Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Emergency Rule To Establish an Additional Manatee Sanctuary in Kings Bay, Crystal River, FL

This emergency rule establishes an additional West Indian manatee (Trichecus manatus) sanctuary in Citrus County, Florida, adjacent to Kings Bay/Crystal River at the confluence of the Three Sisters Spring run with a residential canal, and prohibits all waterborne activities in the sanctuary for a period of 120 days. This emergency action will help prevent the taking of manatees by harassment resulting from waterborne activities during upcoming winter months. This increases the number of sanctuaries in Kings Bay to seven and has been initiated to prevent harassment from increasing public use at this site. A proposed rule to establish this sanctuary is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register. The proposed rule provides for public comment and a hearing (if requested). The emergency action is effective for 120 days and is taken under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended.