Thanks to Reef Resilience for the following details. For more background, please see EcoAdapt's case study, Proposed Listing of Coral Reef Species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. 

NOAA Invites Comment on Coral Status Review Report and Draft Management Report

As part of our ongoing process to evaluate 82 species of coral from the Caribbean and Pacific for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), NOAA is inviting public review of two reports, a scientific Status Review Report http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec_sum_and_intro_corals_status%20review%20report.pdf and a draft Management Report http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec%20summ_corals_draft%20management%20report.pdf.

Our review of these 82 species of corals has been the most complex ESA listing process NOAA Fisheries has ever undertaken. NOAA will use the additional input to ensure that the best scientific information available will be considered as we develop our 12-month finding. Please note that releasing these documents is not a part of the normal rulemaking process it is an engagement process that allows us to be transparent and open in our decision making. Should NOAA Fisheries determine that a listing is warranted, we will publish a proposed rule in December 2012 for additional public comment.

*Important Dates*

The public review process began on April 13, 2012, and ends on July 31, 2012.  Instructions on how to submit comments and/or information is listed below.

*What Additional Information is NOAA Interested In?*

We are particularly interested in receiving information on the following:

* Relevant scientific information collected or produced since the completion of the Status Review Report in 2011, or any relevant scientific information not included in the Report.

* Relevant management information not included in the draft Management Report.

*Engagement Opportunities*

As part of this review, NOAA also plans to host two regional public listening sessions and two scientific workshops focused on corals this summer. The specific dates, times, and location for the regional listening sessions and scientific workshops will be announced in May.

*Corals Reports*

Status Review Report this report examines the biology of, threats to, and extinction risk of 82 coral species.

Executive Summary: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec_sum_and_intro_corals_status%20review%20report.pdf  of Status Review Report of 82 Candidate Coral Species (pdf)

Full document: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/full%20doc_corals_status%20review%20report.pdf

Status Review Report of 82 Candidate Coral Species (pdf) Note: This file is 35MB.

Draft Management Report - this report describes existing regulatory mechanisms and ongoing conservation efforts to manage and conserve the 82 coral species throughout the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific.

Executive Summary: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec%20summ_corals_draft%20management%20report.pdf of Draft Management Review document (pdf)

Full Document: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/full%20doc_corals_draft%20management%20report.pdf  Draft Management Review document (pdf) Note: This file is 2.3 MB.

*Other Materials*

Federal Register Notice http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/corals%20fed_reg_%20041212.pdf

Center for Independent Experts reports

      - Report #1 - Hughes http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/review_of_noaa_status_review_report_hughes.pdf

      - Report #2 - McManus http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/review_of_noaa_status_review_report_mcmanus.pdf

      - Report #3 - Riegl http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/review_of_noaa_status_review_report_riegl.pdf

      - Review team Response http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/brt_responses_to_cie_comments.pdf

*How to Submit Comments*

You may submit comments on the Status Review Report and the draft Management Report and/or additional papers, reports, and information by any of the following methods. If possible, comments should be grouped according to the heading of the relevant section of the reports.

   - Electronic Submission -  submit all electronic information via electronic mail to: NMFS.82Corals@noaa.gov

   - Mail - submit written comments to:

Regulatory Branch Chief

Protected Resources Division

Attn: 82 coal species

National Marine Fisheries Service

Pacific Islands Regional Office

1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110

Honolulu, HI  96814

- or -

Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources

Attn: 82 coral species

National Marine Fisheries Service

Southeast Regional Office

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL  33701