Proposed Expansion, Regulatory Revision and New Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 16223-16247 [2015-06441]
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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 16223-16247] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2015-06441] [[Page 16223]] Vol. 80 Thursday, No. 58 March 26, 2015 Part IV Department of Commerce ----------------------------------------------------------------------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 CFR Part 922 Proposed Expansion, Regulatory Revision and New Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; Proposed Rules Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2015 / Proposed Rules [[Page 16224]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 15 CFR Part 922 [Docket No. 140207122-4122-01] RIN 0648-BD97 Proposed Expansion, Regulatory Revision and New Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to expand the boundaries and scope of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or sanctuary), amend the regulations for HIHWNMS, change the name of the sanctuary, and revise the sanctuary's terms of designation and management plan. The purpose of this action is to transition the sanctuary from a single- species management approach to an ecosystem-based management approach. A draft environmental impact statement and draft revised management plan have been prepared for this proposed action. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft environmental impact statement, and draft revised management plan. DATES: Comments on this proposed rule will be considered if received by June 19, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NOS-2015-0028, by any of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2015-0028, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA/DKIRC, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Malia Chow, Superintendent. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malia Chow, Superintendent, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary at 808-725-5901 or hihwmanagementplan@noaa.gov. Copies of the draft environmental impact statement and proposed rule can be downloaded or viewed on the Internet at www.regulations.gov (search for docket # NOAA-NOS-2015-0028) or at https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov. Copies can also be obtained by contacting the person identified under For Further Information Contact. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public hearings will be held in the following locations at the locales and times indicated: (1) Hale`iwa, HI (O`ahu) Date: April 27, 2015. Location: Sunset Beach Recreation Center. Address: 59-540 Kamehameha Highway, Hal`eiwa, HI 96712. Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (2) Honolulu, HI (O`ahu) Date: April 28, 2015. Location: Honolulu Waldorf School. Address: 350 Ulua Street, Honolulu, HI 96821. Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (3) Kihei, HI (Maui) Date: April 29, 2015. Location: Kihei Youth Center. Address: 131 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753. Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (4) Lahaina, HI (Maui) Date: April 30, 2015. Location: Kaunoa Senior Center. Address: 788 Pauoa St., Lahaina, HI 96761. Time: 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (5) Kaunakakai, HI (Moloka`i) Date: May 1, 2015. Location: Lanikeha Community Center. Address: 2200 Farrington Ave., Kaunakakai, HI 96748. Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (6) L[amacr]na`i City, HI (L[amacr]na`i) Date: May 2, 2015. Location: L[amacr]na`i High and Elementary School. Address: 555 Fraser Avenue, L[amacr]na`i City, HI 96763. Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (7) Kilauea City, HI (Kaua`i) Date: May 4, 2015. Location: Kilauea Elementary School Cafeteria. Address: 2440 Kolo Road, Kilauea, HI 96754. Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (8) Ni`ihau, HI * Date: May 5, 2015. Location: Ni`ihau School Cafeteria. Address: Puuwai Village, Ni`ihau, HI 96769. Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. * Please note that due to limited access to the island this is not a public meeting. This meeting is for people residing on and landowners of Ni`ihau Island. (9) Lihu`e, HI (Kaua`i) Date: May 6, 2015. Location: King Kaumuali`i Elementary School Cafeteria. Address: 4380 Hanama`ulu Road, Lihu'e, HI 96766. Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (10) Kailua-Kona, HI (Hawai`i) Date: May 7, 2015. Location: Kealakehe High School Cafeteria. Address: 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. I. Introduction 1. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or sanctuary) covers approximately 1,031.4 square nautical miles (1,366 square miles) of federal and state waters in the Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuary lies within the shallow warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands which are a nationally significant marine environment. The area is a diverse and unique ecosystem with marine resources including coral reefs, highly endangered Hawaiian monk seals, three species of sea turtles, marine species endemic to this area such as monk seals, corals, and seagrasses, and 25 species of cetaceans including humpback whales. This area constitutes one of the world's most important humpback whale habitats. The warm, calm waters in this area are used by humpback whales for breeding, calving, and nursing. The waters in this area also contain a number of cultural [[Page 16225]] and historical resources including those reflecting native Hawaiian traditions and uses. The area supports fishing activities, and is also a destination for visitors worldwide who come for whale watching, diving, and other ocean-related activities in the sanctuary waters. Congress designated the sanctuary in 1992 through the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA, Subtitle C of the Oceans Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-587), which declared that the purposes of the sanctuary were to (1) protect humpback whales and their habitat; (2) educate and interpret for the public the relationship of humpback whales to the Hawaiian Islands marine environment; (3) manage human uses of the sanctuary consistent with the Act and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA); and (4) provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is co-managed by NOAA and the State of Hawai`i (State) through a compact agreement that was signed in 1998 which clarifies the relative jurisdiction, authority, and conditions of the NOAA-State partnership for managing the sanctuary. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) serves as the lead agency for the State's co-management of the sanctuary. 2. Need for Action When Congress designated the HIHWNMS in 1992, it mandated NOAA to provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the sanctuary. The current management plan review process seeks to carry out this mandate. Started in 2010, the sanctuary management plan review provided an opportunity to: Consider the value of marine ecosystems, assess existing threats and protections to these valuable resources; and determine where NOAA can provide added value to the resource management efforts provided by the state and other federal agencies. NOAA believes that an ecosystem-based, rather than single-species based, management approach for HIHWNMS would provide sanctuary management with the platform to begin to evaluate and potentially address the full suite of resource management issues currently faced by marine resources in the main Hawaiian Islands. By focusing on the biological, physical, and human components of a healthy marine environment, an ecosystem-based management approach in the sanctuary would be more comprehensive and inclusive of all aspects of the marine ecosystem than the current single species approach. Humpback whales and their habitat are an essential component of the marine ecosystem in Hawai`i and the sanctuary would continue to support current humpback whale management programs, but would also engage in research, resource protection, education, community engagement, and education for other areas and issues of the sanctuary environment. This management approach is also consistent with Native Hawaiians' management practices, which have traditionally used a holistic approach to conserve both land and marine resources. Native Hawaiians also view natural and cultural resources as being interrelated and, that all biological resources are culturally significant. NOAA recognizes the importance of including Native Hawaiian knowledge and practices in the management framework of the sanctuary and intends to incorporate the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources into its management planning. In addition, the sanctuary management plan and regulations will strive to accommodate traditional uses and achieve sustainable cultural practices. 3. History of the Management Plan Review Process History During the 2002 management plan review (MPR), NOAA received comments from the general public requesting that HIHWNMS, consistent with section 2304(b) of the HINMSA, consider the conservation and management of marine resources in addition to humpback whales and their habitat. In response, NOAA included a goal in the HIHWNMS 2002 management plan to ``identify and evaluate resources and ecosystems for possible inclusion in the sanctuary''. NOAA followed up by conducting an assessment of living marine resources and maritime heritage resources within the sanctuary, including human population trends, past and current threats, existing management authorities, and conservation needs. The assessment report was shared with then Governor Linda Lingle in 2007 who publicly expressed her support for NOAA to consider protecting additional marine species within the sanctuary. Between April 2009 and July 2010, NOAA conducted a series of meetings and workshops to solicit public input on the inclusion of additional marine resources into sanctuary management and raise awareness about the management plan review process. These events were conducted formally and informally across the State of Hawai`i on all the main islands. Public Scoping Process NOAA formally initiated the public scoping process on July 14, 2010, by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 40759) and informing the public that NOAA was initiating a review of its management plan and regulations and preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). In August 2010, NOAA held ten public scoping meetings in communities across Hawai`i. In total, 12,375 public comments, including two petitions with a total of 12,019 signatures, were received over the 90-day public comment period (July to October 2010). Many people commended HIHWNMS for their active role in promoting the conservation of humpback whales and their habitat, but suggested that NOAA consider expanding the scope of sanctuary management to conserve additional marine species and habitats. Other comments identified the need to address anthropogenic threats to the marine environment including pollution, offshore development, and climate change. The public also identified opportunities and recommendations for HIHWNMS to: Improve and expand upon enforcement, management effectiveness, and marine animal assessment and response; better integrate Native Hawaiian cultural resources and maritime heritage resources into sanctuary management and planning; emphasize ocean literacy programs; and update research programs, regulations, and sanctuary boundaries. Comments were submitted by agencies, organizations, elected officials and community members from throughout Hawai`i, the U.S. mainland and elsewhere. NOAA documented all comments received during the public comment period as part of the administrative record; the comments are available online at www.regulations.gov. In response to many of these comments, this proposed rule proposes several changes to the HIHWNMS regulations and boundaries as described below in the ``Summary of the Regulatory Amendments.'' The environmental effects of these proposed changes are analyzed in a DEIS published concurrently with this proposed rule. NOAA has also developed an associated draft management plan describing sanctuary management activities in research, [[Page 16226]] resource protection and education. NOAA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule, DEIS, and draft management plan, which are available at https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/management/management_plan_review.html or may be obtained by contacting the individual listed under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. II. Summary of the Regulatory Amendments 1. Change Focus of Management From Single Species to Ecosystem NOAA is proposing to amend Sec. 922.180(a)-(b) to reflect the inclusion of other marine resources in the resource protection mission of the proposed ecosystem-based sanctuary. Similarly, NOAA is proposing to remove the current species-based definition of ``sanctuary resource'' and ``habitat'' in Sec. 922.182, which currently only includes humpback whales and their habitat in the definition of sanctuary resource. The definition that would then apply to the sanctuary would be the existing definition presented in the regulations for all national marine sanctuaries at Sec. 922.3. This national definition for sanctuary resource is: ``any living or non-living resource of a National Marine Sanctuary that contributes to the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic value of the Sanctuary, including, but not limited to, the substratum of the area of the Sanctuary, other submerged features and the surrounding seabed, carbonate rock, corals and other bottom formations, coralline algae and other marine plants and algae, marine invertebrates, brine-seep biota, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, seabirds, sea turtles and other marine reptiles, marine mammals and historical resources (15 CFR 922.3).'' In a separate rulemaking NOAA has proposed to update this national definition to add cultural resources to the definition of sanctuary resources (78 FR 5998). Upon completion of that separate national rulemaking the updated definition of sanctuary resources would then apply to all national marine sanctuaries. 2. Add New Areas to the Sanctuary Boundary NOAA is proposing to expand the current boundaries to include five additional areas in the sanctuary, adding 192.6 total square nautical miles (255 square miles) to the sanctuary bringing the total area to 1,224 square nautical miles (1,621 square miles). Under this action, NOAA is proposing to: (1) Extend the sanctuary boundary on the north shore of O`ahu west to include waters adjacent to the Ali`i Beach Park; (2) extend the sanctuary boundaries on the north shore of Kaua`i east to include waters adjacent to the P[imacr]la`a ahupua`a; (3) extend the sanctuary boundaries on the north shore of Kaua`i west to include waters adjacent to the H[amacr]`ena ahupua`a; (4) include the waters around the island of Ni`ihau, southwest of Kaua`i; and (5) modify the southern boundary of Penguin Bank and Maui Nui to simplify the convolutions of the current boundary where the approximation of the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths is too intricate for enforcement and to include additional important habitat. Ahupua`a are a system of traditional Hawaiian land division extending from the upland to the sea or watershed boundary. NOAA is also proposing a technical correction to the seaward boundary of the full sanctuary to include latitude/ longitude coordinates approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths and where needed the three nautical mile line to define the boundary, which would result in minor modification to the overall area estimate of the sanctuary. The proposed boundary changes were selected through a public process to identify and assess marine areas that could more effectively complement current management authorities or enhance natural and cultural resource value. Collectively, these new areas capture a greater diversity of habitats and biological resources than currently protected by HIHWNMS. Inclusion of these areas within the sanctuary system would provide additional regulatory protection, resources for management, and improved public awareness of their natural and cultural resource value. The technical correction addresses the current seaward boundary of the sanctuary which is defined as following the historic 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobaths. NOAA proposes to modernize the boundary by employing a textual description coupled with a table of latitude/longitude coordinates that approximates the 100-fathom (182.9 meter) isobath. The correction is being made to clarify the boundary for paper and electronic nautical charts, to provide a more accurately defined boundary for use by ships using GPS technology, and to improve enforceability. The technical change is not intended to add any additional area to the sanctuary and is distinct from the five new areas being proposed for addition to the sanctuary. The harbors currently excluded from the sanctuary boundaries continue to be excluded. Those harbors are Kawaihae Boat Harbor & Small Boat Basin on Hawai`i; Kaumalapau Harbor and Manele Harbor on L[amacr]na`i; Lahaina Boat Harbor and M[amacr]`alaea Boat Harbor on Maui; Hale o Lono Harbor and Kaunakakai Harbor on Moloka`i; and Kuapa Pond (Hawai`I Kai) and Hale`iwa Harbor on O`ahu. The proposed boundary changes for the five new areas are described in more detail below. a. Ni`ihau and Lehua NOAA is proposing to incorporate the waters around the island of Ni`ihau into the sanctuary, including the waters surrounding Lehua Island. The boundary for this area would extend around the islands seaward from the shoreline three nautical miles. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be 163.9 square nautical miles (217 square miles). Ni`ihau is the seventh largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago and is the westernmost island of the populated Hawaiian Islands. The island has an area of approximately 69.5 square miles (180 square km) and is located approximately 18 miles (29 km) west of the island of Kaua`i across the Kaulakahi Channel. Uninhabited Lehua Islet lies 0.7 miles (1.1 km) directly north of Ni`ihau. Ni`ihau is the closest of the populated Hawaiian Islands to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and is at the interface between the two bioregions, serving as a functional transition zone in the archipelago. The specific biophysical and cultural connectivity dynamics at this interface are of special interest. The coral at Ni`ihau and Lehua have significantly lower prevalence of coral disease than elsewhere in the populated Hawaiian Islands. The waters around Ni`ihau and Lehua also have a higher level of fish biomass and a higher number of endemic species than the other populated Hawaiian Islands. Ni`ihau is also an important habitat for dolphins, monk seals and humpback whales. The endangered Hawaiian monk seals have a significant presence in Ni`ihau and Lehua. Lehua Islet is an important monk seal feeding and resting site. Aerial surveys conducted in 2000, 2001, and 2008 documented approximately three times more monk seals on the coastal areas of Ni`ihau and Lehua than on other islands in the populated Hawaiian Islands. Island-wide surveys of Ni`ihau have observed between 17 and 69 monk seals at a particular time, higher than any other reported sightings on the populated Hawaiian Islands. Recent research [[Page 16227]] indicates that the population of monk seals at Ni`ihau may be distinct and do not travel to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Humpback whales have been observed in high numbers near the coast of Ni`ihau, and dolphins and false killer whales populate the waters. b. Kaua`i The current sanctuary boundary on the north shore of Kaua`i extends along the shoreline from Kailiu Point eastward to Mokolea Point and seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 m) isobath. NOAA is proposing to extend the sanctuary boundary in two areas to more closely include the waters of the adjacent ahupua`a. (i) H[amacr]`ena Ahupua`a On the north shore of the island of Kaua`i, west of the town of Hanalei, NOAA is proposing to extend the western boundary of the sanctuary to Ke`e Beach and include the waters of the H[amacr]`ena ahupua`a seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. The boundary extension would also include the H[amacr]`ena community- based subsistence fishing area (CBSFA) which is currently managed by the State of Hawai`i. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 6 square nautical miles (8 square miles). (ii) P[imacr]la`a Ahupua`a NOAA is also proposing to extend the eastern-boundary of the sanctuary on the north shore of Kaua`i to include the waters from Mokolea Point to Kepuhi Point including those of the P[imacr]la`a ahupua`a seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 3.8 square nautical miles (5 square miles). The proposed sanctuary area would be used to pilot traditional Hawaiian marine resource management approaches along with science-informed management to restore the degraded coral reef ecosystem. c. O`ahu The current sanctuary boundary on the north shore of O`ahu extends from Pua`ena Point eastward to M[amacr]hie Point and seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. With this action, NOAA is proposing to extend the western boundary of the sanctuary from Pua`ena Point to approximately Ali`i Beach Park and seaward to approximately the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath to include the North Shore Surfing Reserve. The designation of the Surfing Reserve in 2010 was part of a state-led effort to acknowledge the cultural and historic significance of important surf sites in Hawai`i. The proposed sanctuary boundary extension would exclude Hale`iwa Harbor. The total area of the proposed boundary expansion would be approximately 3 square nautical miles (4 square miles). d. Penguin Bank and Maui Nui The current sanctuary boundary in the area around Penguin Bank off the southwest shore of Moloka`i and in Maui Nui between the islands of L[amacr]na`i and Kaho`olawe closely approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath. The current boundary in these areas meanders significantly due to the complexity of the seafloor bathymetry, currently making enforcement of sanctuary regulations difficult. As part of a sanctuary-wide effort to modernize the sanctuary boundary by employing a textual description coupled with a table of latitude/ longitude coordinates that approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath, NOAA proposes to improve the boundary in these areas by simplifying the convolutions of the current boundary, thus eliminating any potential confusion regarding the location of the boundary due to the complexity of the bathymetry. The new, less intricate boundary will make enforcement less difficult and for Penguin Bank the area is also defined to be inclusive of precious corals, mesophotic corals and monk seal foraging areas. The net result is an addition of approximately 15.9 square nautical miles (21 square miles) to the sanctuary in federal waters. 3. Change the Name of the Sanctuary In recognition of the proposed change to an ecosystem-based approach to management, NOAA is proposing that the sanctuary be renamed ``Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu''. The phrase ``N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu'' means ``the eight seas'' in Native Hawaiian and refers to the ocean channels between the populated Hawaiian Islands and a Native Hawaiian poetic reference to the Hawaiian Islands themselves. It illustrates the interconnectedness between the ocean, the people of Hawai`i and their communities. Since the current name no longer fits NOAA is proposing a change that communicates both the management approach and a sense of community throughout Hawai'i, recognizing humans as part of the ecosystem. 