MCL will be submitting comments on a proposal from theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  to expand the boundaries of Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS) to an area north and west of their current boundaries, as well as to amend existing sanctuary regulations and add new regulations. NOAA is also proposing to revise the corresponding sanctuary terms of designation and management plans.

The purpose of this action is to extend sanctuary protections to an area that has nationally significant marine resources and habitats and is the source of nutrient-rich upwelled waters for the existing sanctuaries. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the draft proposed rule (PDF, 450KB), Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDF, 15MB), and revised CBNMS (PDF, 2MB) and GFNMS (PDF, 2MB) management plans.

While no final decisions have been made, the proposed action and alternatives reflect consideration of comments received from the public; the sanctuary advisory councils; Federal, State, and local agencies; and stakeholder groups.

Provide Public Comment (by Jun 30, 2014) - The public comment period is open from Apr 14 - Jun 30, 2014. There are three ways to provide public comment:

1. Attend a Public Hearing (the Sausalito public hearing was May 22.) The only other Marin/Sonoma hearing is Jun 18, 2014, Grange Hall, 6 pm, 1370 Bodega Ave., Bodega Bay, CA 94923

2. Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2012-0228 , click on the appropriate “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. If you have comments on more than one of the documents, you can record them by individual document (preferred) or as a combined comment on any of the four documents. All comments will be considered.

3. Mail: Maria Brown, Sanctuary Superintendent, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, 991 Marine Drive, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. ONMS 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, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

For more information, visit http://farallones.noaa.gov/manage/expansion_cbgf.html