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36B...................................... 34°11[min]28.249[sec] 120°19[min]29.213[sec]
37....................................... 34°12[min]08.078[sec] 120°21[min]00.835[sec]
37C...................................... 34°12[min]25.468[sec] 120°25[min]01.261[sec]
38....................................... 34°12[min]18.754[sec] 120°25[min]39.373[sec]
38D...................................... 34°11[min]33.184[sec] 120°27[min]33.921[sec]
39....................................... 34°12[min]19.470[sec] 120°30[min]22.620[sec]
39E...................................... 34°12[min]17.540[sec] 120°32[min]19.959[sec]
40....................................... 34°10[min]54.592[sec] 120°35[min]57.887[sec]
40F...................................... 34°06[min]07.491[sec] 120°38[min]27.883[sec]
41....................................... 34°04[min]53.454[sec] 120°38[min]16.602[sec]
41G...................................... 34°03[min]30.539[sec] 120°37[min]39.442[sec]
42....................................... 34°01[min]09.860[sec] 120°35[min]04.808[sec]
42H...................................... 34°00[min]48.573[sec] 120°34[min]25.106[sec]
43....................................... 33°59[min]13.122[sec] 120°33[min]53.385[sec]
44....................................... 33°57[min]01.427[sec] 120°31[min]54.590[sec]
45....................................... 33°55[min]36.973[sec] 120°27[min]37.188[sec]
46....................................... 33°55[min]30.037[sec] 120°25[min]14.587[sec]
47....................................... 33°54[min]50.522[sec] 120°22[min]29.536[sec]
48....................................... 33°55[min]01.640[sec] 120°19[min]26.722[sec]
49....................................... 33°54[min]34.409[sec] 120°18[min]27.344[sec]
50....................................... 33°53[min]23.129[sec] 120°17[min]39.927[sec]
51....................................... 33°50[min]39.990[sec] 120°15[min]13.874[sec]
52....................................... 33°49[min]53.260[sec] 120°13[min]41.904[sec]
53....................................... 33°49[min]03.437[sec] 120°12[min]06.750[sec]
54....................................... 33°48[min]36.087[sec] 120°11[min]10.821[sec]
55....................................... 33°47[min]39.280[sec] 120°07[min]59.707[sec]
56....................................... 33°47[min]37.617[sec] 120°06[min]04.002[sec]
57....................................... 33°47[min]59.351[sec] 120°04[min]08.370[sec]
58....................................... 33°48[min]38.700[sec] 120°02[min]33.188[sec]
59....................................... 33°48[min]52.167[sec] 120°01[min]50.244[sec]
60....................................... 33°50[min]28.486[sec] 119°57[min]50.820[sec]
61....................................... 33°50[min]55.128[sec] 119°55[min]19.934[sec]
62....................................... 33°52[min]13.338[sec] 119°52[min]53.439[sec]
63....................................... 33°52[min]04.900[sec] 119°52[min]10.719[sec]
64....................................... 33°51[min]39.919[sec] 119°47[min]21.152[sec]
65....................................... 33°51[min]48.592[sec] 119°46[min]13.213[sec]
66....................................... 33°51[min]35.798[sec] 119°44[min]34.589[sec]
67....................................... 33°51[min]44.374[sec] 119°41[min]12.738[sec]
68....................................... 33°52[min]23.857[sec] 119°39[min]14.708[sec]
69....................................... 33°53[min]09.365[sec] 119°37[min]30.784[sec]
70....................................... 33°53[min]12.754[sec] 119°35[min]35.793[sec]
71....................................... 33°53[min]17.114[sec] 119°34[min]54.567[sec]
72....................................... 33°53[min]38.865[sec] 119°32[min]51.578[sec]
73....................................... 33°54[min]02.277[sec] 119°31[min]06.274[sec]
74....................................... 33°54[min]56.444[sec] 119°28[min]54.052[sec]
75....................................... 33°54[min]39.349[sec] 119°27[min]37.512[sec]
76....................................... 33°54[min]15.236[sec] 119°25[min]23.779[sec]
77....................................... 33°54[min]07.847[sec] 119°24[min]22.849[sec]
78....................................... 33°54[min]04.682[sec] 119°22[min]58.006[sec]
79....................................... 33°54[min]14.311[sec] 119°21[min]44.573[sec]
80....................................... 33°54[min]22.824[sec] 119°21[min]09.003[sec]
81....................................... 33°54[min]46.904[sec] 119°19[min]54.677[sec]
82....................................... 33°55[min]05.834[sec] 119°19[min]16.027[sec]
Santa Barbara Island Section
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83....................................... 33°28[min]56.904[sec] 119°10[min]04.092[sec]
84....................................... 33°26[min]32.364[sec] 119°10[min]01.328[sec]
85....................................... 33°24[min]19.904[sec] 119°08[min]52.236[sec]
86....................................... 33°23[min]26.019[sec] 119°07[min]54.826[sec]
87....................................... 33°22[min]04.836[sec] 119°05[min]16.716[sec]
88....................................... 33°21[min]49.387[sec] 119°04[min]01.551[sec]
89....................................... 33°21[min]44.594[sec] 119°02[min]49.887[sec]
90....................................... 33°21[min]49.556[sec] 119°01[min]37.839[sec]
91....................................... 33°22[min]07.538[sec] 118°59[min]49.357[sec]
92....................................... 33°22[min]27.774[sec] 118°58[min]51.623[sec]
93....................................... 33°22[min]47.957[sec] 118°58[min]07.633[sec]
94....................................... 33°23[min]20.805[sec] 118°57[min]14.375[sec]
95....................................... 33°24[min]18.458[sec] 118°56[min]08.450[sec]
96....................................... 33°26[min]24.130[sec] 118°54[min]51.352[sec]
97....................................... 33°29[min]02.820[sec] 118°54[min]22.276[sec]
98....................................... 33°31[min]27.917[sec] 118°54[min]50.367[sec]
99....................................... 33°32[min]17.935[sec] 118°55[min]18.396[sec]
100...................................... 33°35[min]10.090[sec] 118°59[min]40.091[sec]
101...................................... 33°35[min]24.575[sec] 119°01[min]22.108[sec]
102...................................... 33°35[min]06.497[sec] 119°03[min]59.463[sec]
103...................................... 33°34[min]48.322[sec] 119°05[min]03.374[sec]
104...................................... 33°32[min]37.151[sec] 119°08[min]37.201[sec]
105...................................... 33°30[min]41.731[sec] 119°09[min]45.845[sec]
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Subpart H—Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
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§ 922.80 Boundary.
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(a) The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) consists of an area of the waters adjacent to the coast of California north and south of the Point Reyes Headlands, between Bodega Head and Rocky Point and the Farallon Islands (including Noonday Rock), and includes approximately 948 square nautical miles (NM). The boundary coordinates are listed in Appendix A to this subpart.

