Final Framework for the National System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States and Response to Comments, 69608-69613 [E8-27143]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noaa)

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69608-69613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27143]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)


Final Framework for the National System of Marine Protected Areas 
of the United States and Response to Comments

AGENCY: NOAA, Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of availability of the final Framework for the National 
System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States and response to 
comments on Revised Draft Framework.

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SUMMARY: NOAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) jointly propose 
the Framework for the National System of Marine Protected Areas of the 
United States (Framework), as required by Executive Order 13158 on 
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This Framework provides overarching 
guidance for collaborative efforts among federal, state, commonwealth, 
territorial, tribal and local governments and stakeholders to develop 
an effective National System of MPAs (national system) from existing 
sites, build coordination and collaborative efforts, and identify 
ecosystem-based gaps in the protection of significant natural and 
cultural resources for possible future action by the nation's MPA 
authorities. The document further provides the guiding principles, key 
definitions, goals, and objectives for the National System, based on 
the breadth of input received from MPA stakeholders and governmental 
partners around the nation over the past several years, and two public 
comment periods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct all questions and 
requests for additional information concerning the Framework to: Lauren 
Wenzel, NOAA, at 301-713-3100, ext. 136 or via e-mail at 
Lauren.wenzel@noaa.gov. An electronic copy of the Framework is 
available for download at https://www.mpa.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background on MPA Framework

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) 
National Marine Protected Areas Center (MPA Center), in cooperation 
with the Department of the Interior (DOI), has developed a Framework 
for the National System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States 
(Framework) to meet requirements under Executive Order 13158 on Marine 
Protected Areas (Order). The purpose of this notice is to notify the 
public of the availability of this document and respond to public 
comments on the Revised Draft Framework for Developing a National 
System of Marine Protected Areas. NOAA and DOI have undertaken two 
public comment periods on previous drafts of this document to solicit 
input and comments from governments and stakeholders in order to ensure 
that the final document represents the diversity of the nation's 
interests in the marine environment and marine protected areas (MPAs).
    NOAA and DOI recognize the principal role that state, commonwealth, 
territorial (hereafter referred to as ``state'') and tribal 
governments, along with federal agencies, must have in developing and 
implementing the national system. Roughly 80% of the nation's existing 
MPAs are under the jurisdiction of non-federal agencies. The 
significance of these government-to-government relationships and the 
marine resources managed by states and tribes necessitates this 
national, rather than federal, approach to building the National 
System. In developing this Framework, NOAA and the DOT have made and 
will continue to expand efforts to understand and incorporate, as 
appropriate, the recommendations of government partners concerning a 
structure and function for the National System that builds partnerships 
with and supports the efforts and voluntary participation of state, 
tribal, and local governments.
    Increasing impacts on the world's oceans, caused by development, 
overfishing, and natural events, are straining the health of our 
coastal and marine ecosystems. Some of these impacts to the marine and 
Great Lakes environment have resulted in declining fish populations; 
degradation of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other vital habitats; 
threats to rare or endangered species; and loss of artifacts and 
resources that are part of our nation's historic and cultural heritage. 
The effects of these mounting losses are

[[Page 69609]]

