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<P>We are very concerned that the Western Pacific Council is moving forward with
public hearings in the coming weeks concerning the Coral Reef Ecosystem Plan.
They are doing so even after the Council, NOAA and NMFS instructed that the
staff hold joint Coral Reef Plan Team Meetings with the Advisory Panel.
However this was not done as only the chairman of both the AP and Plan team met
with the Council staff, which is highly suspicious, knowing the
history of what has transpired during the Plan Team and AP process.
Reports were altered without the approval of the Plan Team and AP members and
then presented as their work. </P>
<P>The Plan Team was comprised of Coral Reef Experts, yet 95% of their
recommendations were disregarded by the Council in lieu of less restrictive
measures, which could impact EFH, as well as endangered and threatened species.
Facts and observer information concerning fishermen using fire arms and bait to
deter interactions with Monk Seals and dolphins in the North West Hawaiian
Islands were not given consideration and the public perception is that the
Council is once again violating NEPA and CEQ guidelines which state; "when
several proposals for....related action that will have cumulative or synergistic
environmental impact upon a region are pending concurrently before an agency,
their environmental consequences must be considered together. (40 CFR Sec.
1508.18).</P>
<P><FONT face="Times New">In part our concerns include, but are not limited to,
recommendations in defining the scope of the bottomfish, lobster, pelagic and
Seamount Groundfish FMPs and the Coral Reef Ecosystem FMP. In short we wish to
stress the need that all plans be included in the Coral Reef Ecosystem FMP and
not simply linked by existing FMPs. We further believe that they all need to be
evaluated according to the CEQ Guidelines and provide a full and frank
discussion of all the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts that the
proposed Coral Reef Ecosystem FMP can have on the environment.</P></FONT>
<P><FONT size=4><STRONG>We therefore request that any public hearing be
postponed until these and other concerns are addressed and this fast track that
the Council is determined to put this plan on be stopped.</STRONG></FONT></P>
<P>Bob Endreson</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>