01-2951. Call for Applications for Alternate Representatives to the Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve

AGENCY:

National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION:

Notice and request for applications.

SUMMARY:

On December 4, 2000, Executive Order 13178 established the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve). The Executive Order requires the Secretary of Commerce or his or her designee (hereafter “Secretary”) to establish a Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council (Reserve Council) to provide advice and recommendations on the development of the Reserve Operations Plan and the designation and management of a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary by the Secretary. The Secretary, through the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), established the Reserve Council and is now seeking applicants for alternates as representatives on the Reserve Council. Previous applicants do not need to reapply and will still be considered in the competitive pool.

DATES:

Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Application kits may be obtained from Elizabeth Moore, National Marine Sanctuary System, 1305 East West Highway, N/ORM6, Room 11642, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, or online at: http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov.

Completed applications should be sent to the same address as above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elizabeth Moore at [phone] x170, or [e-mail], or visit the web site at: http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On December 4, 2000, Executive Order 13178 established the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended by the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000. The Reserve encompasses an area of the marine waters and submerged lands of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, extending approximately 1200 nautical miles long and 100 nautical miles wide. The Reserve is adjacent to and seaward of the seaward boundary of Hawaii State waters and submerged lands and the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, and includes the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge to the extent it extends beyond Hawaii State waters and submerged lands. The Reserve will be managed by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Executive Order. The Secretary has also initiated the process to designate the Reserve as a National Marine Sanctuary. The management principles and implementation strategy and requirements for the Reserve are found in the Executive Order, which is part of the application kit and can be found on the web site listed above.

In designating the Reserve, the Secretary of Commerce was directed to establish a Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council, pursuant to section 315 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, to provide advice and recommendations on the development of the Reserve Operations Plan and the designation and management of a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary by the Secretary. The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) has established the Reserve Council and is now accepting applications from interested individuals for alternates for the following positions on the Council:

1. Three Native Hawaiian representatives, including one Native Hawaiian elder, with experience or knowledge regarding Native Hawaiian subsistence, cultural, religious, or other activities in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

2. Three representatives from the non-Federal science community with experience specific to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and with expertise in at least one of the following areas:

A. Marine mammal science.

B. Coral reef ecology.

C. Native marine flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands.

D. Oceanography.

E. Any other scientific discipline the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

3. Three representatives from non-governmental wildlife/marine life, environmental, and/or conservation organizations.

• One representative from the commercial fishing industry that conducts activities in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
• One representative from the recreational fishing industry that conducts activities in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
• One representative from the ocean-related tourism industry.
• One representative from the non-Federal community with experience in education and outreach regarding marine conservation issues.
• One citizen-at-large representative.

All individuals who have previously applied do not need to reapply and remain in the competitive pool for the alternates.

The Reserve Council also includes one representative from the State of Hawaii as appointed by the Governor; the manager of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary as a non-voting member; and one representative each, as non-voting members, from the Department of the Interior, Department of State, National Marine Fisheries Service, Marine Mammal Commission, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. The non-voting representatives are chosen by the agencies and other entities, respectively. The charter for the Council can be found in the application kit, or on the web site listed above.

Applicants for the alternate positions are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; and philosophy regarding the conservation and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as alternates represent a seat in the absence of the Council member and/or may also complete the term if a member resigns. Alternates hold the same privileges as members when they are representing the member at a Council meeting. When the member is present at meetings, the alternate may participate as a member of the public. Alternates should expect to serve two- to three-year terms, pursuant to the Council's charter. Persons who are interested in applying for membership on the Council may obtain an application from either the person or website identified above. Completed applications must be sent to the address listed above and must be received by March 2, 2001.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. Section 1431 et seq.; Pub. L. 106-513.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program)

Dated: January 29, 2001.

Margaret A. Davidson,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.