# United States Coral Reef Task Force; Notice of Availability of Documents for Public Review and Comment > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-31320 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** December 3, 1999 - **Citation:** 64 FR 67928 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Coral Reef Task Force; Notice of Availability of Documents for Public Review and Comment AGENCY: United States Coral Reef Task Force. ACTION: Availability of documents. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice carries out the November 3, 1999, decision of the United States Coral Reef Task Force to provide the public an opportunity to review and comment on three documents: (1) ``Draft National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs,'' (2) ``Coral Reef Protected Areas: A Guide for Management,'' and (3) ``Oversight of Agency Actions Affecting Coral Reef Protection.'' DATES: (1) Comments on the ``Draft National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs'' are due on or before January 14, 2000. (2) Comments on ``Coral Reef Protected Areas: A Guide for Management'' are due on or before January 3, 2000. (3) Comments on ``Oversight of Agency Actions Affecting Coral Reef Protection'' are due on or before January 3, 2000. ADDRESSES: Document Availability: Documents are on the Internet at http://coralreef.gov. Alternatively, call or write to Ms. Patricia Kennedy (telephone number 202-208-5378), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Mail Stop 3156, Washington, D.C. 20240, to request a copy of any or all of the documents. Comments: Submit electronic comments on any or all of these documents to Patricia__K[email protected]. Alternatively, submit written comments to the United States Coral Reef Task Force, c/o Ms. Patricia Kennedy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Mail Stop 3156, Washington, D.C. 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Patricia Kennedy, 202-208-5378, concerning how to submit your comments. Contact Ms. Molly N. Ross, 202- 208-5378, or Mr. Roger B. Griffis, 202-482-5034, concerning all other matters. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The world's coral reefs are in serious jeopardy, threatened by a growing barrage of over-exploitation, pollution, habitat destruction, diseases, invasive species, bleaching and climate change. The rapid decline of these ancient and productive marine ecosystems has significant social, economic and environmental impacts on coastal cultures and on the nation as a whole. In response to this global environmental crisis, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13089, 63 FR 32702 (June 16, 1998). The executive order established the United States Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF), to be chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The executive order assigned the CRTF specific duties for coral reef protection, including coordination of a comprehensive program to map and monitor U.S. coral reefs; development and implementation of research aimed at identifying the major causes and consequences of degradation of coral reef ecosystems; development, recommendation, and implementation of measures necessary to reduce and mitigate coral reef ecosystem degradation and to restore damaged coral reefs; and assessment of the U.S. role in international trade and protection of coral reef species and implementation of appropriate strategies and actions to promote conservation and sustainable use of coral reef resources worldwide. At its third meeting on November 2-3, 1999, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, the CRTF endorsed or adopted three documents in furtherance of its duties under Executive Order 13089. The CRTF decided to provide an opportunity for public comment on each of these documents, as follows: (1) The CRTF endorsed the ``Draft National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs'' for the purpose of securing public comment on the draft plan and then revising it as necessary before adoption at a future meeting. This draft plan is a detailed, long-term strategy for implementing Executive Order 13089. It was prepared through careful deliberations of a large and diverse group of experts in coral reef science, management, policy and education, drawn from federal, state and territorial governments, academia and the private sector. The CRTF welcomes public review, discussion, and comment on the draft plan. (2) The CRTF adopted the document entitled ``Coral Reef Protected Areas: A Guide for Management,'' subject to technical amendments. The purpose of this document is to assist those involved in planning and managing programs for coral reef protected areas. It is intended for use in developing management plans for new protected areas and for reviewing plans at established areas. The CRTF invites comment on this document. (3) The CRTF adopted the document entitled ``Oversight of Agency Actions Affecting Coral Reef Protection,'' subject to revision in light of public comment. This document establishes the procedures necessary to carry out the CRTF's duty under the Executive Order ``to oversee implementation of the policy and Federal agency responsibilities set forth in this order. . . '' The oversight procedures require CRTF members to develop by June 11, 2000, plans for implementing the executive order, and to provide annual reports summarizing the agency's implementation each June. The oversight procedures also describe how a person who believes that an agency has taken action inconsistent with the Executive Order may register his or her concern and receive a response from the agency. [[Page 67929]] Dated: November 26, 1999. Stephen C. Saunders, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Sally Yozell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of Commerce. [FR Doc. 99-31320 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-31320. Public record. Not legal advice.