being directly felt in the social and economic fabric of our nation's 
communities. MPAs offer a promising ocean and coastal management tool 
to mitigate or buffer these impacts. It is important to clarify that 
the term ``MPA,'' as used here, is not synonymous with or limited to 
``no-take areas'' or ``marine reserves.'' Instead, the term ``MPA'' 
denotes an array of levels of protection, from areas that allow 
multiple use activities to those that prohibit take and/or access. When 
used effectively and in conjunction with other management tools, MPAs 
can help to ensure healthy Great Lakes and oceans by contributing to 
the overall protection of critical marine habitats and resources. In 
this way, effective MPAs can offer social and economic opportunities 
for current and future generations, such as tourism, biotechnology, 
fishing, education, and scientific research.
    Since 2001, the MPA Center and its federal, state, and tribal 
partners have been collecting information on the vast array of the 
nation's MPAs to serve as the foundation for building the National 
System. This inventory has resulted in the identification of over 1,700 
place-based sites established by hundreds of federal and state 
authorities. A number of these existing sites are further managed as 
systems by their respective agencies or programs. The types of sites 
found range from multiple-use areas to no-take reserves. The vast 
majority of these areas allow multiple uses, and less than one percent 
of the total area under management in the United States (U.S.) is no-
take. This inventory also has revealed a dramatic increase in the use 
of MPAs over the past several decades. Most MPAs in the U.S. have been 
established since 1970, and most allow recreational and commercial 
uses. With this expanded use of MPAs has come many new and enhanced 
protections to natural and cultural resources. A preliminary analysis 
of U.S. place-based conservation efforts reveals important trends in 
how these areas, including MPAs, are being used to conserve some of the 
nation's most significant marine resources. The emerging results 
illustrate that while there are many such areas currently in U.S. 
waters, these diverse sites vary widely in mandate, jurisdiction, 
purpose, size, and level of protection.
    Moreover, this initial analysis illustrates how the growing 
recognition of MPAs as essential conservation tools has resulted in a 
multitude of new MPA programs and authorities at all levels of 
government, often times for a sole purpose or objective. While there 
are good examples of where MPA efforts are coordinated locally across 
programs and levels of government, there is no larger framework for 
collaborating MPA efforts across ecosystems and nationally to meet 
common goals. This complex governance structure leads to public 
confusion, and, in many cases, conservation efforts that are not as 
effective as they could be with better coordination. The results of 
this initial analysis have further reinforced the need for a national 
system and provided much of the baseline information to begin building 
it.
    In recognition of the key role MPAs can play and their growing use, 
the U.S. is developing an effective national system to support the 
effective stewardship, lasting protection, restoration, and sustainable 
use of the nation's significant natural and cultural marine resources. 
The MPA Center is charged by the Order to carry out these requirements 
in cooperation with DOI. Neither the Order nor the national system 
establishes any new legal authorities to designate or manage MPAs, nor 
do they alter any existing state, federal, or tribal laws or programs.
    The MPA Center has developed this Framework based on information 
from the initial analysis of information about existing place-based 
conservation efforts, along with comments from hundreds of individuals 
at over sixty meetings, initial tribal consultations, and 
recommendations from federal, non-governmental and state advisory 
groups. As a result, the proposed collaborative development of an 
effective National System outlined in this document provides a 
structure for an assemblage of MPA sites, systems, and networks 
established and managed by federal, state, tribal, and local 
governments to collectively work together at the regional and national 
levels to achieve common objectives for conserving the nation's vital 
natural and cultural resources.
    By establishing an effective structure for working together, the 
National System will help to increase the efficient protection of 
important marine resources; contribute to the nation's overall social 
and economic health; support government agency cooperation and 
integration; and improve the public's access to scientific information 
and decision-making about the nation's marine resources. The efforts of 
the national system are also intended to benefit participating state, 
tribal, federal, and local government partners through collaborative 
efforts to identify shared priorities for improving MPA effectiveness 
and develop partnerships to provide assistance in meeting those needs. 
Further, it provides a foundation for cooperation with other countries 
to conserve resources of common concern.

II. Comments and Responses

    In March 2008, NOAA and DOI (agencies) published the Revised Draft 
Framework for Developing the National System of MPAs (Revised Draft 
Framework) for public comment. By the end of the two-month comment 
period, 34 individual submissions had been received from a variety of 
government agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry and 
conservation interests, advisory groups and the public. In addition, 
NOAA and DOI solicited advice from the MPA Federal Advisory Committee 
(MPA FAC).
    Given the breadth, multi-faceted nature, and complexity of comments 
and recommendations received, related comments have been grouped below 
into categories to simplify the development of responses. For each of 
the comment categories listed below, a summary of comments is provided, 
and a corresponding response provides an explanation and rationale 
about changes that were or were not made in the final Framework for the 
National System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States of 
America (Framework).

