NOAA today announced the initiation of a process to potentially designate a new national marine sanctuary in the Pacific Remote Islands region, with comments sought by Friday, June 2 on the scope and significance of issues to be addressed in preparing a draft environmental impact statement for the designation. In conjunction with the comment period, NOAA will host in-person public meetings in Honolulu, HI (May 10), Hilo, HI (May 11), Hagatna, GU (May 17), Saipan, CNMI (May 18), Rota, CNMI (May 19), Tinian, CNMI (May 20), and Pago Pago, AS (May 24).
The initiation of a public scoping process for the designation follows President Biden’s direction in March for Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo to consider initiating a national marine sanctuary designation within 30 days that would expand protections around the Pacific Remote Islands in an action that would conserve 777,000 square miles (including the existing ~495,000 square mile Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument).
Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo said that the administration and Commerce “are committed to bold conservation goals through the America the Beautiful initiative,” adding that a designation “would bring to bear NOAA’s capacity and expertise in research and management of coastal and marine resources, maritime heritage and archaeology, and public education and outreach in order to protect the unique ecological and cultural resources of the Pacific Remote Islands.”
NOAA Admin. Dr. Rick Spinrad added that a designation “would complement and strengthen existing efforts to preserve the region’s natural, cultural and historic values,” while NOAA National Ocean Service Director Nicole LeBoeuf called it “an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Indigenous cultural connections to the lands and waters of the area.”