4. Approaching a Humpback Whale The current sanctuary regulation prohibits approaching, or causing a vessel or other object to approach, within the sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as authorized under the MMPA and the ESA. NOAA is proposing to add interception (e.g. placing a vessel in the path of an oncoming humpback whale so that the whale changes its behavior), as well as disrupting the normal behavior or prior activity of a whale by any other act or omission, to this existing prohibition. These proposed changes to the existing humpback whale approach regulation would help to minimize incidences of humpback whale harassment or injury within the sanctuary, reduce adverse behavioral responses, and limit vessel strikes within the sanctuary. NOAA is proposing to apply these changes to the exiting regulation to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary. 5. Operating an Aircraft Within 1,000 Feet of Humpback Whales NOAA is proposing to apply the current overflight prohibition on operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet of humpback whales, to the new proposed areas for the sanctuary. 6. Taking or Possessing Humpback Whales NOAA is proposing to combine the existing prohibitions on take and possession of humpback whales within the sanctuary into one regulation to be consistent with humpback whale take and approach regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the State of Hawai`i Administrative Rules 13-124 and apply the new proposed regulation to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary. 7. Interfering With Investigation NOAA proposing to apply the current prohibition on interfering with enforcement to the new proposed areas in the sanctuary. 8. Marking or Defacing Any Signs NOAA is proposing to prohibit damaging, removing or displacing any signs, notices, placards, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers related to the sanctuary. NOAA is proposing to apply this to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary. 9. Removing or Damaging Historical and Cultural Resources NOAA is proposing to prohibit removing, damaging, or tampering with any historical or cultural resources within the sanctuary. Cultural heritage [[Page 16228]] resources found within the sanctuary include traditional Hawaiian fishpond systems, heritage sites related to traditional Hawaiian surfing, and heritage sites related to traditional voyaging and its cultural traditions. It also includes submerged heritage sites related to Native Hawaiian traditions and practices. Maritime heritage resources include shipwreck sites, historic aircraft sites, the remains of landings and dock facilities, and other types of materials. This proposed prohibition would provide additional protection for maritime heritage resources within the sanctuary and complement existing state and Federal statutes, such as the National Historical Preservation Act and Sunken Military Craft Act. NOAA is proposing to apply these changes to the entire sanctuary including the proposed new areas of the sanctuary. 10. Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs) NOAA is proposing to create three Special Sanctuary Management Areas. NOAA is proposing a number of regulations specific to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas at Penguin Bank and the Maui Nui area (both in federal waters outside of 3 nautical miles) and Maunalua Bay (state waters within 3 nautical miles). For a map of these three areas, see the HIHWNMS Web page (https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/). For more information on permit options for the prohibitions described here, see section 12 on Permits and Authorizations. The following regulations would only apply in these three areas: 10a. Taking or Possessing Any Marine Mammal, Sea Turtle, Seabird, ESA Listed Species or HI Listed Species in the SSMAs As a complement to existing protections, NOAA is proposing to prohibit taking or possessing any marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, ESA-listed species or Hawai`i Revised Statutes chapter 195D listed species, within or above sanctuary waters in the three SSMAs, with an exception for species authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, or Hawai`i State Law. 10b. Discharging Material Into the SSMAs NOAA is proposing to modify the current prohibition on discharging or altering any submerged lands by separating the regulation into two parts, and refining the language for clarity and enforceability. Due to the proposed expanded scope of the sanctuary, NOAA understands that the scope of the application of the prohibition has also expanded. Therefore NOAA is seeking to assess value of the regulation in the SSMAs only instead of applying them sanctuary-wide at this time. With respect to the prohibition on discharging, NOAA is proposing to prohibit discharging or depositing any material or matter into the three SSMAs, except: Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or resulting from fishing in the sanctuary; treated biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use; water generated by routine vessel operations, such as engine exhaust, deck wash down; engine cooling water, clean bilge water or anchor wash; and biodegradable materials for traditional ceremonies associated with culturally important customs and usage (e.g. the discharge of leis, paper lanterns). This prohibition, and its associated exceptions, would also apply to discharge adjacent to these areas, should that discharge subsequently enter and injure a sanctuary resource within the SSMAs. This prohibition will likely enhance water quality in the Penguin Bank and Maui Nui SSMAs, and reduce impacts from pollutants and debris to the biological and physical environment in the Maunalua Bay SSMA. NOAA could use the authorization authority proposed in this rulemaking to evaluate whether to authorize activities that receive a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the State of Hawai'i and include additional conditions for those activities to protect sanctuary resources from activities. 10c. Dredging, Drilling Into or Otherwise Altering the Submerged Lands of the SSMAs NOAA is proposing to modify the current prohibition on discharging or altering any submerged lands by separating the regulation into two parts, and refining the language for clarity and enforceability. Due to the proposed expanded scope of the sanctuary, NOAA understands that the scope of the application of the prohibition has also expanded. Therefore, NOAA is seeking to assess the value of the regulation in the SSMAs only, instead of applying them sanctuary-wide at this time. With respect to the prohibition on altering any submerged lands, NOAA is proposing to refine the current regulations to prohibit dredging, drilling into, or otherwise altering in any way submerged lands in the three SSMAs, except: Anchoring a vessel on sandy bottom or substrate; routine maintenance of docks, seawalls, breakwaters, piers authorized by federal, state or local authorities with jurisdiction; the installation and maintenance of navigational aids authorized by federal, state or local authorities with jurisdiction; and aquaculture or fishing activities authorized under a permit issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawai`i Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. Submerged lands include bottom formations, live rock and coral. There are currently no regulations for any non-precious stony corals, including mesophotic corals, in federal waters of Penguin Bank and the Maui Nui area. The proposed regulation supports and enhances efforts to protect previous corals in the Maui Nui area that have been designated Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Similarly, the proposed regulation would reduce direct physical and biological damage to coral and other marine habitats in Maunalua Bay. Under the proposed regulations, NOAA would have the authority to authorize federal, state, or local permits for construction and dredging activities that would otherwise violate the proposed regulations in Maunalua Bay. Under the proposed regulation, any permittee with a pre-existing (at the time of final rule) federal, state, or local permit would need to notify NOAA of the permitted activity. Then the permittee would need to come into compliance with the sanctuary regulations by getting an authorization from NOAA within 1 year of the effective date of the final regulations. See Section 11 below for more information on authorization authority. 10d. Possessing or Using Explosives in the SSMAs NOAA is proposing to prohibit possessing or using explosives within the SSMAs, with exceptions for explosives used for valid law enforcement purposes. This proposed prohibition is consistent with the current State of Hawai`i regulations. Currently, the state prohibits the possession and use of explosives in or around fishing areas in state waters within three nautical miles (HAR Sec. 13-75, HRS Sec. 188-23). [[Page 16229]] 10e. Introducing or Releasing Introduced Species in or Into the SSMAs NOAA is proposing to prohibit introducing or otherwise releasing an introduced species into the SSMAs, with an exception for species cultivated by aquaculture activities in state waters pursuant to a valid lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by DLNR or NMFS on the effective date of this final regulation. Introduced species can pose a major economic and environmental threat to the living resources and habitats of a sanctuary as well as the commercial and recreational uses that depend on these resources. NOAA understands that not all introduced species will become invasive species; however, national marine sanctuaries are mandated by law to preserve the natural character of national marine sanctuary ecosystems and any proposed alteration of the natural biological community (e.g. introduction of a foreign species) is contrary to the purpose of sanctuary designation. 11. Permits and Authorizations 11a. General Permits NOAA is proposing to add to HIHWNMS regulations the authority to consider permits for the following four activities otherwise prohibited: Discharges of material or matter in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs); discharges of material or matter outside SSMAs that may enter and injure; disturbance of submerged lands of the SSMAs; and damaging cultural and maritime resources. As proposed, NOAA's permitting authority would apply sanctuary-wide only to activities prohibited by the proposed damaging cultural and maritime resources regulation. NOAA would only consider permits for activities prohibited by the proposed regulations for discharge and disturbance of the submerged lands in the SSMAs (and are therefore limited to the SSMAs). Similar to other national marine sanctuaries, NOAA is proposing to consider these permits only for the purposes of sanctuary education, research, and management (see the Summary of Regulations below for a specific description of these categories). NOAA is also proposing to add a fourth permit category for actions involving ``installation of submarine cables.'' This permit category would only apply to submarine cable activities otherwise prohibited in the SSMAs (and, therefore, apply only to the SSMAs). To address the above additions to the ONMS general permit authority for HIHWNMS, NOAA would amend regulatory text in the program-wide regulations in sections 922.48 and 922.50 to add references to Subpart Q, as appropriate. NOAA would also add a new section 922.188 in Subpart Q titled ``Permit procedures and review criteria.'' Further, NOAA would add a subparagraph to 922.184 that would specify which general permit categories apply to which prohibited activities. 11b. Authorizations NOAA also proposes to provide HIHWNMS with the authority to consider allowing an otherwise prohibited activity if such activity is specifically authorized by any valid Federal, State, or local lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization. Authorization authority is intended to streamline regulatory requirements by reducing the need for multiple permits and would apply to all proposed prohibitions at 922.49 Subpart Q. As such, NOAA proposes to amend the regulatory text at 922.49 to add reference to Subpart Q and at 922.184 (HIHWNMS regulations). 11c. Special Use Permits NOAA proposes to allow the ONMS Director to issue special use permits (SUPs) at HIHWNMS as established by Section 310 of the NMSA. Although SUP authority is established statutorily, NOAA has not exercised this authority at HIHWNMS. In the proposed regulatory changes, NOAA intends to make it clear that the ONMS Director may issue SUPs at HIHWNMS. SUPs can be used to authorize the conduct of specific activities in a sanctuary if such authorization is necessary (1) to establish conditions of access to and use of any sanctuary resource; or (2) to promote public use and understanding of a sanctuary resource. The activities that qualify for a SUP are set forth in the Federal Register (78 FR 25957; May 3, 2013). Categories of SUPs may be changed or added to through public notice and comment. The list of categories subject to the requirements of special use permits is: 1. The placement and recovery of objects associated with public or private events on non-living substrate of the submerged lands of any national marine sanctuary. 2. The placement and recovery of objects related to commercial filming. 3. The continued presence of commercial submarine cables on or within the submerged lands of any national marine sanctuary. 4. The disposal of cremated human remains within or into any national marine sanctuary. 5. Recreational diving near the USS Monitor. 6. Fireworks displays. 7. The operation of aircraft below the minimum altitude in restricted zones of national marine sanctuaries. The NMSA places certain requirements on any issuance of a SUP by the ONMS Director. Specifically, it states that the Director: Shall authorize the conduct of an activity only if that activity is compatible with the purposes for which the sanctuary is designated and with protection of sanctuary resources; Shall not authorize the conduct of any activity for a period of more than 5 years unless renewed by the Secretary; Shall require that activities carried out under the permit be conducted in a manner that does not destroy, cause the loss of, or injure Sanctuary resources; and Shall require the permittee to purchase and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance, or post an equivalent bond, against claims arising out of activities conducted under the permit and to agree to hold the United States harmless against such claims. The NMSA allows the assessment and collection of fees for the conduct of any activity under a SUP. The fees collected could be used to recover the administrative costs of issuing the permit, the cost of implementing the permit, and the fair market value of the use of sanctuary resources. III. Summary of Proposed Changes to the Sanctuary Terms of Designation Section 304(a)(4) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) requires that the terms of designation include the geographic area included within the sanctuary; the characteristics of the area that give it conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic value; and the types of activities that will be subject to regulation by the Secretary of Commerce to protect these characteristics. Pursuant to the NMSA and the HINMSA, the terms of designation of the sanctuary shall be modified pursuant to Sections 303 and 304 of the NMSA and Sections 2305 and 2306 of the HINMSA. With this proposed rule, NOAA is proposing changes to the HIHWNMS terms of designation, which were previously published in the Federal [[Page 16230]] Register on March 28, 1997 (62 FR 14799). The changes would: 1. Modify the introduction to change the name of the sanctuary to the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu, and re-characterize the purpose of the sanctuary as ecosystem-based (rather than single species). 2. Modify Article I. Effect of Designation to change the name of the sanctuary to the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary-- N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu. 3. Modify Article II. Description of the Area to update the boundary description with the new areas NOAA proposes adding to the sanctuary and remove the outdated text pertaining to Kahoolawe Island. 4. Modify Article III. Characteristics of the Area to update information on the abundance of humpback whales found near the Hawaiian Islands. 5. Modify Article IV. Scope of Regulations to update the activities regulated to include the activities covered by the proposed regulations. 6. Modify Article V to update the reference to the NMSA. The revised terms of designation are proposed to read as follows (new text in bold and deleted text in brackets and italics): DESIGNATION OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS [HUMPBACK WHALE] NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY--N[Amacr] KAI `EWALU On November 4, 1992, President Bush signed into law the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA or Act; Subtitle C of the Oceans Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-587) which designated the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary [(HIHWNMS or Sanctuary)], now called the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu (Sanctuary). The purposes of the Sanctuary are to: (1) protect and conserve the marine ecosystem of the Hawaiian islands including humpback whales, marine turtles and other protected species, [and their] Sanctuary habitat, and historic and cultural resources and values; (2) educate and interpret for the public the value [relationship] of [humpback whales to] the natural, historic and cultural value of the Hawaiian Islands marine environment; and (3) manage human uses of the Sanctuary consistent with the designation and Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, as amended (MPRSA; also cited as the National Marine Sanctuaries Act or NMSA), 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. [; and (4) provide for the identification of marine resources and ecosystems of national significance for possible inclusion in the Sanctuary.] ARTICLE I. EFFECT OF DESIGNATION Section 2306 of the HINMSA requires the Secretary to develop and issue a comprehensive management plan and implementing regulations to achieve the policy and purposes of the Act, consistent with the procedures of sections 303 and 304 of the NMSA. Section 304 of the NMSA authorizes the issuance of such regulations as are necessary and reasonable to implement the designation, including managing and protecting the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational and aesthetic resources and qualities of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, now called the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu. Section 1 of Article IV of this Designation Document lists activities subject to regulation which are those activities that may be regulated on the effective date of the regulations, or at some later date in order to implement the Sanctuary designation. ARTICLE II. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA The HINMSA identified a Sanctuary boundary but authorized the Secretary to modify the boundary as necessary to fulfill the purposes of the designation. The Sanctuary boundary was modified by the Secretary to encompass the submerged lands and waters off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands extending seaward from the shoreline, cutting across the mouths of rivers and streams,-- (1) O`ahu: The sanctuary boundary on the southern shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A1 and the following textual description. The boundary begins ENE of Makapu`u Point roughly 3.2 nautical miles offshore at Point 1. It approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line extending first clockwise to the SE, then to the SW, and finally to the west to Point 68 in numerical order. From Point 68 the boundary extends NE towards Point 69 until it intersects the tip of the Kapahulu Groin. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 70 until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary then follows the shoreline eastward around Diamondhead Crater and Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 71 and Point 72 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 72 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline eastward until it intersects the line segment between Point 73 and Point 74 at the eastern entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 74 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline south around Koko Head and then northward around Pai`olu`olu Point, into Hanauma Bay and then back out and around Palea Point. The boundary then continues to follow the shoreline to the NE until it intersects the line between Point 75 and Point 76 at Makapu`u Point. From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the NE to Point 76. The sanctuary boundary on the North Shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A2 and the following textual description. The boundary extends from Point 1, located roughly 3.3 nautical miles NW of Ali`i Beach Park in Hale`iwa, approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line first to the NE and then to the SE to Point 60 in numerical order roughly 2.5 nautical miles NE of M[amacr]hie Point. The eastern edge of the sanctuary extends SW from Point 60 towards Point 61 at M[amacr]hie Point (aka Makahonu Point) until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the NW around Kahuku Point and then to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 62 and Point 63 at the eastern breakwater protecting Haleiwa Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 63 and the western breakwater until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 64 and Point 65 at the southwestern end of Ali`i Beach Park. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends seaward to the NW to Point 65. (2) Hawai`i: The sanctuary boundary of Hawai`i Island is defined by the coordinates provided in table A3 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore roughly 0.5 nautical miles west of Ke[amacr]hole Point at Point 1, and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line as it extends northward to Point 102 in numerical order. The northeastern edge of the sanctuary boundary extends from Point 102 south towards Point 103 on [[Page 16231]] the northern tip of `Upolu point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection, the boundary extends west and then south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 104 and Point 105 to the north of Kawaihae Harbor. Kawaihae Harbor is excluded from the sanctuary so the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor from this intersection towards Point 105 on the outer breakwater of Kawaihae Harbor until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 106 and Point 107 at the westernmost tip of Hawai`i Island (Ke[amacr]hole Point), west of the southern end of Kona Airport. