Comments Requested

A long-spined urchin near blushing star coral and bright orange sponges at McGrail Bank
Unique coral reefs in some areas of McGrail Bank are dominated by large colonies of blushing star coral (Stephanocoenia intersepta). Photo: NOAA/UNCW-UVP

NOAA invites the public to provide input on NOAA’s Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) of the proposed expansion of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The RIR was added as a supporting document to the proposed rule for the expansion of the sanctuary. The comment period for the proposed rule that was published on May 1, 2020 closed on July 3, 2020.

To provide an opportunity for comment on the RIR, NOAA issued a Federal Register Notice on Monday, November 23rd. With this notice, NOAA will only accept comments on the RIR, and any other comments on the proposed expansion will not be considered.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS

Please submit your comments online via www.regulations.gov using docket number NOAA-NOS-2019-0033 by December 8, 2020. Please note that only comments on the Regulatory Impact Review will be considered at this time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact George P. Schmahl at fgbexpansion@noaa.gov.