The Coral Reef Conservation Act (P.L.
106-562) calls for the development of sound scientific information
on the condition of and threats to coral reef ecosystems (Section
202), and the Act calls on the Coral Reef Conservation Program
(CRCP) to develop sound scientific information related to coral
reef threats, address conflicts arising from coral reef ecosystem
use, and to implement programs promoting the sustainable
development and conservation of coral reef ecosystems (Section
204). Among the regions to be included under these objectives and
the Act is the US Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. The Northeast
Marine Corridor (NMC) in Puerto Rico, consisting of the marine
components of the Corredor Ecológico del Noreste, Las Cabezas de
San Juan, Arrecifes de la Cordillera, and Canal Luis Peña natural
reserves, as well as the island and environs of Culebra, comprise
an ecologically diverse and socioeconomically complex area
(Hernandez-Delgado et al., 2014; Aguilar-Perera et al, 2006). The
coastal areas within and abutting the corridor are among the most
heavily populated and utilized zones in Puerto Rico, comprised of
uses related to coastal development, commercial fishing,
recreational fishing, water-related recreation, and navigation,
among others (Shivlani, 2009). Specifically, the NMC hosts a
variety of extractive and nonconsumptive activities, consisting
primarily of commercial fishing, recreational angling and
spearfishing, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and boating. Activities in
the NMC and especially along its eastern sector, including the
Arrecifes de la Cordillera and Canal Luis Peña natural reserves and
environs of Culebra, result in large visitor and user (daily and
annual) loads that result in often highly congested situations.
This data collection will use the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC)
framework to surmount these data gaps and to provide a
comprehensive understanding on use and use patterns and congestion
and satisfaction. Unlike other approaches that utilize numerical
goals (ex. carrying capacity), LAC is used to direct management to
achieve objectives related to the maintenance of desired resource
and social conditions. As framed by Stankey et al. (1985), the
conceptual core of LAC consists of the following steps: Agreement
that there is conflict between two or more goals; establishment
that all goals must be compromised; the designation of one goal as
the ultimate constraining goal and another as the initial
constraining goal; determination of LAC indicators and standards
related to the ultimate constraining goal; acceptance of compromise
within the ultimate constraining goal to an LAC; and management of
the initial constraining goal so that the ultimate constraining
goal is not compromised beyond the LAC (see also Cole and Stankey,
1998).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Registered recreational vessels
LAC 30d FRN pub 092618_48596.pdf
LAC SS Part B 1213118.docx
LAC SS Part A 121418.doc
Registered recreational vessels