Aloha, The National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) announces the opening of public review for the Draft Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). Public comments must be submitted by October 17, 2011 and will be accepted in three ways: · Written comments sent by mail to NMFS PIRO, Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions PEIS at 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. Mailed comments must be postmarked by October 17, 2011 · Written comments sent by e-mail to monkseal@noaa.gov <mailto:monkseal@noaa.gov> by October 17, 2011, please indicate "Monk Seal PEIS" in the subject line · Oral and written comments provided during the scheduled public hearings in Hawaii, September 12 through 17, 2011. You can find the list of public hearing locations, dates, and times, as well as where to find paper and electronic copies of the PEIS for public review, online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm The National Marine Fisheries Service is proposing to implement specific management actions and administer the associated research and enhancement program for Hawaiian monk seals in the Hawaiian Islands. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we have prepared this Draft PEIS to evaluate reasonable alternatives, potential impacts, and propose mitigation for this action. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for this Draft PEIS was published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2011. A link to the NOA can be found on the project website at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm. If you would like to be added to a mailing list and receive project updates and newsletters, please send an email to: monkseal@noaa.gov <mailto:monkseal@noaa.gov?subject=Subscribe> with "Subscribe" in the subject line. _* *_Mahalo -- Jonathan Shannon NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr Outreach Specialist * (301) 427-8431 * New phone number jonathan.shannon@noaa.gov