Executive
Summary
Stellwagen
Bank is located in the extreme southwestern Gulf of Maine, within
Massachusetts Bay. The Bank's southern end is situated approximately
six miles north-northwest of Provincetown, Massachusetts. In
accordance with Title III of the Marine Protection, Research
and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1431 et
seq., this Final Environmental Impact Statement and Management
Plan proposes implementation of the Congressionally designated
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary to facilitate the
long-term protection and management of the resources and qualities
of the Stellwagen Bank system.
Part
One of this document reviews the authority for national marine
sanctuary designation; the mission and goals of the National
Marine Sanctuary Program; the history of this proposal's development;
and the purpose and need for designating a national marine sanctuary
at Stellwagen Bank.
Part
Two, Section I outlines Sanctuary management goals and objectives
in resource protection, research, interpretation/ education,
and visitor use. Part Two, Section II describes the environmental
conditions, living and non-living resources of the Sanctuary
area, and the human activities occurring in the vicinity.
Part
Two, Section II describes the Sanctuary setting. The boundary
surrounds the entire Stellwagen Bank and includes approximately
638 square nautical miles (842 square miles). The glacially-deposited
Bank feature measures approximately 16.30 nautical miles (18.75
miles; 30.17 km) in length, and 5.43 nautical miles (6.25 miles;
10.01 km) in width, at its widest point. Two distinct peak productivity
periods produce a complex system of overlapping mid-water and
benthic habitats within the sanctuary study area. Commercially
important fisheries include extensive benthic, invertebrate,
and pelagic species. The Bank system also provides important
feeding and nursery grounds for large and small cetacean species,
several of which are endangered. Diverse bird species forage
at the Bank, some in direct association with feeding cetaceans
and fishing vessels.
Traditionally,
the principal human activity dependent on the Bank's resources
has been commercial fishing, and this tradition continues. Recently,
whale-watching has also become an important commercial activity.
To a lesser degree, sportfishing also generates significant
economic revenues. Additional human activities involving the
Bank system include recreational fishing, research, commercial
shipping, and dredged materials disposal. In addition to these
activities, possible sand/gravel mining, development of offshore
artificial fixed platforms, and mariculture operations could
affect Stellwagen Bank resources and qualities in the future.
The
sanctuary management plan is presented in Part Two, Section
III of this document. This plan provides guidelines to ensure
that all management activities conducted during the first five
years following designation are directed at addressing important
issues as a means of meeting sanctuary objectives. Management
actions are considered within the context of three categories
of program objectives: resource protection, research, and interpretation/education.
Resource protection will involve cooperation with other agencies
in formulating management policies and procedures, including
the enforcement of regulations. Research will include baseline,
monitoring, and predictive studies to provide information needed
to address management issues. Interpretation/education programs
will focus on improving public awareness and understanding of
sanctuary resources, and the need to protect them.
Existing
regulatory authorities affecting the sanctuary area will not
be replaced or superseded by sanctuary designation. Rather,
the effect of such existing authorities will be strengthened
via cooperative efforts among implementing agencies. The following
activities, however, will be regulated by NOAA under the terms
of designation:
1. Discharging
or depositing of materials or substances, (either within or
from outside the Sanctuary);
2. Developing
offshore industrial materials;
3. Construction,
placement, or abandonment of any substance or material on, or
any alteration of, the seabed;
4. Removing
or damaging historical resources;
5. Taking
marine mammals, marine reptiles, and seabirds (except as permitted
by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species
Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act);
6. Transferring
any petroleum-based product from vessel-to-vessel ("lightering");
7. Possessing
any historical resource, or any marine mammal, marine reptile,
or seabird taken in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection
Act, the Endangered Species Act, or the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act; and
8. Interfering,
obstructing, delaying or preventing any investigation, search,
seizure or disposition of seized property in connection with
enforcement of the Act.
Several
activities also are identified as "subject to regulation", but
will not be regulated now. These are:
1. offshore
hydrocarbon activities;
2. mariculture
activities; and
3. vessel
operation.
Sanctuary
regulations are contained in the Designation Document (Appendix
A).
The
administrative framework for managing the sanctuary (Part Two,
Section IV) recognizes the need for coordination and cooperation
among all participants. The roles and responsibilities of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Sanctuaries
and Reserves Division, and National Marine Fisheries Service;
the U.S. Coast Guard; the Sanctuary Manager and staff; and a
Sanctuary Advisory Committee are delineated, as they relate
to the areas of resource protection, research, interpretation/education,
and general administration. Opportunities for cooperation with
state and regional agencies, as well as private institutions
and organizations, are also discussed.
NOAA
considered a range of alternatives in developing the proposal
for a national marine sanctuary at Stellwagen Bank. These alternatives
were evaluated in terms of achieving optimum protection for
the ecosystem, improving scientific knowledge of the area, and
promoting public understanding of the values of the Stellwagen
Bank system's resources. Sanctuary designation was selected
as preferable to no action; and preferred boundary, management,
and regulatory alternatives were selected. Congressional designation
of the Sanctuary (P. L. 102-587, §2202) establishes a boundary
and specifically prohibits exploration for and mining of sand
and gravel and other minerals within the Sanctuary.
Emerging
issues or changing circumstances may affect specific aspects
of sanctuary management as described in this plan. The plan
will be reviewed at least every five years following designation,
or sooner if necessary, and management measures revised as necessary
to incorporate experience gained in actual management. However,
the overall goals, management objectives, and general guidelines
governing the plan's development will continue to be relevant.
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