NOAA proposes national marine sanctuary in Papahānaumokuākea; public input sought

The National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration has released for public comment its draft proposal to designate marine portions of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument as a national marine sanctuary.

The proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary would supplement and complement existing authorities, including the area’s designation as a marine national monument, which will continue to be in effect.

NOAA is proposing a sanctuary area approximately 582,250 square miles. The agency’s preferred boundary is coextensive with the marine portions of the monument. The boundary includes the marine environment surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from the shoreline of the islands and atolls seaward to 200 nautical miles, including all state waters and waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Midway Atoll and Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuges, and state of Hawaiʻi Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge.

A detailed description of the proposed sanctuary can be found on the website for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

Public comment on the proposal will be accepted through May 7. Additionally, NOAA and the state of Hawaiʻi will co-host meetings to gather public input.

A virtual meeting will take place on April 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Click here to register.

Three in-person meetings will be held on Kaua‘i on the following days:

• April 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Waimea High School Cafeteria, located on 9707 Tsuchiya Rd., in Waimea

• April 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Waipā Foundation – Keanolani Hale, located at 5-5785A Kūhiō Highway in Hanalei

• April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School, 4319 Hardy St., in Līhu‘e

Virtual or in-person meetings may end before the time noted above if all participants have concluded their oral comments.

Comments may also be submitted through the following methods:

Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for docket NOAA-NOS-2021-0114. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Comments will be accepted in both English and ʻōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language).

Send any hard copy public comments by mail to PMNM-Sanctuary Designation, NOAA/ONMS, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

For more information on the proposed sanctuary, see the Federal Register notice or
https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/papahanaumokuakea/.