(b) The shoreward boundary follows the mean high tide line and the seaward limit of Point Reyes National Seashore. Between Bodega Head and Point Reyes Headlands, the Sanctuary extends seaward 3 NM beyond State waters. The Sanctuary also includes the waters within 12 NM of the Farallon Islands, and between the Islands and the mainland from Point Reyes Headlands to Rocky Point. The Sanctuary includes Bodega Bay, but not Bodega Harbor.

§ 922.81 Definitions.
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In addition to those definitions found at §922.3, the following definition applies to this subpart:

Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) means those areas established by the State of California prior to the designation of the Sanctuary except that for purposes of the regulations in this subpart, the area established around the Farallon Islands shall not be included.

Motorized personal watercraft means a vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

[60 FR 66877, Dec. 27, 1995, as amended at 66 FR 46951, Sept. 10, 2001]

§ 922.82 Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.
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(a) Except as may be necessary for national defense (subject to the terms and conditions of Article 5, Section 2 of the Designation Document) or to respond to an emergency threatening life, property or the environment, or except as may be permitted by the Director in accordance with §922.48 and §922.83, the following activities are prohibited and thus are unlawful for any person to conduct or to cause to be conducted within the Sanctuary:

(1) Exploring for, developing and producing oil or gas except that pipelines related to hydrocarbon operations outside the Sanctuary may be placed at a distance greater than 2 NM from the Farallon Islands, Bolinas Lagoon, and ASBS where certified to have no significant effect on Sanctuary resources in accordance with §922.84.

(2) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter except:

(i) Fish or fish parts and chumming materials (bait).

(ii) Water (including cooling water) and other biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use of the Sanctuary generated by:

(A) Marine sanitation devices;

(B) Routine vessel maintenance, e.g., deck wash down;

(C) Engine exhaust; or

(D) Meals on board vessels.

(iii) Dredge material disposed of at the interim dumpsite now established approximately 10 NM south of the southeast Farallon Island and municipal sewage provided such discharges are certified in accordance with §922.84.

(3) Except in connection with the laying of pipelines or construction of an outfall if certified in accordance with

§922.84:

(i) Constructing any structure other than a navigation aid,

(ii) Drilling through the seabed, and

(iii) Dredging or otherwise altering the seabed in any way other than by anchoring vessels or bottom trawling from a commercial fishing vessel, except for routine maintenance and navigation, ecological maintenance, mariculture, and the construction of docks and piers in Tomales Bay.

(4) Except to transport persons or supplies to or from islands or mainland areas adjacent to Sanctuary waters, within an area extending 2 NM from the Farallon Islands, Bolinas Lagoon, or any ASBS, operating any vessel engaged in the trade of carrying cargo, including but not limited to tankers and other bulk carriers and barges, or any vessel engaged in the trade of servicing offshore installations. In no event shall this section be construed to limit access for fishing, recreational or research vessels.

