HomeMy WebLinkAbout051226 - NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Releases a Draft Management Plan and Draft Environmental AssessmentALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Good Morning,
NOAA has published a draft management plan as part of a management plan review <https://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/management/mpr/> for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. This release
also includes a draft environmental assessment which evaluates the environmental impacts of implementing the draft management plan and continued implementation of existing sanctuary
regulations and activities. NOAA is soliciting public comments on the draft management plan and draft environmental assessment through July 11, 2026.
The draft management plan, which will replace the current plan last updated in 2011 <https://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/management/2011-plan/> , proposes goals, strategies, and activities
intended to help conserve and promote the resources in the sanctuary. The draft management plan addresses four priority themes: 1) Achieve Effective Collaborative and Coordinated Management;
2) Conduct Collaborative Research, Assessments, and Monitoring to Support Management of Resources in the Sanctuary; 3) Improve Ocean Literacy: Education and Outreach; and 4) Conserve
Resources in the Sanctuary. Consistent with the January 2023 Notice of Intent <https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-01682> , NOAA is not proposing sanctuary regulatory modifications
at this time.
There are two ways to submit comments:
Electronic Submission:
Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov <http://www.regulations.gov> and enter the docket number NOAA-NOS-2023-0003, click
the "Comment" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail:
NOAA OCNMS
115 E Railroad Ave, Suite 301
Port Angeles, Washington 98362
Attn: Management Plan Revision
This management plan revision process is being conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA). NOAA is also
addressing other statutory and regulatory requirements that may be required pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Essential Fish Habitat provisions of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and tribal consultation responsibilities under Executive
Order 13175.
Input is welcomed, invited, and appreciated. Additional information about the management plan revision process can be found online at: https://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/management/mpr/
<https://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/management/mpr/>
Thank you for your consideration of this notice, and the opportunity to provide comments. Questions may be directed to olympiccoast.mpr@noaa.gov <mailto:olympiccoast.mpr@noaa.gov> .
Thank you,
Kevin
--
Kevin Grant
Sanctuary Superintendent
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Acting Sanctuary Superintendent
Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
Cell: (360) 565-6196
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