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward approximately 0.5 nautical miles west to Point 107. (3) Ni`ihau: The sanctuary boundary around the island of Ni`ihau (including Lehua Island) is defined by the coordinates provided in table A4 and the following textual description. The landward boundary of Ni`ihau and Lehua is the shoreline. The seaward boundary of Ni`ihau and Lehua is approximately three nautical miles from the shoreline and extends around the islands from Points 1 to 60 in numerical order. (4) Kaua`i: The sanctuary boundary off the north coast of Kaua`i is defined by the coordinates in table A5 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore nearly 3.3 nautical miles WNW of Ka`[imacr]lio Point at Point 1 and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meters) isobath line as it extends eastward in numerical order to Point 59, approximately 1.5 nautical miles NE of Kepuhi point at roughly the Pila`a/Waipake ahupua`a boundary. The eastern edge of the sanctuary boundary then extends SW from Point 59 towards Point 60 on Kepuhi Point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends westward along the shoreline of the north coast of Kaua`i, and then continues to follow the shoreline as it extends southward along the eastern shore of Hanalei Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 61 and Point 62 at approximately the mouth of the Hanalei River. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 62 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Hanalei Bay and then westward around Ka`ilio Point until it intersects the line between Point 63 and Point 64 at approximately the boundary of the Ha`ena/Hanak[amacr]pi`ai ahupua`a NE of Hanak[amacr]pi`ai beach. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward to the WNW to Point 64. (5) Maui Nui: The sanctuary boundary of Maui Nui between the islands of Moloka`i, Lana'i, and Maui is defined by the coordinates in table A6 and the following textual description. The boundary begins roughly 3.5 nautical miles west of `[Imacr]lio Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1. The boundary approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line to the west and south around Penguin Bank and then back to the north and east following the coordinates in numerical order across Kalohi Channel to Point 196 to the NE of Kaena on Lana`i. The boundary then continues to approximate the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line south around Lana'i and then east crossing the Kealaikahiki Channel and continuing between Kaho`olawe and Molokini to the SE to Point 341 in numerical order roughly 2.2 nautical miles WSW of Hanamanioa Light on the southern shore of Maui. The boundary then continues ENE towards Point 342 until it intersects the shoreline near the Hanamanioa Light. At this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline northward to M[amacr]`alaea Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 343 and Point 344 at the eastern breakwater of the entrance to M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues toward Point 344 until it intersects the shoreline at the western breakwater of M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline SW around McGregor and Papawai Points and then to the NW until it reaches Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The boundary continues along the shoreline of the outer breakwater of Lahaina Small Boat Harbor until it reaches the northern tip at the intersection of the shoreline and a line between points 345 and 346. From this intersection the boundary extends offshore to the NNW for approximately 25 meters to point 346. The boundary then heads WNW towards point 347 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary then continues to follow the shoreline northward until it intersects the line between Point 348 and Point 349 at Lipoa Point on the NW tip of Maui. From this intersection the boundary continues to the NNW across the Pailolo Channel through Point 349 and Point 350 to the intersection of the line segment between Point 351 and Point 352 and the shoreline at Cape Halawa on the NE tip of Molokai. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline to the SW and then westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 353 and Point 354 east of Kaunakakai Pier. From this intersection the boundary then continues offshore through Point 354 and Point 355 and towards Point 356 to the west of Kaunakakai Pier until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 357 and Point 358 on the eastern seawall at the entrance to Lono Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues towards Point 358 across the mouth of the harbor until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward around L[amacr]`au Point, and then continues north until it reaches the intersection of the shoreline with the line segment between Point 359 and Point 360 at `[Imacr]lio Point on the NW tip of Moloka`i. From this intersection the boundary continues seaward to Point 361 west of `[Imacr]lio Point. The landward sanctuary boundary around the island of Lana`i is the shoreline. The boundary follows the western shoreline of the island south from Keanapapa Point until it intersects the line between Point 362 and Point 363 at the breakwater north of Kaumalapau Harbor. The boundary then extends towards Point 363 south of the harbor mouth, excluding Kaumalapau Harbor from the sanctuary, until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Palaoa Point and then east until it intersects the line between Point 364 and Point 365 at the SE breakwater of Manele Small Boat Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor towards Point 365 until it intersects the shoreline again at the NE breakwater, excluding Manele Small Boat Harbor from the sanctuary. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline of Lana'i to the NE around Kikoa Point and continues counterclockwise around the island back to Keanapapa Point. [(1) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath adjoining the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, including Penguin Bank, but excluding the area within three nautical miles of the upper reaches of the wash of the waves on the shore of Kahoolawe Island; (2) To the deep water area of Pailolo Channel from Cape Halawa, Molokai, to Nakalele Point, Maui, and southward; [[Page 16232]] (3) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath around the island of Hawaii; (4) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath from Kailiu Point eastward to Makahuena Point, Kauai; and (5) To the 100-fathom (183 meter) isobath from Puaena Point eastward to Mahie Point, and from the Ala Wai Canal eastward to Makapuu Point, Oahu. Excluded from the Sanctuary boundary are the following commercial ports and small boat harbors: Hawaii (Big Island) Hilo Harbor Honokohau Boat Harbor Kawaihae Boat Harbor & Small Boat Basin Keauhou Bay Oahu Ala Wai Small Boat Basin Kauai Hanamaulu Bay Nawiliwili Harbor Lanai Kaumalapau Harbor Manele Harbor Maui Kahului Harbor Lahaina Boat Harbor Maalaea Boat Harbor Molokai Hale o Lono Harbor Kaunakakai Harbor As specified at sections 2305(b) of the HINMSA, on January 1, 1996, the area of the marine environment within 3 nautical miles of the upper reaches of the wash of the waves on the shore of Kahoolawe Island was to become part of the Sanctuary, unless during the 3 month period immediately preceding January 1, 1996, the Secretary certified in writing to Congress that the area was not suitable for inclusion in the Sanctuary. The Secretary made such a certification in December 1995. As such, the waters surrounding Kahoolawe are not included in the Sanctuary. The HINMSA was amended in 1996 to allow the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to request inclusion of the marine waters three miles from Kahoolawe in the Sanctuary. Upon receiving a request from the KIRC, should NOAA determine that Kahoolawe waters may be suitable for inclusion in the Sanctuary, NOAA will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement, management plan, and implementing regulations for that inclusion. This process will include the opportunity for public comment. Further, the Governor would have the opportunity to certify his or her objection to the inclusion, or any term of that inclusion, and if this occurs, the inclusion or term will not take effect.] ARTICLE III. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA THAT GIVE IT PARTICULAR VALUE The Hawaiian Islands comprise an archipelago which consist of eight major islands and 124 minor islands, with a total land area of 6,471 [6,423] square miles, and a general coastline of 750 miles. The central North Pacific stock of endangered humpback whales, the largest of the three North Pacific stocks, estimated to be at approximately 50[10]% of its pre-whaling abundance, uses the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands for reproductive activities including breeding, calving and nursing. The warm, calm waters around the main Hawaiian Islands provide protective environments required for such activities. Of the known wintering and summering areas in the North Pacific used by humpback whales, the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands maintain the largest seasonally-resident population; approximately 12,000 to 16,000 [2,000 to 3,000] humpback whales use these waters. The proximity to shore helps support an active commercial whalewatch industry, which is supported annually by millions of visitors who either directly or indirectly enjoy the Sanctuary waters. In sections 2302 (1) and (4) of the HINMSA, Congressional findings state that ``many of the diverse marine resources and ecosystems within the Western Pacific region are of national significance,'' and ``the marine environment adjacent to and between the Hawaiian Islands is a diverse and unique subtropical marine ecosystem.'' In addition, Congress found that the Sanctuary could be expanded to include other marine resources of national significance. The waters around the Hawaiian Islands contain 24 other species of cetaceans, the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal, three species of sea turtles and many other marine species endemic to this environment. Coastal Hawaiian waters also support spectacular coral reef ecosystems which provide local people with an abundant source of fish and are a popular dive destination for visitors worldwide. These waters also contain a number of cultural/historical resources, including those reflecting native Hawaiian traditions and uses. ARTICLE IV. SCOPE OF REGULATIONS Section 1. Activities Subject to Regulation. In order to implement the Sanctuary designation, the following activities may be regulated [are subject to regulation] to the extent necessary [and reasonable] to ensure the protection and management of the characteristics and values of the Sanctuary described above [; primarily the protection and management of humpback whales and their Sanctuary habitat. Regulation may include governing the method, location, and times of conducting the activity, and prohibition of the activity, after public notice and an opportunity to comment. If a type of activity is not listed it may not be regulated, except on an emergency basis, unless Section 1 of Article IV is amended by the procedures outlined in section 304(a) of the NMSA. Such activities are]: a. Taking or otherwise damaging natural resources; [a. Approaching, or causing another vessel or object to approach, by any means a humpback whale in the Sanctuary;] b. [Flying over a humpback whale in the Sanctuary in any type of aircraft except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or runway; c.] Discharging or depositing any substance; [, from within or from beyond the boundary of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter into, or that enters or could enter the Sanctuary, without, or not in compliance with, the terms or conditions of a required, valid Federal or State permit, license, lease or other authorization;] c. Disturbing the benthic community; d. Removing or otherwise harming cultural or historical resources; e. Operating a vessel; f. Moving, removing, or tampering with any sign or other Sanctuary property; g. Introducing or otherwise releasing an introduced species. [d. Drilling into, dredging or otherwise altering the seabed of the Sanctuary; or constructing, placing or abandoning any structure, material or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary without, or not in compliance with, the terms or conditions of a required, valid Federal or State permit, license, lease or other authorization; e. Taking, removing, moving, catching, collecting, harvesting, feeding, injuring, destroying or causing the loss of, or attempting to take, remove, move, catch, collect, harvest, feed, injure, destroy or cause the loss of any humpback whale or humpback whale habitat; f. Possessing within the Sanctuary a humpback whale or part thereof regardless of where taken, removed, moved, caught, collected or harvested; and g. Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized [[Page 16233]] property in connection with enforcement of the HINMSA or NMSA or any regulation or permit issued under the HINMSA or NMSA.] Section 2. Emergencies. Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a Sanctuary resource or quality; or minimize the imminent risk of such destruction, loss or injury, any activity, including those not listed in Section 1 of this Article, is subject to immediate temporary regulation, including prohibition. If such a situation arises, the Director of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries [Ocean and Coastal Resource Management] or his or her designee shall seek to notify and consult to the extent practicable with any relevant Federal agency and the Governor of the State of [Hawaii] Hawai`i. ARTICLE V. EFFECT ON LEASES, PERMITS, LICENSES, AND RIGHTS Pursuant to section 304(c)(1) of the NMSA, 16 U.S.C. 1434(c)(1), no valid lease, permit, license, approval or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction, or any right of subsistence use or access, may be terminated by the Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee, as a result of this designation, or as a result of any Sanctuary regulation, if such authorization or right was in existence on the effective date of Sanctuary designation (November 4, 1992). ARTICLE VI. ALTERATION OF THIS DESIGNATION The terms of designation, as defined under section 304(a) of the NMSA, may be modified only by the procedures outlined in section 304(a) of the NMSA, including public hearings, consultation with interested Federal, State, and county agencies, review by the appropriate Congressional committees, and review and non-objection by the Governor of the State of [Hawaii] Hawai`i, and approval by the Secretary of Commerce, or his or her designee. HAWAIIAN ISLANDS [HUMPBACK WHALE] NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY--N[Amacr] KAI `EWALU BOUNDARY COORDINATES Appendix A to subpart Q, part 922, 15 CFR sets forth the precise boundary coordinates for the Sanctuary. IV. Classification National Environmental Policy Act NOAA has prepared a draft environmental impact statement to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed rulemaking. Copies are available at the address and Web site listed in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. Responses to comments received on this proposed rule will be published in the final environmental impact statement and preamble to the final rule. Coastal Zone Management Act Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA; 16 U.S.C. 1456) requires Federal agencies to consult with a state's coastal program on potential Federal regulations having an effect on state waters. Because the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary encompasses a portion of the Hawai`i State waters, NOAA intends to submit a copy of this proposed rule and supporting documents to the State of Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Program for evaluation of Federal consistency under the CZMA. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Impact This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. Executive Order 13132: Federalism Assessment NOAA has concluded that this regulatory action does not have federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a federalism assessment under Executive Order 13132. National Historic Preservation Act The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) is intended to preserve historical and archaeological sites in the United States of America. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, and the State Historic Preservation Offices. Section 106 of the NHPA requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties, and afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) a reasonable opportunity to comment. The historic preservation review process mandated by Section 106 is outlined in regulations issued by ACHP (36 CFR 800). In coordinating its responsibilities under the NHPA, NOAA has solicited for and identified consulting parties, and will complete the identification of historic properties and the assessment of the effects of the undertaking on such properties in scheduled consultations with those identified parties. By this notice NOAA seeks to solicit public input, particularly in regard to the identification of historic properties within the proposed areas of potential effect. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.16(1)(1), historic properties includes: ``any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. The term includes artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within such properties. The term includes properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that meet the National Register criteria.'' Regulatory Flexibility Act The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows: The SBA has established thresholds on the designation of businesses as ``small entities''. A fish-harvesting business is considered a small business if it has annual receipts not in excess of $3.5 million (13 CFR 121.201). Sports and recreation businesses and scenic and sightseeing transportation businesses are considered small businesses if they have annual receipts not in excess of $6 million (13 CFR 121.201). According to these limits, each of the businesses potentially affected by the proposed rule, except those in the commercial marine transportation and submarine cable installation businesses would most likely be small businesses. The analysis presented here is based on limited quantitative information on how much activity occurs within the boundaries of the proposed expansion areas for HIHWNMS, except for commercial fishing operations. Methodology. Due to the lack of quantitative data on the number of businesses directly affected by the proposed regulations and their levels of revenues, costs and profits from their activities in the HIHWNMS expansion area, the assessment here is qualitative. NOAA analyzed four regulatory alternatives (identified as Alternatives 1-4 in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement). User groups that entail small businesses included commercial fishing operation and recreation-tourism related businesses. Other user groups included in the full regulatory impact review in the DEIS and not included here are research and education, people who receive passive economic use value [[Page 16234]] from improvements in natural resource qualities/quantities, businesses in offshore energy (namely submarine cable installation) and those firms involved in marine transportation. Firms involved in offshore energy and marine transportation directly affected by the proposed regulations were judged not to be small businesses. NOAA assessed two types of regulations included in the proposed action (discharges and submerged lands--seabed alterations), which are only proposed to apply to three areas called Special Sanctuary Management Areas (SSMAs) within the HIHWNMS. NOAA also analyzed the impact of all regulations combined. Submarine cable regulations addressed in the full regulatory impact review are not discussed here since that industry is judged not to involve small businesses. Discharge Regulations. Under the proposed rule, NOAA would prohibit discharging or depositing any material or matter into the three SSMAs, with an exception for treated biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use. Many commercial vessels affected by the proposed regulations are expected to belong to commercial fishing operations and businesses involved in providing guide services in the recreation tourism industry (e.g. charter and party boat fishing operations and whale-watching or other wildlife observation or guide businesses). Boats are already prohibited from discharging untreated effluent in state waters under state law. Of the three proposed Special Sanctuary Management Areas, Penguin Bank and Maui Nui are active commercial fishing grounds. According to Vessel Management System (VMS) data, only 68 commercial fishing vessels entered the Special Sanctuary Management Areas in the last year. There are 42 permitted commercial boats operating out of Lahaina and all of these boats are using the federal waters of Maui Nui. This information is generally consistent with the information compiled during the Ocean Etiquette trainings and the USCG Marine Safety Office inventory for Maui. Based on a 2012 survey conducted by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, there were roughly 170 active charter boat operations in the main Hawai`i Islands, with roughly 100 of these operating out of the big island of Hawai`i. Roughly 55 boats were based in Maui and O`ahu, the islands adjacent to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. The average charter boat length in Maui and O`ahu was 40 feet and 39 feet, respectively. Additionally, 99 active tour vessels operate out of Maui County, of which 55 are whale-watching operations. These larger vessels carry dozens of passengers and are typically equipped with a Coast Guard certified Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) that, if properly used, is compliant with the proposed treatment requirement in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. At a minimum, most of the commercial operators have holding tanks. There are pump out stations in the major harbors of the Maui Nui area (Lahaina and M[amacr]`alaea), which ensures ease of compliance for boats that only have a holding tank. Furthermore, some tour operators have retrofitted their boats to increase the holding capacity and eliminate the need for discharging at sea. Taking into account all of the above information, including the relatively modest total number of vessels operating in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas and the high proportion of vessels already equipped with compliant marine sanitation devices, NOAA expects there to be negligible costs from these new regulations. NOAA expects both the commercial fishing industry and the recreation-tourism industry to receive moderate net benefits from these regulations in the form of improved habitat qualities, which would likely result in increased fish stocks for commercial and recreational fishing. In addition, NOAA expects that the resulting improved habitat qualities would benefit the recreation-tourism industry, which depends upon a healthy and thriving sanctuary ecosystem to support its business. Thus, NOAA expects that the commercial fishing and recreation-tourism industries would experience a net benefit from the discharge regulations. NOAA expects the proposed action to generate a mid-range level of costs with a mid-range level of net benefits compared with all other regulatory alternatives. Land use and development businesses would not be directly affected by the discharge regulations. NOAA invites public comments from small business owners and members of the public potentially affected by the new discharge regulations to better understand and assess any impact of these proposed regulations. Submerged lands -- Seabed Alteration Regulations. Regulations prohibiting disturbances of the seabed in Special Sanctuary Management Areas would impact the commercial fishing industry and the recreation tourism industry. NOAA expects these industries to receive moderate net benefits from these regulations because of the improvement or maintenance of habitat qualities that these industries depend upon. NOAA also expects businesses in these industries to experience negligible increases in costs of operations because there is no significant anchoring activity in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. Because of the exceptions, permit, and authorization processes in the proposed action, which may allow for some activities that disturb the seabed, including a proposed submarine cable installation, costs would be expected to be in the mid-range of costs across all alternatives. All other regulatory amendments to the HIHWNMS regulations proposed in this rulemaking are either technical changes or are not expected to have any measurable impact, economic or otherwise, on the resources and businesses operating in and near the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. Because this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, no initial regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared. Because the impacts of this proposed rule on commercial fishing, recreational tourism, and land use and development businesses are minimal, the Chief Counsel for Regulation certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at SBA that this rulemaking would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Paperwork Reduction Act ONMS has a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number (0648-0141) for the collection of public information related to the processing of ONMS permits across the National Marine Sanctuary System. NOAA's proposal to expand HIHWNMS would likely result in an increase in the number of requests for ONMS general permits, special use permits, and authorizations since this action proposes to add general permits and special use permits, certifications, appeals, and the authority to authorize other valid federal, state, or local leases, permits, licenses, approvals, or other authorizations. An increase in the number of ONMS permit requests would require a change to the reporting burden certified for OMB control number 0648-0141. An update to this control number for the processing of ONMS permits would be requested as part of the final rule for sanctuary expansion. Nationwide, NOAA issues approximately 200 national marine sanctuary permits each year. Of this amount, HIWHNMS is expected to add [[Page 16235]] 4 to 5 permit requests per year. The public reporting burden for national marine sanctuaries permits is estimated to average 1.