Wreck Diving Adventures LLC

Hello Everyone:

Linked below is my written statement for the NOAA public comment meeting concerning the Draft Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan on May 4th in Newport News, Virginia.

Beginning more than a year ago, I started doing document research on public comments made by NOAA Administrators concerning sport divers and shipwrecks. Although I have more, the most pertinent comments involving the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary are incorporated and linked to source in my statement. Also discussed are the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations and previous agency actions.

Although I probably can't make everyone happy, I focused on the issue of unrestricted access. I have a little experience in dealing with government agencies and regulations, which is why the statement is written the way it is.

Please wish us luck!

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7wZ19RjJQBTQjhpOUg2MlNRVjQ

Wreck Diving Adventures LLC will be attending the Monitor National Maritime Sanctuary public comment meeting at The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606, beginning at 2:00 PM, this Friday, May 4, 2012.

We will be bringing two video cameras with sound recording equipment to capture some of the "flavor" of what will occur. A record of the meeting will then be posted to our video and Facebook channels for all to see.

I will be reading a statement into the record, along with submitting a written statement to the agency, requesting that NOAA modify their draft plan to include agency affirmation supporting free public access to all underwater shipwrecks in any Virginia or North Carolina sanctuary managed waters funded by taxpayer dollars, now or in the future. Such a statement is missing from the draft sanctuary plan, potentially jeopardizing sport diver access to many of the shipwrecks that we now routinely enjoy. Although limiting access by sport divers may not be NOAA's intent, the lack of any agency statement affirming such access is clearly troubling and requires clarification.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the Federal public comment process, NOAA is required by law to allow public comment concerning their draft plan. Oral comments recorded at hearings can be summarized by the agency, but written comments must be included in the public record concerning any proposed "rule making." This stuff is published in the Federal Register and becomes part of what must be "considered" by the agency prior to final rule making. A "final rule" is then published by the agency addressing the issue.

For all reading this post with any interest in preserving free and continued public access to shipwrecks found in Virginia and North Carolina waters for purposes of sport diving, I highly encourage you to submit written comments to NOAA prior to June 22, 2012, using the instructions linked below:

Draft Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary: Notice of. In accordance with section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), as amended, NOAA is soliciting public comment on the draft management plan and draft environmental assessment for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.