Part
2, Sec. 2C5
Human Activities - Military Activity
5.
Military Activity
The
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) designates areas of water and
air space as "operating areas" (water) and "warning areas" (air),
in support of military operations involving training, readiness,
and support of national defense and security interests. Stellwagen
Bank lies within the Boston Operating Area, which extends from
offshore Nantucket Island north to offshore Washington County,
Maine. Military exercises in the Boston Operating Area include
such activities as submarine operations, gunnery practice, anti-submarine
warfare tactics, sea trials, radar tracking, warship maneuvers,
and general operations. The designated warning areas closest
to Stellwagen Bank are Air Force Warning Areas W-103 and W-104A,
located northwest and east of the Bank, respectively. (Figure
9). These areas are used as training areas for high-speed aircraft
operating out of several New England bases.
Military
operations or exercises are not routinely conducted on Stellwagen
Bank. From August 17 through 31, 1985, however, the U.S, Navy
conducted vessel operations known as "Ocean Safari '85" in Massachusetts
Bay and in the approaches to Boston Harbor. In connection with
this activity, local notices to mariners were issued by the
U.S. Coast Guard that certain waters over Stellwagen Bank and
the Massachusetts Bay Precautionary Area were closed to fixed
gear fishing activities between August 22 and 31, 1985. Navy
exercises involved streaming strings of equipment aft of vessels
that could cause damage to, or loss of fishing gear. Within
the Boston Operating Area, safety zones were established around
each vessel, and fishermen, recreational boaters, and other
mariners were advised to maintain distances of at least 1,000
yards from Navy vessels. These restrictions were enforced by
U.S. Coast Guard units. This military operation was prefaced
by an environmental assessment, a request for consistency determination
from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and consultation with
the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Sanctuary
regulation of human activities does not prohibit any Department
of Defense activity necessary for national defense in an emergency.
In the event of future planned military activities, coordination
and consultation between the Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics; the office with overall
responsibility for DOD's Offshore Military Activities Program)
and the Sanctuary Manager and NOAA will be required.
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