Vessel Quotas and Operating Requirements Vessel Quotas and ...

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Grouping: Business
Format: Comment Letter
NUMBER
RESPONSE
B10-1 Each alternative considered in this EIS responds to two key purposes common to all national parks: (1) conserving park
purposes and values and (2) providing opportunities for people to enjoy park resources. NPS management policies, as
well as numerous court cases, clearly state that ‘when there is a conflict between conserving resources and values and
providing for the enjoyment of them, conservation is to predominate.’ The alternatives considered in this EIS represent a
range of possible actions to achieve these purposes. These key purposes will be carefully considered along with other
factors, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, in the decision to be made regarding vessel quotas and
operating requirements.
B10-2 The Park Service and NOAA Fisheries have determined through consultation under the Endangered Species Act that the
13-knot speed limit is a reasonable and prudent measure to minimize the risk of humpback whale mortality. Studies have
shown that vessels greater than 262 feet (80 meters) traveling faster than 13 knots have a greater tendency to strike and
kill whales. Under the NPS preferred alternative in this FEIS (alternative 6) vessel speed would be measured "through the
water."