Feds Hold Public Hearings for Critical Habitat Designation for Monk Seals

The National Marine Fisheries Service is holding a series of public meetings to discuss its proposed rule regarding Hawaiian Monk Seal critical habitat.  The proposed rule is here.  The rule's background is:

In the notice of the proposed rulemaking, we propose to revise the current critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) by extending the current designation in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) out to the 500-meter (m) depth contour and including Sand Island at Midway Islands; and by designating six new areas in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specific areas proposed for the MHI include terrestrial and marine habitat from 5 m inland from the shoreline extending seaward to the 500-m depth contour around: Kaula Island, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui Nui (including Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai), and Hawaii (except those areas that have been identified as not included in the designation). We propose to exclude the following areas from designation because the national security benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion, and exclusion will not result in extinction of the species: Kingfisher Underwater Training area in marine areas off the northeast coast of Niihau; Pacific Missile Range Facility Main Base at Barking Sands, Kauai; Pacific Missile Range Facility Offshore Areas in marine areas off the western coast of Kauai; the Naval Defensive Sea Area and Puuloa Underwater Training Range in marine areas outside Pearl Harbor, Oahu; and the Shallow Water Minefield Sonar Training Range off the western coast of Kahoolawe in the Maui Nui area. In addition we are soliciting comments on all aspects of the proposal, including information on the economic, national security, and other relevant impacts. We will consider additional information received prior to making a final decision on critical habitat designation.

The schedule for the hearings is:

Moloka’i
Monday, August 8 5:30-8 pm
Mitchell Pauole Center
90 Ainoa Street
Kaunakakai, HI 96748

Maui
Tuesday, August 9 5:30-8 pm
Kihei Community Center
303 E. Lipoa St.
Kihei, HI 96753

Kaua’i
Wednesday, August 10 5:30-8 pm
Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy St., Exhibit Hall B
Lihu’e, HI 96766

O’ahu
Thursday, August 11 5:30-8 pm
McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Park
1201 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96814

Hawai’i
Monday, August 15 5:30-8 pm
Mokupapapa Discovery Center
308 Kamehameha Ave., 109
Hilo, HI 96720

Tuesday, August 16 6:30-9 pm
Kahakai Elementary School
76-147 Royal Poinciana Drive
Kailua Kona, HI 96740

Written comments must be received before August 31, 2011 or you can submit them at www.regulations.gov.