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Appendix B. Proposed Notice of Designation and Final Rule Making
Section II: Designation Document

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Cover
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Part I:
Executive Summary
Part II:
The Affected Environment
  I. Regional Context
  II. Sanctuary Resources
  III. Human ActivitiesI
  IV. Existing Resource Protection Regime
Part III:
Alternatives Including The Preferred Alternative
  I. Boundary Alternatives
  II.Regulatory Alternatives
  III. Management Alternatives
Part IV
Environmental Concequences
  I. Boundary Alternatives
  II. Regulatory Alternatives
  III. Management Alternative Consequences
  IV. Unavoidable Adverse Environmental or Socioeconomic Effects
  V. Relationship Between Short-term Uses of the Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-term Productivity
Part V:
Sanctuary Management Plan
  I. Introduction
  II. Resource Protection
  III. Research
  IV. Education
  V. Administration
Part VI:
List of Preparers and Alternatives
Part VII:
List of Agencies, Organizations, and Persons Receiving Copies
Part VIII:
References
Part IX
Appendices

Appendix B TOC

II. Designation Document

Section 304(a)(4) of the Act requires that the terms of designation set forth the geographic area included within the Sanctuary; the characteristics of the area that give it conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational or esthetic value; and the types of activities that will be subject to regulation by the Secretary to protect those characteristics. This section also specifies that the terms of designation may be modified only by the same procedures by which the original designation was made. Thus the terms of designation serve as a constitution for the Sanctuary.

The Designation Document for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary follows:

DESIGNATION DOCUMENT FOR THE MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

Under the authority of Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended (the "Act"), 16 U.S.C. §§ 1431 et seq., Monterey Bay and its surrounding waters offshore central California, and the submerged lands under Monterey Bay and its surrounding waters, as described in Article II, are hereby designated as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for the purposes of protecting and managing the conservation, ecological, recreational, research, educational, historical and esthetic resources and qualities of the area. Article I. Effect of Designation

The Act authorizes the issuance of such final regulations as are necessary and reasonable to implement the designation, including managing and protecting the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational and esthetic resources and qualities of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Section 1 of Article IV of this Designation Document lists activities of the types that either are to be regulated on the effective date of designation or may have to be regulated at some later date in order to protect Sanctuary resources and qualities. Listing does not necessarily mean that a type of activity will be regulated; however, if a type of activity is not listed it may not be regulated, except on an emergency basis, unless section 1 of Article IV is amended to include the type of activity by the same procedures by which the original designation was made. Article II. Description of the Area

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (the "Sanctuary") boundary encompass a total of approximately 4,024 square nautical miles (approximately 13,800 square kilometers) of coastal and ocean waters, and the submerged lands thereunder, in and surrounding Monterey Bay, off the central coast of California. The northern terminus of the boundary is located along the southern boundary of the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and runs westward to approximately 123š07'W. The boundary then extends south in an arc which generally follows the 500 fathom isobath. At approximately 37š03'N, the boundary arcs south to 122š25'W, 36š10'N, due west of Partington Point. The boundary again follows the 500 fathom isobath south to 121š41'W, 35š33'N, due west of Cambria. The boundary then extends shoreward towards the mean high-water line. The landward boundary is defined by the mean high-water line between the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Cambria, exclusive of a small area off the north coast of San Mateo County and the City and County of San Francisco between Point Bonita and Point San Pedro. Pillar Point, Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, and Monterey harbors are all excluded from the Sanctuary boundary shoreward from their respective International Collision at Sea regulation (Colreg.) demarcation lines except for Moss Landing Harbor, where all of Elkhorn Slough east of the Highway One bridge is included within the Sanctuary boundary. Appendix I to this Designation Document sets forth the precise Sanctuary boundary. Article III. Characteristics of the Area That Give It Particular Value

The Monterey Bay area is characterized by a combination of oceanic conditions and undersea topography that provides for a highly productive ecosystem and a wide variety of marine habitat.

