live rock or coral;
(ii) Routine maintenance of docks, seawalls, breakwaters, jetties, or piers authorized by any valid lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction;
(iii) Installation and maintenance of navigational aids by, or pursuant to valid authorization by, any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction;
(iv) Activities associated with conducting harbor maintenance in accordance with a federal or state permit issued prior to [EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE], including dredging of entrance channels during the time period of one year from the [final rule effective date];
(v) Aquaculture activities authorized under a permit issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the State of Hawai`i Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or the National Marine Fisheries Service pursuant to applicable regulations under the appropriate fisheries management plan.
(vi) Lawful fishing activities authorized under a permit issued by the State of Hawai`i or the National Marine Fisheries Service pursuant to applicable regulations under the appropriate fisheries management plan.
(7) Possessing or using explosives within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except for valid law enforcement purposes.
(8) Introducing or otherwise releasing from within or into the Special Sanctuary Management Areas an introduced species, except species cultivated by aquaculture activities in state or federal waters pursuant to a valid lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Natural Resources, or the National Marine Fisheries Service in effect on the effective date of the final regulation.Start Printed Page 16239
(9) Removing, damaging, or tampering with any historical or cultural resource within the sanctuary.
(10) Marking, defacing, or damaging in any way, or displacing or removing or tampering with any signs, notices, or placards, whether temporary or permanent, or with any monuments, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers related to the Sanctuary including boundary markers related to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas.
(11) Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized property in connection with enforcement of either of the Acts or any regulations issued under either of the Acts.
(b) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to activities necessary to respond to emergencies threatening life, property or the environment; or to activities necessary for valid law enforcement purposes. However, while such activities are not subject to paragraphs (a)(1) through (11) of this section, this paragraph (b) does not exempt the activity from the underlying prohibition or restriction under other applicable laws and regulations (e.g., MMPA, ESA, and CWA).
(c)(1) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any activity authorized by any lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization issued after the effective date of regulatory amendments to this section and issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction, provided that the applicant complies with 15 CFR 922.49, the Director notifies the applicant and authorizing agency that he or she does not object to issuance of the authorization, and the applicant complies with any terms and conditions the Director deems necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities.
(2) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to activities associated with harbor maintenance including dredging of entrance channels, provided the applicant requests an authorization of a valid federal or state permit from the Director.
(d) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any activity conducted in accordance with a general permit issued pursuant to § 922.188.
Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a Sanctuary resource, or to minimize the imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or injury, any and all activities are subject to immediate temporary regulation, including prohibition. Before issuance of such regulations the Director shall consult to the extent practicable with any relevant Federal agency and the Governor of the State of Hawai`i. Emergency regulations shall not take effect in State waters of the Sanctuary until approved by the Governor of Hawai`i.
(a) Pursuant to section 307 of the NMSA, each violation of either of the Acts, or any regulation in this subpart is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000. Each such violation is subject to forfeiture of property or Sanctuary resources seized in accordance with section 307 of the NMSA. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.
(b) Regulations setting forth the procedures governing the administrative proceedings for assessment of civil penalties for enforcement reasons, issuance and use of written warnings, and release or forfeiture of seized property appear at 15 CFR part 904.
(c) A person subject to an action taken for enforcement reasons for violation of these regulations or either of the Acts may appeal pursuant to the applicable procedures in 15 CFR part 904.
Under section 304(d) of the NMSA, Federal agency actions internal or external to a national marine sanctuary, including private activities authorized by licenses, leases, or permits, that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource are subject to consultation with the Director. The Federal agency proposing an action shall determine whether the activity is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a Sanctuary resource. To the extent practicable, consultation procedures under section 304(d) of the NMSA may be consolidated with interagency cooperation procedures required by other statutes, such as the ESA. The Director will attempt to provide coordinated review and analysis of all environmental requirements.
(1) The provisions of subpart E; and
(2) Education—activities that enhance public awareness, understanding, or appreciation of a national marine sanctuary or national marine sanctuary resources or qualities;
(3) Management—activities that assist in managing a national marine sanctuary; or
(4) Installation of submarine cables—activities that involve the installation of a submarine cable
(2) It is necessary to conduct the proposed activity within the national marine sanctuary to achieve its stated purpose;
(3) The methods and procedures proposed by the applicant are appropriate to achieve the proposed activity's stated purpose and eliminate, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on sanctuary resources and qualities as much as possible;
(4) The duration of the proposed activity and its effects are no longer than necessary to achieve the activity's stated purpose;
(5) The expected end value of the activity to the furtherance of national marine sanctuary goals and purposes outweighs any potential adverse impacts on sanctuary resources and qualities from the conduct of the activity;
(6) The applicant is professionally qualified to conduct and complete the proposed activity;
(7) The applicant has adequate financial resources available to conduct and complete the proposed activity and terms and conditions of the permit;
(8) There are no other factors that would make the issuance of a permit for the activity inappropriate; and
(9) For the installation of submarine cables, the activity is not required to Start Printed Page 16240meet criterion in § 922.188(c)(5), however, it must be compliant with all applicable permit requirements from the State of Hawai`i prior to consideration of approval for a sanctuary general permit.
