NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has revised the management plan for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The previous plan was issued in 2010.
This final management plan contains 15 Action Plans addressing priority issues under four primary goals: ensure a thriving sanctuary, increase support for the sanctuary, deepen our understanding of sanctuary resources, and ensure coordinated support for sanctuary infrastructure, staff, and field operations.
The revised plan addresses current and emerging issues such as climate change and changes in water quality, and prioritizes resource protection through innovative research, outreach to user groups, and increased tribal engagement. This management plan also includes a strategy in each action plan to continually evaluate ongoing management activities and implement new ones as needed. There were no boundary or regulatory changes.
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has released a final management plan and environmental assessment for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary prepared by staff with input from the Sanctuary Advisory Council.
The final management plan revises the 2010 management plan for the sanctuary and includes 15 action plans to a) streamline and focus sanctuary management actions, b) better align with the goals and objectives in the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ Strategic Plan, and c) address emerging issues, like climate change. It also includes an environmental assessment evaluating the potential environmental consequences of implementing a revised sanctuary management plan for the sanctuary and conducting field activities to manage the sanctuary over the next 10 years.
The final management plan supports the sanctuary’s goal of managing a productive marine area that protects nature’s diversity and bounty with a dedicated program of innovative research, respects sustainable human activities, and advances ocean stewardship among diverse communities. There are no regulatory or boundary changes proposed in this final plan.
The final management plan contains the following 15 action plans.
Sanctuary condition report released
February 2020
Public scoping period and scoping meetings
February 13, 2020 - April 10, 2020
Public comment
Develop draft management plan and environmental review documents
Sanctuary Advisory Council input
Council Input
Release draft management plan and environmental assessment
Public review and comment on draft documents
November 30, 2021 – January 21, 2022
Public comment
Prepare final management plan and environmental assessment
Current Step
Publish final management plan and environmental assessment