Comment Category 1: General Comments on Revised Draft Framework 
Content
Comment Category 2: Goals and Objectives of the National System
Comment Category 3: Design and Implementation Principles
Comment Category 4: Definitions and Entry Criteria
Comment Category 5: Public Involvement
Comment Category 6: Gap Analysis Process
Comment Category 7: Risk Assessment
Comment Category 8: Role of Regional Fishery Management Councils
Comment Category 9: Monitoring and Evaluation
Comment Category 10: Federal Agency Responsibility to Avoid Harm
Comment Category 11: Steering Committee Composition and Role
Comment Category 12: Benefits of the National System
Comment Category 13: Tribal
Comment Category 14: Funding
Comment Category 15: Level of Detail
Comment Category 16: Draft Environmental Assessment

Comments and Responses

Comment Category 1: General Comments on Revised Draft Framework Content

    Summary: A range of comments were received on the overall content 
of the Revised Draft Framework. A number of these recommended the 
Framework recognize the need to balance multiple uses and interests in 
the marine environment, and that the document

[[Page 69610]]

acknowledge the broader management context in which the national system 
will operate. Related comments asked that the document emphasize the 
language of the Executive Order (EO), stating that the national system 
supports, and does not interfere with, existing agencies' exercise of 
independent authorities. Other general comments noted a need for more 
fully-protected marine reserves and high seas protection, and 
recommended that the national system be limited to these highly 
protected areas. One comment noted that the EO does not provide 
authority to implement a national system, only to develop it.
    Response: The agencies agree that acknowledgement of the broader 
management context is appropriate, and also have added language from 
the EO noting that the national system supports, and does not interfere 
with, existing agencies' exercise of independent authorities to further 
clarify the overall purpose of the national system. The Executive 
Summary has also been updated to reflect these comments.
    Regarding the comment promoting the establishment of more fully-
protected marine reserves and high seas protection, the EO does not 
establish any new legal authorities to designate or manage MPAs, nor 
does it alter any existing federal, state, local, or tribal MPA laws or 
programs. In addition, the national system is intended to be inclusive 
of MPAs across the spectrum of levels of protection, from multiple use 
to no-take, recognizing that existing MPAs across this spectrum offer 
different values to the national system that can help meet its goals 
and objectives. Finally, the processes in the Framework for identifying 
conservation gaps in the national system and supporting regional MPA 
planning are designed to ensure opportunities for public input on the 
purpose and level of protection of any future MPAs that may be needed 
to achieve a comprehensive, representative national system.
    Regarding the comment that the EO does not provide the authority to 
implement a national system, only to develop it, the agencies contend 
that the EO envisioned both the development and implementation of a 
national system (see Sections 1(b) and 4(a) of the EO).

Comment Category 2: Goals and Objectives of the National System

    Summary: There were several diverse comments about the goals and 
objectives of the national system. A few comments noted that 
recreational fishing and boating is part of U.S. cultural heritage and 
should be noted as such. One comment suggested that the priority 
conservation objectives (PCOs) are unachievable, while another comment 
suggested that the standards for protection in the PCOs are too low, 
and that rather than ``conserving and managing,'' the PCOs should be 
expanded to include the goals of eliminating, reducing, restoring and 
protecting the integrity of marine ecosystems. A final comment 
suggested that the word `management' should be included in the 
objectives as it is in the goals.
    Response: The Framework defines a cultural resource as a tangible 
entity that is valued by or significantly representative of a culture, 
or that contains significant information about a culture. This 
definition is based on the National Register of Historic Places with 
additional input from the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory 
Committee. Based on these sources, recreational fishing and boating 
constitute uses of marine resources, not goals. The Framework 
recognizes the importance of appropriate access and compatible uses, 
and identifies these within the national system Design and 
Implementation Principles
    The agencies agree that the national system goals and objectives 
are ambitious and broad in scope. The purpose of the Framework is to 
provide a foundation for the national system, and to set out long term, 
national level goals and objectives that provide a focus for common 
conservation efforts across numerous and varied MPA authorities.
    One of the priority conservation objectives addresses restoration 
as well as conservation, but does not specify eliminating or reducing 
uses or impacts, as these actions fall under the authority of managing 
entities. Review of the PCOs and the priorities among them will be part 
of an adaptive management process. The agencies perceive 'management' 
to be part of the conservation goals and objectives, and have clarified 
the Framework to reflect this.