Table A1—Coordinates for O`ahu
[South Unit]
1 21.32908 −157.59613
2 21.32450 −157.58972
3 21.32370 −157.58183
4 21.31688 −157.57428
5 21.31280 −157.56408
6 21.30933 −157.56160
7 21.30358 −157.55573
8 21.30048 −157.55447
9 21.29697 −157.55477
10 21.29273 −157.55672
11 21.28485 −157.55673
12 21.28198 −157.55822
13 21.27330 −157.57037
14 21.26792 −157.57482
15 21.26257 −157.58341
16 21.26286 −157.58604
17 21.26233 −157.58793
18 21.25687 −157.59453
19 21.25527 −157.59808
20 21.25498 −157.60996
21 21.25599 −157.61382
22 21.25854 −157.61889
23 21.25950 −157.62353
24 21.25787 −157.62687
25 21.25896 −157.63431
26 21.25771 −157.63925
27 21.25701 −157.64764
28 21.25579 −157.65214
29 21.25488 −157.65769
30 21.25691 −157.66220
31 21.25535 −157.66722
32 21.25736 −157.67633
33 21.25591 −157.68225
34 21.25648 −157.68615
35 21.25622 −157.68892
36 21.25365 −157.69587
37 21.25401 −157.69999
38 21.25209 −157.70641
39 21.24458 −157.70903
40 21.24200 −157.70882
41 21.23830 −157.71003
42 21.23592 −157.71225
43 21.23203 −157.71399
44 21.23090 −157.71620
45 21.23209 −157.72239
46 21.23484 −157.72541
47 21.23959 −157.72534
48 21.24323 −157.72720
49 21.24570 −157.73037
50 21.24606 −157.73490
51 21.24458 −157.73833
52 21.24385 −157.74535
53 21.24427 −157.75741
54 21.24269 −157.76264
55 21.23895 −157.76426
56 21.23835 −157.76540
57 21.23856 −157.77153
58 21.23560 −157.78076
59 21.23745 −157.78753
60 21.23676 −157.79062
61 21.23317 −157.79489
62 21.23236 −157.79925
63 21.23336 −157.80369
64 21.23895 −157.81154
65 21.24343 −157.81909
66 21.24480 −157.82470
67 21.24832 −157.83465
68 21.25341 −157.84288
69 * 21.27112 −157.82373
70 * 21.27148 −157.82268
71 * 21.28530 −157.71885
72 * 21.28508 −157.71852
73 * 21.28152 −157.71197
74 * 21.28117 −157.71132
75 * 21.31080 −157.64947
76 21.32908 −157.59613
Table A2—Coordinates for O`ahu
[North Unit]
1 21.62572 −158.15605
2 21.62698 −158.15253
3 21.63018 −158.14882
4 21.63263 −158.14758
5 21.63618 −158.14782
6 21.63775 −158.14707
7 21.64018 −158.14055
8 21.64092 −158.13853
9 21.64902 −158.12817
10 21.65185 −158.12633
11 21.65637 −158.12540
12 21.65833 −158.12413
13 21.68600 −158.10347
14 21.69572 −158.09703
15 21.71565 −158.07783
16 21.71713 −158.07477
17 21.72210 −158.06985
18 21.72628 −158.06348
19 21.73272 −158.05730
20 21.74755 −158.02945
21 21.74943 −158.01910
22 21.75342 −158.00808
23 21.75387 −158.00223
24 21.75268 −157.99743
25 21.75442 −157.99265
26 21.75487 −157.98272
27 21.75328 −157.96552
28 21.74898 −157.94772
29 21.74438 −157.93785
30 21.74428 −157.93470
31 21.73860 −157.92523
32 21.73230 −157.90733
33 21.72945 −157.90263
34 21.72307 −157.89587
35 21.71758 −157.89490
36 21.71525 −157.89268
37 21.70803 −157.89025
38 21.70027 −157.89058
39 21.69265 −157.88755
40 21.68493 −157.88752
41 21.68057 −157.88633
42 21.67202 −157.88228
43 21.66358 −157.88037
44 21.66267 −157.87958
45 21.65977 −157.87975
46 21.64427 −157.87622
47 21.64232 −157.87615
48 21.63667 −157.87812
49 21.62942 −157.88288
50 21.62860 −157.87927
51 21.63042 −157.87293
52 21.62833 −157.86775
53 21.62230 −157.86168
54 21.61802 −157.85973
55 21.61662 −157.85815
56 21.60818 −157.85312
57 21.60318 −157.85148
58 21.60112 −157.84863
59 21.60057 −157.84235
60 21.59228 −157.83485
61 * 21.56008 −157.86468
62 * 21.59652 −158.10447
63 * 21.59665 −158.10623
64 * 21.59032 −158.11052
65 21.62572 −158.15605
Table A3—Coordinates for Hawai`i
1 19.72820 −156.07070
2 19.74638 −156.08033
3 19.75238 −156.08583
4 19.76020 −156.08825
5 19.76710 −156.09513
6 19.77235 −156.09770
7 19.77420 −156.09957
8 19.77997 −156.10303
9 19.78632 −156.10583
10 19.79402 −156.10500
11 19.80128 −156.10128
12 19.80793 −156.10138
13 19.81478 −156.10368
14 19.82020 −156.09995
15 19.82643 −156.09878
16 19.82990 −156.09452
17 19.83465 −156.09272
18 19.83825 −156.08903
19 19.84435 −156.08602
20 19.84955 −156.08180
21 19.86100 −156.06607
22 19.86765 −156.06058
23 19.87067 −156.05617
24 19.87792 −156.05047
25 19.88778 −156.03225
26 19.89058 −156.02537
27 19.89310 −156.02333
28 19.89577 −156.01848
29 19.89833 −156.01650
30 19.90100 −156.01283
31 19.90095 −155.99682
32 19.90393 −155.99113
33 19.91243 −155.98405
34 19.91827 −155.98243
35 19.91887 −155.98158
36 19.91867 −155.97758
37 19.91940 −155.97610
38 19.93102 −155.96323
39 19.93617 −155.95458
40 19.94508 −155.95090
41 19.94813 −155.94660
42 19.95618 −155.93978
43 19.96008 −155.93823
44 19.96837 −155.92900
45 19.97177 −155.92720
46 19.97325 −155.92030
47 19.97715 −155.91145
48 19.97790 −155.90632
49 19.97760 −155.90197
50 19.97928 −155.90040
51 19.98177 −155.89140
52 19.98792 −155.88842
53 19.98618 −155.88500
54 19.98578 −155.88182
55 19.98887 −155.87670
56 19.99193 −155.87428
57 19.99992 −155.87262
58 20.00543 −155.86988
59 20.01147 −155.86885
60 20.01840 −155.86913