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate for this data collection requirement, or any other aspect of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NOAA (see ADDRESSES) and by email to 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. V. Request for Comments NOAA requests comments on this proposed rule for by June 19, 2015. VI. References A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon request (see ADDRESSES section). List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 922 Administrative practice and procedure, Coastal zone, Historic preservation, Intergovernmental relations, Marine resources, Natural resources, Penalties, Recreation and recreation areas, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife. Dated: March 13, 2015. W. Russell Callender, Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. Accordingly, for the reasons discussed in the preamble, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposes to amend 15 CFR part 922 as follows: PART 922--NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS 0 1. Revise subpart Q to read as follows: Subpart Q--Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu Contents Sec. 922.180 Purpose. Sec. 922.181 Boundary. Sec. 922.182 Definitions. Sec. 922.183 Allowed activities. Sec. 922.184 Prohibited activities. Sec. 922.185 Emergency regulations. Sec. 922.186 Penalties; appeals. Sec. 922.187 Interagency cooperation. Sec. 922.188 Permit procedures and review criteria. Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 922--Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu Boundary Description and Coordinates of the Lateral Boundary Closures and Excluded Areas. Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 922--Special Sanctuary Management Area Boundaries. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. and subtitle C, title II, Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5055. Subpart Q--Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu Sec. 922.180 Purpose. (a) The purpose of the regulations in this subpart is to implement the designation of the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary-- N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu by regulating activities affecting the resources of the Sanctuary or any of the qualities, values, or purposes, for which the Sanctuary was designated, in order to protect, preserve, and manage the conservation, ecological, recreational, research, educational, historical, cultural, and aesthetic resources and qualities of the area. The regulations are intended to supplement and complement existing regulatory authorities; and to facilitate all public and private uses of the Sanctuary, to the extent compatible with the primary objective of an ecosystem-based management approach that is inclusive of all aspects of the marine ecosystem emphasizing the biological, physical, and human components of a healthy marine environment, including protecting the humpback whale and its habitat, that are essential components of the marine ecosystem. Public and private uses of the Sanctuary include, but are not limited to, uses of Hawaiian natives customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural, and religious purposes; as well as education, research, recreation, commercial and military activities; to reduce conflicts between compatible uses; to maintain, restore, and enhance the humpback whale and other protected species and their habitat; to contribute to the maintenance of natural assemblages of humpback whales and other protected species for future generations; more specifically to provide a place for humpback whales that are dependent on their Hawaiian Islands wintering habitat for reproductive activities, including breeding, calving, and nursing, and for the long-term survival of their species; and to achieve the other purposes and policies of the HINMSA and NMSA. (b) These regulations may be modified to fulfill the Secretary's responsibilities for the Sanctuary, including the provision for additional protections of the Sanctuary ecosystem resources including for humpback whales and their habitat, as reasonably necessary, and the conservation and management of other marine resources, qualities and ecosystems of the Sanctuary determined to be of national significance. The Secretary shall consult with the Governor of the State of Hawai`i on any modifications to the regulations contained in this part that pertain to State of Hawai`i waters. For any modification of the regulations contained in this part that would contribute a change in a term of designation, as contained in the Designation Document for the Sanctuary, the Secretary shall follow the applicable requirements of section 303 and 304 of the NMSA, and sections 2305 and 2306 of the HINMSA. (c) Section 304(e) of the NMSA requires the Secretary to review management plans and regulations every five years, and make necessary revisions. Upon completion of the five year review of the Sanctuary management plan and regulations, the Secretary will repropose the Sanctuary management plan and regulations in their entirety with any proposed changes thereto. The Governor of the State of Hawai`i will have the opportunity to review the re-proposed management plan and regulations before they take effect and if the Governor certifies any term or terms of such management plan or regulations as unacceptable, the unacceptable term or terms will not take effect in State waters of the Sanctuary. Sec. 922.181 Boundary. (a) The Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu (sanctuary) encompasses an area of approximately 1,224 square nautical miles (1,621 square miles) of coastal and ocean waters, and submerged lands thereunder, cutting across the mouths of rivers and streams, surrounding the populated Hawaii Islands as described below. The precise boundary coordinates are listed in Appendix A to this subpart. (1) O`ahu: The sanctuary boundary on the southern shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A1 and the following textual description. The boundary begins ENE of Makapu`u Point roughly 3.2 nautical miles offshore at Point 1. It approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line extending first clockwise to the SE., then to the SW., and finally to the west to Point 68 in numerical order. From Point 68 the boundary extends NE [[Page 16236]] towards Point 69 until it intersects the tip of the Kapahulu Groin. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 70 until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary then follows the shoreline eastward around Diamondhead Crater and Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 71 and Point 72 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 72 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline eastward until it intersects the line segment between Point 73 and Point 74 at the eastern entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 74 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline south around Koko Head and then northward around Pai`olu`olu Point, into Hanauma Bay and then back out and around Palea Point. The boundary then continues to follow the shoreline to the NE until it intersects the line between Point 75 and Point 76 at Makapu`u Point. From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the NE to Point 76. The sanctuary boundary on the North Shore of O`ahu is defined by the coordinates provided in table A2 and the following textual description. The boundary extends from Point 1, located roughly 3.3 nautical miles NW of Ali`i Beach Park in Hale`iwa, approximating the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line first to the NE and then to the SE to Point 60 in numerical order roughly 2.5 nautical miles NE of M[amacr]hie Point. The eastern edge of the sanctuary extends SW from Point 60 towards Point 61 at M[amacr]hie Point (aka Makahonu Point) until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the NW around Kahuku Point and then to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 62 and Point 63 at the eastern breakwater protecting Haleiwa Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 63 and the western breakwater until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the SW until it intersects the line segment between Point 64 and Point 65 at the southwestern end of Ali`i Beach Park. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends seaward to the NW to Point 65. (2) Hawai`i: The sanctuary boundary of Hawai`i Island is defined by the coordinates provided in table A3 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore roughly 0.5 nautical miles west of Ke[amacr]hole Point at Point 1, and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line as it extends northward to Point 102 in numerical order. The northeastern edge of the sanctuary boundary extends from Point 102 south towards Point 103 on the northern tip of `Upolu point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection, the boundary extends west and then south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 104 and Point 105 to the north of Kawaihae Harbor. Kawaihae Harbor is excluded from the sanctuary so the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor from this intersection towards Point 105 on the outer breakwater of Kawaihae Harbor until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues south along the shoreline until it intersects the line segment between Point 106 and Point 107 at the westernmost tip of Hawai`i Island (Ke[amacr]hole Point), west of the southern end of Kona Airport. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward approximately 0.5 nautical miles west to Point 107. (3) Ni`ihau: The sanctuary boundary around the island of Ni`ihau (including Lehua Island) is defined by the coordinates provided in table A4 and the following textual description. The landward boundary of Ni`ihau and Lehua is the shoreline. The seaward boundary of Ni`ihau and Lehua is approximately three nautical miles from the shoreline and extends around the islands from Points 1 to 60 in numerical order. (4) Kaua`i: The sanctuary boundary off the north coast of Kaua`i is defined by the coordinates in table A5 and the following textual description. The boundary begins offshore nearly 3.3 nautical miles WNW of Ka`[imacr]lio Point at Point 1 and approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meters) isobath line as it extends eastward in numerical order to Point 59, approximately 1.5 nautical miles NE of Kepuhi point at roughly the Pila`a/Waipake ahupua`a boundary. The eastern edge of the sanctuary boundary then extends SW from Point 59 towards Point 60 on Kepuhi Point until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the sanctuary boundary extends westward along the shoreline of the north coast of Kaua`i, and then continues to follow the shoreline as it extends southward along the eastern shore of Hanalei Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 61 and Point 62 at approximately the mouth of the Hanalei River. From this intersection the boundary extends towards Point 62 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Hanalei Bay and then westward around Ka`ilio Point until it intersects the line between Point 63 and Point 64 at approximately the boundary of the Ha`ena/Hanak[amacr]pi`ai ahupua`a NE of Hanak[amacr]pi`ai beach. From this intersection, the boundary extends seaward to the WNW to Point 64. (5) Maui Nui: The sanctuary boundary of Maui Nui between the islands of Moloka`i, Lana'i, and Maui is defined by the coordinates in table A6 and the following textual description. The boundary begins roughly 3.5 nautical miles west of `[Imacr]lio Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1. The boundary approximates the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line to the west and south around Penguin Bank and then back to the north and east following the coordinates in numerical order across Kalohi Channel to Point 196 to the NE of Kaena on Lana`i. The boundary then continues to approximate the 100-fathom (182.8 meter) isobath line south around Lana'i and then east crossing the Kealaikahiki Channel and continuing between Kaho`olawe and Molokini to the SE to Point 341 in numerical order roughly 2.2 nautical miles WSW of Hanamanioa Light on the southern shore of Maui. The boundary then continues ENE towards Point 342 until it intersects the shoreline near the Hanamanioa Light. At this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline northward to M[amacr]`alaea Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 343 and Point 344 at the eastern breakwater of the entrance to M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues toward Point 344 until it intersects the shoreline at the western breakwater of M[amacr]`alaea Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline SW around McGregor and Papawai Points and then to the NW until it reaches Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. The boundary continues along the shoreline of the outer breakwater of Lahaina Small Boat Harbor until it reaches the northern tip at the intersection of the shoreline and a line between points 345 and 346. From this intersection the boundary extends offshore to the NNW for approximately 25 meters to point 346. The boundary then heads WNW towards point 347 until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary then continues to follow the shoreline northward until it intersects the line [[Page 16237]] between Point 348 and Point 349 at Lipoa Point on the NW tip of Maui. From this intersection the boundary continues to the NNW across the Pailolo Channel through Point 349 and Point 350 to the intersection of the line segment between Point 351 and Point 352 and the shoreline at Cape Halawa on the NE tip of Molokai. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline to the SW and then westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 353 and Point 354 east of Kaunakakai Pier. From this intersection the boundary then continues offshore through Point 354 and Point 355 and towards Point 356 to the west of Kaunakakai Pier until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 357 and Point 358 on the eastern seawall at the entrance to Lono Harbor. From this intersection the boundary continues towards Point 358 across the mouth of the harbor until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline westward around L[amacr]`au Point, and then continues north until it reaches the intersection of the shoreline with the line segment between Point 359 and Point 360 at `[Imacr]lio Point on the NW tip of Moloka`i. From this intersection the boundary continues seaward to Point 361 west of `[Imacr]lio Point. The landward sanctuary boundary around the island of Lana`i is the shoreline. The boundary follows the western shoreline of the island south from Keanapapa Point until it intersects the line between Point 362 and Point 363 at the breakwater north of Kaumalapau Harbor. The boundary then extends towards Point 363 south of the harbor mouth, excluding Kaumalapau Harbor from the sanctuary, until it intersects the shoreline again. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline south around Palaoa Point and then east until it intersects the line between Point 364 and Point 365 at the SE breakwater of Manele Small Boat Harbor. From this intersection the boundary extends across the mouth of the harbor towards Point 365 until it intersects the shoreline again at the NE breakwater, excluding Manele Small Boat Harbor from the sanctuary. From this intersection the boundary continues to follow the shoreline of Lana'i to the NE around Kikoa Point and continues counterclockwise around the island back to Keanapapa Point. Sec. 922.182 Definitions. Other terms appearing in this subpart are defined at 15 CFR 922.3, and/or in the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. Acts means the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA; sections 2301-2307 of Pub. L. 102-587), and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA; also known as Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.). Adverse impact means an impact that independently or cumulatively damages, diminishes, degrades, impairs, destroys, or otherwise harms. Alteration of the seabed means drilling into, dredging, or otherwise altering a natural physical characteristic of the seabed of the Sanctuary; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary. Coral means but is not limited to species of the Phylum Cnidaria, including all species in the: Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia (stony corals); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Antipatharia (black corals); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Zoantharia, Family Parazoanthidae (gold coral); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Alcyonacea (soft corals, bamboo coral, pink coral); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Gorgonacea (gorgoneans); Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Order Pennatulacea (sea pens); Class Hydrozoa, Subclass Hydroidolina, Order Anthoathecata, Suborder Filifera, Family Stylasteridae (stylasterids) Introduced Species means any species (including, but not limited to, any of its biological matter capable of propagation) that is non- native to the ecosystems of the Sanctuary; or any organism into which altered genetic matter, or genetic matter from another species, has been transferred in order that the host organism acquires the genetic traits of the transferred genes. Live Rock means any Coral, basalt rock, or other natural structure with any living organisms growing in or on the Coral, basalt rock, or structure. Military activities means those military activities conducted by or under the auspices of the Department of Defense and any combined military activities carried out by the Department of Defense and the military forces of a foreign nation. Sanctuary means the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary-- N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu. Special Sanctuary Management Areas means discrete, biologically and/or culturally important areas that help sustain critical marine species and habitats. Shoreline means the upper reaches of the wash of the waves, other than storm or seismic waves, at high tide during the season of the year in which the highest wash of the waves occurs, usually evidenced by the edge of vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves. Take or taking a humpback whale means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect or injure a humpback whale, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. The term includes, but is not limited to, any of the following activities: collecting any dead or injured humpback whale, or any part thereof; restraining or detaining any humpback whale, or any part thereof, no matter how temporarily; tagging any humpback whale; operating a vessel or aircraft or doing any other act that results in the disturbing or molesting of any humpback whale. Sec. 922.183 Allowed activities. (a) All activities except those prohibited by Sec. 922.184 may be undertaken in the Sanctuary subject to any emergency regulations promulgated pursuant to Sec. 922.185, subject to the interagency cooperation provisions of section 304(d) of the NMSA [16 U.S.C. 1434(d)] and Sec. 922.187 of this subpart, and subject to the liability established by section 312 of the NMSA and Sec. 922.46 of this part. All activities are also subject to all prohibitions, restrictions, and conditions validly imposed by any other Federal, State, or county authority of competent jurisdiction. (b) Included as activities allowed under the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this section are all classes of military activities, internal or external to the Sanctuary, that are being or have been conducted before the effective date of these regulations, as identified in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Management Plan. Paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of Sec. 922.184 do not apply to these classes of activities, nor are these activities subject to further consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA. (c) Military activities proposed after the effective date of these regulations are also included as allowed activities under the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this Sec. 922.183. Paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of Sec. 922.184 apply to these classes of activities unless-- [[Page 16238]] (1) They are not subject to consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec. 922.187 of this subpart, or (2) Upon consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec. 922.187 of this subpart, NOAA's findings and recommendations include a statement that paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(11) of Sec. 922.184 do not apply to the military activity. (d) If a military activity described in paragraphs (b) or (c)(2) of this section is modified such that it is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a Sanctuary resource in a manner significantly greater than was considered in a previous consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec. 922.187 of this subpart, or if the modified activity is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any Sanctuary resource not considered in a previous consultation under section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec. 922.187 of this subpart, the modified activity will be treated as a