PNMN SPECIAL OCEAN USE Permit Application

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 1 of 9

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
SPECIAL OCEAN USE Permit Application
NOTE: This Permit Application (and associated Instructions) are to propose activities to be
conducted in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The Co-Trustees are
required to determine that issuing the requested permit is compatible with the findings of
Presidential Proclamation 8031. Within this Application, provide all information that you
believe will assist the Co-Trustees in determining how your proposed activities are compatible
with the conservation and management of the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Monument).
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
●

Any or all of the information within this application may be posted to the
Monument website informing the public on projects proposed to occur in the
Monument.

●

In addition to the permit application, the Applicant must either download the
Monument Compliance Information Sheet from the Monument website OR request
a hard copy from the Monument Permit Coordinator (contact information below).
The Monument Compliance Information Sheet must be submitted to the Monument
Permit Coordinator after initial application consultation.

●

Issuance of a Monument permit is dependent upon the completion and review of the
application and Compliance Information Sheet.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
Send Permit Applications to:
NOAA/Inouye Regional Center
NOS/ONMS/PMNM/Attn: Permit Coordinator
1845 Wasp Blvd, Building 176
Honolulu, HI 96818
nwhipermit@noaa.gov
PHONE: (808) 725-5800
FAX: (808) 455-3093
SUBMITTAL VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL IS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED. FOR
ADDITIONAL SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS, SEE THE LAST PAGE.

1
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 2 of 9

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application Cover Sheet
This Permit Application Cover Sheet is intended to provide summary information and status to
the public on permit applications for activities proposed to be conducted in the
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. While a permit application has been received,
it has not been fully reviewed nor approved by the Monument Management Board to date. The
Monument permit process also ensures that all environmental reviews are conducted prior to the
issuance of a Monument permit.

Summary Information
Applicant Name:      
Affiliation:      
Permit Category: Special Ocean Use
Proposed Activity Dates:      
Proposed Method of Entry (Vessel/Plane):      
Proposed Locations:      
Estimated number of individuals (including Applicant) to be covered under this permit:

Estimated number of days in the Monument:      
Description of proposed activities: (complete these sentences):
a.) The proposed activity would…

b.) To accomplish this activity we would ….

c.) This activity would help the Monument by …

Other information or background:

2
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 3 of 9

Section A - Applicant Information
1. Applicant
Name (last, first, middle initial):      
Title:      

1a. Intended field Principal Investigator (See instructions for more information):

2. Mailing address (street/P.O. box, city, state, country, zip):      
Phone:      
Fax:      
Email:      
For students, major professor’s name, telephone and email address:      
3. Affiliation (institution/agency/organization directly related to the proposed project):

4. Additional persons to be covered by permit. List all personnel roles and names (if
known at time of application) here (e.g. John Doe, Research Diver; Jane Doe, Field
Technician):

3
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 4 of 9

Section B: Project Information
5a. Project location(s):
☐ Nihoa Island
☐ Necker Island (Mokumanamana)
☐ French Frigate Shoals
☐ Gardner Pinnacles
Maro Reef
☐ Laysan Island
☐ Lisianski Island, Neva Shoal
☐ Pearl and Hermes Atoll
☐ Midway Atoll
☐ Kure Atoll
☐ Monument Expansion Area
☐ Other

Ocean Based
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Deep water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Deep water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Deep water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Deep water ☐
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water
☐ Land-based☐ Shallow water

☐ Deep water
☐ Deep water
☐ Deep water
☐ Deep water
☐ Deep water

NOTE: Shallow water is defined by water less than 100 meters in depth.
☐ Remaining ashore on any island or atoll (with the exception of Sand Island at Midway Atoll
and field camp staff on other islands/atolls) between sunset and sunrise.
NOTE: There is a fee schedule for people visiting Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge via
vessel and aircraft.
Location Description:

5b. Check all applicable regulated activities proposed to be conducted in the Monument:
☐ Removing, moving, taking, harvesting, possessing, injuring, disturbing, or damaging any
living or nonliving Monument resource
☐ Drilling into, dredging, or otherwise altering the submerged lands other than by anchoring a
vessel; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the
submerged lands
☐ Anchoring a vessel
☐ Deserting a vessel aground, at anchor, or adrift
☐ Discharging or depositing any material or matter into the Monument
☐ Touching coral, living or dead
☐ Possessing fishing gear except when stowed and not available for immediate use during
passage without interruption through the Monument
☐ Attracting any living Monument resource
☐ Sustenance fishing (Federal waters only, outside of Special Preservation Areas, Ecological
Reserves and Special Management Areas)
☐ Subsistence fishing (State waters only)
4
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 5 of 9

☐ Swimming, snorkeling, or closed or open circuit SCUBA diving within any Special
Preservation Area or Midway Atoll Special Management Area

5
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 6 of 9

6. Purpose/Need/Scope State purpose of proposed activities:

*Considering the purpose of the proposed activities, do you intend to film / photograph federally
protected species beyond the protocols provided in PMNM Best Management Practices
(https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/permit/bestmanagement.html)? Yes ☐ No ☐
If so, please list the species you specifically intend to target.

