Notice from NOAA/NMFS/PIRO Extends PEIS comment period to 11/30

Aloha,
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) is proposing to implement specific management actions and administer the associated research and enhancement program for Hawaiian monk seals in the Hawaiian Islands. Public comments were due by November 15, 2010. NMFS has decided to allow additional time for submission of public comments on this action (75 FR 69398-69399). *The scoping period for the PEIS is extended to November 30, 2010. Written comments must be received or postmarked by November 30, 2010.*
The Scoping period provides an opportunity to express your views and identify issues to be addressed in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NMFS requests any comments you may have about potential management actions and associated research and enhancement program activities that may be performed on Hawaiian monk seals in an effort to recover the species.
The Notice of Intent was published October 1, 2010 (75 FR 60721), which initiated the formal PEIS Scoping period. NMFS PIRO hosted public Scoping meetings to introduce the project proposal to the public, describe the process of the PEIS, and solicit input on the issues and alternatives to be evaluated. Public Scoping meetings were held at the following locations: October 21, 2010 – Honolulu, Oahu; October 22, 2010 – Hilo, Island of Hawaii; October 25, 2010 – Kihei, Maui; October 26, 2010 – Kaunakakai, Molokai; and October 27, 2010 – Lihue, Kauai. *No additional Scoping meetings will be held.*
* * For more information about the proposed project please visit our project website at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm
Comments can be emailed to: monkseal@noaa.gov 
or mailed to:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Regional Office
Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions PEIS
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814