Complete applications are reviewed by National Marine Sanctuary Program officials and, where necessary, by outside experts. If approved, the Sanctuary Superintendent will issue the authorization. Copies must be signed and returned within 10 days of receipt by the authorization holder. If not returned within 30 days, the authorization will automatically be canceled. Authorization holders must be present during all authorized operations.
Authorizations are non-transferable.
Authorization holders must abide by all provisions set forth in the authorization as well as applicable Sanctuary regulations. Project summaries and technical information are incorporated into the conditions of the authorization. Authorized activities must be conducted with adequate safeguards for the environment. To the extent possible, the environment shall be returned to the conditions which existed prior to the authorized activity. Two important conditions of any authorization are that the authorization holder submit a project report and log to the appropriate Sanctuary office within 30 days of the authorization's expiration date.