(5) Disturbing seabirds or marine mammals by flying motorized aircraft at less than 1000 feet over the waters within one NM of the Farallon Islands, Bolinas Lagoon, or any ASBS except to transport persons or supplies to or from the Islands or for enforcement purposes.

(6) Removing or damaging any historical or cultural resource.

(7) Operation of motorized personal watercraft, except for the operation of motorized personal watercraft for emergency search and rescue mission or law enforcement operations (other than routine training activities) carried out by National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Fire or Police Departments or other Federal, State or local jurisdictions.

(b) All activities currently carried out by the Department of Defense within the Sanctuary are essential for the national defense and, therefore, not subject to the prohibitions in this section. The exemption of additional activities having significant impacts shall be determined in consultation between the Director and the Department of Defense.

[60 FR 66877, Dec. 27, 1995, as amended at 66 FR 46951, Sept. 10, 2001]

§ 922.83 Permit procedures and criteria.
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(a) Any person in possession of a valid permit issued by the Director in accordance with this section and §922.48 may conduct any activity in the Sanctuary, prohibited user §922.82, if such an activity is

(1) Research related to the resources of the Sanctuary,

(2) To further the educational value of the Sanctuary, or

(3) For salvage or recovery operations.

(b) Permit applications shall be addressed to the Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, ATTN: Manager, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Fort Mason, building #201, San Francisco, CA 94123.

(c) In considering whether to grant a permit, the Director shall evaluate

(1) The general professional and financial responsibility of the applicant,

(2) The appropriateness of the methods envisioned to the purpose(s) of the activity,

(3) The extent to which the conduct of any permitted activity may diminish or enhance the value of the Sanctuary,

(4) The end value of the activity, and

(5) Other matters as deemed appropriate.

(d) The Director may observe any permitted activity and/or require the submission of one or more reports of the status or progress of such activity. Any information obtained will be made available to the public.

§ 922.84 Certification of other permits.
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(a) A permit, license, or other authorization allowing the discharge of municipal sewage, the laying of any pipeline outside 2 NM from the Farallon Islands, Bolinas Lagoon and ASBS, or the disposal of dredge material at the interim dumpsite now established approximately 10 NM south of the Southeast Farallon Island prior to the selection of a permanent dumpsite shall be valid if certified by the Director as consistent with the purpose of the Sanctuary and having no significant effect on Sanctuary resources. Such certification may impose terms and conditions as deemed appropriate to ensure consistency.

(b) In considering whether to make the certifications called for in this section, the Director may seek and consider the views of any other person or entity, within or outside the Federal government, and may hold a public hearing as deemed appropriate.

(c) Any certification called for in this section shall be presumed unless the Director acts to deny or condition certification within 60 days from the date that the Director receives notice of the proposed permit and the necessary supporting data.

(d) The Director may amend, suspend, or revoke any certification made under this section whenever continued operation would violate any terms or conditions of the certification. Any such action shall be forwarded in writing to both the holder of the certified permit and the issuing agency and shall set forth reason(s) for the action taken.

Appendix A to Subpart H of Part 922—Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Boundary Coordinates
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Point No. Latitude north Longitude west
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1........................................ 38°15[min]50.349[sec] 123°10[min]48.933[sec]
2........................................ 38°12[min]36.338[sec] 123°07[min]04.846[sec]
3........................................ 38°09[min]57.033[sec] 123°05[min]27.435[sec]
4........................................ 38°08[min]26.872[sec] 123°04[min]52.524[sec]
5........................................ 38°07[min]42.125[sec] 123°05[min]10.714[sec]
6........................................ 38°06[min]08.017[sec] 123°05[min]48.920[sec]
7........................................ 38°05[min]26.765[sec] 123°06[min]09.922[sec]
8........................................ 38°04[min]44.587[sec] 123°06[min]29.251[sec]
9........................................ 38°03[min]54.439[sec] 123°06[min]57.591[sec]
10....................................... 38°03[min]07.527[sec] 123°07[min]37.755[sec]
11....................................... 37°59[min]32.425[sec] 123°08[min]24.905[sec]
12....................................... 37°59[min]22.344[sec] 123°14[min]06.127[sec]
13....................................... 37°57[min]31.931[sec] 123°19[min]19.187[sec]
14....................................... 37°54[min]16.943[sec] 123°23[min]18.456[sec]
15....................................... 37°50[min]05.522[sec] 123°25[min]28.791[sec]
16....................................... 37°45[min]33.799[sec] 123°25[min]32.666[sec]
17....................................... 37°41[min]20.351[sec] 123°23[min]29.811[sec]
18....................................... 37°38[min]01.053[sec] 123°19[min]37.445[sec]
19....................................... 37°36[min]04.665[sec] 123°14[min]30.483[sec]
20....................................... 37°35[min]30.191[sec] 123°13[min]31.060[sec]
21....................................... 37°33[min]47.197[sec] 123°11[min]50.904[sec]
22....................................... 37°31[min]12.270[sec] 123°07[min]39.618[sec]
23....................................... 37°30[min]29.706[sec] 123°05[min]42.221[sec]
24....................................... 37°29[min]39.287[sec] 123°00[min]23.711[sec]
25....................................... 37°30[min]34.337[sec] 122°54[min]18.139[sec]
26....................................... 37°31[min]47.784[sec] 122°51[min]31.592[sec]
27....................................... 37°34[min]17.533[sec] 122°48[min]10.415[sec]
28....................................... 37°36[min]58.627[sec] 122°46[min]05.779[sec]
29....................................... 37°39[min]59.303[sec] 122°44[min]59.838[sec]
30....................................... 37°52[min]56.355[sec] 122°37[min]35.195[sec]
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Subpart I—Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
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§ 922.90 Boundary.
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The Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) consists of 16.68 square nautical miles (NM) of high sea waters off the coast of Georgia. The Sanctuary boundary includes all waters within a rectangle starting at coordinate 31°21'45"N, 80°55'17"W, commencing to coordinate 31°25'15"N, 80°55'17"W, thence to coordinate 31°25'15"N, 80°49'42"W, thence to coordinate 31°21'45"N, 80°49'42"W, thence back to the point of origin.

