THE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will conduct three public hearings regarding the proposed designation of CNMI waters as critical habitat for a coral reef species, according to the NOAA website.
The first public hearing is set for Jan. 18 at Crowne Plaza Resort on Saipan. The second will be held on Jan. 23 at Tinian Elementary School and the third will take place on Jan. 25 at the Northern Marianas campus on Rota.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. A meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. before the public hearing, which starts at 7 p.m.
NOAA wants to list areas of Uracas, Maug, Pagan, Alamagan, Saipan, Tinian, Aguiguan and Rota as critical habitat for Acropora globiceps, a species of coral that can be found in the Northern Marianas and Guam. It is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
According to a release, NOAA is seeking the establishment of critical habitat in the Marianas for the “conservation and recovery” of Acropora globiceps.
NOAA stated that a critical habitat does not create a closed area, marine protected area, refuge, wilderness reserve, preservation or other conservation area. It also does not affect land ownership, NOAA said.
“Once critical habitat is designated, other federal agencies consult with NOAA Fisheries to ensure that the actions they fund, authorize, or undertake are not likely to destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat,” NOAA stated.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
The areas in blue are NOAA’s proposed sites of critical habitat designation.
