Public Comment Period Open for Draft Refuge Access for Visiting Sailboats and Motorized Boats, Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Compatibility Determination
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is accepting comments for a Draft Compatibility Determination for refuge access for visiting sailboats and motorized boats at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The Service has prepared a Draft Compatibility Determination (CD), which provides the assessment and guidelines for this refuge activity. The draft CD is open for public comment from July 17 through July 31.
A compatible use is a proposed or existing wildlife-dependent recreational use or any other use of a National Wildlife Refuge that, based on sound professional judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the purposes for which the refuge was established and the National Wildlife Refuge System mission. The Service develops a compatibility determination to facilitate evaluation of proposed uses, including anticipated impacts and stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility.
The National Wildlife Refuge System mission is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Palmyra Atoll is the only refuge within the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument that is open for public visitation. The draft CD found that refuge access for visiting sailboats and motorized boats will not detract from the refuge’s core mission to protect and preserve the natural character of fish, wildlife, plants, coral reef communities, and other resources associated with the tidal lands, submerged lands, and waters of Palmyra.
All comments should be in writing and should be received no later than July 31, 2023. Comments should specifically articulate how the proposed activity would, or would not, materially interfere with or detract from the Refuge purposes or Refuge System mission. Comments may be sent via email to Pacific_reefs@fws.gov. Please place the words “Compatibility Determination Comments” in the subject line and your comments in the body of the text. Please do not include attachments because they will not be opened due to the potential for computer viruses.
See the draft compatibility determination here
Visit Us
Public access to Palmyra Atoll is self-limiting due to the very high expense of traveling to such a remote destination. The Nature Conservancy owns and operates the only airplane runway on Palmyra and by boat, it's a five to seven day sailing trip from Honolulu. There are several ways to gain access to the refuge, though certain rules apply.
Location and Contact Information
About Us
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was established on January 18, 2001, by the Secretary of the Interior and includes submerged lands and associated waters out to 12 nautical miles from the atoll. It is approximately 956 nautical miles south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaiʻi and America Samoa, and consists of a circular string of about 26 islets nestled among several lagoons and encircled by 15,000 acres of shallow turquoise reefs and deep blue submerged reefs. It is the northernmost atoll in the Line Islands in the equatorial Pacific. On January 6, 2009, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, which includes Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding ocean out to 50 nautical miles within its boundaries.
What We Do
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Our Species
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of wildlife. The wildlife found in and around the island is rich with diversity ranging from a variety of birds, marine mammals, various species of reptiles, invertebrates, marine life, and flora.
Our Library
Here you will find library collections containing a variety of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publications, reports, fact sheets, media and documents along with other reference material.
Projects and Research
From invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species removal to protecting endangered species, find out what kind of projects and initiatives we're conducting on Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.