new military activity under paragraph (c) of this section. (e) If a proposed military activity subject to section 304(d) of the NMSA and Sec. 922.187 of this subpart is necessary to respond to an emergency situation and the Secretary of Defense determines in writing that failure to undertake the proposed activity during the period of consultation would impair the national defense, the Secretary of the military department concerned may request the Director that the activity proceed during consultation. If the Director denies such a request, the Secretary of the military department concerned may decide to proceed with the activity. In such case, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall provide the Director with a written statement describing the effects of the activity on Sanctuary resources once the activity is completed. Sec. 922.184 Prohibited activities. (a) The following activities are prohibited and thus unlawful for any person to conduct or cause to be conducted. (1)(i) Approaching in the Sanctuary, by any means, including by interception (e.g. by placing a vessel or person in the path of an oncoming humpback whale so that the whale surfaces within 100 yards (91.4m) of the vessel or person), within 100 yards (91.4 m) of any humpback whale; (ii) Causing a vessel or other object to approach within 100 yards (91.4 m) of a humpback whale; (iii) Disrupting the normal behavior or prior activity of a whale by any other act or omission. A disruption of normal behavior may be manifested by, among other actions on the part of the whale, a rapid change in direction or speed; escape tactics such as prolonged diving, underwater course changes, underwater exhalation, or evasive swimming patterns; interruptions of breeding, nursing, or resting activities, attempts by a whale to shield a calf from a vessel or human observer by tail swishing or by other protective movement; or the abandonment of a previously frequented area; (iv) Exceptions: This paragraph (a)(1) does not apply to any approach is authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service through a permit issued under 50 CFR part 222, subpart C, General Permit Procedures or through a similar authorization; (2) Operating any aircraft above the Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or runway, or as authorized under the MMPA and the ESA; (3)(i) Taking or possessing any humpback whales within the Sanctuary except as authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), or the Endangered Species Act (ESA; (ii) Taking or possessing any marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, Endangered Species Act-listed species or Hawai`i Revised Statutes chapter 195D listed species, within or above the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except as authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA); the Endangered Species Act (ESA); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA); the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; or Hawai`i State Law. (4) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter in the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except: (i) Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or resulting from lawful fishing activities within the Sanctuary, provided that such discharge or deposit is during the conduct of lawful fishing activities within the Sanctuary; (ii) Biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use and generated by Type I and II marine sanitation devices approved in accordance with section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act33 U.S.C. 1322; (iii) Water generated by routine vessel operations (e.g., cooling water, deck wash down, and gray water as defined by section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act33 U.S.C. 1322) excluding oily wastes from bilge pumping; (iv) Engine exhaust; or (v) Discharge of biodegradable materials for traditional ceremonies associated with culturally important customs and usage (e.g. the discharge of leis, paper lanterns). (5) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter outside of the Special Sanctuary Management Areas if the discharge or deposit subsequently enters and injures a sanctuary resource within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. (6) Dredging, drilling into, or otherwise altering in any way the submerged lands (including natural bottom formations, live rock and coral) within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except: (i) To anchor a vessel on sandy bottom or substrate other than live rock or coral; (ii) Routine maintenance of docks, seawalls, breakwaters, jetties, or piers authorized by any valid lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction; (iii) Installation and maintenance of navigational aids by, or pursuant to valid authorization by, any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction; (iv) Activities associated with conducting harbor maintenance in accordance with a federal or state permit issued prior to [EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE], including dredging of entrance channels during the time period of one year from the [final rule effective date]; (v) Aquaculture activities authorized under a permit issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the State of Hawai`i Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or the National Marine Fisheries Service pursuant to applicable regulations under the appropriate fisheries management plan. (vi) Lawful fishing activities authorized under a permit issued by the State of Hawai`i or the National Marine Fisheries Service pursuant to applicable regulations under the appropriate fisheries management plan. (7) Possessing or using explosives within the Special Sanctuary Management Areas, except for valid law enforcement purposes. (8) Introducing or otherwise releasing from within or into the Special Sanctuary Management Areas an introduced species, except species cultivated by aquaculture activities in state or federal waters pursuant to a valid lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by the State of Hawai`i Department of Natural Resources, or the National Marine Fisheries Service in effect on the effective date of the final regulation. [[Page 16239]] (9) Removing, damaging, or tampering with any historical or cultural resource within the sanctuary. (10) Marking, defacing, or damaging in any way, or displacing or removing or tampering with any signs, notices, or placards, whether temporary or permanent, or with any monuments, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers related to the Sanctuary including boundary markers related to the Special Sanctuary Management Areas. (11) Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized property in connection with enforcement of either of the Acts or any regulations issued under either of the Acts. (b) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to activities necessary to respond to emergencies threatening life, property or the environment; or to activities necessary for valid law enforcement purposes. However, while such activities are not subject to paragraphs (a)(1) through (11) of this section, this paragraph (b) does not exempt the activity from the underlying prohibition or restriction under other applicable laws and regulations (e.g., MMPA, ESA, and CWA). (c)(1) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any activity authorized by any lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization issued after the effective date of regulatory amendments to this section and issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction, provided that the applicant complies with 15 CFR 922.49, the Director notifies the applicant and authorizing agency that he or she does not object to issuance of the authorization, and the applicant complies with any terms and conditions the Director deems necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities. (2) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to activities associated with harbor maintenance including dredging of entrance channels, provided the applicant requests an authorization of a valid federal or state permit from the Director. (d) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any activity conducted in accordance with a general permit issued pursuant to Sec. 922.188. Sec. 922.185 Emergency regulations. Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a Sanctuary resource, or to minimize the imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or injury, any and all activities are subject to immediate temporary regulation, including prohibition. Before issuance of such regulations the Director shall consult to the extent practicable with any relevant Federal agency and the Governor of the State of Hawai`i. Emergency regulations shall not take effect in State waters of the Sanctuary until approved by the Governor of Hawai`i. Sec. 922.186 Penalties; appeals. (a) Pursuant to section 307 of the NMSA, each violation of either of the Acts, or any regulation in this subpart is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000. Each such violation is subject to forfeiture of property or Sanctuary resources seized in accordance with section 307 of the NMSA. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation. (b) Regulations setting forth the procedures governing the administrative proceedings for assessment of civil penalties for enforcement reasons, issuance and use of written warnings, and release or forfeiture of seized property appear at 15 CFR part 904. (c) A person subject to an action taken for enforcement reasons for violation of these regulations or either of the Acts may appeal pursuant to the applicable procedures in 15 CFR part 904. Sec. 922.187 Interagency cooperation. Under section 304(d) of the NMSA, Federal agency actions internal or external to a national marine sanctuary, including private activities authorized by licenses, leases, or permits, that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource are subject to consultation with the Director. The Federal agency proposing an action shall determine whether the activity is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a Sanctuary resource. To the extent practicable, consultation procedures under section 304(d) of the NMSA may be consolidated with interagency cooperation procedures required by other statutes, such as the ESA. The Director will attempt to provide coordinated review and analysis of all environmental requirements. Sec. 922.188 Permit procedures and review criteria. (a) Authority to issue general permits. The Director may allow a person to conduct an activity that would otherwise be prohibited by this subpart, through issuance of a general permit, provided the applicant complies with: (1) The provisions of subpart E; and (2) The relevant site specific regulations appearing in this subpart. (b) Sanctuary general permit categories. The Director may issue a sanctuary general permit under this subpart, subject to such terms and conditions as he or she deems appropriate, if the Director finds that the proposed activity falls within one of the following categories: (1) Research--activities that constitute scientific research on or scientific monitoring of national marine sanctuary resources or qualities; (2) Education--activities that enhance public awareness, understanding, or appreciation of a national marine sanctuary or national marine sanctuary resources or qualities; (3) Management--activities that assist in managing a national marine sanctuary; or (4) Installation of submarine cables--activities that involve the installation of a submarine cable (c) Review criteria. The Director shall not issue a permit under this subpart, unless he or she also finds that: (1) The proposed activity will be conducted in a manner compatible with the primary objective of protection of national marine sanctuary resources and qualities, taking into account the following factors: (i) The extent to which the conduct of the activity may diminish or enhance national marine sanctuary resources and qualities; and (ii) Any indirect, secondary or cumulative effects of the activity. (2) It is necessary to conduct the proposed activity within the national marine sanctuary to achieve its stated purpose; (3) The methods and procedures proposed by the applicant are appropriate to achieve the proposed activity's stated purpose and eliminate, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on sanctuary resources and qualities as much as possible; (4) The duration of the proposed activity and its effects are no longer than necessary to achieve the activity's stated purpose; (5) The expected end value of the activity to the furtherance of national marine sanctuary goals and purposes outweighs any potential adverse impacts on sanctuary resources and qualities from the conduct of the activity; (6) The applicant is professionally qualified to conduct and complete the proposed activity; (7) The applicant has adequate financial resources available to conduct and complete the proposed activity and terms and conditions of the permit; (8) There are no other factors that would make the issuance of a permit for the activity inappropriate; and (9) For the installation of submarine cables, the activity is not required to [[Page 16240]] meet criterion in Sec. 922.188(c)(5), however, it must be compliant with all applicable permit requirements from the State of Hawai`i prior to consideration of approval for a sanctuary general permit. Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 922--Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary--N[amacr] Kai `Ewalu Boundary Description and Coordinates of the Lateral Boundary Closures and Excluded Areas Coordinates listed in this appendix are unprojected (Geographic) and based on the North American Datum of 1983. Table A1--Coordinates for O`ahu [South Unit] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 21.32908 -157.59613 2....................................... 21.32450 -157.58972 3....................................... 21.32370 -157.58183 4....................................... 21.31688 -157.57428 5....................................... 21.31280 -157.56408 6....................................... 21.30933 -157.56160 7....................................... 21.30358 -157.55573 8....................................... 21.30048 -157.55447 9....................................... 21.29697 -157.55477 10...................................... 21.29273 -157.55672 11...................................... 21.28485 -157.55673 12...................................... 21.28198 -157.55822 13...................................... 21.27330 -157.57037 14...................................... 21.26792 -157.57482 15...................................... 21.26257 -157.58341 16...................................... 21.26286 -157.58604 17...................................... 21.26233 -157.58793 18...................................... 21.25687 -157.59453 19...................................... 21.25527 -157.59808 20...................................... 21.25498 -157.60996 21...................................... 21.25599 -157.61382 22...................................... 21.25854 -157.61889 23...................................... 21.25950 -157.62353 24...................................... 21.25787 -157.62687 25...................................... 21.25896 -157.63431 26...................................... 21.25771 -157.63925 27...................................... 21.25701 -157.64764 28...................................... 21.25579 -157.65214 29...................................... 21.25488 -157.65769 30...................................... 21.25691 -157.66220 31...................................... 21.25535 -157.66722 32...................................... 21.25736 -157.67633 33...................................... 21.25591 -157.68225 34...................................... 21.25648 -157.68615 35...................................... 21.25622 -157.68892 36...................................... 21.25365 -157.69587 37...................................... 21.25401 -157.69999 38...................................... 21.25209 -157.70641 39...................................... 21.24458 -157.70903 40...................................... 21.24200 -157.70882 41...................................... 21.23830 -157.71003 42...................................... 21.23592 -157.71225 43...................................... 21.23203 -157.71399 44...................................... 21.23090 -157.71620 45...................................... 21.23209 -157.72239 46...................................... 21.23484 -157.72541 47...................................... 21.23959 -157.72534 48...................................... 21.24323 -157.72720 49...................................... 21.24570 -157.73037 50...................................... 21.24606 -157.73490 51...................................... 21.24458 -157.73833 52...................................... 21.24385 -157.74535 53...................................... 21.24427 -157.75741 54...................................... 21.24269 -157.76264 55...................................... 21.23895 -157.76426 56...................................... 21.23835 -157.76540 57...................................... 21.23856 -157.77153 58...................................... 21.23560 -157.78076 59...................................... 21.23745 -157.78753 60...................................... 21.23676 -157.79062 61...................................... 21.23317 -157.79489 62...................................... 21.23236 -157.79925 63...................................... 21.23336 -157.80369 64...................................... 21.23895 -157.81154 65...................................... 21.24343 -157.81909 66...................................... 21.24480 -157.82470 67...................................... 21.24832 -157.83465 68...................................... 21.25341 -157.84288 69 *.................................... 21.27112 -157.82373 70 *.................................... 21.27148 -157.82268 71 *.................................... 21.28530 -157.71885 72 *.................................... 21.28508 -157.71852 73 *.................................... 21.28152 -157.71197 74 *.................................... 21.28117 -157.71132 75 *.................................... 21.31080 -157.64947 76...................................... 21.32908 -157.59613 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table A2--Coordinates for O`ahu [North Unit] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 21.62572 -158.15605 2....................................... 21.62698 -158.15253 3....................................... 21.63018 -158.14882 4....................................... 21.63263 -158.14758 5....................................... 21.63618 -158.14782 6....................................... 21.63775 -158.14707 7....................................... 21.64018 -158.14055 8....................................... 21.64092 -158.13853 9....................................... 21.64902 -158.12817 10...................................... 21.65185 -158.12633 11...................................... 21.65637 -158.12540 12...................................... 21.65833 -158.12413 13...................................... 21.68600 -158.10347 14...................................... 21.69572 -158.09703 15...................................... 21.71565 -158.07783 16...................................... 21.71713 -158.07477 17...................................... 21.72210 -158.06985 18...................................... 21.72628 -158.06348 19...................................... 21.73272 -158.05730 20...................................... 21.74755 -158.02945 21...................................... 21.74943 -158.01910 22...................................... 21.75342 -158.00808 23...................................... 21.75387 -158.00223 24...................................... 21.75268 -157.99743 25...................................... 21.75442 -157.99265 26...................................... 21.75487 -157.98272 27...................................... 21.75328 -157.96552 28...................................... 21.74898 -157.94772 29...................................... 21.74438 -157.93785 30...................................... 21.74428 -157.93470 31...................................... 21.73860 -157.92523 32...................................... 21.73230 -157.90733 33...................................... 21.72945 -157.90263 34...................................... 21.72307 -157.89587 35...................................... 21.71758 -157.89490 36...................................... 21.71525 -157.89268 37...................................... 21.70803 -157.89025 38...................................... 21.70027 -157.89058 39...................................... 21.69265 -157.88755 40...................................... 21.68493 -157.88752 41...................................... 21.68057 -157.88633 42...................................... 21.67202 -157.88228 43...................................... 21.66358 -157.88037 44...................................... 21.66267 -157.87958 45...................................... 21.65977 -157.87975 46...................................... 21.64427 -157.87622 47...................................... 21.64232 -157.87615 48...................................... 21.63667 -157.87812 49...................................... 21.62942 -157.88288 50...................................... 21.62860 -157.87927 51...................................... 21.63042 -157.87293 52...................................... 21.62833 -157.86775 53...................................... 21.62230 -157.86168 54...................................... 21.61802 -157.85973 55...................................... 21.61662 -157.85815 56...................................... 21.60818 -157.85312 57...................................... 21.60318 -157.85148 58...................................... 21.60112 -157.84863 59...................................... 21.60057 -157.84235 60...................................... 21.59228 -157.83485 61 *.................................... 21.56008 -157.86468 62 *.................................... 21.59652 -158.10447 63 *.................................... 21.59665 -158.10623 64 *.................................... 21.59032 -158.11052 65...................................... 21.62572 -158.15605 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table A3--Coordinates for Hawai`i ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 19.72820 -156.07070 2....................................... 19.74638 -156.08033 3....................................... 19.75238 -156.08583 4....................................... 19.76020 -156.08825 5....................................... 19.76710 -156.09513 6....................................... 19.77235 -156.09770 7....................................... 19.77420 -156.09957 8....................................... 19.77997 -156.10303 9....................................... 19.78632 -156.10583 10...................................... 19.79402 -156.10500 11...................................... 19.80128 -156.10128 12...................................... 19.80793 -156.10138 13...................................... 19.81478 -156.10368 14...................................... 19.82020 -156.09995 15...................................... 19.82643 -156.09878 16...................................... 19.82990 -156.09452 17...................................... 19.83465 -156.09272 18...................................... 19.83825 -156.08903 19...................................... 19.84435 -156.08602 20...................................... 19.84955 -156.08180 21...................................... 19.86100 -156.06607 22...................................... 