Sanctuary Expansion Public Scoping Session

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries announced it will initiate a public process to review the boundaries for California’s Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. This action is initiated to:
protect the source of the nutrient-rich waters that sustain life in these sanctuaries;
protect nationally-significant seascapes,
wildlife and shipwrecks;
and promote ecotourism and sustainable fishing practices.

The proposed expansion area is north of the existing sanctuaries, and extends from Sonoma County's Bodega Bay to Mendocino County's Alder Creek. This area encompasses the Point Arena upwelling center that consistently produces the most intense upwelling in all of North America. The nutrients brought to the surface during upwelling events at Point Arena are carried south by the prevailing California Current and these nutrients fuel an incredibly productive ocean area protected by GFNMS and CBNMS.

There are three ways to provide public comment:
1. Attend a Public Scoping Meeting (see below)
2. Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2012-0228, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
3. Mail: Maria Brown, Sanctuary Superintendent, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, 991Marine Drive, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129

Bodega Bay, CA
DATE: January 24, 2013
LOCATION: Bodega Bay Grange Hall
ADDRESS: 1370 Bodega Avenue, Bodega Bay, CA
TIME: 6:00 p.m.

Pt. Arena, CA
DATE: February 12, 2013
LOCATION: Point Arena High School
ADDRESS: 185 Lake Street, Point Arena, CA 95468
TIME: 6:00 p.m.

Gualala, CA
DATE: February 13, 2013
LOCATION: Gualala Community Center
ADDRESS: 47950 Center St., Gualala, CA
TIME: 6:00 p.m.