§ 922.91 Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.
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(a) Except as may be necessary for national defense (subject to the terms and conditions of Article 5, Section 2 of the Designation Document) or to respond to an emergency threatening life, property, or the environment, or except as may be permitted by the Director in accordance with §922.48 and §922.92, the following activities are prohibited and thus are unlawful for any person to conduct or to cause to be conducted within the Sanctuary:

(1) Dredging, drilling, or otherwise altering the seabed in any way nor constructing any structure other than a navigation aid.

(2) Discharging or depositing any material or other matter except:

(i) Fish or parts, bait, and chumming materials;

(ii) Effluent from marine sanitation devices; and

(iii) Vessel cooling waters.

(3) Operating a watercraft other than in accordance with the Federal rules and regulations that would apply if there were no Sanctuary.

(4) Using, placing, or possessing wire fish traps.

(5) Using a bottom trawl, specimen dredge, or similar vessel-towed bottom sampling device.

(6)(i)(A) Breaking, cutting, or similarly damaging, taking, or removing any bottom formation, marine invertebrate, or marine plant.

(B) Taking any tropical fish.

(C) Using poisons, electric charges, explosives, or similar methods to take any marine animal not otherwise prohibited to be taken.

(ii) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any bottom formation, marine invertebrate, tropical fish, marine plant, or marine animal found in the possession of a person within the Sanctuary have been collected within or removed from the Sanctuary.

(7) Tampering with, damaging, or removing any historic or cultural resources.

(b) All activities currently carried out by the Department of Defense within the Sanctuary are essential for the national defense and, therefore, not subject to the prohibitions in this section. The exemption of additional activities having significant impacts shall be determined in consultation between the Director and the Department of Defense.

§ 922.92 Permit procedures and criteria.
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(a) Any person in possession of a valid permit issued by the Director in accordance with this section and §922.48 may conduct the specific activity in the Sanctuary including any activity specifically prohibited under §922.91, if such activity is

(1) Research related to the resources of the Sanctuary,

(2) To further the educational value of the Sanctuary, or

(3) For salvage or recovery operations.

(b) Permit applications shall be addressed to the Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, ATTN: Manager, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411.

(c) In considering whether to grant a permit, the Director shall evaluate

(1) The general professional and financial responsibility of the applicant,

(2) The appropriateness of the methods envisioned to the purpose(s) of the activity,

(3) The extent to which the conduct of any permitted activity may diminish or enhance the value of the Sanctuary,

(4) The end value of the activity, and

(5) Other matters as deemed appropriate.

(d) The Director may observe any permitted activity and/or require the submission of one or more reports of the status or progress of such activity. Any information obtained will be made available to the public.

Subpart J—Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
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§ 922.100 Scope of regulations.
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The provisions of this subpart J apply only to the area of the Territory of American Samoa within the boundary of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary). Neither the provisions of this subpart J nor any permit issued under their authority shall be construed to relieve a person from any other requirements imposed by statute or regulation of the Territory of American Samoa or of the United States. In addition, no statute or regulation of the Territory of American Samoa shall be construed to relieve a person from the restrictions, conditions, and requirements contained in this subpart J.

§ 922.101 Boundary.
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The Sanctuary is a 163-acre (0.25 sq. mi.) coastal embayment formed by a collapsed volcanic crater on the island of Tutuila, Territory of American Samoa and includes Fagatele Bay in its entirety. The landward boundary is defined by the mean high high water (MHHW) line between Fagatele Point (14°22'15" S, 170°46'5" W) and Steps Point (14°22'44" S, 170°45'27" W). The seaward boundary of the Sanctuary is defined by a straight line between Fagatele Point and Steps Point.