19.86765 -156.06058 23...................................... 19.87067 -156.05617 24...................................... 19.87792 -156.05047 25...................................... 19.88778 -156.03225 26...................................... 19.89058 -156.02537 27...................................... 19.89310 -156.02333 28...................................... 19.89577 -156.01848 29...................................... 19.89833 -156.01650 30...................................... 19.90100 -156.01283 31...................................... 19.90095 -155.99682 32...................................... 19.90393 -155.99113 [[Page 16241]] 33...................................... 19.91243 -155.98405 34...................................... 19.91827 -155.98243 35...................................... 19.91887 -155.98158 36...................................... 19.91867 -155.97758 37...................................... 19.91940 -155.97610 38...................................... 19.93102 -155.96323 39...................................... 19.93617 -155.95458 40...................................... 19.94508 -155.95090 41...................................... 19.94813 -155.94660 42...................................... 19.95618 -155.93978 43...................................... 19.96008 -155.93823 44...................................... 19.96837 -155.92900 45...................................... 19.97177 -155.92720 46...................................... 19.97325 -155.92030 47...................................... 19.97715 -155.91145 48...................................... 19.97790 -155.90632 49...................................... 19.97760 -155.90197 50...................................... 19.97928 -155.90040 51...................................... 19.98177 -155.89140 52...................................... 19.98792 -155.88842 53...................................... 19.98618 -155.88500 54...................................... 19.98578 -155.88182 55...................................... 19.98887 -155.87670 56...................................... 19.99193 -155.87428 57...................................... 19.99992 -155.87262 58...................................... 20.00543 -155.86988 59...................................... 20.01147 -155.86885 60...................................... 20.01840 -155.86913 61...................................... 20.02153 -155.86528 62...................................... 20.02522 -155.86618 63...................................... 20.02783 -155.86515 64...................................... 20.02953 -155.86607 65...................................... 20.03335 -155.86462 66...................................... 20.04083 -155.86840 67...................................... 20.04510 -155.86663 68...................................... 20.04722 -155.86658 69...................................... 20.05252 -155.86952 70...................................... 20.06375 -155.88248 71...................................... 20.07272 -155.88863 72...................................... 20.07505 -155.89213 73...................................... 20.08533 -155.90185 74...................................... 20.09967 -155.91227 75...................................... 20.11200 -155.91650 76...................................... 20.12552 -155.91740 77...................................... 20.13142 -155.92098 78...................................... 20.13368 -155.92155 79...................................... 20.13907 -155.92028 80...................................... 20.14232 -155.92040 81...................................... 20.14765 -155.92278 82...................................... 20.15287 -155.92343 83...................................... 20.15903 -155.92648 84...................................... 20.16653 -155.92895 85...................................... 20.19312 -155.93315 86...................................... 20.20423 -155.93768 87...................................... 20.21275 -155.93537 88...................................... 20.23595 -155.93248 89...................................... 20.24477 -155.93230 90...................................... 20.24652 -155.93118 91...................................... 20.25287 -155.92953 92...................................... 20.26058 -155.92368 93...................................... 20.26625 -155.92138 94...................................... 20.27477 -155.91627 95...................................... 20.27647 -155.91430 96...................................... 20.27857 -155.90785 97...................................... 20.28822 -155.90010 98...................................... 20.29183 -155.89487 99...................................... 20.29430 -155.88873 100..................................... 20.29940 -155.88160 101..................................... 20.30082 -155.87262 102..................................... 20.29998 -155.85477 103 *................................... 20.26632 -155.84972 104 *................................... 20.04058 -155.83260 105 *................................... 20.03723 -155.83398 106 *................................... 19.72743 -156.05997 107..................................... 19.72820 -156.07070 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table A4--Coordinates for Ni`ihau ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 22.07833 -160.09322 2....................................... 22.07125 -160.06682 3....................................... 22.06053 -160.05058 4....................................... 22.04732 -160.04022 5....................................... 22.03098 -160.01508 6....................................... 22.02058 -160.00642 7....................................... 22.00180 -159.99755 8....................................... 21.98923 -159.99403 9....................................... 21.97612 -159.99393 10...................................... 21.96343 -159.99748 11...................................... 21.94782 -160.00603 12...................................... 21.94007 -160.01277 13...................................... 21.93222 -160.02352 14...................................... 21.92785 -160.02667 15...................................... 21.91240 -160.02077 16...................................... 21.89087 -160.01980 17...................................... 21.87503 -160.02447 18...................................... 21.86247 -160.03313 19...................................... 21.85348 -160.04393 20...................................... 21.83285 -160.08297 21...................................... 21.82932 -160.09280 22...................................... 21.82383 -160.12060 23...................................... 21.81035 -160.12827 24...................................... 21.80100 -160.13682 25...................................... 21.79595 -160.13930 26...................................... 21.76847 -160.14730 27...................................... 21.75925 -160.15167 28...................................... 21.74372 -160.16375 29...................................... 21.73393 -160.17817 30...................................... 21.72868 -160.19583 31...................................... 21.72945 -160.21530 32...................................... 21.73638 -160.23768 33...................................... 21.74675 -160.25835 34...................................... 21.75333 -160.26830 35...................................... 21.77392 -160.28798 36...................................... 21.79732 -160.29788 37...................................... 21.81468 -160.30028 38...................................... 21.85032 -160.30002 39...................................... 21.86553 -160.29553 40...................................... 21.87738 -160.28843 41...................................... 21.89507 -160.28757 42...................................... 21.91643 -160.28028 43...................................... 21.92902 -160.27102 44...................................... 21.94070 -160.25435 45...................................... 21.95347 -160.24342 46...................................... 21.96832 -160.23835 47...................................... 21.97933 -160.23058 48...................................... 21.98935 -160.21923 49...................................... 21.99598 -160.20712 50...................................... 21.99950 -160.19353 51...................................... 21.99963 -160.17980 52...................................... 22.00912 -160.17750 53...................................... 22.01812 -160.17322 54...................................... 22.03043 -160.16303 55...................................... 22.03718 -160.15415 56...................................... 22.04843 -160.14998 57...................................... 22.05858 -160.14325 58...................................... 22.06998 -160.13037 59...................................... 22.07723 -160.11288 60...................................... 22.07833 -160.09322 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table A5--Coordinates for Kaua`i ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 22.23023 -159.64483 2....................................... 22.23658 -159.64328 3....................................... 22.23943 -159.64090 4....................................... 22.24108 -159.63825 5....................................... 22.24470 -159.62752 6....................................... 22.24473 -159.62460 7....................................... 22.24307 -159.61835 8....................................... 22.24340 -159.61615 9....................................... 22.24463 -159.61438 10...................................... 22.25070 -159.61090 11...................................... 22.25657 -159.60623 12...................................... 22.26618 -159.60690 13...................................... 22.27078 -159.60590 14...................................... 22.27325 -159.60388 15...................................... 22.27597 -159.59985 16...................................... 22.28132 -159.58828 17...................................... 22.28415 -159.57682 18...................................... 22.28480 -159.56468 19...................................... 22.28368 -159.55173 20...................................... 22.28235 -159.54530 21...................................... 22.27953 -159.53727 22...................................... 22.27672 -159.53092 23...................................... 22.27338 -159.52600 24...................................... 22.26862 -159.52285 25...................................... 22.25572 -159.51848 26...................................... 22.25582 -159.51748 27...................................... 22.25715 -159.51645 28...................................... 22.26298 -159.51533 29...................................... 22.26462 -159.51383 30...................................... 22.26633 -159.50630 31...................................... 22.26647 -159.50227 32...................................... 22.26565 -159.49770 33...................................... 22.26370 -159.49392 34...................................... 22.25690 -159.48792 35...................................... 22.25665 -159.48692 36...................................... 22.25698 -159.48538 37...................................... 22.26030 -159.48210 38...................................... 22.26103 -159.47762 39...................................... 22.26042 -159.47528 40...................................... 22.25540 -159.46792 41...................................... 22.25335 -159.46128 42...................................... 22.25257 -159.43648 43...................................... 22.25127 -159.43093 44...................................... 22.24915 -159.42758 45...................................... 22.25142 -159.42245 46...................................... 22.25307 -159.40707 47...................................... 22.25303 -159.40242 48...................................... 22.25098 -159.39485 49...................................... 22.25357 -159.39000 50...................................... 22.25407 -159.38732 51...................................... 22.25332 -159.38345 52...................................... 22.24883 -159.37198 53...................................... 22.24632 -159.36208 54...................................... 22.24883 -159.35590 55...................................... 22.24860 -159.35342 56...................................... 22.24527 -159.34928 57...................................... 22.23777 -159.34528 58...................................... 22.23575 -159.34155 59...................................... 22.23505 -159.33825 60 *.................................... 22.21353 -159.35087 61 *.................................... 22.21508 -159.49703 [[Page 16242]] 62 *.................................... 22.21378 -159.49672 63 *.................................... 22.21132 -159.59522 64...................................... 22.23023 -159.64483 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table A6--Coordinates for Maui Nui ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 21.22380 -157.31272 2....................................... 21.21938 -157.31378 3....................................... 21.20960 -157.31750 4....................................... 21.19332 -157.33268 5....................................... 21.18093 -157.35280 6....................................... 21.17182 -157.37275 7....................................... 21.16902 -157.38062 8....................................... 21.16815 -157.38555 9....................................... 21.16502 -157.39072 10...................................... 21.16172 -157.40372 11...................................... 21.15897 -157.41582 12...................................... 21.15757 -157.42950 13...................................... 21.15815 -157.48270 14...................................... 21.15992 -157.49052 15...................................... 21.15977 -157.49598 16...................................... 21.16400 -157.51087 17...................................... 21.16420 -157.51713 18...................................... 21.16250 -157.52100 19...................................... 21.15935 -157.52552 20...................................... 21.14960 -157.54817 21...................................... 21.14587 -157.55430 22...................................... 21.13998 -157.56070 23...................................... 21.13005 -157.56862 24...................................... 21.12538 -157.57398 25...................................... 21.12152 -157.58915 26...................................... 21.12010 -157.59217 27...................................... 21.11398 -157.60032 28...................................... 21.11063 -157.61628 29...................................... 21.10790 -157.62245 30...................................... 21.10395 -157.62590 31...................................... 21.10122 -157.62655 32...................................... 21.09598 -157.62547 33...................................... 21.09000 -157.62688 34...................................... 21.08793 -157.62815 35...................................... 21.08638 -157.64073 36...................................... 21.08667 -157.64747 37...................................... 21.08440 -157.65763 38...................................... 21.08087 -157.65977 39...................................... 21.07898 -157.65933 40...................................... 21.07202 -157.65358 41...................................... 21.07042 -157.65293 42...................................... 21.06740 -157.65387 43...................................... 21.06593 -157.65628 44...................................... 21.06712 -157.66142 45...................................... 21.06480 -157.66490 46...................................... 21.05858 -157.66980 47...................................... 21.04922 -157.67460 48...................................... 21.04823 -157.67893 49...................................... 21.04197 -157.68637 50...................................... 21.03627 -157.68960 51...................................... 21.03428 -157.69402 52...................................... 21.02722 -157.69850 53...................................... 21.02428 -157.70122 54...................................... 21.02362 -157.70432 55...................................... 21.02553 -157.70895 56...................................... 21.02268 -157.71652 57...................................... 21.01285 -157.71805 58...................................... 20.99600 -157.72255 59...................................... 20.99253 -157.72507 60...................................... 20.98757 -157.73145 61...................................... 20.98167 -157.73470 62...................................... 20.96713 -157.73572 63...................................... 20.95993 -157.73808 64...................................... 20.95725 -157.74017 65...................................... 20.95113 -157.75002 66...................................... 20.93860 -157.75783 67...................................... 20.93642 -157.75822 68...................................... 20.92492 -157.75177 69...................................... 20.92162 -157.75163 70...................................... 20.90925 -157.75475 71...................................... 20.90548 -157.75652 72...................................... 20.90228 -157.75925 73...................................... 20.89710 -157.76182 74...................................... 20.89360 -157.76263 75...................................... 20.88710 -157.76087 76...................................... 20.88213 -157.75663 77...................................... 20.87747 -157.74822 78...................................... 20.87683 -157.74167 79...................................... 20.87448 -157.73667 80...................................... 20.87213 -157.73533 81...................................... 20.86733 -157.73457 82...................................... 20.86332 -157.73522 83...................................... 20.85518 -157.73948 84...................................... 20.85253 -157.73885 85...................................... 20.85070 -157.73525 86...................................... 20.84945 -157.72498 87...................................... 20.84920 -157.71832 88...................................... 20.85037 -157.71212 89...................................... 20.85000 -157.70652 90...................................... 20.85162 -157.70387 91...................................... 20.85670 -157.70343 92...................................... 20.86250 -157.69857 93...................................... 20.86502 -157.69475 94...................................... 20.86575 -157.69173 95...................................... 20.86383 -157.68598 96...................................... 20.86427 -157.67730 97...................................... 20.86502 -157.67523 98...................................... 20.87097 -157.66773 99...................................... 20.87222 -157.66545 100..................................... 20.87347 -157.65898 101..................................... 20.87715 -157.65485 102..................................... 20.87782 -157.65067 103..................................... 20.88127 -157.64455 104..................................... 20.88223 -157.64138 105..................................... 20.88267 -157.63830 106..................................... 20.88217 -157.63645 107..................................... 20.88363 -157.63063 108..................................... 20.88650 -157.62785 109..................................... 20.88775 -157.61990 110..................................... 20.89247 -157.61262 111..................................... 20.89350 -157.60863 112..................................... 20.89658 -157.60333 113..................................... 20.90247 -157.58420 114..................................... 20.91300 -157.57330 115..................................... 20.91492 -157.56742 116..................................... 20.91800 -157.56410 117..................................... 20.92455 -157.54203 118..................................... 20.92668 -157.54018 119..................................... 20.92918 -157.53400 120..................................... 20.93228 -157.51517 121..................................... 20.93332 -157.51258 122..................................... 20.93677 -157.51002 123..................................... 20.95480 -157.51053 124..................................... 20.95687 -157.50825 125..................................... 20.96230 -157.50560 126..................................... 20.96370 -157.50022 127..................................... 20.96297 -157.48638 128..................................... 20.96348 -157.47968 129..................................... 20.96643 -157.46747 130..................................... 20.96768 -157.45805 131..................................... 20.96547 -157.44568 132..................................... 20.96437 -157.43420 133..................................... 20.96467 -157.43267 134..................................... 20.96665 -157.41177 135..................................... 20.96680 -157.40153 136..................................... 20.96775 -157.39682 137..................................... 20.97320 -157.36605 138..................................... 20.97452 -157.36303 139..................................... 20.98998 -157.34743 140..................................... 20.99072 -157.32977 141..................................... 20.99190 -157.32160 142..................................... 20.99507 -157.30917 143..................................... 20.99557 -157.30762 144..................................... 21.01912 -157.29510 145..................................... 21.02553 -157.28297 146..................................... 21.02898 -157.26972 147..................................... 21.02618 -157.26433 148..................................... 21.02597 -157.26192 149..................................... 21.02657 -157.25772 150..................................... 21.03008 -157.25323 151..................................... 21.03068 -157.25138 152..................................... 21.03127 -157.24270 153..................................... 21.03105 -157.23557 154..................................... 21.02877 -157.23173 155..................................... 21.02883 -157.23033 156..................................... 21.03318 -157.22548 157..................................... 21.03473 -157.21687 158..................................... 21.03693 -157.21223 159..................................... 21.03942 -157.20958 160..................................... 21.04333 -157.20678 161..................................... 21.05092 -157.20428 162..................................... 21.05768 -157.19582 163..................................... 21.06085 -157.19302 164..................................... 21.06012 -157.18750 165..................................... 21.05820 -157.18183 166..................................... 21.05783 -157.17373 167..................................... 21.05667 -157.16718 168..................................... 21.05673 -157.15313 169..................................... 21.05122 -157.14150 170..................................... 21.05137 -157.13833 171..................................... 21.05490 -157.12958 172..................................... 21.05658 -157.12333 173..................................... 21.05777 -157.11310 174..................................... 21.06042 -157.10125 175..................................... 21.05923 -157.09455 176..................................... 21.05238 -157.08093 177..................................... 21.05062 -157.07527 178..................................... 21.05040 -157.06997 179..................................... 21.05357 -157.06217 180..................................... 21.04458 -157.03868 181..................................... 21.04128 -157.03603 182..................................... 