Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Who manages the Sanctuary?

The Thunder Bay NMS is jointly managed by NOAA and the State through the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).  The NOAA Sanctuary Superintendent manages the day-to-day operations and activities of the site and a Joint Management Committee, consisting of the director of the National Marine Sanctuary Program and a state member appointed by the director of HAL, makes major policy, budget, and management decisions.  In addition, a local Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) provides advice to the Joint Management Committee and the Sanctuary staff.

What is a management plan?

Management plans are sanctuary-specific planning and management documents required by law for all National Marine Sanctuaries.  These plans summarize existing sanctuary regulations and programs, and guide future management activities.  The current Thunder Bay NMS management plan was written as part of the sanctuary designation process and published in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (1999). 

What is a management plan review?

Using a community-based process that will provide numerous opportunities for public input, the Sanctuary will conduct a management plan review to evaluate and update current sanctuary management strategies and programs.  The purpose of the review is to ensure that the Sanctuary will better protect, conserve, and enhance its maritime heritage resources for current and future generations.

Does the Sanctuary regulate fishing as part of its management plan?

Sanctuary regulations state that, “fishing in the Sanctuary shall not be regulated as part of the Sanctuary management regime.”  This was also agreed upon by NOAA and the State of Michigan in a Memorandum of Agreement signed in December of 2002.  This agreement can not be changed without the State’s concurrence.  The focus of the Thunder Bay NMS continues to be protection of maritime heritage resources.

What was the five-year review?

The Memorandum of Agreement required that the Secretary of Commerce re-propose the Sanctuary to the State of Michigan after five years.  In 2005, NOAA and the State of Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries provided the public with a review and comment period, and held a public meeting to hear views on how the Thunder Bay NMS was being managed.  NOAA and HAL provided the Governor with a report, and on September 16, 2005, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a proclamation making the sanctuary designation permanent. 

What is a State of the Sanctuary Report?

The State of the Sanctuary (SOS) Report is a document that discusses management activities of the Sanctuary and its accomplishments since its designation in 2000.  It will be used as a basis for revising the original management plan. 

What are scoping meetings?

Scoping meetings are public meetings used to gather input on resource management issues from resource users, interest groups, government agencies, and other members of the public.  The input will be used to define the range of issues to be addressed during the management plan review. 

How can I provide input?

Interested members of the public are encouraged to participate and provide comments at one of the scoping meetings held in Alpena, Presque Isle, Alcona, and Lansing.  Each meeting is equally important.  During the meetings, participants may comment on issues related to the management of sanctuary maritime heritage resources and the Sanctuary’s administration.  Those unable to attend the scoping meetings in person may mail or fax comments directly to the sanctuary office.  Comments may also be submitted via email or directly at http://www.thunderbay.noaa.gov.  The public comment period will remain open until October 13, 2006. 

What kind of comments is the Sanctuary looking for?

We encourage interested members of the public to participate in the management plan review and we welcome any comments related to the proposed sanctuary.  We are particularly interested in hearing the public’s views on:

• Maritime heritage resource protection programs
• Emerging maritime heritage resource management issues
• Research and monitoring programs
• Education, outreach, and volunteer programs
• Adequacy of existing boundaries to protect maritime heritage resources
• The existing operational and administrative structure

What can I expect at the scoping meetings?

The scoping meetings will provide a forum for the public to provide comments to sanctuary staff.  They are not decision-making meetings.  Meetings will follow a standard format, but will be flexible enough to accommodate the number of people in attendance and the physical constraints of each location.  At the beginning of each scoping meeting, sanctuary staff will provide a summary of the Thunder Bay NMS and the management plan review process.  Staff will detail the scoping meeting format and will answer any questions.  Following the introduction, the group will break up into discussion groups consisting of 10 to 12 people.  A group leader will guide the discussion and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to provide comments.  Each group will also have a recorder who will record each of the comments.

What happens after scoping? 

Comments from all of the scoping meetings and additional written comments will be summarized and posted on the Sanctuary’s website, http://www.thunderbay.noaa.gov.  The Sanctuary will work with the Sanctuary Advisory Council and other members of the public to prioritize issues to be addressed during the management plan review.  Based on scoping comments, sanctuary staff, with assistance from SAC members and other experts, will prepare a new Draft Management Plan.  The Draft Plan will then be circulated to the public and Draft Management Plan hearings will be held to gather further comments and suggestions. 

Where can I get more information and copies of documents?

Information on the management plan review and copies of documents will be available at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, the Alpena County Library, and online at http://www.thunderbay.noaa.gov.