National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 25, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NOAA proposes to designate Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) in the waters along and offshore of the coast of central California to recognize the national significance of the area's ecological, historical, archaeological, and cultural resources and to manage this special place as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The sanctuary boundary would encompass 5,617 square miles (mi\2\) (4,242 nmi\2\) of submerged lands and marine waters from Monta[ntilde]a de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County to Naples along the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. NOAA proposes to establish the terms of designation for CHNMS and proposes regulations to implement the national marine sanctuary designation. NOAA is also publishing a draft environmental impact statement (draft EIS) and draft management plan, and soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft EIS, and draft management plan.

NMFS cancelled the Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop originally scheduled for September 6, 2023, in Kenner, LA, and the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop originally scheduled for September 14, 2023, in Virginia Beach, FL. The workshops were announced in the Federal Register on June 21, 2023. NMFS has rescheduled the Safe Handing, Release, and Identification Workshop for September 27, 2023 and the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop for September 28, 2023.