Five public comment meetings to be held in February

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/, is updating the management plan for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Public scoping is the first phase in the management plan review process, and the public can comment through April 3 on the scope of issues and programs to be considered within an updated plan.

Comments may be submitted online, by mail, in person or virtually at the public scoping meetings.

Periodic review of the sanctuary’s management plan ensures that management actions effectively address current and emerging issues and protect sanctuary resources. Public engagement is central to NOAA’s community-based approach to managing national marine sanctuaries, and agency partnerships and collaborations are critical to meeting sanctuary goals.

WHAT:

Public comment period through April 3, 2023, to solicit input on the scope of issues and programs to be considered within an updated management plan for NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

WHEN and WHERE:

How to comment (through April 3, 2023)

Be Heard at Public Comment Meetings (In-person and virtual):

* Feb. 22, 2023: Rainforest Art Center, 35 N Forks Ave, Forks, WA 98331, 5-8 p.m.

* Feb 23, 2023: Makah Community Gym, 1394 Bayview Ave, Neah Bay, WA 98357, 5-8 p.m.

* Feb 27, 2023: Virtual public scoping meeting (GoToMeeting ), 5 p.m. start. (Pre-registration is not required, please click this link at the start of the meeting.)

Please note that NOAA may be taking audio recordings of the public meetings including the public comment portion of the meetings.

Submit Written Comments Online:

Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov . Use docket number NOAA-NOS-NOAA-NOS-2023-0003.

Send Written Comments By Mail:

Attn: Public Comment

NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

115 East Railroad Ave, Suite #301

Port Angeles, WA 98362

For more information, visit www.olympiccoast.noaa.gov 

Link to Management Plan Review webpage: https://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/management/mpr