Comment Category 3: Design and Implementation Principles

    Summary: A variety of comments were received on the design and 
implementation principles within the Framework, including comments on 
the need to incorporate a precautionary approach, to use local 
knowledge and the best scientific information available, and to provide 
for public review and comment. Two comments suggested that the 
definition of `precautionary design' be modified to include language 
from the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(MSA). Others noted that the use of the precautionary approach can lead 
to decisions that are not based on sound science. Finally, some 
comments sought to better define and apply adaptive management. 
Commenters noted that adaptive management should include an assessment 
of the problem and the modification of management approaches (as 
appropriate) when new information is obtained. One specific example 
cited the lifting of restrictions on fishing as the condition of 
resources improves.
    Response: The agencies believe that a precautionary approach and 
the use of the best available science are addressed in the Design and 
Implementation Principles. These principles have been adapted from 
recommendations of the MPA FAC and the International Union for the 
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report, ``Establishing networks of marine 
protected areas: A guide for developing national and regional capacity 
for building MPA networks'' (WCPA/IUCN, 2007). The agencies believe 
that these broad guidelines are best suited to the wide range of 
federal, state and other governmental authorities envisioned as part of 
the national system, rather than adapting guidelines from one 
authority, such as the MSA. Finally, the agencies agree that adaptive 
management should include an assessment of the problem and potential 
solutions. However, actions to modify management approaches, such as 
lifting restrictions on fishing based on monitoring and evaluation of 
management effectiveness, will depend on the goals of an individual MPA 
and its managing program.

Comment Category 4: Definitions and Entry Criteria

    Summary: A number of comments noted the need to better define 
important terms within the Framework, including a concise definition of 
the national system, among others. In addition, it was suggested that 
the term ``lasting'' for sustainable production be defined as a period 
of at least 10 years.
    Comments on the eligibility criteria included the following: (1) 
Screening to determine whether sites meet the management plan criteria 
should precede PCO analysis; (2) a management plan should have clearly 
stated objectives and a commitment of resources for monitoring and 
enforcement; (3) MPAs should be screened for the specific benefits they 
will contribute to the national system; and (4) the qualification 
criteria for entry should be strict to ensure the national system is 
composed of sites

[[Page 69611]]

protecting rare, critical or unique habitats. One comment also 
questioned the use of verbal community agreements in a management plan.
    Response: The agencies agree that the Framework could benefit from 
better definition of important terms. The Final Framework includes 
revised definitions of important terms, including a definition of the 
national system. For sustainable production MPAs, the agencies note 
that the time period required to provide for lasting protection will 
vary according to the resource an individual MPA was established to 
protect. Therefore, ``lasting'' is to be defined as the duration of 
protection necessary to achieve the mandated long-term sustainable 
production objectives for which the site was established.
    The agencies agree that the management plan criteria should precede 
the PCO analysis. This change is reflected in the Final Framework. The 
agencies believe that requiring an MPA management plan to include a 
commitment of resources for monitoring and evaluation as an entry 
criterion for the national system is unnecessarily restrictive and 
would require extensive data collection that would delay the 
establishment of the national system. It is also not clear what level 
of resources would then be considered sufficient to meet this 
criterion. The agencies disagree that the specific benefits an 
individual MPA will contribute to the national system should be added 
as an entry criterion. Rather, the agencies see information on a site's 
benefits as contributing to the evaluation of the national system. 
Regarding establishing stricter qualification criteria, the agencies 
believe that this has been addressed by developing the PCOs.
    The agencies have included verbal agreements as meeting the 
management plan criteria in order to acknowledge the continuing oral 
tradition of many tribes and Pacific Island cultures.

Comment Category 5: Public Involvement

    Summary: Some commenters noted the importance of involving the 
public, including local communities and user groups (e.g., fishermen 
and fishing groups, among others), in developing and implementing the 
national system. Several comments noted the importance of public 
involvement during the nomination process, with some suggesting public 
hearings during this period, and others maintaining that this would be 
burdensome and duplicative of other requirements. One comment also 
proposed that non-governmental organizations should be permitted to 
make nominations to the national system. A final comment asked that the 
Framework clarify that nominations should originate in the region.
    Response: The agencies agree that public involvement is critical, 
but do not agree that fishermen should be singled out for specific 
mention when discussing public involvement. The agencies have added 
language to the Framework to note that the MPA Center will work with 
the managing entities to ensure adequate public involvement, including 
public meetings as appropriate. The agencies disagree that non-
governmental organizations should be permitted to nominate sites to the 
national system, since the managing entity has the authority for 
management decision-making about its sites. Stakeholders who are 
interested in the nomination of certain MPAs should contact and work 
with the managing entity or entities. The Framework clearly states that 
nominations originate with the managing entity of the site with the MPA 
Center providing technical assistance.