61 20.02153 −155.86528
62 20.02522 −155.86618
63 20.02783 −155.86515
64 20.02953 −155.86607
65 20.03335 −155.86462
66 20.04083 −155.86840
67 20.04510 −155.86663
68 20.04722 −155.86658
69 20.05252 −155.86952
70 20.06375 −155.88248
71 20.07272 −155.88863
72 20.07505 −155.89213
73 20.08533 −155.90185
74 20.09967 −155.91227
75 20.11200 −155.91650
76 20.12552 −155.91740
77 20.13142 −155.92098
78 20.13368 −155.92155
79 20.13907 −155.92028
80 20.14232 −155.92040
81 20.14765 −155.92278
82 20.15287 −155.92343
83 20.15903 −155.92648
84 20.16653 −155.92895
85 20.19312 −155.93315
86 20.20423 −155.93768
87 20.21275 −155.93537
88 20.23595 −155.93248
89 20.24477 −155.93230
90 20.24652 −155.93118
91 20.25287 −155.92953
92 20.26058 −155.92368
93 20.26625 −155.92138
94 20.27477 −155.91627
95 20.27647 −155.91430
96 20.27857 −155.90785
97 20.28822 −155.90010
98 20.29183 −155.89487
99 20.29430 −155.88873
100 20.29940 −155.88160
101 20.30082 −155.87262
102 20.29998 −155.85477
103 * 20.26632 −155.84972
104 * 20.04058 −155.83260
105 * 20.03723 −155.83398
106 * 19.72743 −156.05997
107 19.72820 −156.07070
Table A4—Coordinates for Ni`ihau
1 22.07833 −160.09322
2 22.07125 −160.06682
3 22.06053 −160.05058
4 22.04732 −160.04022
5 22.03098 −160.01508
6 22.02058 −160.00642
7 22.00180 −159.99755
8 21.98923 −159.99403
9 21.97612 −159.99393
10 21.96343 −159.99748
11 21.94782 −160.00603
12 21.94007 −160.01277
13 21.93222 −160.02352
14 21.92785 −160.02667
15 21.91240 −160.02077
16 21.89087 −160.01980
17 21.87503 −160.02447
18 21.86247 −160.03313
19 21.85348 −160.04393
20 21.83285 −160.08297
21 21.82932 −160.09280
22 21.82383 −160.12060
23 21.81035 −160.12827
24 21.80100 −160.13682
25 21.79595 −160.13930
26 21.76847 −160.14730
27 21.75925 −160.15167
28 21.74372 −160.16375
29 21.73393 −160.17817
30 21.72868 −160.19583
31 21.72945 −160.21530
32 21.73638 −160.23768
33 21.74675 −160.25835
34 21.75333 −160.26830
35 21.77392 −160.28798
36 21.79732 −160.29788
37 21.81468 −160.30028
38 21.85032 −160.30002
39 21.86553 −160.29553
40 21.87738 −160.28843
41 21.89507 −160.28757
42 21.91643 −160.28028
43 21.92902 −160.27102
44 21.94070 −160.25435
45 21.95347 −160.24342
46 21.96832 −160.23835
47 21.97933 −160.23058
48 21.98935 −160.21923
49 21.99598 −160.20712
50 21.99950 −160.19353
51 21.99963 −160.17980
52 22.00912 −160.17750
53 22.01812 −160.17322
54 22.03043 −160.16303
55 22.03718 −160.15415
56 22.04843 −160.14998
57 22.05858 −160.14325
58 22.06998 −160.13037
59 22.07723 −160.11288
60 22.07833 −160.09322
Table A5—Coordinates for Kaua`i
1 22.23023 −159.64483
2 22.23658 −159.64328
3 22.23943 −159.64090
4 22.24108 −159.63825
5 22.24470 −159.62752
6 22.24473 −159.62460
7 22.24307 −159.61835
8 22.24340 −159.61615
9 22.24463 −159.61438
10 22.25070 −159.61090
11 22.25657 −159.60623
12 22.26618 −159.60690
13 22.27078 −159.60590
14 22.27325 −159.60388
15 22.27597 −159.59985
16 22.28132 −159.58828
17 22.28415 −159.57682
18 22.28480 −159.56468
19 22.28368 −159.55173
20 22.28235 −159.54530
21 22.27953 −159.53727
22 22.27672 −159.53092
23 22.27338 −159.52600
24 22.26862 −159.52285
25 22.25572 −159.51848
26 22.25582 −159.51748
27 22.25715 −159.51645
28 22.26298 −159.51533
29 22.26462 −159.51383
30 22.26633 −159.50630
31 22.26647 −159.50227
32 22.26565 −159.49770
33 22.26370 −159.49392
34 22.25690 −159.48792
35 22.25665 −159.48692
36 22.25698 −159.48538
37 22.26030 −159.48210
38 22.26103 −159.47762
39 22.26042 −159.47528
40 22.25540 −159.46792
41 22.25335 −159.46128
42 22.25257 −159.43648
43 22.25127 −159.43093
44 22.24915 −159.42758
45 22.25142 −159.42245
46 22.25307 −159.40707
47 22.25303 −159.40242
48 22.25098 −159.39485
49 22.25357 −159.39000
50 22.25407 −159.38732
51 22.25332 −159.38345
52 22.24883 −159.37198
53 22.24632 −159.36208
54 22.24883 −159.35590
55 22.24860 −159.35342
56 22.24527 −159.34928
57 22.23777 −159.34528
58 22.23575 −159.34155
59 22.23505 −159.33825
60 * 22.21353 −159.35087
61 * 22.21508 −159.49703
62 * 22.21378 −159.49672
63 * 22.21132 −159.59522
64 22.23023 −159.64483
Table A6—Coordinates for Maui Nui
1 21.22380 −157.31272
2 21.21938 −157.31378
3 21.20960 −157.31750
4 21.19332 −157.33268
5 21.18093 −157.35280
6 21.17182 −157.37275
7 21.16902 −157.38062
8 21.16815 −157.38555
9 21.16502 −157.39072
10 21.16172 −157.40372
11 21.15897 −157.41582
12 21.15757 −157.42950
13 21.15815 −157.48270
14 21.15992 −157.49052
15 21.15977 −157.49598
16 21.16400 −157.51087
17 21.16420 −157.51713
18 21.16250 −157.52100
19 21.15935 −157.52552
20 21.14960 −157.54817
21 21.14587 −157.55430
22 21.13998 −157.56070
23 21.13005 −157.56862
24 21.12538 −157.57398
25 21.12152 −157.58915
26 21.12010 −157.59217
27 21.11398 −157.60032
28 21.11063 −157.61628
29 21.10790 −157.62245
30 21.10395 −157.62590
