Feds Grab for Control of 1,601 square miles of Hawaii Waters

KGI: The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary may be expanded to include multiple marine species.

The proposed rule also includes a boundary expansion that adds 235 square miles of state and federal waters around Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, bringing the total sanctuary area to 1,601 square miles, and provide the sanctuary with new opportunities to work closely with communities on priority resource protection issues.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the proposed rule this week following collaboration with several partners.

read ... Expansion

CN: Ecosystem Approach Likely for Sanctuary

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NOAA: Draft EIS

NOAA: Public Meeting Schedule

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STATE CONSIDERS SANCTUARY DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT, AND REGULATIONS

Environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts to be evaluated

News Release from DLNR March 26, 2015

HONOLULU – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to change the scope of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by increasing its size, expanding from a sanctuary that manages only humpback whales to one that manages all natural and cultural resources within its boundaries, and changing its name. A news announcement was made yesterday.

The sanctuary was originally established by the U.S. Congress in 1992, and approved with modifications by Governor Cayetano in 1998.

“As we consider how best to manage our resources going forward, the State will be looking carefully at the potential implications of expanding federal jurisdiction within state waters,” said Interim Chair Carty Chang of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

“The State strongly encourages people to comment on the plan. We will be evaluating public input and reviewing the draft management plan, draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and proposed regulations in light of what’s best for Hawaii’s public trust resources and for our communities,” he continued.

Any changes to the sanctuary in State waters require approval by the Governor. 

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