Please take a moment to send comments to OCNMS and say that you support Alternative B, the preferred alternative.
Comments must be sent by this Friday, March 25th.
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. (Select proposed rule for "document type" and search for "Olympic Coast Sanctuary". It will come up first on the result list. select "submit comment" under actions)
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
Details:
The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Draft Management Plan was developed over two years with input from OCNMS Advisory Council working groups, collaborations with other managers, and public workshops. Once finalized, this management plan will serve as a guide to OCNMS management on their activities for the next 5 to 10 years.
Surfrider Foundation supports the draft management plan and Alternative B (the Sanctuary's "preferred" alternative) in the required draft environmental assessment.
Plan highlights:
Fulfills the Sanctuary's treaty trust responsibility to the Hoh, Quileute and Makah Tribes and Quinault Indian Nation.
Proposes modifying regulations to prohibit discharges from cruise ships into sanctuary waters.
Conducts collaborative research assessments and monitoring to inform ecosystem-based management.
Improves ocean literacy.
Advances stronger oil spill prevention measures.
Supports closure and remediation of the Warmhouse Dump, reducing contaminants released to marine waters.
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
