According to the National Marine Sanctuary, at the 2015 Our Ocean Conference in Valparaiso, Chile, President Barack Obama announced that, for the first time since 2000, two new marine areas have been identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) for possible designation as national marine sanctuaries. NOAA is now seeking comment on the proposals.
In Wisconsin, an 875-square mile area of Lake Michigan, with waters extending from Port Washington to Two Rivers received tremendous support from the community, and was identified for possible designation. The nominated area contains a collection of 39 known shipwrecks, 15 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Following this comment period, NOAA will develop a draft environmental impact statement, draft management plan and potential regulations for each site, which will then be available for public review. After reviewing those comments, NOAA will then make a final decision on the proposed action.
For more information, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov.
Photo by Tane Casserley/NOAA, Thunder Bay NMS