Comment Category 6: Gap Analysis Process

    Summary: Several comments were received on the gap analysis 
process, including: (1) The focus of gap analysis should not be gaps in 
the priority conservation objectives, but gaps under a regulatory 
agency's purview; (2) it should be concurrent with nomination processes 
for existing MPAs; (3) it should consider social as well as biological 
goals; (4) it should include a sound scientific basis for an MPA's 
boundaries; (5) it should be conducted at the regional level with the 
participation of managers; (6) it should take into account other 
existing management measures; and (7) national system reporting should 
include reporting on actions taken to address gaps.
    Response: The purpose of the national system is to span all levels 
of government and types of authorities, not to conduct gap analysis at 
the individual MPA program level, which is the responsibility of those 
individual MPA programs. Regarding the timing of the gap analysis 
process, the agencies received several comments to the initial Draft 
Framework stating that the national system lacked focus and priorities. 
Thus, the agencies have set priorities in the Final Framework, first 
working on a limited set of near-term objectives. As funding, 
technology, and resources permit, the agencies will then focus on mid-
term and long-term objectives. The regional gap analysis process will 
overlap with the national system nomination process for existing sites, 
but is more resource intensive and will take longer to complete. The 
Framework envisions that gap analyses will be updated periodically as 
resources permit.
    The regional gap analyses will focus on gaps in addressing the 
priority conservation objectives, which relate to biological or 
cultural resource goals. However, human uses and impacts on the marine 
environment also will be considered during the gap analysis process.
    The agencies agree that a gap analysis should be conducted at the 
regional level with participation of existing managers and with 
consideration of other efforts, and that reporting should include 
updates on actions taken to address conservation gaps. Language has 
been added to the Framework to clarify these points.

Comment Category 7: Risk Assessment

    Summary: Several comments noted the need for an objective 
assessment of risks, costs and benefits of the national system.
    Response: Risk analysis has a wide range of meanings as a tool for 
business, engineering, and public policy, and it is not clear what the 
commenters envision in calling for such an assessment as part of a non-
regulatory initiative. The agencies maintain that risk, cost and 
benefit assessments are not called for in the EO as part of national 
system development, and that such detailed analyses are not necessary 
at the broad programmatic scale of the Framework.

Comment Category 8: Role of Regional Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils)

    Summary: Several commenters asked that the Framework clarify the 
role of Councils in identifying, nominating, altering and withdrawing 
national system MPAs.
    Response: The agencies have added language to the Framework to 
further explain the role of the Councils. The Councils will be a key 
partner to NOAA in nominating fishery sites to the national system. 
Through a transparent process, NOAA would consult with its Council 
partners and fully consider the views and interests of the Councils 
prior to nominating a site to the national system. These NOAA-Council 
consultations would take place at the regional-level during key stages 
of the nominating process, and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service 
would make final decisions on nominations.
    The agencies also have added language to the Framework to clarify

[[Page 69612]]

that participation in the national system does not constrain the 
management entity, including the Councils, from changing its management 
of the MPA within its own authorities and required processes.

Comment Category 9: Monitoring and Evaluation

    Summary: Many comments noted the importance of quantifiable 
performance measures in evaluating the national system, and some 
suggested that a review of how each MPA contributes to the national 
system should be included as a measure of success. Other comments 
suggested that the language of Section 4(a) of the EO should be 
reflected in the text, which calls on the MPA Center to provide 
guidance on ``practical, science-based criteria and protocols for 
monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MPAs.'' Some comments 
sought further clarification on how the national system will be 
evaluated. One comment recommended that the agencies develop multi-
tiered criteria for sites in the national system that reflect the 
degree to which individual MPAs contribute to the overall effectiveness 
of the system.
    Response: The agencies agree that quantifiable performance measures 
to evaluate the national system are critical. The Framework describes 
the process the MPA Center will follow to develop such measures, 
including seeking advice from the MPA Federal Advisory Committee.
    Section 4(a) of the EO calls upon the agencies to ``coordinate and 
share information, tools, and strategies'' on a variety of issues, 
including ``practical, science-based criteria and protocols for 
monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MPAs.'' This activity is 
part of the MPA Center's goal to foster MPA stewardship by providing 
training and technical assistance to individual MPAs, but is not a 
requirement of the national system. The purpose of the national system 
is not to evaluate individual sites, which remains the responsibility 
of the managing entity(ies), but rather the system as a whole.
    Regarding the recommendation to develop multi-tiered criteria to 
assess the contribution of individual MPAs to the national system, the 
agencies agree that the type of information suggested (such as level of 
protection) would be helpful in identifying the needs of, and 
priorities for, the national system. However, the agencies do not 
believe that a formal tiered structure will add to the efficacy of the 
system.

