Park Wavelengths - Monday, May 9, 2016
Subject: Fwd: Park Wavelengths [Cordellbank] Scoping Meetings
Pursuant to a request from United States Coast Guard, NOAA is considering developing future rulemaking to allow the following USCG discharges within part or all of Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries (GFNMS and CBNMS): 1. untreated vessel sewage, 2. vessel graywater (as defined by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) that does not meet the definition of clean, and 3. ammunition and pyrotechnics (flare) materials used in USCG training exercises for use of force and search and rescue.
Comments are being accepted by 5/31/16 by these mechanisms: via three public meetings held by NOAA this week, via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal (identification # is NOAA-NOS-2016-0043) or via mail, per the instructions in the attached Federal Register notice (sent to you previously on 4/21/16). Note, commenters need to only submit comments using one of these specified mechanisms, as all comments received through via listed mechanisms will be considered (it is not necessary to submit duplicates).
The scoping period is intended to assist NOAA in gathering information and other comments to determine the relevant scope of issues and range of alternatives to be addressed in the environmental process for this topic, from individuals, organizations, tribes, and government agencies. NOAA is interested in receiving public comment on how to best address the need for continued USCG operations in GFNMS and CBNMS while fulfilling its primary objective of resource protection in national marine sanctuaries. NOAA has identified two options for this: 1) Changing the regulations to allow USCG discharges and 2) Issuing a national marine sanctuary general permit, if the activity is eligible for a permit and is conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions in the permit. In either case, the specified discharges could be allowed in all waters of the sanctuaries; only in Federal waters (further than 3 nautical miles from shore); in certain zones delineated based on biological factors (such as oceanographic features or abundance of a particular species) and other factors (such as high use for recreation, fishing, shipping, or other human activities); in the expanded waters of CBNMS and GFNMS; or not at all.
The three public scoping meetings on this topic are this week:
Tues., May 10, 2016, 6 PM, at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bay Model Visitor Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito CA;
Wed, May 11, 2016, 6 PM, at the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District, 510 Hwy. 1, Bodega Bay, CA; and
Thurs., May 12, 2016, 6 PM, at the Gualala Community Center, 47950 Center St., Gualala CA.
Please let any interested parties know.
Again, scoping comments should be received or before May 31, 2016.
--
Jennifer Stock
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
PO Box 159
Olema, CA 94950
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