Management Plan Review
The management plan review process is used to evaluate progress toward implementing sanctuary management and goals. This process depends on the active involvement of our constituents and the Sanctuary Advisory Council.
Since the adoption of the current management plan in 2012, new partners, technologies, and opportunities have emerged, as have new resource management issues. An evaluation of what has been implemented and what else the site needs will allow site managers and partners to focus their priorities.
Sanctuary staff also worked with the advisory council to assess progress toward the current management plan and identify issues that the next management plan should address. The assessment found that of the 61 activities in the management plan, 71% (43 activities) had been fully completed, 11% (7 activities) were still in the process of being implemented or were partially completed, and 18% (11 activities) were not yet started or had been placed on hold due to shifting priorities or limited resources.
What are the Steps for Updating the Management Plan?
I. Condition Report
The process begins with the release of a new Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report to inform the management plan update process. In addition to the condition report, other science products, including a vulnerability assessment and updated science needs assessment, have recently been developed to further support the sanctuary management plan review process.
II. Request for Information
Publication of a request for information in the Federal Register announces the start of the public phase of the management plan review process and invites the public to comment on the scope of the management plan review.
III. Issue Identification and Action Plan Development
After the public scoping period, sanctuary staff will review all comments and work with the Sanctuary Advisory Council and subject matter experts to identify and prioritize issues to be addressed in the management plan. Strategies to address priority issues will form the foundation of a draft revised management plan.
IV. Draft Environmental Review and Draft Management Plan
A draft management plan will be prepared, which will contain updated strategies to address resource protection and general management of the sanctuary. Accompanying the draft management plan will be an environmental analysis of the activities proposed within the plan. This will be guided by the National Environmental Policy Act and take the form of a draft environmental assessment (DEA) or draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). In addition, if sanctuary regulatory changes are proposed, a Proposed Rule will be developed.
V. Public Review and Comment
The draft management plan, DEA or DEIS, and proposed rule (if needed for any regulatory changes) will then be released for public review and comment, and public meetings will be held to invite comments. After the close of the public comment period, sanctuary staff will review comments and make any necessary changes to plans, environmental analyses, and regulations (if applicable).
VI. Final Environmental Review and Final Management Plan
To close out the process, a final management plan, final environmental assessment or final environmental impact statement, and final rule (if needed for any regulation changes) will be released.
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