Comment Category 10: Federal Agency Responsibility to Avoid Harm

    Summary: Several comments requested additional details clarifying 
the scope of the avoid harm provision, including how and by whom it 
will be applied. Related comments were received requesting a standard 
definition of avoid harm for all federal agencies, and an augmented 
oversight role for the MPA Center.
    Response: The agencies believe the current level of detail 
describing the avoid harm provision is appropriate, but have included 
an example of how it is intended to be applied. As described in the 
Framework, each federal agency is responsible for complying with and 
reporting annually on its compliance with the EO's Section 5 avoid harm 
directives: ``each federal agency that is required to take actions 
under this order shall prepare and make public annually a concise 
description of actions taken by it in the previous year to implement 
the order, including a description of written comments by any person or 
organization stating that the agency has not complied with this order 
and a response to such comments by the agency.'' The agencies disagree 
that a single definition of avoid harm and other key terms used to 
describe the requirements under Section 5 is needed. An agency's 
requirements under Section 5, in any instance, is dependent on the 
agency's interpretation, consistent with any required compliance with 
the legal framework for the resources protected by the MPA and any 
other applicable natural or cultural resource review or protection 
authorities or procedures. The MPA Center's role is to make these 
reports available to the public on the https://www.MPA.gov Web site, 
facilitate a federal agency coordination mechanism through the Federal 
Interagency MPA Working Group, and upon request by federal agencies, 
facilitate technical or other assistance.

Comment Category 11: Steering Committee Composition and Role

    Summary: Several comments requested clarification about the role of 
the Steering Committee, especially with respect to the Regional Fishery 
Management Councils, the MPA Federal Advisory Committee, and the 
public.
    Response: The agencies agree that additional clarification is 
needed to explain the role of the Steering Committee in providing 
operational guidance from MPA management agencies. To do so, the 
Steering Committee has been renamed the Management Committee. The 
agencies have clarified in the Framework the Management Committee's 
role with respect to the MPA Federal Advisory Committee (MPA FAC) and 
added two members of the MPA FAC as ex officio members of the 
Management Committee. Fishery Management Councils were already listed 
as members of the Management Committee. The public and nongovernmental 
organizations will not be members of the Management Committee, but 
their views will be represented through the MPA FAC which consists of 
non-federal voting members.

Comment Category 12: Benefits of the National System

    Summary: Several comments provided editorial suggestions to note 
additional benefits of the national system, including greater 
regulatory certainty for ocean industry and opportunities for 
recreational fishing. Other comments requested changes to: emphasize 
the role of science in MPA design; clarify that ecological connectivity 
exists independent of MPAs; discuss the benefits of a ``bottom up'' 
regional structure; and note the responsibilities and benefits to MPA 
sites and programs of joining the national system.
    Response: The agencies agree with the suggestions for additional 
benefits of the national system, and incorporated these ideas into the 
Framework. Additionally, the Framework now clarifies language relating 
to ecological connectivity. The agencies believe that the role of 
science in developing and implementing the national system, and the 
benefits of the regional structure of the system were addressed with 
existing language.

Comment Category 13: Tribal Comments

    Summary: One comment was received noting the importance of 
appropriately engaging tribal governments in the national system 
development process.
    Response: The agencies agree that federally recognized tribes must 
be engaged on a government to government basis, but believe that the 
Framework already addresses this issue. The level of detail requested 
in this comment will be more appropriately addressed in subsequent 
documents and actions.

