The National Marine Sanctuary Program has existed since 1972 and currently includes a network of 13 national marine sanctuaries plus the recently designated Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. In 1995, the agency deactivated its sanctuary nomination process so the program could focus on management of existing sanctuaries. Since then, a number of communities, states, tribes, and other interests have inquired about opportunities to designate new sites.
NOAA's proposed criteria emphasize the importance of community and stakeholder support for new sanctuary designations. The Surfrider Foundation strongly supports these draft criteria, as well as the reestablishment of the nomination process.
NOAA will accept public comments on the proposed rule to reestablish the sanctuary nomination process through August 27, 2013 by the following methods:
Electronic submission (preferred): www.regulations.gov (search for docket # NOAA-NOS-2013-0091)
Mail: Matt Brookhart, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 1305 East-West Highway, N/NMS, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
For more on the proposed rule and how to comment CLICK HERE
To read Surfrider's Policy on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) CLICK HERE