31 21.10122 −157.62655
32 21.09598 −157.62547
33 21.09000 −157.62688
34 21.08793 −157.62815
35 21.08638 −157.64073
36 21.08667 −157.64747
37 21.08440 −157.65763
38 21.08087 −157.65977
39 21.07898 −157.65933
40 21.07202 −157.65358
41 21.07042 −157.65293
42 21.06740 −157.65387
43 21.06593 −157.65628
44 21.06712 −157.66142
45 21.06480 −157.66490
46 21.05858 −157.66980
47 21.04922 −157.67460
48 21.04823 −157.67893
49 21.04197 −157.68637
50 21.03627 −157.68960
51 21.03428 −157.69402
52 21.02722 −157.69850
53 21.02428 −157.70122
54 21.02362 −157.70432
55 21.02553 −157.70895
56 21.02268 −157.71652
57 21.01285 −157.71805
58 20.99600 −157.72255
59 20.99253 −157.72507
60 20.98757 −157.73145
61 20.98167 −157.73470
62 20.96713 −157.73572
63 20.95993 −157.73808
64 20.95725 −157.74017
65 20.95113 −157.75002
66 20.93860 −157.75783
67 20.93642 −157.75822
68 20.92492 −157.75177
69 20.92162 −157.75163
70 20.90925 −157.75475
71 20.90548 −157.75652
72 20.90228 −157.75925
73 20.89710 −157.76182
74 20.89360 −157.76263
75 20.88710 −157.76087
76 20.88213 −157.75663
77 20.87747 −157.74822
78 20.87683 −157.74167
79 20.87448 −157.73667
80 20.87213 −157.73533
81 20.86733 −157.73457
82 20.86332 −157.73522
83 20.85518 −157.73948
84 20.85253 −157.73885
85 20.85070 −157.73525
86 20.84945 −157.72498
87 20.84920 −157.71832
88 20.85037 −157.71212
89 20.85000 −157.70652
90 20.85162 −157.70387
91 20.85670 −157.70343
92 20.86250 −157.69857
93 20.86502 −157.69475
94 20.86575 −157.69173
95 20.86383 −157.68598
96 20.86427 −157.67730
97 20.86502 −157.67523
98 20.87097 −157.66773
99 20.87222 −157.66545
100 20.87347 −157.65898
101 20.87715 −157.65485
102 20.87782 −157.65067
103 20.88127 −157.64455
104 20.88223 −157.64138
105 20.88267 −157.63830
106 20.88217 −157.63645
107 20.88363 −157.63063
108 20.88650 −157.62785
109 20.88775 −157.61990
110 20.89247 −157.61262
111 20.89350 −157.60863
112 20.89658 −157.60333
113 20.90247 −157.58420
114 20.91300 −157.57330
115 20.91492 −157.56742
116 20.91800 −157.56410
117 20.92455 −157.54203
118 20.92668 −157.54018
119 20.92918 −157.53400
120 20.93228 −157.51517
121 20.93332 −157.51258
122 20.93677 −157.51002
123 20.95480 −157.51053
124 20.95687 −157.50825
125 20.96230 −157.50560
126 20.96370 −157.50022
127 20.96297 −157.48638
128 20.96348 −157.47968
129 20.96643 −157.46747
130 20.96768 −157.45805
131 20.96547 −157.44568
132 20.96437 −157.43420
133 20.96467 −157.43267
134 20.96665 −157.41177
135 20.96680 −157.40153
136 20.96775 −157.39682
137 20.97320 −157.36605
138 20.97452 −157.36303
139 20.98998 −157.34743
140 20.99072 −157.32977
141 20.99190 −157.32160
142 20.99507 −157.30917
143 20.99557 −157.30762
144 21.01912 −157.29510
145 21.02553 −157.28297
146 21.02898 −157.26972
147 21.02618 −157.26433
148 21.02597 −157.26192
149 21.02657 −157.25772
150 21.03008 −157.25323
151 21.03068 −157.25138
152 21.03127 −157.24270
153 21.03105 −157.23557
154 21.02877 −157.23173
155 21.02883 −157.23033
156 21.03318 −157.22548
157 21.03473 −157.21687
158 21.03693 −157.21223
159 21.03942 −157.20958
160 21.04333 −157.20678
161 21.05092 −157.20428
162 21.05768 −157.19582
163 21.06085 −157.19302
164 21.06012 −157.18750
165 21.05820 −157.18183
166 21.05783 −157.17373
167 21.05667 −157.16718
168 21.05673 −157.15313
169 21.05122 −157.14150
170 21.05137 −157.13833
171 21.05490 −157.12958
172 21.05658 −157.12333
173 21.05777 −157.11310
174 21.06042 −157.10125
175 21.05923 −157.09455
176 21.05238 −157.08093
177 21.05062 −157.07527
178 21.05040 −157.06997
179 21.05357 −157.06217
180 21.04458 −157.03868
181 21.04128 −157.03603
182 21.03502 −157.03472
183 21.03282 −157.03332
184 21.03023 −157.02985
185 21.02795 −157.02198
186 21.02663 −157.02110
187 21.02207 −157.01955
188 21.01817 −157.01955
189 21.01662 −157.01742
190 21.01463 −157.01638
191 21.00640 −157.01808
192 20.99727 −157.01573
193 20.98770 −157.01522
194 20.98408 −157.01690
195 20.98107 −157.01550
196 20.97945 −157.01595
197 20.97710 −157.01823
198 20.97673 −157.01983
199 20.97555 −157.02418
200 20.97438 −157.02595
201 20.96178 −157.03588
202 20.94892 −157.05282
203 20.94023 −157.06210
204 20.93478 −157.07343
205 20.92853 −157.07895
206 20.92522 −157.08462
207 20.92205 −157.08578
208 20.91807 −157.08542
209 20.91182 −157.08727
210 20.90468 −157.08793
211 20.89902 −157.09013
212 20.89622 −157.09013
213 20.88202 −157.08462
214 20.87450 −157.07998
215 20.86427 −157.07152
216 20.85168 −157.05885
217 20.84647 −157.05157
218 20.84462 −157.04532
219 20.84433 −157.03795
220 20.84300 −157.03280
221 20.83932 −157.02625
222 20.83248 −157.01757
223 20.82192 −157.01188
224 20.79377 −157.00950
225 20.77772 −157.00940
226 20.77303 −157.00873
227 20.76695 −157.00653
228 20.76258 −157.00627
229 20.75048 −157.00143
230 20.74437 −156.99613
