Background
There is a long history of considering this area for national marine sanctuary designation dating back over two decades.
Timeline
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2000
President William J. Clinton created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve by executive order, which directed the secretary of Commerce to designate the reserve as a national marine sanctuary.
Photo: NOAA
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2006
President George W. Bush designated Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by proclamation based in part on the sanctuary designation process that was already underway and near completion.
Photo: Official White House Photo by Eric Draper, 2006
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2016
President Barack H. Obama followed the original monument designation with a proclamation, designating the Monument Expansion Area to the full extent of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The proclamation directed the secretary of commerce to consider designating Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the Monument Expansion Area as a national marine sanctuary.
Photo: Official White House photo by Pete Souza
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2021
The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 directed NOAA to initiate the sanctuary designation process (see next section for details).
These executive orders, presidential proclamations, and the existing regulations for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument served as benchmarks for the sanctuary regulations.
Learn more about the difference between marine national monuments and national marine sanctuaries.
Scoping
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries issued a notice of intent to begin the designation process for the proposed sanctuary on Nov. 19, 2021. During a 42-day public comment period from Nov. 19, 2021 to Jan. 31, 2022, NOAA hosted four meetings to solicit public comments that informed initial development of draft designation documents, including boundary alternatives, potential impacts, regulations, and the scope and substance of a draft management plan. NOAA received more than 80 comments during the public comment period. A description of the public scoping process and a summary of comments received are published in Appendix F of the final environmental impact statement. Original submissions also are posted on regulations.gov.
Draft Designation Documents
On March 1, 2024, NOAA published a notice of availability of the draft environmental impact statement, proposed rule, and draft management plan, and accepted public comment through May 7, 2024. During the public comment period, an estimated 237 people attended the 11 public meetings and 61 individuals provided oral comments. 488 written comments and 13,385 form letters were received from individuals, organizations, and agencies. A total of 13,934 comments were received, with the overwhelming majority in support of sanctuary designation. Public comments on these draft documents are summarized and responded to by NOAA in the final environmental impact statement, Appendix K, and original submissions also are posted on regulations.gov. These comments along with consultation input from federal agencies, were carefully considered before NOAA finalized the designation documents.
Final Designation Documents
NOAA published the final environmental impact statement and final management plan on Dec. 13, 2024.
NOAA published the final rule and record of decision on Jan. 16, 2025.
Sanctuary Designation Completion
Per the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the designation and regulations shall take effect and become final after the close of a review period of 45 days of continuous session of Congress. During this review period, the governor of the state of Hawai‘i may certify to the secretary of commerce that the designation or any of its terms is unacceptable, in which case the designation or any unacceptable term shall not take effect in state waters of the sanctuary.