§ 922.102 Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.
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(a) Except as may be necessary for national defense or to respond to an emergency threatening life, property, or the environment, or as may be permitted by the Director in accordance with §922.48 and §922.104, the following activities are prohibited and thus are unlawful for any person to conduct or to cause to be conducted within the Sanctuary:

(1)(i)(A) Gathering, taking, breaking, cutting, damaging, destroying, or possessing any invertebrate, coral, bottom formation, or marine plant.

(B) Taking, gathering, cutting, damaging, destroying, or possessing any crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci).

(C) Possessing or using poisons, electrical charges, explosives, or similar environmentally destructive methods.

(D) Possessing or using spearguns, including such devices known as Hawaiian slings, pole spears, arbalettes, pneumatic and spring-loaded spearguns, bows and arrows, bang sticks, or any similar taking device.

(E) Possessing or using a seine, trammel net, or any type of fixed net.

(ii) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any items listed in this paragraph (a)(1) found in the possession of a person within the Sanctuary have been used, collected, or removed within or from the Sanctuary.

(2)(i) Operating a vessel closer than 200 feet (60.96 meters) from another vessel displaying a dive flag at a speed exceeding three knots.

(ii) Operating a vessel in a manner which causes the vessel to strike or otherwise cause damage to the natural features of the Sanctuary.

(3) Diving or conducting diving operations from a vessel not flying in a conspicuous manner the international code flag alpha “A.”

(4) Littering, depositing, or discharging, into the waters of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter.

(5) Disturbing the benthic community by dredging, filling, dynamiting, bottom trawling, or otherwise altering the seabed.

(6) Removing, damaging, or tampering with any historical or cultural resource within the boundary of the Sanctuary.

(7) Ensnaring, entrapping, or fishing for any sea turtle listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

(8) Except for law enforcement purposes, using or discharging explosives or weapons of any description. Distress signaling devices, necessary and proper for safe vessel operation, and knives generally used by fishermen and swimmers shall not be considered weapons for purposes of this section.

(9) Marking, defacing, or damaging in any way, or displacing or removing or tampering with any signs, notices, or placards, whether temporary or permanent, or with any monuments, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers related to the Sanctuary.

(b) In addition to those activities prohibited or otherwise regulated under paragraph (a) of this section, the following activities are prohibited and thus are unlawful for any person to conduct or to cause to be conducted landward of the straight line connecting Fagatele Point (14°22'15" S, 170°46'5" W) and Matautuloa Benchmark (14°22'18" S, 170°45'35" W).

(1) Possessing or using fishing poles, handlines, or trawls.

(2) Fishing commercially.

§ 922.103 Management and enforcement.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has primary responsibility for the management of the Sanctuary pursuant to the Act. The American Samoa Economic and Development Planning Office (EDPO) will assist NOAA in the administration of the Sanctuary, and act as the lead agency, in conformance with the Designation Document, these regulations, and the terms and provisions of any grant or cooperative agreement. NOAA may act to deputize enforcement agents of the American Samoa Government (ASG) to enforce the regulations in this subpart in accordance with existing law. If NOAA chooses to exercise this provision, a memorandum of understanding shall be executed between NOAA and the ASG or the person(s) or entity authorized to act on their behalf.

§ 922.104 Permit procedures and criteria.
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(a) Any person in possession of a valid permit issued by the Director, in consultation with the EDPO, in accordance with this section and §922.48, may conduct an activity otherwise prohibited by §922.102 in the Sanctuary if such activity is judged not to cause long-term or irreparable harm to the resources of the Sanctuary, and is:

(1) Related to research involving Sanctuary resources designed to enhance understanding of the Sanctuary environment or to improve resource management decisionmaking;

(2) Intended to further the educational value of the Sanctuary and thereby enhance understanding of the Sanctuary environmental or improve resource management decisionmaking; or

(3) For salvage or recovery operations.

(b) Permit applications shall be addressed to the Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management; ATTN: Sanctuary Coordinator, Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, P.O. Box 4318, Pago Pago, AS 96799.

(c) In considering whether to grant a permit, the Director shall evaluate such matters as:

(1) The general professional and financial responsibility of the applicant;

(2) The appropriateness of the methods being proposed for the purpose(s) of the activity;

(3) The extent to which the conduct of any permitted activity may diminish or enhance the value of the Sanctuary as a source of recreation, education, or scientific information; and

(4) The end value of the activity.

(d) In addition to meeting the criteria in this section and §922.48, the applicant also must demonstrate to the Director that:

(1) The activity shall be conducted with adequate safeguards for the environment; and

(2) The environment shall be returned to, or will regenerate to, the condition which existed before the activity occurred.