231 20.73483 −156.98978
232 20.73038 −156.98588
233 20.72995 −156.98367
234 20.72655 −156.97945
235 20.72133 −156.97505
236 20.71268 −156.96152
237 20.71115 −156.95765
238 20.71073 −156.94107
239 20.70910 −156.93135
240 20.71043 −156.92313
241 20.70872 −156.90960
242 20.70872 −156.90348
243 20.70570 −156.88575
244 20.70790 −156.88125
245 20.71742 −156.87293
246 20.72425 −156.86528
247 20.72860 −156.86423
248 20.73072 −156.86198
249 20.73190 −156.85750
250 20.73430 −156.85262
251 20.74113 −156.84095
252 20.74228 −156.83092
253 20.74180 −156.82460
254 20.74467 −156.82188
255 20.74553 −156.81897
256 20.74390 −156.81242
257 20.73865 −156.80897
258 20.73578 −156.80897
259 20.73258 −156.81285
260 20.73162 −156.81298
261 20.73018 −156.81117
262 20.73072 −156.80515
263 20.73440 −156.79635
264 20.73440 −156.79377
265 20.73277 −156.79140
266 20.73233 −156.79100
267 20.72818 −156.79143
268 20.72568 −156.78875
269 20.72268 −156.77808
270 20.72253 −156.76680
271 20.72077 −156.76490
272 20.71900 −156.76422
273 20.71513 −156.76518
274 20.71360 −156.76490
275 20.71278 −156.76380
276 20.71140 −156.75772
277 20.71307 −156.74668
278 20.71230 −156.74228
279 20.71150 −156.67635
280 20.71097 −156.67578
281 20.71102 −156.67300
282 20.70915 −156.67110
283 20.71078 −156.66870
284 20.70685 −156.66297
285 20.70728 −156.65585
286 20.70332 −156.64777
287 20.70265 −156.64542
288 20.70337 −156.64260
289 20.69858 −156.63638
290 20.69645 −156.63420
291 20.69583 −156.63433
292 20.69423 −156.61873
293 20.69538 −156.61478
294 20.69342 −156.61248
295 20.69113 −156.60780
296 20.69045 −156.60747
297 20.68873 −156.60913
298 20.68735 −156.60832
299 20.68663 −156.60253
300 20.68497 −156.60053
301 20.67722 −156.59785
302 20.67115 −156.59112
303 20.66143 −156.58503
304 20.65910 −156.58480
305 20.65642 −156.58662
306 20.65585 −156.58633
307 20.65537 −156.58447
308 20.65312 −156.58217
309 20.65337 −156.57010
310 20.65083 −156.55297
311 20.64968 −156.54895
312 20.64765 −156.54352
313 20.64352 −156.53553
314 20.63307 −156.52033
315 20.62652 −156.51245
316 20.62168 −156.50818
317 20.61412 −156.50335
318 20.60713 −156.49718
319 20.59948 −156.49223
320 20.60063 −156.48987
321 20.60027 −156.48925
322 20.59627 −156.49012
323 20.59472 −156.48835
324 20.59463 −156.48693
325 20.59660 −156.48332
326 20.59640 −156.48128
327 20.59423 −156.47673
328 20.59567 −156.47567
329 20.59970 −156.47500
330 20.60118 −156.47580
331 20.60418 −156.47960
332 20.60553 −156.47990
333 20.60627 −156.47863
334 20.60623 −156.47563
335 20.60750 −156.47080
336 20.60188 −156.46703
337 20.59798 −156.46570
338 20.58188 −156.46357
339 20.57773 −156.45373
340 20.57488 −156.45112
341 20.57272 −156.44752
342 * 20.58308 −156.41192
343 * 20.79025 −156.51013
344 * 20.79033 −156.51097
345 * 20.87173 −156.67920
346 20.87192 −156.67931
347 * 20.87229 −156.67855
348 * 21.02445 −156.63918
349 21.07042 −156.66362
350 21.08872 −156.67335
351 * 21.15802 −156.71095
352 * 21.15843 −156.70948
353 * 21.08595 −157.02030
354 21.07737 −157.02810
355 21.08035 −157.03287
356 * 21.08802 −157.02589
357 * 21.08465 −157.24863
358 * 21.08382 −157.24965
359 * 21.22350 −157.25400
360 * 21.22442 −157.25400
361 21.22380 −157.31272
362 * 20.78593 −156.99232
363 * 20.78308 −156.99152
364 * 20.74253 −156.88680
365 * 20.74317 −156.88740
Note: The coordinates in the table above marked with an asterisk (*) are not a part of the sanctuary boundary. These coordinates are landward reference points used to draw a line segment that intersects with the shoreline.
The Maunalua SSMA extends throughout the sanctuary waters in Maunalua Bay south of Oahu and is defined by the coordinates in table B1 and the following textual description. Point 1 of the SSMA boundary is located roughly 1.3 nautical miles SE of Kūpikipiki`ō Point (Black Point) on the sanctuary boundary. From Point 1 the SSMA boundary extends along the sanctuary boundary to the east to Point 21 roughly 0.5 nautical miles south of Kawaihoa Point, Koko Head. From Point 21 the SSMA boundary extends towards Point 22 until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the west around Kawaihoa Point and north around Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 23 and Point 24 at the eastern entrance to Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 24 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 25 and Point 26 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 26 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The Start Printed Page 16244boundary then follows the shoreline westward continuing around Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 27 and Point 28 at Kūpikipiki`ō Point (Black Point). From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the SE to Point 28.
