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Establishment of the Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge

 [Federal Register: January 24, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 16)]
[Notices]
[Page 7660]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja01-69]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Establishment of the Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved
the establishment of the Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge in the
central Pacific Ocean to protect the coral reef ecosystem for the
benefit of the wildlife that live on the lands and in the waters of the
refuge.

DATES: This action was effective on January 18, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Houghten with the Fish and
Wildlife Service in Portland, Oregon, 503-231-6207.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (we) approved the establishment of the Kingman Reef National
Wildlife Refuge to protect approximately 25,874 acres (10,478.97
hectares) of submerged coral reefs, and includes a total of 483,699
acres (195,898.09 hectares) of submerged lands. The refuge boundary is
designated to the extent of the 12-nautical mile (12 NM) territorial
sea. In addition to a spectacular diversity of coral reef fishes,
corals, and other marine organisms, Kingman Reef provides roosting,
feeding and other essential habitat for migratory Pacific seabirds, and
supports migratory shorebirds, and threatened green sea turtles.
    The authority to establish the Kingman Reef National Wildlife
Refuge is the Endangered Species Act of 1976, as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531-1544). The U.S. Navy has a defense reservation over Kingman Reef,
but it may be revoked in the future. We have been delegated
administrative jurisdiction and control of Kingman Reef, including the
reefs and territorial waters surrounding the island, by the Secretary
of the Interior for the purpose of carrying out the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee).
    The refuge encompasses emergent lands, coral reefs, and submerged
lands and associated waters to 12-NM. We will manage the refuge for the
conservation and management of native species of wildlife and fish and
their habitats. We will give wildlife species identified as endangered
or threatened management priority and will emphasize the stewardship of
endangered and threatened sea turtles, migratory seabirds that forage
in the refuge waters, and the coral reef and pelagic wildlife. Our
management actions include protection of the refuge waters and wildlife
from commercial fishing activities, enhancement of the environment
through the implementation of navigational guidelines and aids to
navigation that will protect the shallow reefs from maritime
groundings, periodic monitoring surveys of the coral reef environment,
and periodic clearance of any marine debris. We will, through the
establishment of the refuge, establish a no-take marine preserve in the
waters of the refuge. Therefore, we will close the refuge to commercial
fishing. We will also do scientific research and monitoring.
    In compliance with our policy and the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, we distributed an Environmental Assessment and a
Conceptual Management Plan for a 30-day public review and comment
period. We evaluated two alternatives for the protection and management
of wildlife and habitat.
    Based on the documentation contained in the revised Environmental
Assessment and Conceptual Management Plan, we signed a Finding of No
Significant Impact on January 17, 2001. The Conceptual Management Plan
will serve as an interim management plan until we develop a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan.

    Dated: January 18, 2001.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 01-2148 Filed 1-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

 
 

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