(e) The Director may, at his or her discretion, grant a permit which has been applied for pursuant to this section, in whole or in part, and subject the permit to such condition(s) as he or she deems necessary. A permit granted for research related to the Sanctuary may include, but is not limited to, the following conditions:

(1) The Director may observe any activity permitted by this section;

(2) any information obtained in the research site shall be made available to the public; and

(3) The submission of one or more reports of the status of such research activity may be required.

Subpart K—Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
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§ 922.110 Boundary
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The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) consists of a 397.05 square nautical mile (NM) area of marine waters approximately 50 miles west-northwest of San Francisco, California extending at 180° from the northernmost boundary of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) to the 1,000 fathom isobath northwest of the Bank, then south along this isobath to the GFNMS boundary and back to the northwest along this boundary to the beginning point. The boundary coordinates are listed in appendix A to this subpart.

§ 922.111 Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.
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(a) Except as necessary for national defense or to respond to an emergency threatening life, property or the environment, or except as permitted in accordance with §§922.48 and 922.112 or certified in accordance with §922.47, the following activities are prohibited and thus are unlawful for any person to conduct or to cause to be conducted:

(1)(i) Depositing or discharging, from any location within the boundary of the Sanctuary, material or other matter of any kind except:

(A) Fish, fish parts, chumming materials (bait) produced and discarded during routine fishing activities conducted in the Sanctuary; and

(B) Water (including cooling water) and other biodegradable effluents incidental to use of a vessel in the Sanctuary and generated by: Marine sanitation devices approved by the United States Coast Guard; routine vessel maintenance, e.g., deck wash down; engine exhaust; or meals on board vessels.

(ii) Depositing or discharging, from any location beyond the boundaries of the Sanctuary, material or other matter of any kind, except for the exclusions listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, which enter the Sanctuary and injure a Sanctuary resource.

(2) Removing, taking, or injuring or attempting to remove, take, or injure benthic invertebrates or algae located on Cordell Bank or within the 50 fathom isobath surrounding the Bank. There is a rebuttable presumption that any such resource found in the possession of a person within the Sanctuary was taken or removed by that person. This prohibition does not apply to accidental removal, injury, or takings during normal fishing operations.

(3) Exploring for, or developing or producing, oil, gas, or minerals in any area of the Sanctuary.

(b) All activities being carried out by the Department of Defense (DOD) within the Sanctuary on the effective date of designation that are necessary for national defense are exempt from the prohibitions contained in the regulations in this subpart. Additional DOD activities initiated after the effective date of designation that are necessary for national defense will be exempted by the Director after consultation between the Department of Commerce and DOD. DOD activities not necessary for national defense, such as routine exercises and vessel operations, are subject to all prohibitions contained in the regulations in this subpart.

(c) Where necessary to prevent immediate, serious, and irreversible damage to a Sanctuary resource, any activity may be regulated within the limits of the Act on an emergency basis for no more than 120 days.

§ 922.112 Permit procedures and criteria.
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(a) If a person wishes to conduct an activity prohibited under §922.111, that person must apply for, receive, and have in possession on board any vessel used a valid permit issued pursuant to this section and §922.48 authorizing that person to conduct that activity.

(b) Permit applications shall be addressed to the Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management; ATTN: Manager, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Fort Mason, Building #201, San Francisco, CA 94123.

(c) The Director, at his or her discretion, may issue a permit subject to such terms and conditions as deemed appropriate, to conduct an activity otherwise prohibited by §922.111, if the Director finds that the activity will further research related to Sanctuary resources; further the educational or historical value of the Sanctuary; further salvage or recovery operations in or near the Sanctuary in connection with a recent air or marine casualty; or assist in the management of the Sanctuary. In deciding whether to issue a permit, the Director may consider such factors as the professional qualifications and financial ability of the applicant as related to the proposed activity; the appropriateness of the methods and procedures proposed by the applicant for the conduct of the activity; the extent to which the conduct of the activity may diminish or enhance the values for which the Sanctuary was designated; and the end value of the applicant's overall activity.

