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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