Management Plan Review FAQS

Some Questions Answered About Management Plan Revisions

What is a National Marines Sanctuary?
What is the National Marine Sanctuary Program?
What is a sanctuary management plan and why is it being updated?
What are the steps for the review?
What are scoping meetings and when will they be held?
What are action plans?
What will be incorporated in the draft and final management plans?
What kind of changes can I expect?
How will the public be involved?
How can I be involved?
Where can I get more information?

What is a National Marine Sanctuary?

The National Marine Sanctuaries embrace part of our collective riches as a nation. Within their protected waters, giant humpback whales breed and calve their young, coral colonies flourish, and shipwrecks tell stories of our marine history. Sanctuary habitats include beautiful rocky reefs, lush kelp forests, whale migration corridors and feeding grounds, spectacular deep-sea canyons, and underwater archaeological sites. Sanctuaries can provide a safe habitat for species close to extinction or protect historically significant shipwrecks. Ranging in size from less than one square mile to over 5,300 square miles, each Sanctuary is a unique place needing special protections. Natural classrooms, cherished recreational spots, and valuable commercial industries--marine Sanctuaries represent many things to many people.

What is the National Marine Sanctuary Program?

The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) serves as the trustee for a system of thirteen underwater parks, encompassing 18,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Massachusetts to American Samoa, from Lake Huron to the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Ocean Service has managed National Marine Sanctuaries since passage of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act in 1972. Protecting Sanctuary resources requires a great deal of planning, management, and cooperation between federal, state, and local officials. The National Marine Sanctuary Program works cooperatively with its partners and the public to balance enjoyment and use with long-term conservation. Increasing public awareness of our marine heritage, scientific research, monitoring, exploration, educational programs, and outreach are just a few of the ways the National Marine Sanctuary Program fulfills its mission to the American people. The Program's staff members are ever mindful of their responsibility to protect America's ocean treasures for this and future generations.

What is a sanctuary management plan and why is it being updated?

A sanctuary management plan is a site-specific planning and management document that describes the objectives, policies and activities for a Sanctuary. Management plans generally outline regulatory goals, describe boundaries, identify staffing and budget needs, set priorities and performance measures for resource protection, research, and education programs. They also guide the development of future management activities.

The National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) is required by law to periodically review sanctuary management plans to ensure that sanctuary sites continue to best conserve, protect, and enhance their nationally significant living and cultural resources. Most plans date back to their original designation date and have not been updated. Recent scientific discoveries, advancements in managing marine resources, and new resource management issues may not be addressed in existing plans. The current management plan for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary was released in July 1993.

What are the steps for the review?

As the NMSP reviews sanctuary management plans it relies on public input from both local and national communities. The process begins with the release of a "State of the Sanctuary" report that provides information to the public about the Sanctuary, its accomplishments, and current resource management issues. The SBNMS report was published in the summer 2002 and is available on this website, on the NMSP website, or from the SBNMS office. The Sanctuary will hold public scoping meetings, develop action plans, and prepare a draft management plan. Formal public hearings on the draft plan will help staff revise the document into a final management plan, which, once approved, will outline the Sanctuary's priorities for the next 5-10 years.

What are scoping meetings and when will they be held?

Sanctuary staff will hold public scoping meetings in regional communities during the Fall 2002. These meetings will allow SBNMS users, members of the public, and agencies to comment on the Sanctuary's management strategies and provide input on what issues and problems they see as management priorities for the next 5 to 10 years. Comments may also be sent to the SBNMS through this website or in writing. The final date, time, and location of scoping meetings will be posed on this website.

What are action plans?

After the scoping meetings, Sanctuary staff members will review all comments and work with the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) and the public to prioritize issues for the management plan review. If necessary, additional workshops will be scheduled to help Sanctuary staff develop tailored action plans that address priority issues. These action plans will form the foundation of the draft management plan.

What will be incorporated in the draft and final management plans?

The revised draft management plans will contain a series of action plans that address resource protection and general management. They may also propose regulatory changes. SBNMS will take written comments and host a series of public hearings on the draft plans. A supporting environmental document, such as an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement, will be prepared to support and explain any changes. After the close of the public comment period, the NMSP will review comments and make necessary changes before issuing a final management plan.

What kind of changes can I expect?

Management plan review provides an opportunity for Sanctuary staff and the public to shape the future direction and management of the site. At this time, it is too early to determine the specific issues or changes that may be addressed for the Sanctuary. This will, in part, depend on program priorities and comments received during the public scoping meetings. However, during the management plan review, SBNMS will evaluate and possibly revise its operation and management framework; resource protection, education, and research programs; site-specific regulations; boundaries; and management zones. The Sanctuary will also evaluate ways to improve coordination with other regional marine resource management authorities.

How will the public be involved?

Active and informed public participation is a key element of sanctuary management, particularly during management plan review. The NMSP recognizes the public as a key resource management partner and values its input in helping shape and manage Marine Sanctuaries. For almost 30 years, the NMSP has engaged the public in helping create new Sanctuaries, develop resource protection strategies, resolve multi-stakeholder issues (i.e., water quality, vessel traffic, and marine reserves), and more recently, to review existing management plans. Using the lessons learned from these experiences, the NMSP will help build community awareness of key site issues and actively engage user and interest groups, agencies, and the public in an open dialogue about how to best shape the future direction and management of the Stellwagen Bank Natiional Marine Sanctuary.

The public will have numerous opportunities to participate in management plan review, beginning with the scoping meetings and continuing through development of the draft and final management plans. The NMSP will provide ample notice of each meeting through local media and the website.

How can I be involved?

You can become involved in the SBNMS management plan review by first helping identify issues and concerns during the scoping phase. The NMSP will accept comments in writing mailed to the SBNMS or NMSP, via the internet, or in person at any of the scoping workshops. After the issues have been reviewed and prioritized, the Sanctuary will involve the public in developing action plans. These action plans will become the foundation for a draft management plan, which, once completed, will be available for public review and comment. Throughout the review process, you may also attend any of the SAC meetings held at various locations in eastern Massachusetts. Meeting agendas are posted on the Sanctuary's website and all meetings are open to the public.

Where can I get more information?

For more information on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary management plan review, contact:

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