For a list of terrestrial species protected under the Endangered Species Act visit:
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
For a list of marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act visit:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/esa/
For information about species protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act visit:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/mmpa/
7. Answer the Findings below by providing information that you believe will assist the
Co-Trustees in determining how your proposed activities are compatible with the
conservation and management of the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the
Monument:
The Findings are as follows:
a. How can the activity be conducted with adequate safeguards for the cultural, natural and
historic resources and ecological integrity of the Monument?

b. How will the activity be conducted in a manner compatible with the management direction of
this proclamation, considering the extent to which the conduct of the activity may diminish or
enhance Monument cultural, natural and historic resources, qualities, and ecological integrity,
any indirect, secondary, or cumulative effects of the activity, and the duration of such effects?

c. Is there a practicable alternative to conducting the activity within the Monument? If not,
explain why your activities must be conducted in the Monument.

d. How does the end value of the activity outweigh its adverse impacts on Monument cultural,
natural and historic resources, qualities, and ecological integrity?

6
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 7 of 9

e. Explain how the duration of the activity is no longer than necessary to achieve its stated
purpose.

f. Provide information demonstrating that you are qualified to conduct and complete the activity
and mitigate any potential impacts resulting from its conduct.

g. Provide information demonstrating that you have adequate financial resources available to
conduct and complete the activity and mitigate any potential impacts resulting from its conduct.

h. Explain how your methods and procedures are appropriate to achieve the proposed activity's
goals in relation to their impacts to Monument cultural, natural and historic resources, qualities,
and ecological integrity.

i. Has your vessel been outfitted with a mobile transceiver unit approved by OLE and complies
with the requirements of Presidential Proclamation 8031?

j. Demonstrate that there are no other factors that would make the issuance of a permit for the
activity inappropriate.

FOR SPECIAL OCEAN USE ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF MIDWAY ATOLL SPECIAL
MANAGEMENT AREA, ANSWER THE ADDITIONAL THREE FINDINGS BELOW:
k. Explain how your activity will directly benefit the conservation and management of the
Monument.

l. Explain how the purpose of your activity is for research or education related to the resources
or qualities of the Monument.

m. Does the activity involve the use of a commercial passenger vessel (defined as a vessel that
carries individuals who have paid for such carriage)?

FOR SPECIAL OCEAN USE ACTIVITIES WITHIN MIDWAY ATOLL SPECIAL
MANAGEMENT AREA, ANSWER THE ADDITIONAL TWO FINDINGS BELOW:
n. Explain how your activity will further the conservation and management of the Monument.
7
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 8 of 9

o. How is your activity compatible with the purposes for which the Midway Atoll National
Wildlife Refuge was designated?

NOTE: If this is a first time Special Ocean Use activity, it will be subject to a pilot project
and will be restricted in duration. Special Ocean Use activities proposed outside the
Midway Atoll Special Management Area will require public notice of the application and
an opportunity to provide comments is given at least 30 days prior to issuing the permit.
8. Procedures/Methods:

9. Provide proof of general liability insurance, or indicate that you will be posting an
equivalent bond against claims arising out of activities conducted under the permit:

10. If applicable, describe how you are collaborating with others in any way to reduce
duplicative activities in the Monument or elsewhere?

11. List all specialized gear and materials to be used in this activity:

12. List all Hazardous Materials you propose to take to and use within the Monument:

13. Describe any fixed installations and instrumentation proposed to be set in the
Monument:

14. List all Applicants’ publications directly related to the proposed project:

8
SPECIAL OCEAN USE

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Permit Application – Special Ocean Use
OMB Control # 0648-0548
Page 9 of 9

With knowledge of the penalties for false or incomplete statements, as provided by 18 U.S.C.
1001, and for perjury, as provided by 18 U.S.C. 1621, I hereby certify to the best of my abilities
under penalty of perjury of that the information I have provided on this application form is true
and correct. I agree that the Co-Trustees may post this application in its entirety on the Internet.
I understand that the Co-Trustees will consider deleting all information that I have identified as
“confidential” prior to posting the application.
_________________________________________________________________
Signature
Date
SEND ONE SIGNED APPLICATION VIA MAIL TO THE MONUMENT OFFICE
BELOW:
NOAA/Inouye Regional Center
NOS/ONMS/PMNM/Attn: Permit Coordinator
1845 Wasp Blvd, Building 176
Honolulu, HI 96818
FAX: (808) 455-3093
DID YOU INCLUDE THESE?
☐ Applicant CV/Resume/Biography
☐ Intended field Principal Investigator CV/Resume/Biography
☐ Electronic and Hard Copy of Application with Signature
☐ Statement of information you wish to be kept confidential
☐ Material Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Materials

9
SPECIAL OCEAN USE