September 12, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have prepared a draft management plan and environmental assessment for the proper care and management of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, as directed by Presidential Proclamations 9496 and 10287 (September 15, 2016; October 8, 2021).
The plan defines agency management roles and responsibilities and lays out the goals, objectives, and proposed management activities for the next 15 years. The plan includes an environmental assessment to evaluate the potential impacts of implementing the proposed management actions.
The goals and objectives in the plan are derived from the Presidential Proclamations, federal mandates, and public input. The draft plan ensures transparency on management activities and addresses priority management, research, and education needs to foster stewardship of the Monument’s natural, historical, and cultural resources.
How Do I Comment?
The draft management plan and environmental assessment is available for comment on USFWS website. Information about upcoming public meetings will be available on the website as well.
We are accepting public comments on the draft management plan and environmental assessment for the Marine National Monument through October 26, 2023. The public can comment on the plan via mail or regs.gov.
Thank you for your attention to this draft plan and environmental assessment, which will guide NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in protecting and conserving resources, managing environmental threats, and better understanding the Monument ecosystems.