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<b>Please distribute -</b><b></b>
<p><b>Call for public comment on conservation measures of the Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve [<A HREF="http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/comment/comment.html">http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/comment/comment.html</A>]</b>
<p>On December 4, 2000, U.S. President Clinton signed Executive Order 13178,
establishing the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve.
The President initiated a 30-day comment period and directed the Secretary
of Commerce to receive public comment on the Reserve conservation measures,
and whether to make the Reserve Preservation Areas permanent.
<p>Public comment period ends January 8, 2001. Six public hearings
will be held in Hawaii December 11-15. One public hearing will be
held in Washington, D.C. on December 13. Information is provided
below on the public hearings and how to submit comments.
<p>For a full schedule of public hearings please see:
<br><A HREF="http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/comment/schedule.html">http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/comment/schedule.html</A>
<p>For information on submitting comments in writing please see:
<br><A HREF="http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/comment/comment.html">http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/comment/comment.html</A>
<br>Comments must be postmarked no later than January 8, 2001. Comments
may be submitted by mail, fax or electronically to:
<p>
Roger Griffis, NOAA,
<br>
Office of Policy and Strategic Planning
<br>
Rm. 6117, 14th & Constitution Ave. NW
<br>
Washington, D.C. 20230-0001
<p>
Fax 301/713-4306
<br>
Website: <A HREF="http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov">http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov</A>
<br>
E-mail address: hawaiicomments@noaa.gov
<p>
For further information or to request an information packet on
<br>
the President's proposal, please contact Roger Griffis at
<br>
866-616-3605 (toll free) or visit the Web site //hawaiireef.noaa.gov/
<p>For information on the new Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef
Reserve please see:
<br><A HREF="http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/">http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/</A>
<p>Schedule of Public Hearings:
<br>Northwestern Hawaiian Island Coral Reef Reserve
<p>
Oahu
<br>
December 11, 2000
<br>
6 p.m.
<br>
Ala Moana Hotel - Garden Lanai
<br>
410 Atkinson Drive
<br>
Honolulu, HI
<br>
808.955.4811
<p>
Kona
<br>
December 11, 2000
<br>
6 p.m.
<br>
*King Kamehameha Hotel
<br>
75-5660 Palani Road
<br>
Kailua-Kona, HI
<br>
808.329.2911
<br>
*Parking will be validated.
<p>
Hilo
<br>
December 12, 2000
<br>
6 p.m.
<br>
Hilo Cooperative Extension Service
<br>
875 Komohana Street
<br>
Conference Room A
<br>
Hilo, HI
<br>
808.959.9155
<p>
Kauai
<br>
December 13, 2000
<br>
6 p.m.
<br>
Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall
<br>
Ballroom B
<br>
4191 Hardy Street
<br>
Lihue, HI
<p>
Washington, D.C.
<br>
December 13, 2000
<br>
1 p.m.
<br>
U.S. Department of Commerce
<br>
Room 4830
<br>
14th & Constitution Avenue, NW
<br>
202.482.5181
<p>
Maui
<br>
December 14, 2000
<br>
6 p.m.
<br>
Wailuku Community Center
<br>
395 Waena Street
<br>
Wailuku, HI
<p>
Molokai
<br>
December 15, 2000
<br>
6 p.m.
<br>
Mitchell Pauole Center
<br>
90 Ainoa Street
<br>
Kaunakakai, HI
<br>
808.553.3204</html>