Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Emergency Rule To Establish Seven Additional Manatee Protection Areas in Florida

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), take emergency action to establish seven additional manatee protection areas in Florida. This action is authorized under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA),base on our determination that there is now substantial evidence that imminent danger of taking one or more manatees at these sites and the emergency designation of refuges and sanctuaries is necessary to prevent taking. In evaluating the need for emergency designation of additional manatee protection areas, we considered the needs of the manatee, the current levels of mortality, and the likelihood of additional take of manatees due to human activity. We are establishing one manatee sanctuary in Citrus County, one manatee sanctuary and one manatee refuge in Pinellas County, and two manatee sanctuaries and two manatee refuges in Hillsborough County. All waterborne activities will be prohibited within the sanctuaries and watercraft will be required to proceed at "idle speed" or slow speed," as specified within the refuges on a seasonal basis.