NOAA Releases Draft Management Plan
for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA today released a comprehensive Draft Management Plan (DMP) and environmental assessment for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) for public review and comment. Based on several years of scientific study and public input, the plan includes recommendations for expanding sanctuary boundaries to include additional reefs and banks in the northwestern region of the Gulf of Mexico and examine the need for a specific study to assess impacts of hook-and-line fishing and SCUBA diving. Additionally, the DMP includes proposed minor changes to the FGBNMS regulations.

The DMP is a major revision to the sanctuary's original management plan published in 1991. It identifies actions to be undertaken by sanctuary staff within the next five to 10 years to protect and conserve marine resources in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. It includes action plans to address six priority topics: sanctuary expansion, education and outreach, research and monitoring, resource protection, visitor use, and operations and administration. For more information, please visit the sanctuary web site.

Written comments should be sent by e-mail to fgbmanagementplan@noaa.gov, by fax to 409-621-1316, or by mail to:

George Schmahl, Sanctuary Superintendent,
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary,
4700 Avenue U, Bldg 216, Galveston, Texas, 77551

A public meeting will also be held on Dec. 9, 2010, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary headquarters - 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston, Texas.

All comments must be received by January 20, 2010.

The Federal Register Notice can be viewed electronically. You may also submit comments through this site.

Copies of the Draft Management Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Federal Register Notice that includes the Proposed Rule are available at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary headquarters in Galveston, TX. Copies may be requested via e-mail: fgbmanagementplan@noaa.gov or by calling 409-621-5151, ext 103. The plan may also be downloaded from the sanctuary's website.