Comment Category 14: Funding

    Summary: Many comments asked for an estimation of the costs of 
implementing the national system, including funding levels needed to 
implement regional processes as well as best estimates of costs 
associated with a state's involvement in the national system. A few 
comments asked that the Framework better address incentives for

[[Page 69613]]

participation and the need for increased funds to encourage state 
participation. One comment suggested the Framework be accompanied by a 
robust request for additional resources.
    Response: The agencies agree that a detailed estimation of the 
costs of implementing the national system is necessary, but should not 
be part of the Framework, which is a broad policy document. An 
estimation of costs will be developed as part of a National System 
Action Plan. The agencies agree that incentives for participation are 
critical to the success of the national system, and have added language 
to note this need. Resources for implementation of the MPA Executive 
Order are sought through agencies' federal appropriations processes.

Comment Category 15: Level of Detail

    Summary: Several comments requested that the Framework include 
information on particular steps in the national system implementation 
process, such as gap analysis and evaluation, and the funding 
requirements of the system.
    Response: The agencies believe that this level of detail is outside 
the scope of the Framework as a broad programmatic document outlining 
the goals, objectives, functions and processes of the national system. 
The MPA Center plans to develop a National System Action Plan that will 
address many of these issues in more detail, and will be made available 
to the public. Subsequent information on later stages of the national 
system, such as gap analysis and evaluation, will be made public 
through the MPA Center's Web site (www.mpa.gov) and national and 
regional outreach efforts.

Comment Category 16: Draft Environmental Assessment

    Summary: One commenter raised several issues about the draft 
environmental assessment. These comments included: (1) The ``no 
action'' alternative is misspecified; (2) a reasonable range of 
alternatives was not analyzed; and (3) it does not adequately describe 
the affected environment, environmental consequences and cumulative 
effects.
    Response: The agencies disagree and believe that the EA accurately 
describes the ``no action'' alternative, assesses a reasonable range of 
alternatives, and adequately addresses the affected environment, 
environmental consequences and cumulative effects at a programmatic 
level. The Framework itself will not have a significant effect 
(positive or negative) on the environment as it serves to establish 
administrative, managerial, and coordination roles. Any future 
discretionary federal action that might have an effect on the human 
environment would require National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
compliance either tiered from this EA or completed independently by the 
designating program since the MPA Center does not have the authority to 
create new MPAs or modify the regulatory authority of existing MPAs.
    The ``no action'' alternative would have the ``MPA Executive Order 
* * * stand alone without any further detail of the process necessary 
for developing the national system.'' This alternative describes ``no 
action'' as it relates to a national system Framework, not all 
activities that might be conducted by the MPA Center.
    The reason for the simplified range of alternatives in the EA is 
that any alternative other than those described would simply be a 
different managerial strategy to achieve the goals of the EO. As such, 
because the agencies are bound by the EO to achieve certain goals and 
operating procedures, any impact analysis of the various organizational 
permutations would show no difference between additional potential 
alternatives and the preferred.
    The agencies believe that the level of detail in this EA is 
appropriate for the programmatic, broad planning scale of the national 
system Framework. More detailed analyses on the affected environment, 
environmental consequences, and cumulative effects would be provided as 
needed in any tiered or independent NEPA processes required for future 
discretionary federal actions associated with the national system, such 
as the creation of new MPAs.

Classification

Regulatory Planning and Review

    This action is not a regulatory action subject to E.O. 12866 (58 FR 
51735, October 4, 1993).

Energy Effects

    NOAA and DOl have determined that this action will have no effect 
on energy supply, distribution, or use and is therefore not a 
``significant energy action'' as defined by Executive Order 13211 (66 
FR 28355, May 18, 2001). No Statement of Energy Effects is required and 
therefore none has been prepared.

Government to Government Relationship With Tribes

    E.O. 13175--Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments--outlines the responsibilities of the Federal Government 
regarding its policies with tribal implications, i.e., regulations, 
legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy 
statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or 
more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes (65 FR 67249, November 
9, 2000). Pursuant to E.O. 13175, tribal governments were consulted in 
the development of this Framework, and NOAA and DOI will continue to 
consult with tribal governments as the national system is developed.

Administrative Procedure Act

    Pursuant to authority at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), prior notice and an 
opportunity for public comment are not required to be given, as this 
document concerns agency procedure or practice. Nevertheless, NOAA and 
DOI wanted the benefit of the public's comment and therefore provided 
for two opportunities for public comment.

    Dated: November 7, 2008.
William Corso,
Deputy Assistant Adminstrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. E8-27143 Filed 11-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P