Appendix A to Subpart K of Part 922—Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Boundary Coordinates
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point No. Latitude Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1........................... 38°15[min]51.72[ 123°10[min]52.44
sec] [sec]
2........................... 38°07[min]55.88[ 123°38[min]33.53
sec] [sec]
3........................... 38°06[min]45.21[ 123°38[min]00.40
sec] [sec]
4........................... 38°04[min]58.41[ 123°37[min]14.34
sec] [sec]
5........................... 38°04[min]28.22[ 123°37[min]17.83
sec] [sec]
6........................... 38°03[min]42.75[ 123°36[min]55.66
sec] [sec]
7........................... 38°03[min]11.10[ 123°36[min]19.78
sec] [sec]
8........................... 38°02[min]46.12[ 123°36[min]21.98
sec] [sec]
9........................... 38°02[min]02.74[ 123°35[min]56.56
sec] [sec]
10.......................... 38°01[min]27.10[ 123°35[min]55.12
sec] [sec]
11.......................... 38°01[min]22.28[ 123°36[min]55.13
sec] [sec]
12.......................... 38°01[min]11.54[ 123°37[min]28.21
sec] [sec]
13.......................... 38°00[min]49.16[ 123°37[min]29.77
sec] [sec]
14.......................... 37°59[min]54.49[ 123°36[min]47.90
sec] [sec]
15.......................... 37°59[min]12.39[ 123°35[min]59.55
sec] [sec]
16.......................... 37°58[min]39.40[ 123°35[min]14.85
sec] [sec]
17.......................... 37°58[min]00.57[ 123°34[min]42.93
sec] [sec]
18.......................... 37°57[min]18.99[ 123°33[min]43.15
sec] [sec]
19.......................... 37°56[min]56.42[ 123°32[min]51.97
sec] [sec]
20.......................... 37°56[min]18.90[ 123°32[min]49.24
sec] [sec]
21.......................... 37°55[min]22.37[ 123°32[min]36.96
sec] [sec]
22.......................... 37°54[min]26.10[ 123°32[min]21.73
sec] [sec]
23.......................... 37°53[min]07.46[ 123°31[min]46.81
sec] [sec]
24.......................... 37°52[min]34.93[ 123°31[min]18.90
sec] [sec]
25.......................... 37°51[min]42.81[ 123°31[min]19.10
sec] [sec]
26.......................... 37°50[min]59.58[ 123°31[min]02.96
sec] [sec]
27.......................... 37°49[min]22.64[ 123°29[min]34.07
sec] [sec]
28.......................... 37°48[min]49.14[ 123°28[min]44.61
sec] [sec]
29.......................... 37°48[min]36.95[ 123°28[min]08.29
sec] [sec]
30.......................... 37°48[min]03.37[ 123°28[min]23.27
sec] [sec]
31.......................... 37°47[min]41.54[ 123°28[min]01.97
sec] [sec]
32.......................... 37°47[min]01.78[ 123°27[min]16.78
sec] [sec]
33.......................... 37°46[min]51.92[ 123°26[min]48.98
sec] [sec]
34.......................... 37°46[min]13.20[ 123°26[min]04.79
sec] [sec]
35.......................... 37°46[min]00.73[ 123°25[min]36.99
sec] [sec]
36.......................... 37°50[min]25.31[ 123°25[min]26.53
sec] [sec]
37.......................... 37°54[min]32.28[ 123°23[min]16.49
sec] [sec]
38.......................... 37°57[min]45.71[ 123°19[min]17.72
sec] [sec]
39.......................... 37°59[min]29.27[ 123°14[min]12.16
sec] [sec]
40.......................... 37°59[min]43.71[ 123°08[min]27.55
sec] [sec]
41.......................... 38°03[min]10.20[ 123°07[min]44.35
sec] [sec]
42.......................... 38°04[min]01.64[ 123°06[min]58.92
sec] [sec]
43.......................... 38°08[min]33.32[ 123°04[min]56.24
sec] [sec]
44.......................... 38°12[min]42.06[ 123°07[min]10.21
sec] [sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[61 FR 51577, Oct. 3, 1996]

Subpart L—Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
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§ 922.120 Boundary.
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The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (the Sanctuary) consists of three separate areas of ocean waters over and surrounding the East and West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank, and the submerged lands thereunder including the Banks, in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The area designated at the East Bank is located approximately 120 nautical miles (nmi) south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, and encompasses 19.20 nmi2. The area designated at the West Bank is located approximately 110 nmi southeast of Galveston, Texas, and encompasses 22.50 nmi2. The area designated at Stetson Bank is located approximately 70 nmi southeast of Galveston, Texas, and encompasses 0.64 nmi2. The three areas encompass a total of 42.34 nmi2 (145.09 square kilometers). The boundary coordinates for each area are listed in appendix A to this subpart.

[65 FR 81178, Dec. 22, 2000]

§ 922.121 Definitions.
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In addition to those definitions found at §922.3, the following definition applies to this subpart:

No-activity zone means the two geographic areas delineated by the Department of the Interior in stipulations for OCS lease sale 112 over and surrounding the East and West Flower Garden Banks, and the geographic area delineated by the Department of the Interior in stipulations for OCS lease sale 171 over and surrounding Stetson Bank, as areas in which activities associated with exploration for, development of, or production of hydrocarbons are prohibited. The precise aliquot part description of these areas around the East and West Flower Garden Banks are provided in appendix B of this subpart; the no-activity zone around Stetson Bank is defined as the 52 meter isobath. These particular aliquot part descriptions for the East and West Flower Garden Banks, and the 52 meter isobath around Stetson Bank, define the geographic scope of the “no-activity zones” for purposes of the regulations in this subpart. The descriptions for the East and West Flower Garden Banks no-activity zones are based on the “ 1/4 1/4 1/4” system formerly used by the Department of the Interior, a method that delineates a specific portion of a block rather than the actual underlying isobath.

