The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, which is jointly managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), is in the process of a periodic review of its management plan, as required by law.
As a part of that review, the DLNR announced last week opening a 30-day comment period for boaters and other ocean users on what effects its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) might have on the “economic welfare, social welfare, and cultural practices of communities or the state.”
“The review of the sanctuary’s management plan is an opportunity for the State of Hawaii and NOAA to continue work together to ensure that Hawaii’s resources can be utilized responsibly and continue to be enjoyed for generations to come,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson.
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries issued a similar notice under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 2010. This Notice of Intent aligns the required federal and state processes so that the DLNR and NOAA are able to produce one comprehensive document that reflects the sanctuary’s joint management.
Recreational boaters and other ocean users may view the EIS on line and are requested to make any comments to the DLNR no later than Feb. 7, 2013 by e-mail to dlnr.sanctuary@hawaii.gov or by mail to:
Attn: Sanctuary Management
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 330, Honolulu, HI 96813
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