Table B1—Coordinates for Maunalua Bay
1 21.23560 −157.78076
2 21.23856 −157.77153
3 21.23835 −157.76540
4 21.23895 −157.76426
5 21.24269 −157.76264
6 21.24427 −157.75741
7 21.24385 −157.74535
8 21.24458 −157.73833
9 21.24606 −157.73490
10 21.24570 −157.73037
11 21.24323 −157.72720
12 21.23959 −157.72534
13 21.23484 −157.72541
14 21.23209 −157.72239
15 21.23090 −157.71620
16 21.23203 −157.71399
17 21.23592 −157.71225
18 21.23830 −157.71003
19 21.24200 −157.70882
20 21.24458 −157.70903
21 21.25209 −157.70641
22 * 21.25964 −157.70717
23 * 21.28117 −157.71132
24 * 21.28152 −157.71197
25 * 21.28508 −157.71852
26 * 21.28530 −157.71885
27 * 21.25545 −157.79180
28 21.23560 −157.78076
The Penguin Bank SSMA extends throughout the federal waters of the Penguin Bank area southwest of Moloka`i and is defined by the coordinates in table B2 and the following textual description. The SSMA boundary begins roughly 3.3 nautical miles west of `Īlio Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1 at the intersection of the sanctuary boundary and the three nautical mile line. From Point 1 the SSMA boundary follows the sanctuary boundary to the SW and then back around Penguin Bank to the NE to Point 158 located at the intersection of the sanctuary boundary and the three nautical mile line to the SSW of Lono Harbor on Moloka`i. From Point 158 the SSMA boundary approximates the three nautical mile line extending west and then north to Point 185 west of northwest tip of Moloka'i.
Table B2—Coordinates for Penguin Bank
1 21.21938 −157.31378
2 21.20960 −157.31750
3 21.19332 −157.33268
4 21.18093 −157.35280
5 21.17182 −157.37275
6 21.16902 −157.38062
7 21.16815 −157.38555
8 21.16502 −157.39072
9 21.16172 −157.40372
10 21.15897 −157.41582
11 21.15757 −157.42950
12 21.15815 −157.48270
13 21.15992 −157.49052
14 21.15977 −157.49598
15 21.16400 −157.51087
16 21.16420 −157.51713
17 21.16250 −157.52100
18 21.15935 −157.52552
19 21.14960 −157.54817
20 21.14587 −157.55430
21 21.13998 −157.56070
22 21.13005 −157.56862
23 21.12538 −157.57398
24 21.12152 −157.58915
25 21.12010 −157.59217
26 21.11398 −157.60032
27 21.11063 −157.61628
28 21.10790 −157.62245
29 21.10395 −157.62590
30 21.10122 −157.62655
31 21.09598 −157.62547
32 21.09000 −157.62688
33 21.08793 −157.62815
34 21.08638 −157.64073
35 21.08667 −157.64747
36 21.08440 −157.65763
37 21.08087 −157.65977
38 21.07898 −157.65933
39 21.07202 −157.65358
40 21.07042 −157.65293
41 21.06740 −157.65387
42 21.06593 −157.65628
43 21.06712 −157.66142
44 21.06480 −157.66490
45 21.05858 −157.66980
46 21.04922 −157.67460
47 21.04823 −157.67893
48 21.04197 −157.68637
49 21.03627 −157.68960
50 21.03428 −157.69402
51 21.02722 −157.69850
52 21.02428 −157.70122
53 21.02362 −157.70432
54 21.02553 −157.70895
55 21.02268 −157.71652
56 21.01285 −157.71805
57 20.99600 −157.72255
58 20.99253 −157.72507
59 20.98757 −157.73145
60 20.98167 −157.73470
61 20.96713 −157.73572
62 20.95993 −157.73808
63 20.95725 −157.74017
64 20.95113 −157.75002
65 20.93860 −157.75783
66 20.93642 −157.75822
67 20.92492 −157.75177
68 20.92162 −157.75163
69 20.90925 −157.75475
70 20.90548 −157.75652
71 20.90228 −157.75925
72 20.89710 −157.76182
73 20.89360 −157.76263
74 20.88710 −157.76087
75 20.88213 −157.75663
76 20.87747 −157.74822
77 20.87683 −157.74167
78 20.87448 −157.73667
79 20.87213 −157.73533
80 20.86733 −157.73457
81 20.86332 −157.73522
82 20.85518 −157.73948
83 20.85253 −157.73885
84 20.85070 −157.73525
85 20.84945 −157.72498
86 20.84920 −157.71832
87 20.85037 −157.71212
88 20.85000 −157.70652
89 20.85162 −157.70387
90 20.85670 −157.70343
91 20.86250 −157.69857
92 20.86502 −157.69475
93 20.86575 −157.69173
94 20.86383 −157.68598
95 20.86427 −157.67730
96 20.86502 −157.67523
97 20.87097 −157.66773
98 20.87222 −157.66545
99 20.87347 −157.65898
100 20.87715 −157.65485
101 20.87782 −157.65067
102 20.88127 −157.64455
103 20.88223 −157.64138
104 20.88267 −157.63830
105 20.88217 −157.63645
106 20.88363 −157.63063
107 20.88650 −157.62785
108 20.88775 −157.61990
109 20.89247 −157.61262
110 20.89350 −157.60863
111 20.89658 −157.60333
112 20.90247 −157.58420
113 20.91300 −157.57330
114 20.91492 −157.56742
115 20.91800 −157.56410
116 20.92455 −157.54203
117 20.92668 −157.54018
118 20.92918 −157.53400
119 20.93228 −157.51517
120 20.93332 −157.51258
121 20.93677 −157.51002
122 20.95480 −157.51053
123 20.95687 −157.50825
124 20.96230 −157.50560
125 20.96370 −157.50022
126 20.96297 −157.48638
127 20.96348 −157.47968
128 20.96643 −157.46747
129 20.96768 −157.45805
130 20.96547 −157.44568
131 20.96437 −157.43420
132 20.96467 −157.43267
133 20.96665 −157.41177
134 20.96680 −157.40153
135 20.96775 −157.39682
136 20.97320 −157.36605
137 20.97452 −157.36303
138 20.98998 −157.34743
139 20.99072 −157.32977
140 20.99190 −157.32160
141 20.99507 −157.30917
142 20.99557 −157.30762
143 21.01912 −157.29510
144 21.02553 −157.28297
145 21.02898 −157.26972
146 21.02618 −157.26433
147 21.02597 −157.26192
148 21.02657 −157.25772
149 21.03008 −157.25323
150 21.03068 −157.25138
151 21.03127 −157.24270
152 21.03105 −157.23557
153 21.02877 −157.23173
154 21.02883 −157.23033
155 21.03318 −157.22548
156 21.03473 −157.21687
157 21.03693 −157.21223
158 21.03942 −157.20958
159 21.03807 −157.22824
160 21.03587 −157.23534
161 21.03443 −157.24328
162 21.03422 −157.25383
163 21.03594 −157.26426
164 21.04060 −157.27854
165 21.04294 −157.29650
166 21.04342 −157.30569
167 21.04481 −157.31271
168 21.04893 −157.32567
169 21.05564 −157.33776
170 21.06479 −157.34835
171 21.07731 −157.35771
172 21.08558 −157.36150
173 21.09584 −157.36398
174 21.10581 −157.36422
175 21.11550 −157.36240
176 21.12477 −157.35857
177 21.13269 −157.35324
