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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P STYLE="margin:0 14 0 0;"><SPAN>Specific areas of critical habitat for the Indo-Pacific coral species </SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;">Isopora crateriformis</SPAN><SPAN> proposed for designation include marine area around 3 island units in American Samoa (Tutuila, Ofu & Olosega, and Ta'u) with suitable hard-bottom habitat within the depth range 0-20 m, as described below.</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 14 0 3;"><SPAN /><SPAN /></P><P STYLE="margin:0 14 0 3;"><SPAN><SPAN>Specific areas of critical habitat were</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>delineated</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>four steps:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(1)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>General</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>information</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>was used</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>to</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>delineate soft</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>vs. hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>leaving</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>only</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas;</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>for</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>identified</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>1,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>specific</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>information</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>was used</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>to delineate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unsuitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>vs.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates, leaving</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>only</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>latter;</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(3)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>for</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas identified</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>we</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>used</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>water quality</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>information</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>to</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>further</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>delineate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>vs.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unsuitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas;</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(4)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>from the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>identified</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Steps 1-3,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>we</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>removed</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>any</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>overlapping</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>artificial</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>managed</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas. The</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>four</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>steps were</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>implemented</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>for</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>each of</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>18</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>units as follows:</SPAN></SPAN></P><OL STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;padding:0 0 0 0;"><LI><P STYLE="margin:0 17 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For Step 1, we used</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>comprehensive hard-soft substrate maps developed by</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>PIFSC (PIFSC</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2021) to delineate soft vs.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard substrates, leaving</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>only</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard substrate areas within</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the combined depth ranges</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>of</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>all listed species</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>each</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unit for 16</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>of the 18 units.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>For Wake Atoll, we used the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate map from PIBHMC (2021). For French Frigate Shoals, we used the geomorphological</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>structure component of the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>maps developed by</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>NCCOS (2003).</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI><P STYLE="margin:1 7 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>we</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>started</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>with</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>identified</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>1,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>then</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>distinguished</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unsuitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>vs.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Many</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>are</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unsuitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>because:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(1)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>highly-fluctuating</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>physical</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>conditions</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>cause</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>extreme</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>changes</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>water</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>quality</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(e.g.,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>shallow</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>pavement</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>rubble,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>especially</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>on</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>reef</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>flats);</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>water</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>motion</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>continuously</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>mobilizes</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sediment</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(e.g.,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>pavement</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>with</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sand</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>channels)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>or</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unstable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(e.g.,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>rubble);</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>or</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(3)</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>flat,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>low-relief</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>provide</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>poor</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>settlement</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>growth</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>habitat</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(e.g.,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>pavement).</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Removal</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>of</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>these</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>left</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>including</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>spur-and-groove,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>individual</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>patch</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>reef,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>aggregate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>reef,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>aggregated</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>patch</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>reef,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>scattered</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>coral/rock,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>rock/boulder.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>For</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>this</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>step,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>primary</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>information</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sources</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>were</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Brainard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>at</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>al.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2008,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2012,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2019),</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>NCCOS</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2003,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2005,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2010),</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>PIBHMC</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2021),</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>PIFSC</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2021),</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>detailed</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>public</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>comment</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>letters</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>from</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Territories</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(AS</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>DMWR</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2021,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>CNMI</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>DLNR</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2021,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Guam</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>DOAG</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2021),</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>American</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Samoa,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Guam,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>CNMI,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>PRIA,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>NWHI</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>chapters</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Waddell</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Clarke</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2008).</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Additional</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sources</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>for</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>individual</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>units</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>are</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>cited</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unit</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sections</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>below.</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI><P STYLE="margin:0 17 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>3,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>starting</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>with the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>identified</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>we</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>used water</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>quality</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>information</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>to</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>further</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>delineate</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>vs.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>unsuitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>areas.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Some</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>of</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the areas</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>identified</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Step</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>are</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>chronically</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>subject</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>to</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>pollution</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>such</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>as excessive</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>nutrients, excessive</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sediment,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>contaminants,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>or</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>other</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>water</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>quality</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>problems,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>making</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>them unsuitable. Generally,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>such areas occur</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>enclosed</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>lagoons and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>inner</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>harbors where</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>there is high</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>runoff</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>limited</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>water</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>circulation.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Outside</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>of</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>such areas,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>point</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>non-point sources of</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>pollution</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>generally</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>do</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>not</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>overlap</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>with suitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>hard</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates because wastewater</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>outfalls are</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>located</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>on</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>soft</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>substrates beyond</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>reef</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>slopes,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>and</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>stormwater and freshwater discharge occurs primarily on soft substrates (sand or mud) or unsuitable</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>ard substrates (pavement or rubble) along</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>or near shorelines. For this step,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>primary information</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sources were</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Brainard at al. (2008, 2012, 2019), EPA</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>(2021a-f), the detailed public</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>comment letters from the Territories (AS DMWR 2021, CNMI DLNR 2021, Guam</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>DOAG 2021),</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>Territory</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>water quality</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>assessments (AS EPA</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2020,</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>CNMI BECQ</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>2018), and sources for</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>individual</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>units cited in</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>the unit</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>sections below.</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI><LI><P STYLE="margin:0 15 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For Step 4, from the suitable areas identified via the above three</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>steps, we removed any artificial substrates and managed areas, because they do not provide the essential feature, as explained in section 3.2.3 above.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>This only applies to existing artificial substrates and managed areas, not proposed or planned artificial substrates and managed areas.</SPAN></SPAN></P></LI></OL><P STYLE="margin:0 15 0 0;"><SPAN>For more details and complete citations see the Critical Habitat Information Report: </SPAN><A href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov:443/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/03-coral-critical-habitat-report-20231114-final.pdf</SPAN></A></P><P STYLE="margin:0 15 0 0;"><SPAN>Links to the full text of the proposed rule in the Federal Register and other supporting materials can be found here: </SPAN><A href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov:443/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-designate-critical-habitat-indo-pacific-corals</SPAN></A></P><P STYLE="margin:0 15 0 0;"><SPAN /></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |
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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>These spatial data are not the official legal definitions of critical habitat. Proposed rules, final rules, and the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 226) are the official sources of critical habitat. The accuracy of these datasets are dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g. shoreline, hydrography, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process.</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN>*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice that such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite the datasets as follows, with the appropriate information substituted for all text in {CURLY BRACKETS}:</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN>NOAA Fisheries Service. National Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Geodatabase. Silver Spring, MD: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR) {GEODATABASE PUBLICATION DATE}. {ADD URL}</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN /></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN>*** No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NOAA is providing these data "as is," and <organization> disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will <organization> be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN /></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN>*** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. These datasets were created to generally represent our best professional judgment of the ranges and designated or proposed critical habitat of listed species based on the best available information at the time of publication, including: geographic factors, time of year, and the biology of each species. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |