ONMS/NOAA Seek Comment and Hold Public Meetings on EIS Scoping for Flower Garden Banks Boundaries

The U.S. Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (“ONMS”), National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”), Department of Commerce, has published its notice of intent to revise boundaries and intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for revision of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary boundaries.

ONMS proposes these actions in accordance in accordance with section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended. It is based a recommendation contained within the Sanctuary Expansion Action Plan of the FGBNMS Management Plan (April
2012).

The review process, as required by the NMSA, will be conducted concurrently with a public process under the National Environmental Policy Act. NOAA will coordinate its responsibilities under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act with its
ongoing NEPA process, including the use of NEPA documents and public and stakeholder meetings to also meet the requirements of section 106. The public scoping process is intended to solicit information and comments on the range and significance of issues related to the expansion of the FGBNMS boundaries. The results of this scoping process will assist NOAA in formulating alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed revised sanctuary boundaries.

Comments must be received by ONMS/NOAA by April 6, 2015. Public hearings will be held as detailed below:

(1) New Orleans, LA
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Location: Hilton New Orleans Airport,
Cocodrie Room
Address: 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA
70062
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.

(2) Houston, TX
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2015
Location: Bayland Community Center
Address: 6400 Bissonnet Street,
Houston, TX 77074
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.

(3) Galveston, TX
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Location: Flower Garden Banks NMS
Office, NOAA Galveston Laboratory
Address: 4700 Avenue U, Building 216,
Galveston, TX 77551
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Click here to read Federal Register notice of this proposed action.