21.03502 -157.03472 183..................................... 21.03282 -157.03332 184..................................... 21.03023 -157.02985 185..................................... 21.02795 -157.02198 186..................................... 21.02663 -157.02110 187..................................... 21.02207 -157.01955 188..................................... 21.01817 -157.01955 189..................................... 21.01662 -157.01742 190..................................... 21.01463 -157.01638 191..................................... 21.00640 -157.01808 192..................................... 20.99727 -157.01573 193..................................... 20.98770 -157.01522 194..................................... 20.98408 -157.01690 195..................................... 20.98107 -157.01550 196..................................... 20.97945 -157.01595 197..................................... 20.97710 -157.01823 198..................................... 20.97673 -157.01983 199..................................... 20.97555 -157.02418 [[Page 16243]] 200..................................... 20.97438 -157.02595 201..................................... 20.96178 -157.03588 202..................................... 20.94892 -157.05282 203..................................... 20.94023 -157.06210 204..................................... 20.93478 -157.07343 205..................................... 20.92853 -157.07895 206..................................... 20.92522 -157.08462 207..................................... 20.92205 -157.08578 208..................................... 20.91807 -157.08542 209..................................... 20.91182 -157.08727 210..................................... 20.90468 -157.08793 211..................................... 20.89902 -157.09013 212..................................... 20.89622 -157.09013 213..................................... 20.88202 -157.08462 214..................................... 20.87450 -157.07998 215..................................... 20.86427 -157.07152 216..................................... 20.85168 -157.05885 217..................................... 20.84647 -157.05157 218..................................... 20.84462 -157.04532 219..................................... 20.84433 -157.03795 220..................................... 20.84300 -157.03280 221..................................... 20.83932 -157.02625 222..................................... 20.83248 -157.01757 223..................................... 20.82192 -157.01188 224..................................... 20.79377 -157.00950 225..................................... 20.77772 -157.00940 226..................................... 20.77303 -157.00873 227..................................... 20.76695 -157.00653 228..................................... 20.76258 -157.00627 229..................................... 20.75048 -157.00143 230..................................... 20.74437 -156.99613 231..................................... 20.73483 -156.98978 232..................................... 20.73038 -156.98588 233..................................... 20.72995 -156.98367 234..................................... 20.72655 -156.97945 235..................................... 20.72133 -156.97505 236..................................... 20.71268 -156.96152 237..................................... 20.71115 -156.95765 238..................................... 20.71073 -156.94107 239..................................... 20.70910 -156.93135 240..................................... 20.71043 -156.92313 241..................................... 20.70872 -156.90960 242..................................... 20.70872 -156.90348 243..................................... 20.70570 -156.88575 244..................................... 20.70790 -156.88125 245..................................... 20.71742 -156.87293 246..................................... 20.72425 -156.86528 247..................................... 20.72860 -156.86423 248..................................... 20.73072 -156.86198 249..................................... 20.73190 -156.85750 250..................................... 20.73430 -156.85262 251..................................... 20.74113 -156.84095 252..................................... 20.74228 -156.83092 253..................................... 20.74180 -156.82460 254..................................... 20.74467 -156.82188 255..................................... 20.74553 -156.81897 256..................................... 20.74390 -156.81242 257..................................... 20.73865 -156.80897 258..................................... 20.73578 -156.80897 259..................................... 20.73258 -156.81285 260..................................... 20.73162 -156.81298 261..................................... 20.73018 -156.81117 262..................................... 20.73072 -156.80515 263..................................... 20.73440 -156.79635 264..................................... 20.73440 -156.79377 265..................................... 20.73277 -156.79140 266..................................... 20.73233 -156.79100 267..................................... 20.72818 -156.79143 268..................................... 20.72568 -156.78875 269..................................... 20.72268 -156.77808 270..................................... 20.72253 -156.76680 271..................................... 20.72077 -156.76490 272..................................... 20.71900 -156.76422 273..................................... 20.71513 -156.76518 274..................................... 20.71360 -156.76490 275..................................... 20.71278 -156.76380 276..................................... 20.71140 -156.75772 277..................................... 20.71307 -156.74668 278..................................... 20.71230 -156.74228 279..................................... 20.71150 -156.67635 280..................................... 20.71097 -156.67578 281..................................... 20.71102 -156.67300 282..................................... 20.70915 -156.67110 283..................................... 20.71078 -156.66870 284..................................... 20.70685 -156.66297 285..................................... 20.70728 -156.65585 286..................................... 20.70332 -156.64777 287..................................... 20.70265 -156.64542 288..................................... 20.70337 -156.64260 289..................................... 20.69858 -156.63638 290..................................... 20.69645 -156.63420 291..................................... 20.69583 -156.63433 292..................................... 20.69423 -156.61873 293..................................... 20.69538 -156.61478 294..................................... 20.69342 -156.61248 295..................................... 20.69113 -156.60780 296..................................... 20.69045 -156.60747 297..................................... 20.68873 -156.60913 298..................................... 20.68735 -156.60832 299..................................... 20.68663 -156.60253 300..................................... 20.68497 -156.60053 301..................................... 20.67722 -156.59785 302..................................... 20.67115 -156.59112 303..................................... 20.66143 -156.58503 304..................................... 20.65910 -156.58480 305..................................... 20.65642 -156.58662 306..................................... 20.65585 -156.58633 307..................................... 20.65537 -156.58447 308..................................... 20.65312 -156.58217 309..................................... 20.65337 -156.57010 310..................................... 20.65083 -156.55297 311..................................... 20.64968 -156.54895 312..................................... 20.64765 -156.54352 313..................................... 20.64352 -156.53553 314..................................... 20.63307 -156.52033 315..................................... 20.62652 -156.51245 316..................................... 20.62168 -156.50818 317..................................... 20.61412 -156.50335 318..................................... 20.60713 -156.49718 319..................................... 20.59948 -156.49223 320..................................... 20.60063 -156.48987 321..................................... 20.60027 -156.48925 322..................................... 20.59627 -156.49012 323..................................... 20.59472 -156.48835 324..................................... 20.59463 -156.48693 325..................................... 20.59660 -156.48332 326..................................... 20.59640 -156.48128 327..................................... 20.59423 -156.47673 328..................................... 20.59567 -156.47567 329..................................... 20.59970 -156.47500 330..................................... 20.60118 -156.47580 331..................................... 20.60418 -156.47960 332..................................... 20.60553 -156.47990 333..................................... 20.60627 -156.47863 334..................................... 20.60623 -156.47563 335..................................... 20.60750 -156.47080 336..................................... 20.60188 -156.46703 337..................................... 20.59798 -156.46570 338..................................... 20.58188 -156.46357 339..................................... 20.57773 -156.45373 340..................................... 20.57488 -156.45112 341..................................... 20.57272 -156.44752 342 *................................... 20.58308 -156.41192 343 *................................... 20.79025 -156.51013 344 *................................... 20.79033 -156.51097 345 *................................... 20.87173 -156.67920 346..................................... 20.87192 -156.67931 347 *................................... 20.87229 -156.67855 348 *................................... 21.02445 -156.63918 349..................................... 21.07042 -156.66362 350..................................... 21.08872 -156.67335 351 *................................... 21.15802 -156.71095 352 *................................... 21.15843 -156.70948 353 *................................... 21.08595 -157.02030 354..................................... 21.07737 -157.02810 355..................................... 21.08035 -157.03287 356 *................................... 21.08802 -157.02589 357 *................................... 21.08465 -157.24863 358 *................................... 21.08382 -157.24965 359 *................................... 21.22350 -157.25400 360 *................................... 21.22442 -157.25400 361..................................... 21.22380 -157.31272 362 *................................... 20.78593 -156.99232 363 *................................... 20.78308 -156.99152 364 *................................... 20.74253 -156.88680 365 *................................... 20.74317 -156.88740 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: The coordinates in the table above marked with an asterisk (*) are not a part of the sanctuary boundary. These coordinates are landward reference points used to draw a line segment that intersects with the shoreline. Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 922--Special Sanctuary Management Area Boundaries Coordinates listed in this appendix are unprojected (Geographic) and based on the North American Datum of 1983. B.1 Maunalua Bay Special Sanctuary Management Area The Maunalua SSMA extends throughout the sanctuary waters in Maunalua Bay south of Oahu and is defined by the coordinates in table B1 and the following textual description. Point 1 of the SSMA boundary is located roughly 1.3 nautical miles SE of K[umacr]pikipiki`[omacr] Point (Black Point) on the sanctuary boundary. From Point 1 the SSMA boundary extends along the sanctuary boundary to the east to Point 21 roughly 0.5 nautical miles south of Kawaihoa Point, Koko Head. From Point 21 the SSMA boundary extends towards Point 22 until it intersects the shoreline. From this intersection the boundary follows the shoreline to the west around Kawaihoa Point and north around Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 23 and Point 24 at the eastern entrance to Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 24 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The boundary then follows the shoreline westward until it intersects the line segment between Point 25 and Point 26 at the western entrance to the Hawaii Kai Marina. From this intersection the boundary moves towards Point 26 across the entrance to the marina until it intersects the shoreline again. The [[Page 16244]] boundary then follows the shoreline westward continuing around Maunalua Bay until it intersects the line segment between Point 27 and Point 28 at K[umacr]pikipiki`[omacr] Point (Black Point). From this intersection the boundary extends seaward to the SE to Point 28. Table B1--Coordinates for Maunalua Bay ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 21.23560 -157.78076 2....................................... 21.23856 -157.77153 3....................................... 21.23835 -157.76540 4....................................... 21.23895 -157.76426 5....................................... 21.24269 -157.76264 6....................................... 21.24427 -157.75741 7....................................... 21.24385 -157.74535 8....................................... 21.24458 -157.73833 9....................................... 21.24606 -157.73490 10...................................... 21.24570 -157.73037 11...................................... 21.24323 -157.72720 12...................................... 21.23959 -157.72534 13...................................... 21.23484 -157.72541 14...................................... 21.23209 -157.72239 15...................................... 21.23090 -157.71620 16...................................... 21.23203 -157.71399 17...................................... 21.23592 -157.71225 18...................................... 21.23830 -157.71003 19...................................... 21.24200 -157.70882 20...................................... 21.24458 -157.70903 21...................................... 21.25209 -157.70641 22 *.................................... 21.25964 -157.70717 23 *.................................... 21.28117 -157.71132 24 *.................................... 21.28152 -157.71197 25 *.................................... 21.28508 -157.71852 26 *.................................... 21.28530 -157.71885 27 *.................................... 21.25545 -157.79180 28...................................... 21.23560 -157.78076 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: The coordinates in the table above marked with an asterisk (*) are not a part of the sanctuary boundary. These coordinates are landward reference points used to draw a line segment that intersects with the shoreline. B.2 Penguin Bank Special Sanctuary Management Area The Penguin Bank SSMA extends throughout the federal waters of the Penguin Bank area southwest of Moloka`i and is defined by the coordinates in table B2 and the following textual description. The SSMA boundary begins roughly 3.3 nautical miles west of `[Imacr]lio Point off the northwest tip of Moloka`i at Point 1 at the intersection of the sanctuary boundary and the three nautical mile line. From Point 1 the SSMA boundary follows the sanctuary boundary to the SW and then back around Penguin Bank to the NE to Point 158 located at the intersection of the sanctuary boundary and the three nautical mile line to the SSW of Lono Harbor on Moloka`i. From Point 158 the SSMA boundary approximates the three nautical mile line extending west and then north to Point 185 west of northwest tip of Moloka'i. Table B2--Coordinates for Penguin Bank ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 21.21938 -157.31378 2....................................... 21.20960 -157.31750 3....................................... 21.19332 -157.33268 4....................................... 21.18093 -157.35280 5....................................... 21.17182 -157.37275 6....................................... 21.16902 -157.38062 7....................................... 21.16815 -157.38555 8....................................... 21.16502 -157.39072 9....................................... 21.16172 -157.40372 10...................................... 21.15897 -157.41582 11...................................... 21.15757 -157.42950 12...................................... 21.15815 -157.48270 13...................................... 21.15992 -157.49052 14...................................... 21.15977 -157.49598 15...................................... 21.16400 -157.51087 16...................................... 21.16420 -157.51713 17...................................... 21.16250 -157.52100 18...................................... 21.15935 -157.52552 19...................................... 21.14960 -157.54817 20...................................... 21.14587 -157.55430 21...................................... 21.13998 -157.56070 22...................................... 21.13005 -157.56862 23...................................... 21.12538 -157.57398 24...................................... 21.12152 -157.58915 25...................................... 21.12010 -157.59217 26...................................... 21.11398 -157.60032 27...................................... 21.11063 -157.61628 28...................................... 21.10790 -157.62245 29...................................... 21.10395 -157.62590 30...................................... 21.10122 -157.62655 31...................................... 21.09598 -157.62547 32...................................... 21.09000 -157.62688 33...................................... 21.08793 -157.62815 34...................................... 21.08638 -157.64073 35...................................... 21.08667 -157.64747 36...................................... 21.08440 -157.65763 37...................................... 21.08087 -157.65977 38...................................... 21.07898 -157.65933 39...................................... 21.07202 -157.65358 40...................................... 21.07042 -157.65293 41...................................... 21.06740 -157.65387 42...................................... 21.06593 -157.65628 43...................................... 21.06712 -157.66142 44...................................... 21.06480 -157.66490 45...................................... 21.05858 -157.66980 46...................................... 21.04922 -157.67460 47...................................... 21.04823 -157.67893 48...................................... 21.04197 -157.68637 49...................................... 21.03627 -157.68960 50...................................... 21.03428 -157.69402 51...................................... 21.02722 -157.69850 52...................................... 21.02428 -157.70122 53...................................... 21.02362 -157.70432 54...................................... 21.02553 -157.70895 55...................................... 21.02268 -157.71652 56...................................... 21.01285 -157.71805 57...................................... 20.99600 -157.72255 58...................................... 20.99253 -157.72507 59...................................... 20.98757 -157.73145 60...................................... 20.98167 -157.73470 61...................................... 20.96713 -157.73572 62...................................... 20.95993 -157.73808 63...................................... 20.95725 -157.74017 64...................................... 20.95113 -157.75002 65...................................... 20.93860 -157.75783 66...................................... 20.93642 -157.75822 67...................................... 20.92492 -157.75177 68...................................... 20.92162 -157.75163 69...................................... 20.90925 -157.75475 70...................................... 20.90548 -157.75652 71...................................... 20.90228 -157.75925 72...................................... 20.89710 -157.76182 73...................................... 20.89360 -157.76263 74...................................... 20.88710 -157.76087 75...................................... 20.88213 -157.75663 76...................................... 20.87747 -157.74822 77...................................... 20.87683 -157.74167 78...................................... 20.87448 -157.73667 79...................................... 20.87213 -157.73533 80...................................... 20.86733 -157.73457 81...................................... 20.86332 -157.73522 82...................................... 20.85518 -157.73948 83...................................... 20.85253 -157.73885 84...................................... 20.85070 -157.73525 85...................................... 20.84945 -157.72498 86...................................... 20.84920 -157.71832 87...................................... 20.85037 -157.71212 88...................................... 20.85000 -157.70652 89...................................... 20.85162 -157.70387 90...................................... 20.85670 -157.70343 91...................................... 20.86250 -157.69857 92...................................... 20.86502 -157.69475 93...................................... 20.86575 -157.69173 94...................................... 20.86383 -157.68598 95...................................... 20.86427 -157.67730 96...................................... 20.86502 -157.67523 97...................................... 20.87097 -157.66773 98...................................... 20.87222 -157.66545 99...................................... 20.87347 -157.65898 100..................................... 20.87715 -157.65485 101..................................... 20.87782 -157.65067 102..................................... 20.88127 -157.64455 103..................................... 20.88223 -157.64138 104..................................... 20.88267 -157.63830 105..................................... 20.88217 -157.63645 106..................................... 20.88363 -157.63063 107..................................... 20.88650 -157.62785 108..................................... 20.88775 -157.61990 109..................................... 20.89247 -157.61262 110..................................... 20.89350 -157.60863 111..................................... 20.89658 -157.60333 112..................................... 20.90247 -157.58420 113..................................... 20.91300 -157.57330 114..................................... 20.91492 -157.56742 115..................................... 20.91800 -157.56410 116..................................... 20.92455 -157.54203 117..................................... 20.92668 -157.54018 118..................................... 20.92918 -157.53400 119..................................... 20.93228 -157.51517 120..................................... 20.93332 -157.51258 121..................................... 20.93677 -157.51002 122..................................... 20.95480 -157.51053 123..................................... 20.95687 -157.50825 124..................................... 20.96230 -157.50560 125..................................... 20.96370 -157.50022 126..................................... 20.96297 -157.48638 127..................................... 20.96348 -157.47968 128..................................... 20.96643 -157.46747 129..................................... 20.96768 -157.45805 130..................................... 20.96547 -157.44568 131..................................... 20.96437 -157.43420 132..................................... 20.96467 -157.43267 133..................................... 