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Virtual meeting set on Mariana Trench sanctuary nomination
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will hold a virtual meeting on March 31, 2022, on the Mariana Trench National Marine Sanctuary nomination.
The virtual meeting will take place from 12pm to 3 p.m ChST (if in Guam or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). That same time will be Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 4pm to 7pm HST in Hawaii.
To register, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1179203552492044303.
Written comments must be received by April 25, 2022. Comments may be entered on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Submit electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal and search for Docket Number NOAA-NOS-2022-0005.
To comment by mail: Kristina Kekuewa, Pacific Islands regional director, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96818. To comment by email: Kristina.Kekuewa@noaa.gov.
On Jan. 21, 2022, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries initiated a review of the Mariana Trench National Marine Sanctuary nomination, which was set to expire on March 13, 2022, after five years in the sanctuary nomination inventory. The announcement included an opportunity for public comment.
NOAA has not initiated a designation process for this site. NOAA is seeking public input on whether the nomination of Mariana Trench should remain on the inventory of sites for potential national marine sanctuary designation.
The purpose of the five-year review is to determine if the nomination remains accurate and responsive to the 11 criteria on national significance and management considerations.
Following a request for additional time to provide comments, NOAA reopened the public comment period through April 25, 2022. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will then determine if the Mariana Trench National Marine Sanctuary nomination will remain in the inventory for an additional five years.
For more information about the nomination or five-year review process, visit nominate.noaa.gov. (PR)