178 21.14126 −157.35083
179 21.15314 −157.34602
180 21.16897 −157.33692
181 21.17781 −157.33065
182 21.18854 −157.32154
183 21.19845 −157.30977
184 21.20836 −157.31292
185 21.21938 −157.31378
The Maui Nui Special Sanctuary Management Area (SSMA) extends throughout the federal waters of the Maui Nui area between Maui, Moloka`i and Lana`i and is defined by the coordinates in table B3 and the following textual description. Point 1 of the SSMA boundary is located at approximately the intersection of the Moloka`i three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary south of Kaunakakai on Moloka'i near the Kalohi Channel. From Point 1, the SSMA boundary extends eastward approximating the three nautical mile line south of the Moloka`i coastline to Point 29 in numerical order at approximately the intersection of the Moloka`i three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary line that extends across Pailolo Channel from Cape Halawa on Moloka`i to Lipoa Pt. on Maui. From Point 29, the SSMA boundary extends southeast to Point 30 at approximately the intersection of the Maui three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary line NW of Lipoa Point on Maui. From Point 30, the SSMA boundary curves southwest and then southeast approximating the three nautical mile line west and south of the Maui coastline until it intersects the Kaho`olawe three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary WNW of Molokini between Maui and Kaho`olawe at Point 87. From Point 87 the SSMA boundary briefly approximates the Kaho`'olawe three mile line extending west to Point 90 at the intersection of the three nautical mile line north of the coastline of Kaho`olawe and the sanctuary boundary. From Point 90, the SSMA boundary extends west along the sanctuary boundary across the Kealaikahiki Channel until it intersects the Lana`i three nautical mile line SE of Kamaiki Point at Point 133. From Point 133 the SSMA boundary extends north and then NW to the east of Lana`i to Point 161 at the intersection of the Lana`i three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary NW of Pohakuloa Point on Lana`i. From Point 161 the SSMA boundary then follows the sanctuary boundary north across the Kalohi Channel until it intersects with the Moloka'i three nautical mile line at Point 175 south of Kaunakakai on Moloka'i.
Table B3—Coordinates for Maui Nui
1 21.03023 −157.02985
2 21.03049 −157.02138
3 21.02705 −157.00787
4 21.02346 −157.00062
5 21.02127 −156.99402
6 21.01712 −156.97004
7 21.01445 −156.96069
8 21.00991 −156.93421
9 21.00547 −156.91735
10 20.99932 −156.90155
11 20.99696 −156.89138
12 20.99586 −156.87167
13 20.99663 −156.86473
14 20.99893 −156.85595
15 20.99884 −156.84286
16 21.00206 −156.82933
17 21.00980 −156.81031
18 21.01616 −156.80073
19 21.01808 −156.78962
20 21.02005 −156.78311
21 21.02869 −156.76519
22 21.03652 −156.75394
23 21.04036 −156.74628
24 21.04407 −156.74093
25 21.05202 −156.73280
26 21.06728 −156.71150
27 21.08102 −156.69629
28 21.08312 −156.68590
29 21.08871 −156.67334
30 21.07042 −156.66361
31 21.06248 −156.67605
32 21.05499 −156.68365
33 21.05109 −156.69316
34 21.04752 −156.69903
35 21.04327 −156.70435
36 21.03575 −156.71112
37 21.02408 −156.71747
38 21.01320 −156.72087
39 21.00803 −156.72176
40 20.98584 −156.73247
41 20.97786 −156.73546
42 20.96520 −156.74238
43 20.95575 −156.74497
44 20.94800 −156.74578
45 20.94098 −156.74854
46 20.93456 −156.75000
47 20.91471 −156.75057
48 20.90157 −156.74803
49 20.88914 −156.74198
50 20.87936 −156.74188
51 20.86963 −156.74032
52 20.86037 −156.73677
53 20.85463 −156.73336
54 20.84464 −156.72480
55 20.83061 −156.71496
56 20.82338 −156.70795
57 20.81548 −156.69811
58 20.80430 −156.69025
59 20.79795 −156.68372
60 20.79212 −156.67581
61 20.78533 −156.67177
62 20.77577 −156.66422
63 20.76699 −156.65388
64 20.76102 −156.64148
65 20.75919 −156.63461
66 20.75725 −156.62101
67 20.75108 −156.61012
68 20.74827 −156.60341
69 20.74598 −156.59654
70 20.74409 −156.58607
71 20.73787 −156.57521
72 20.73108 −156.56518
73 20.72588 −156.55239
74 20.72436 −156.54448
75 20.72389 −156.53404
76 20.72499 −156.52123
77 20.72788 −156.50927
78 20.71633 −156.50584
79 20.70620 −156.50062
80 20.69323 −156.49907
81 20.68368 −156.49924
82 20.68075 −156.51493
83 20.67829 −156.52150
84 20.67322 −156.53047
85 20.66401 −156.54055
86 20.65861 −156.54451
87 20.64968 −156.54895
88 20.65083 −156.55297
89 20.65337 −156.57010
90 20.65312 −156.58217
91 20.65537 −156.58447
92 20.65585 −156.58633
93 20.65642 −156.58662
94 20.65910 −156.58480
95 20.66143 −156.58503
96 20.67115 −156.59112
97 20.67722 −156.59785
98 20.68497 −156.60053
99 20.68663 −156.60253
100 20.68735 −156.60832
101 20.68873 −156.60913
102 20.69045 −156.60747
103 20.69113 −156.60780
104 20.69342 −156.61248
105 20.69538 −156.61478
106 20.69423 −156.61873
107 20.69583 −156.63433
108 20.69645 −156.63420
109 20.69858 −156.63638
Start Printed Page 16246
110 20.70337 −156.64260
111 20.70265 −156.64542
112 20.70332 −156.64777
113 20.70728 −156.65585
114 20.70685 −156.66297
115 20.71078 −156.66870
116 20.70915 −156.67110
117 20.71102 −156.67300
118 20.71097 −156.67578
119 20.71150 −156.67635
120 20.71230 −156.74228
121 20.71307 −156.74668
122 20.71140 −156.75772
123 20.71278 −156.76380
124 20.71360 −156.76490
125 20.71513 −156.76518
126 20.71900 −156.76422
127 20.72077 −156.76490
128 20.72253 −156.76680
129 20.72268 −156.77808
130 20.72568 −156.78875
131 20.72818 −156.79143
132 20.73233 −156.79100
133 20.73277 −156.79140
134 20.74336 −156.78335
135 20.75400 −156.77792
136 20.76659 −156.76785
137 20.78643 −156.75726
138 20.79940 −156.75340
139 20.81653 −156.75192
