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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22761-22762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9031]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Draft Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Monitor 
National Marine Sanctuary: Notice of Public Availability and Meetings

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of public availability and meetings.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 304(e) of the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), as amended, NOAA is soliciting public comment 
on the draft management plan and draft environmental assessment for 
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.

DATES: Comments: Comments on the draft management plan and draft 
environmental assessment will be considered if received on or before 
June 22, 2012.
    Public meetings: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for 
the dates and locations for the public meetings.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy: For a copy of the draft management plan 
and draft environmental assessment, contact the Management Plan Review 
Coordinator, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, 100 Museum Drive, 
Newport News, VA 23606. Copies can also be downloaded from the Monitor 
National Marine Sanctuary Web site at http://monitor.noaa.gov.
    To submit comments: Comments on the draft management plan and draft 
environmental assessment may be submitted by one of the following 
methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal with Docket 
Number NOAA-NOS-2012-0076.
    2. By email to [email protected];
    3. By providing comments (oral or written) at one of the public 
meetings (see public meetings section below); or
    4. In writing to the Monitor NMS Management Plan Review Coordinator 
at 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will be generally posted to http://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. NOAA will accept 
anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted 
in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Public meetings: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for the 
dates and locations for the public meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Rides, Management Plan Review 
Coordinator, at (757) 591-7328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 22762]]

Background information

    On January 30, 1975, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) designated Monitor National Marine Sanctuary 
(MNMS) as the nation's first national marine sanctuary (NMS). Managed 
by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), it protects the 
wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad, USS Monitor, best known for its 
battle with the Confederate ironclad, CSS Virginia in Hampton Roads, 
VA., on March 9, 1862. The sanctuary also promotes appreciation and 
responsible use of the ocean.
    NOAA is undergoing a review of the Monitor NMS draft management 
plan pursuant to section 304(e) of the NMSA, and is now releasing the 
plan for public review and comment. The draft management plan (2012) 
was prepared by NOAA in cooperation with the Monitor NMS Sanctuary 
Advisory Council and with input from the public, local governments, 
state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders. The draft plan is 
comprised of eight action plans (education and outreach; research and 
monitoring; resource protection; visitor use; USS Monitor sailors; 
possible future sanctuary expansion; conservation; and operations and 
administration). It sets priorities to guide sanctuary programs and 
operations, and provides the public with a better understanding of the 
sanctuary's strategies to protect the USS Monitor.
    The accompanying draft environmental assessment analyzes the 
environmental impacts of the draft management plan pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act. In doing so, it analyzes two 
alternatives: the status quo (no change) and the preferred alternative 
(2012 management plan).

Public meetings

    Public meetings will be held at the following locations and dates:
    1. April 30, 6:30 p.m., Raleigh, NC, NC Museum of History, 5 East 
Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.
    2. May 1, 6:30 p.m., Wilmington, NC, NC Maritime Museum, 204 E 
Moore Street, Southport, NC 28461.
    3. May 2, 6:30 p.m., Beaufort, NC, NC Maritime Museum, 315 Front 
Street, Beaufort, NC 28516.
    4. May 3, 6:30 p.m., Nags Head, NC, Jennette's Pier at Nags Head, 
7223 South Virginia Dare Trail, Milepost 16.5, Nags Head, NC 27959.
    5. May 4, 2 p.m., Newport News, VA, The Mariners' Museum, 100 
Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.

     Dated: April 9, 2012.
Daniel J. Basta,
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
[FR Doc. 2012-9031 Filed 4-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-M
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