On August 20, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced seven public hearings and three listening sessions on the agency’s July 25, 2024, proposed rule to apply protective regulations to ten species of giant clams under the Endangered Species Act. The original proposed rule states that critical habitat for the giant clams “is not yet determinable.”
The public hearings will contain presentations by NOAA staff on the proposed rule, and an opportunity for questions, answers, and public comments. The listening sessions will bring together resource managers, policymakers, and members of the public to share information about the proposed rule.
The times and locations of the public hearings are:
- American Samoa, Tutuila #1: September 4, 2024, at 5:30 PM Samoa Standard Time (SST) at the Rex H. Lee auditorium.
- American Samoa, Tutuila #2: September 5, 2024, at 5:30 PM SST, at the Tradewinds Hotel.
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Tinian: September 10, 2024, at 5:30 PM Chamorro Standard Time (ChST), at the Tinian Elementary School.
- CNMI, Rota: September 12, 2024, at 5:30 PM ChST, at the Department of Commerce, Rota.
- Guam: September 17, 2024, at 5:30 PM ChST, at the Pacific Islands Club Guam.
- CNMI, Saipan: September 19, 2024, at 5:30 PM ChST, at the Crowne Plaza Resort.
- One virtual hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2024, at 7 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
The times and locations of the listening sessions are:
- American Samoa, Tutuila: September 4, 2024, at 12:30 PM SST, at the Rex H. Lee Auditorium.
- Guam: September 17, 2024, at 12:30 PM ChST, at the Pacific Islands Club Guam.
- CNMI, Saipan: September 19, 2024, at 12:30 PM ChST, at the Crowne Plaza Resort.
Comments on the proposed rule are due October 23, 2024.
Advocacy contact: Send an email to Nick Goldstein at nick.goldstein@sba.gov.