140 20.83137 −156.75336
141 20.84395 −156.75769
142 20.85576 −156.76497
143 20.86235 −156.77027
144 20.87463 −156.77687
145 20.88903 −156.78849
146 20.90091 −156.80067
147 20.91454 −156.81671
148 20.92819 −156.83095
149 20.93291 −156.83751
150 20.94170 −156.84610
151 20.95280 −156.86190
152 20.96241 −156.88264
153 20.96897 −156.90386
154 20.97007 −156.91505
155 20.97363 −156.93338
156 20.97388 −156.96004
157 20.97771 −156.97295
158 20.97947 −156.98352
159 20.97955 −156.99051
160 20.97670 −157.01397
161 20.97673 −157.01983
162 20.97710 −157.01823
163 20.97945 −157.01595
164 20.98107 −157.01550
165 20.98408 −157.01690
166 20.98770 −157.01522
167 20.99727 −157.01573
168 21.00640 −157.01808
169 21.01463 −157.01638
170 21.01662 −157.01742
171 21.01817 −157.01955
172 21.02207 −157.01955
173 21.02663 −157.02110
174 21.02795 −157.02198
175 21.03023 −157.02985
2. Revise § 922.48 to read as follows:
(a) A person may conduct an activity prohibited by subparts F through O, and Q, if conducted in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under this section and subparts F through O, and Q, as appropriate. For the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a person may conduct an activity prohibited by subpart P if conducted in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under § 922.166. For the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, a person may conduct an activity prohibited by subpart R in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under § 922.195.
(b) Applications for permits to conduct activities otherwise prohibited by subparts F through O, and Q, should be addressed to the Director and sent to the address specified in subparts F through O, and Q, or subpart R, as appropriate. An application must include:
(d) The Director, at his or her discretion, may issue a permit, subject to such terms and conditions as he or she deems appropriate, to conduct a prohibited activity, in accordance with the criteria found in subparts F through O, and Q, or subpart R, as appropriate. The Director shall further impose, at a minimum, the conditions set forth in the relevant subpart.
(f) The Director may amend, suspend, or revoke a permit issued pursuant to this section for good cause. The Director may deny a permit application pursuant to this section, in whole or in part, if it is determined that the permittee or applicant has acted in violation of the terms and conditions of a permit or of the regulations set forth in this section or subparts F through O, and Q, subpart R or for other good cause. Any such action shall be communicated in writing to the permittee or applicant by certified mail and shall set forth the reason(s) for the action taken. Procedures governing permit sanctions and denials for enforcement reasons are set forth in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
3. Revise § 922.49 to read as follows:
(a) A person may conduct an activity prohibited by subparts L through R of the part, if such activity is specifically authorized by any valid Federal, State, or local lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization issued after the effective date of Sanctuary designation, or in the case of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary after the effective date of the regulations in subpart P, provided that:
(b) Any potential applicant for an authorization described in paragraph (a) of this section may request the Director to issue a finding as to whether the activity for which an application is intended to be made is prohibited by subparts L through R, as appropriate.
(c) Notification of filings of applications should be sent to the Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management at the address specified in subparts L through R of this part, as appropriate. A copy of the application must accompany the notification.
(d) The Director may request additional information from the Start Printed Page 16247applicant as he or she deems reasonably necessary to determine whether to object to issuance of an authorization described in paragraph (a) of this section, or what terms and conditions are reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities. The information requested must be received by the Director within 45 days of the postmark date of the request. The Director may seek the views of any persons on the application.
(g) Any time limit prescribed in or established under this § 922.49 may be extended by the Director for good cause.
4. Revise section § 922.50 to read as follows:
Except for permit actions taken for enforcement reasons (see subpart D of 15 CFR part 904 for applicable procedures), an applicant for, or a holder of, a National Marine Sanctuary permit; an applicant for, or a holder of, a Special Use permit issued pursuant to section 310 of the Act; a person requesting certification of an existing lease, permit, license or right of subsistence use or access under § 922.47; or, for those Sanctuaries described in subparts L through R, an applicant for a lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction (hereinafter appellant) may appeal to the Assistant Administrator:
(a) The granting, denial, conditioning, amendment, suspension or revocation by the Director of a National Marine Sanctuary or Special Use permit;
(b) The conditioning, amendment, suspension or revocation of a certification under § 922.47; or
(c) For those Sanctuaries described in subparts L through R, the objection to issuance of or the imposition of terms and conditions on a lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction.
[FR Doc. 2015-06441 Filed 3-25-15; 8:45 am]