[65 FR 81178, Dec. 22, 2000]

§ 922.122 Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.
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(a) Except as specified in paragraphs (c) through (h) of this section, the following activities are prohibited and thus are unlawful for any person to conduct or to cause to be conducted:

(1) Exploring for, developing, or producing oil, gas or minerals except outside of all no-activity zones and provided all drilling cuttings and drilling fluids are shunted to the seabed through a downpipe that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more than ten meters, from the seabed.

(2)(i) Anchoring any vessel within the Sanctuary.

(ii) Mooring any vessel within the Sanctuary, except that vessels 100 feet (30.48 meters) or less in registered length may moor on a Sanctuary mooring buoy.

(3)(i) Discharging or depositing, from within the boundaries of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter except:

(A) Fish, fish parts, chumming materials or bait used in or resulting from fishing with conventional hook and line gear in the Sanctuary;

(B) Biodegradable effluents incidental to vessel use and generated by marine sanitation devices approved in accordance with section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1322;

(C) Water generated by routine vessel operations (e.g., cooling water, deck wash down, and graywater as defined by section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1322) excluding oily wastes from bilge pumping;

(D) Engine exhaust; or

(E) In areas of the Sanctuary outside the no-activity zones, drilling cuttings and drilling fluids necessarily discharged incidental to the exploration for, development of, or production of oil or gas in those areas and in accordance with the shunting requirements of paragraph (a)(1) unless such discharge injures a Sanctuary resource or quality.

(ii) Discharging or depositing, from beyond the boundaries of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter, except those listed in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) (A) through (D) of this section, that subsequently enters the Sanctuary and injures a Sanctuary resource or quality.

(4) Drilling into, dredging or otherwise altering the seabed of the Sanctuary (except by anchoring); or constructing, placing or abandoning any structure, material or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary.

(5) Injuring or removing, or attempting to injure or remove, any coral or other bottom formation, coralline algae or other plant, marine invertebrate, brine-seep biota or carbonate rock within the Sanctuary.

(6) Taking any marine mammal or turtle within the Sanctuary, except as permitted by regulations, as amended, promulgated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., and the Endangered Species Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

(7) Injuring, catching, harvesting, collecting or feeding, or attempting to injure, catch, harvest, collect or feed, any fish within the Sanctuary by use of bottom longlines, traps, nets, bottom trawls or any other gear, device, equipment or means except by use of conventional hook and line gear.

(8) Possessing within the Sanctuary (regardless of where collected, caught, harvested or removed), except for valid law enforcement purposes, any carbonate rock, coral or other bottom formation, coralline algae or other plant, marine invertebrate, brine-seep biota or fish (except for fish caught by use of conventional hook and line gear).

(9) Possessing or using within the Sanctuary, except possessing while passing without interruption through it or for valid law enforcement purposes, any fishing gear, device, equipment or means except conventional hook and line gear.

(10) Possessing, except for valid law enforcement purposes, or using explosives or releasing electrical charges within the Sanctuary.

(b) If any valid regulation issued by any Federal authority of competent jurisdiction, regardless of when issued, conflicts with a Sanctuary regulation, the regulation deemed by the Director as more protective of Sanctuary resources and qualities shall govern.

(c) The prohibitions in paragraphs (a)(2) (i), (iii), and (iv), (4) and (10) of this section do not apply to necessary activities conducted in areas of the Sanctuary outside the no-activity zones and incidental to exploration for, development of, or production of oil or gas in those areas.

(d) The prohibitions in paragraphs (a) (2) through (10) of this section do not apply to activities necessary to respond to emergencies threatening life, property, or the environment.

(e)(1) The prohibitions in paragraphs (a) (2) through (10) of this section do not apply to activities being carried out by the Department of Defense as of the effective date of Sanctuary designation (January 18, 1994). Such activities shall be carried out in a manner that minimizes any adverse impact on Sanctuary resources and qualities. The prohibitions in paragraphs (a) (2) through (10) of this section do not apply to any new activities carried out by the Department of Defense that do not have the potential for any significant adverse impacts on Sanctuary resources or qualities. Such activities shall be carried out in a manner that minimizes any adverse impact on Sanctuary resources and qualities. New activities with the potential for significant adverse impacts on Sanctuary resources or qualities may be exempted from the prohibitions in paragraphs (a) (2) through (10) of this section by the Director after consultation between the Director and the Department of Defense. If it is determined that an activity may be carried out, such activity shall be carried out in a manner that minimizes any adverse impact on Sanctuary resources and qualities.

(2) In the event of threatened or actual destruction of, loss of, or injury to a Sanctuary resource or quality resulting from an untoward incident, including but not limited to spills and groundings, caused by a component of the Department of Defense, the cognizant component shall promptly coordinate with the Director for the purpose of taking appropriate actions to respond to and mitigate the harm and, if possible, restore or replace the Sanctuary resource or quality. (continued)