The Olympic Coastal National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) has reached a milestone in their management plan review process and is inviting public comments at several meetings across western Washington in the coming weeks. The management plan has been developing through recommendations from the OCNMS Advisory Council's working groups and workshops over the last months and when finalized, this management plan will serve as a guide to OCNMS management on their activities for the next 5 to 10 years.
On January 14, 2011, a Federal Register notice announced availability for public comment of the proposed rule covering regulatory changes (Regulation Identification Number RIN 0648-BA20) and the DMP/DEA.The public comment period for the proposed rule and DMP/DEA will extend through March 25, 2011.
Please note that the FR notice includes a closing date for the comment period as March 15th.This is a mistake, and we will publish a correction in the Federal Register in the near future. Apologies go out for any confusion this may cause. Individual letters to tribal councils, Washington State and key agency partners will be sent out via mail this week and as will a press release and emails to the IPC and OCNMS listserv which includes interested members of the public.
This marks the end of the early development phase of management plan review and introduces the public review phase of the work. These documents provide something tangible and written for folks to review.
On January 14, 2011, a Federal Register notice announced availability for public comment of the proposed rule covering regulatory changes (Regulation Identification Number RIN 0648-BA20) and the DMP/DEA.The public comment period for the proposed rule and DMP/DEA will extend through March 25, 2011.
Please note that the FR notice includes a closing date for the comment period as March 15th.This is a mistake, and we will publish a correction in the Federal Register in the near future. Apologies go out for any confusion this may cause. Individual letters to tribal councils, Washington State and key agency partners will be sent out via mail this week and as will a press release and emails to the IPC and OCNMS listserv which includes interested members of the public.
This marks the end of the early development phase of management plan review and introduces the public review phase of the work. These documents provide something tangible and written for folks to review.
Through various routes (Listserv, press release, web site updates, and other outreach), we are encouraging interested members of the public to comment on the proposed rule and DMP/DEA.The management plan review parts of the OCNMS web site has been updated to provide more information and access to these documents.See http://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/protection/mpr/welcome.html
The federal register notice can be downloaded from http://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/protection/mpr/fedreg_1_14_11.pdf
The document can be downloaded from http://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/protection/mpr/mpr_draftdoc.html
We have a limited number of hard copies and some CD's that will be available at the AC meeting next Friday, although if possible we are requesting that an electronic version of the document be used in the review process. **
*All comments must be received or postmarked by March 25, 2011. ***
Comments can be provided in the following ways:
·Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
·Fax: 360-457-8496, Attn:George Galasso
·Mail: George Galasso, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, 115 East Railroad Avenue, Suite 301, Port Angeles, WA 98362
In addition, there will be public meetings in Port Angeles and Forks at which folks can learn more, speak directly to sanctuary staff, and provide comments on the proposed rule and DMP/EA.
Port Angeles - February 23rd, 6-9 pm, Clallam County Commissioners' hearing room (room 160), Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth Street, Port Angeles, WA. Note: the after-hours entrance to the Courthouse is via Fourth Street, to the left of the flag poles near the main courthouse entrance.
Forks - February 24th, 6-9 pm, Washington Department of Natural Resources Community Room, 411 Tillicum Lane, Forks, WA.
OCNMS also announced via a listserv message and web site postings that the public can learn more about the proposed rule and DMP/EA at the January Advisory Council (AC) meeting Friday, January 21 in Port Angeles, WA, where staff will lead a review and discussion of the proposed rule and DMP/DEA.
During this public review phase of the OCNMS management plan review folks are encouraged to spread the word and reach out to local constituents. OCNMS greatly values the comments and advice received through the Advisory Council and the interested public. For more information visit OCNMS at http://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/.
