Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument and Buck Island Reef National Monument

This interim rule relates to the prohibition on extractive uses contained in Presidential Proclamation No. 7399, which established the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (VICR), and Presidential Proclamation No. 7392, which expanded the boundaries of the existing Buck Island Reef National Monument (BUIS). This interim rule prohibits extractive uses, with some exceptions, and anchoring within VICR. For the purposes of protecting the objects identified in BUIS, Proclamation No. 7392 supersedes the limited authorization for extractive uses that was included in Proclamation 3443 of December 28, 1961, which created BUIS. Pursuant to Proclamation No. 7392, this interim rule prohibits all extractive uses and boat anchoring within BUIS except in deep sand areas or in emergencies (all other anchoring is subject to permit). This interim rule replaces the BUIS regulations stated in 36 CFR 7.73, which allowed for certain types of fishing and collecting, operation of watercraft, and anchoring. Proclamation Nos. 7399 and 7392 require the National Park Service to prepare management plans, which are to include guidelines for the management of vessels in the monument, within three years for VICR and two years for BUIS.