NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is proposing to add five additional discrete geographical areas to the sanctuary and change the name of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the American Samoa National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA also proposes to amend existing sanctuary regulations and apply these regulations to activities in the sanctuary. NOAA is soliciting public comment on these amendments. Comments will be considered if received on or before January 6, 2012. Click here for a copy of the Federal Register proposed rule on the proposed expansion.

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments will be considered if received on or before November 28, 2011. Click here for a copy of the Federal Register notice.

Advisory Councils
A Sanctuary Advisory Council is a community-based advisory group consisting of representatives from various user groups, government agencies and the public at large.