ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8337ProclamationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 8337

Establishment of the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument

President George W. Bush established the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument under the Antiquities Act, protecting approximately 13,451 square miles of marine and terrestrial area in American Samoa. The proclamation withdraws federal lands from commercial use, assigns joint management to the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce, prohibits commercial fishing while allowing limited noncommercial and traditional indigenous fishing, and initiates incorporation of marine areas into the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 1577

Impact dates

  1. Secretary of Commerce to initiate process to add marine areas to Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Key directives

  • Establish Rose Atoll Marine National Monument covering ~13,451 square miles
  • Withdraw federal lands from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, or leasing
  • Assign Secretary of Interior management responsibility with Secretary of Commerce primary for marine areas seaward of mean low water
  • Secretary of Commerce to initiate process to add marine areas to Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
  • Prohibit commercial fishing within the monument
  • Permit noncommercial and sustenance fishing and traditional indigenous fishing under terms set by Secretaries
  • Provide process for sustainable recreational fishing consistent with EO 12962
  • Secretaries to prohibit appropriation, injury, destruction, or removal of monument features except as provided
  • Consult with Government of American Samoa in developing management plans
  • Exempt Armed Forces activities and emergency/law enforcement/national security activities from prohibitions

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Monument establishment and withdrawal of federal lands from entry/disposition
  • Commercial fishing prohibition takes effect
  • Management responsibility assigned to Secretaries of Interior and Commerce

Near term (90d)

  • Secretary of Commerce to initiate process to add marine areas to Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Long term

  • Development of management plans and regulations
  • Implementation of sustainable recreational fishing framework
  • Integration with National Marine Sanctuary system

Risks & tensions

  • Joint management between Interior and Commerce with divided seaward/mean low water jurisdiction may create coordination challenges
  • Traditional indigenous fishing rights require balancing conservation with cultural practices of American Samoa
  • International law limitations on enforcement against foreign vessels may constrain protection effectiveness
  • Armed Forces exemption maintains operational flexibility but creates potential environmental risk
  • Vague timeline for sanctuary integration ('initiate the process') lacks binding completion deadline
Proclamation 8337: Establishment of the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument · Executive Orders