20.96665 -157.41177 134..................................... 20.96680 -157.40153 135..................................... 20.96775 -157.39682 136..................................... 20.97320 -157.36605 137..................................... 20.97452 -157.36303 138..................................... 20.98998 -157.34743 139..................................... 20.99072 -157.32977 140..................................... 20.99190 -157.32160 [[Page 16245]] 141..................................... 20.99507 -157.30917 142..................................... 20.99557 -157.30762 143..................................... 21.01912 -157.29510 144..................................... 21.02553 -157.28297 145..................................... 21.02898 -157.26972 146..................................... 21.02618 -157.26433 147..................................... 21.02597 -157.26192 148..................................... 21.02657 -157.25772 149..................................... 21.03008 -157.25323 150..................................... 21.03068 -157.25138 151..................................... 21.03127 -157.24270 152..................................... 21.03105 -157.23557 153..................................... 21.02877 -157.23173 154..................................... 21.02883 -157.23033 155..................................... 21.03318 -157.22548 156..................................... 21.03473 -157.21687 157..................................... 21.03693 -157.21223 158..................................... 21.03942 -157.20958 159..................................... 21.03807 -157.22824 160..................................... 21.03587 -157.23534 161..................................... 21.03443 -157.24328 162..................................... 21.03422 -157.25383 163..................................... 21.03594 -157.26426 164..................................... 21.04060 -157.27854 165..................................... 21.04294 -157.29650 166..................................... 21.04342 -157.30569 167..................................... 21.04481 -157.31271 168..................................... 21.04893 -157.32567 169..................................... 21.05564 -157.33776 170..................................... 21.06479 -157.34835 171..................................... 21.07731 -157.35771 172..................................... 21.08558 -157.36150 173..................................... 21.09584 -157.36398 174..................................... 21.10581 -157.36422 175..................................... 21.11550 -157.36240 176..................................... 21.12477 -157.35857 177..................................... 21.13269 -157.35324 178..................................... 21.14126 -157.35083 179..................................... 21.15314 -157.34602 180..................................... 21.16897 -157.33692 181..................................... 21.17781 -157.33065 182..................................... 21.18854 -157.32154 183..................................... 21.19845 -157.30977 184..................................... 21.20836 -157.31292 185..................................... 21.21938 -157.31378 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ B.3 Maui Nui Special Sanctuary Management Area The Maui Nui Special Sanctuary Management Area (SSMA) extends throughout the federal waters of the Maui Nui area between Maui, Moloka`i and Lana`i and is defined by the coordinates in table B3 and the following textual description. Point 1 of the SSMA boundary is located at approximately the intersection of the Moloka`i three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary south of Kaunakakai on Moloka'i near the Kalohi Channel. From Point 1, the SSMA boundary extends eastward approximating the three nautical mile line south of the Moloka`i coastline to Point 29 in numerical order at approximately the intersection of the Moloka`i three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary line that extends across Pailolo Channel from Cape Halawa on Moloka`i to Lipoa Pt. on Maui. From Point 29, the SSMA boundary extends southeast to Point 30 at approximately the intersection of the Maui three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary line NW of Lipoa Point on Maui. From Point 30, the SSMA boundary curves southwest and then southeast approximating the three nautical mile line west and south of the Maui coastline until it intersects the Kaho`olawe three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary WNW of Molokini between Maui and Kaho`olawe at Point 87. From Point 87 the SSMA boundary briefly approximates the Kaho`'olawe three mile line extending west to Point 90 at the intersection of the three nautical mile line north of the coastline of Kaho`olawe and the sanctuary boundary. From Point 90, the SSMA boundary extends west along the sanctuary boundary across the Kealaikahiki Channel until it intersects the Lana`i three nautical mile line SE of Kamaiki Point at Point 133. From Point 133 the SSMA boundary extends north and then NW to the east of Lana`i to Point 161 at the intersection of the Lana`i three nautical mile line and the sanctuary boundary NW of Pohakuloa Point on Lana`i. From Point 161 the SSMA boundary then follows the sanctuary boundary north across the Kalohi Channel until it intersects with the Moloka'i three nautical mile line at Point 175 south of Kaunakakai on Moloka'i. Table B3--Coordinates for Maui Nui ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point ID No. Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1....................................... 21.03023 -157.02985 2....................................... 21.03049 -157.02138 3....................................... 21.02705 -157.00787 4....................................... 21.02346 -157.00062 5....................................... 21.02127 -156.99402 6....................................... 21.01712 -156.97004 7....................................... 21.01445 -156.96069 8....................................... 21.00991 -156.93421 9....................................... 21.00547 -156.91735 10...................................... 20.99932 -156.90155 11...................................... 20.99696 -156.89138 12...................................... 20.99586 -156.87167 13...................................... 20.99663 -156.86473 14...................................... 20.99893 -156.85595 15...................................... 20.99884 -156.84286 16...................................... 21.00206 -156.82933 17...................................... 21.00980 -156.81031 18...................................... 21.01616 -156.80073 19...................................... 21.01808 -156.78962 20...................................... 21.02005 -156.78311 21...................................... 21.02869 -156.76519 22...................................... 21.03652 -156.75394 23...................................... 21.04036 -156.74628 24...................................... 21.04407 -156.74093 25...................................... 21.05202 -156.73280 26...................................... 21.06728 -156.71150 27...................................... 21.08102 -156.69629 28...................................... 21.08312 -156.68590 29...................................... 21.08871 -156.67334 30...................................... 21.07042 -156.66361 31...................................... 21.06248 -156.67605 32...................................... 21.05499 -156.68365 33...................................... 21.05109 -156.69316 34...................................... 21.04752 -156.69903 35...................................... 21.04327 -156.70435 36...................................... 21.03575 -156.71112 37...................................... 21.02408 -156.71747 38...................................... 21.01320 -156.72087 39...................................... 21.00803 -156.72176 40...................................... 20.98584 -156.73247 41...................................... 20.97786 -156.73546 42...................................... 20.96520 -156.74238 43...................................... 20.95575 -156.74497 44...................................... 20.94800 -156.74578 45...................................... 20.94098 -156.74854 46...................................... 20.93456 -156.75000 47...................................... 20.91471 -156.75057 48...................................... 20.90157 -156.74803 49...................................... 20.88914 -156.74198 50...................................... 20.87936 -156.74188 51...................................... 20.86963 -156.74032 52...................................... 20.86037 -156.73677 53...................................... 20.85463 -156.73336 54...................................... 20.84464 -156.72480 55...................................... 20.83061 -156.71496 56...................................... 20.82338 -156.70795 57...................................... 20.81548 -156.69811 58...................................... 20.80430 -156.69025 59...................................... 20.79795 -156.68372 60...................................... 20.79212 -156.67581 61...................................... 20.78533 -156.67177 62...................................... 20.77577 -156.66422 63...................................... 20.76699 -156.65388 64...................................... 20.76102 -156.64148 65...................................... 20.75919 -156.63461 66...................................... 20.75725 -156.62101 67...................................... 20.75108 -156.61012 68...................................... 20.74827 -156.60341 69...................................... 20.74598 -156.59654 70...................................... 20.74409 -156.58607 71...................................... 20.73787 -156.57521 72...................................... 20.73108 -156.56518 73...................................... 20.72588 -156.55239 74...................................... 20.72436 -156.54448 75...................................... 20.72389 -156.53404 76...................................... 20.72499 -156.52123 77...................................... 20.72788 -156.50927 78...................................... 20.71633 -156.50584 79...................................... 20.70620 -156.50062 80...................................... 20.69323 -156.49907 81...................................... 20.68368 -156.49924 82...................................... 20.68075 -156.51493 83...................................... 20.67829 -156.52150 84...................................... 20.67322 -156.53047 85...................................... 20.66401 -156.54055 86...................................... 20.65861 -156.54451 87...................................... 20.64968 -156.54895 88...................................... 20.65083 -156.55297 89...................................... 20.65337 -156.57010 90...................................... 20.65312 -156.58217 91...................................... 20.65537 -156.58447 92...................................... 20.65585 -156.58633 93...................................... 20.65642 -156.58662 94...................................... 20.65910 -156.58480 95...................................... 20.66143 -156.58503 96...................................... 20.67115 -156.59112 97...................................... 20.67722 -156.59785 98...................................... 20.68497 -156.60053 99...................................... 20.68663 -156.60253 100..................................... 20.68735 -156.60832 101..................................... 20.68873 -156.60913 102..................................... 20.69045 -156.60747 103..................................... 20.69113 -156.60780 104..................................... 20.69342 -156.61248 105..................................... 20.69538 -156.61478 106..................................... 20.69423 -156.61873 107..................................... 20.69583 -156.63433 108..................................... 20.69645 -156.63420 109..................................... 20.69858 -156.63638 [[Page 16246]] 110..................................... 20.70337 -156.64260 111..................................... 20.70265 -156.64542 112..................................... 20.70332 -156.64777 113..................................... 20.70728 -156.65585 114..................................... 20.70685 -156.66297 115..................................... 20.71078 -156.66870 116..................................... 20.70915 -156.67110 117..................................... 20.71102 -156.67300 118..................................... 20.71097 -156.67578 119..................................... 20.71150 -156.67635 120..................................... 20.71230 -156.74228 121..................................... 20.71307 -156.74668 122..................................... 20.71140 -156.75772 123..................................... 20.71278 -156.76380 124..................................... 20.71360 -156.76490 125..................................... 20.71513 -156.76518 126..................................... 20.71900 -156.76422 127..................................... 20.72077 -156.76490 128..................................... 20.72253 -156.76680 129..................................... 20.72268 -156.77808 130..................................... 20.72568 -156.78875 131..................................... 20.72818 -156.79143 132..................................... 20.73233 -156.79100 133..................................... 20.73277 -156.79140 134..................................... 20.74336 -156.78335 135..................................... 20.75400 -156.77792 136..................................... 20.76659 -156.76785 137..................................... 20.78643 -156.75726 138..................................... 20.79940 -156.75340 139..................................... 20.81653 -156.75192 140..................................... 20.83137 -156.75336 141..................................... 20.84395 -156.75769 142..................................... 20.85576 -156.76497 143..................................... 20.86235 -156.77027 144..................................... 20.87463 -156.77687 145..................................... 20.88903 -156.78849 146..................................... 20.90091 -156.80067 147..................................... 20.91454 -156.81671 148..................................... 20.92819 -156.83095 149..................................... 20.93291 -156.83751 150..................................... 20.94170 -156.84610 151..................................... 20.95280 -156.86190 152..................................... 20.96241 -156.88264 153..................................... 20.96897 -156.90386 154..................................... 20.97007 -156.91505 155..................................... 20.97363 -156.93338 156..................................... 20.97388 -156.96004 157..................................... 20.97771 -156.97295 158..................................... 20.97947 -156.98352 159..................................... 20.97955 -156.99051 160..................................... 20.97670 -157.01397 161..................................... 20.97673 -157.01983 162..................................... 20.97710 -157.01823 163..................................... 20.97945 -157.01595 164..................................... 20.98107 -157.01550 165..................................... 20.98408 -157.01690 166..................................... 20.98770 -157.01522 167..................................... 20.99727 -157.01573 168..................................... 21.00640 -157.01808 169..................................... 21.01463 -157.01638 170..................................... 21.01662 -157.01742 171..................................... 21.01817 -157.01955 172..................................... 21.02207 -157.01955 173..................................... 21.02663 -157.02110 174..................................... 21.02795 -157.02198 175..................................... 21.03023 -157.02985 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0 2. Revise Sec. 922.48 to read as follows: Sec. 922.48 National Marine Sanctuary permits--application procedures and issuance criteria. (a) A person may conduct an activity prohibited by subparts F through O, and Q, if conducted in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under this section and subparts F through O, and Q, as appropriate. For the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a person may conduct an activity prohibited by subpart P if conducted in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under Sec. 922.166. For the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, a person may conduct an activity prohibited by subpart R in accordance with the scope, purpose, terms and conditions of a permit issued under Sec. 922.195. (b) Applications for permits to conduct activities otherwise prohibited by subparts F through O, and Q, should be addressed to the Director and sent to the address specified in subparts F through O, and Q, or subpart R, as appropriate. An application must include: (1) A detailed description of the proposed activity including a timetable for completion; (2) The equipment, personnel and methodology to be employed; (3) The qualifications and experience of all personnel; (4) The potential effects of the activity, if any, on Sanctuary resources and qualities; and (5) Copies of all other required licenses, permits, approvals or other authorizations. (c) Upon receipt of an application, the Director may request such additional information from the applicant as he or she deems necessary to act on the application and may seek the views of any persons or entity, within or outside the Federal government, and may hold a public hearing, as deemed appropriate. (d) The Director, at his or her discretion, may issue a permit, subject to such terms and conditions as he or she deems appropriate, to conduct a prohibited activity, in accordance with the criteria found in subparts F through O, and Q, or subpart R, as appropriate. The Director shall further impose, at a minimum, the conditions set forth in the relevant subpart. (e) A permit granted pursuant to this section is nontransferable. (f) The Director may amend, suspend, or revoke a permit issued pursuant to this section for good cause. The Director may deny a permit application pursuant to this section, in whole or in part, if it is determined that the permittee or applicant has acted in violation of the terms and conditions of a permit or of the regulations set forth in this section or subparts F through O, and Q, subpart R or for other good cause. Any such action shall be communicated in writing to the permittee or applicant by certified mail and shall set forth the reason(s) for the action taken. Procedures governing permit sanctions and denials for enforcement reasons are set forth in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904. 0 3. Revise Sec. 922.49 to read as follows: Sec. 922.49 Notification and review of applications for leases, licenses, permits, approvals, or other authorizations to conduct a prohibited activity. (a) A person may conduct an activity prohibited by subparts L through R of the part, if such activity is specifically authorized by any valid Federal, State, or local lease, permit, license, approval, or other authorization issued after the effective date of Sanctuary designation, or in the case of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary after the effective date of the regulations in subpart P, provided that: (1) The applicant notifies the Director, in writing, of the application for such authorization (and of any application for an amendment, renewal, or extension of such authorization) within fifteen (15) days of the date of filing of the application or the effective date of Sanctuary designation, or in the case of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary the effective date of the regulations in subpart P, whichever is later; (2) The applicant complies with the other provisions of this section; (3) The Director notifies the applicant and authorizing agency that he or she does not object to issuance of the authorization (or amendment, renewal, or extension); and (4) The applicant complies with any terms and conditions the Director deems reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities. (b) Any potential applicant for an authorization described in paragraph (a) of this section may request the Director to issue a finding as to whether the activity for which an application is intended to be made is prohibited by subparts L through R, as appropriate. (c) Notification of filings of applications should be sent to the Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management at the address specified in subparts L through R of this part, as appropriate. A copy of the application must accompany the notification. (d) The Director may request additional information from the [[Page 16247]] applicant as he or she deems reasonably necessary to determine whether to object to issuance of an authorization described in paragraph (a) of this section, or what terms and conditions are reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities. The information requested must be received by the Director within 45 days of the postmark date of the request. The Director may seek the views of any persons on the application. (e) The Director shall notify, in writing, the agency to which application has been made of his or her pending review of the application and possible objection to issuance. Upon completion of review of the application and information received with respect thereto, the Director shall notify both the agency and applicant, in writing, whether he or she has an objection to issuance and what terms and conditions he or she deems reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities, and reasons therefor. (f) The Director may amend the terms and conditions deemed reasonably necessary to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities whenever additional information becomes available justifying such an amendment. (g) Any time limit prescribed in or established under this Sec. 922.49 may be extended by the Director for good cause. (h) The applicant may appeal any objection by, or terms or conditions imposed by, the Director to the Assistant Administrator or designee in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 922.50. 0 4. Revise section Sec. 922.50 to read as follows: Sec. 922.50 Appeals of administrative action. Except for permit actions taken for enforcement reasons (see subpart D of 15 CFR part 904 for applicable procedures), an applicant for, or a holder of, a National Marine Sanctuary permit; an applicant for, or a holder of, a Special Use permit issued pursuant to section 310 of the Act; a person requesting certification of an existing lease, permit, license or right of subsistence use or access under Sec. 922.47; or, for those Sanctuaries described in subparts L through R, an applicant for a lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction (hereinafter appellant) may appeal to the Assistant Administrator: (a) The granting, denial, conditioning, amendment, suspension or revocation by the Director of a National Marine Sanctuary or Special Use permit; (b) The conditioning, amendment, suspension or revocation of a certification under Sec. 922.47; or (c) For those Sanctuaries described in subparts L through R, the objection to issuance of or the imposition of terms and conditions on a lease, permit, license or other authorization issued by any Federal, State, or local authority of competent jurisdiction. [FR Doc. 2015-06441 Filed 3-25-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
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