Proposed Rule to Designate Critical Habitat for Green Sea Turtles
Overview Authority Endangered Species Act
Action Status Proposed Rule
Published 07/19/2023
Comments Close 10/17/2023 - Submit a Comment
Affected Species Green Turtle
Summary We, NOAA Fisheries, are proposing to designate new areas of critical habitat and modify existing critical habitat for threatened and endangered distinct population segments (DPSs) of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), in areas under U.S. jurisdiction, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. We are proposing to designate marine critical habitat in nearshore waters (from the mean high water line to 20 meters depth) off the coasts of Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, California, Hawaiʻi, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. It also includes nearshore waters (from the mean high water line to 10 kilometers offshore) between San Diego Bay and Mexico. Proposed