The area is characterized by a narrow continental shelf fringed by a variety of coastal types. The Monterey Submarine Canyon is unique in its size, configuration, and proximity to shore. This canyon system provides habitat for pelagic communities and, along with other distinct bathymetric features, may modify currents and act to enrich local waters through strong seasonal upwelling. Monterey Bay itself is a rare geological feature, as it is one of the few large embayments along the Pacific coast.

The Monterey Bay area has a highly diverse floral and faunal component. Algal diversity is extremely high and the concentrations of pinnipeds, whales, otters and some seabird species is outstanding. The fish stocks, particularly in Monterey Bay, are abundant and the variety of crustaceans and other invertebrates is high.

In addition there are many direct and indirect human uses of the area. The most important economic activity directly dependent on the resources is commercial fishing, which has played an important role in the history of Monterey Bay and continues to be of great economic value.

The diverse resources of the Monterey Bay area are enjoyed by the residents of this area as well as the numerous visitors. The population of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties is rapidly expanding and is based in large part on the attractiveness of the area's natural beauty. The high water quality and the resulting variety of biota and their proximity to shore is one of the prime reasons for the international renown of the area as a prime tourist location. The quality and abundance of the natural resources has attracted man from the earliest prehistoric times to the present and as a result the area contains significant historical, e.g., archaeological and paleontological, resources, such as Costanoan Indian midden deposits, aboriginal remains and sunken ships and aircraft.

The biological and physical characteristics of the Monterey Bay area combine to provide outstanding opportunities for scientific research on many aspects of marine ecosystems. The diverse habitats are readily accessible to researchers. Thirteen major research and education facilities are found within the Monterey Bay area. These institutions are exceptional resources with a long history of research and large databases possessing a considerable amount of baseline information on the Bay and its resources. Extensive marine and coastal education and interpretive efforts complement Monterey Bay's many research activities. For example, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has attracted millions of visitors who have experienced the interpretive exhibits of the marine environment. Point Lobos Ecological Reserve, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Long Marine Laboratory and Año Nuevo State Reserve all have excellent docent programs serving the public, and marine related programs for school groups and teachers.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement/Management Plan provides more detail on the characteristics of the Monterey Bay area that give it particular value. Article IV. Scope of Regulations Section 1. Activities Subject to Regulation

The following activities are subject to regulation, including prohibition, to the extent necessary and reasonable to ensure the protection and management of the conservation, ecological, recreational, research, educational, historical and esthetic resources and qualities of the area:

a. Exploring for, developing or producing oil, gas or minerals (e.g., clay, stone, sand, metalliferous ores, gravel, non-metalliferous ores or any other solid material or other matter of commercial value) within the Sanctuary;

b. Discharging or depositing, from within the boundary of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter, except dredged material deposited at disposal sites authorized prior to the effective date of Sanctuary designation, provided that the activity is pursuant to, and complies with the terms and conditions of, a valid Federal permit or approval existing on the effective date of Sanctuary designation;

c. Discharging or depositing, from beyond the boundary of the Sanctuary, any material or other matter, except dredged material deposited at the authorized disposal sites described in Appendix II of this Designation Document, provided that the activity is pursuant to, and complies with the terms and conditions of, a valid Federal permit or approval;

d. Taking, removing, moving, catching, collecting, harvesting, feeding, injuring, destroying or causing the loss of, or attempting to take, remove, move, catch, collect, harvest, feed, injure, destroy or cause the loss of, a marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird, historical resource or other Sanctuary resource;

e. Drilling into, dredging or otherwise altering the seabed of the Sanctuary; or constructing, placing or abandoning any structure, material or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary;

f. Possessing within the Sanctuary a Sanctuary resource or any other resource, regardless of where taken, removed, moved, caught, collected or harvested, that, if it had been found with the Sanctuary, would be a Sanctuary resource;

g. Flying a motorized aircraft above the Sanctuary;

h. Operating a vessel (i.e., water craft of any description) in the Sanctuary;

i. Aquaculture or kelp harvesting within the Sanctuary; and

j. Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized property in connection with enforcement of the Act or any regulation or permit issued under the Act.

Section 2. Emergencies
Where necessary to prevent or minimize the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a Sanctuary resource or quality, or minimize the imminent risk of such destruction, loss or injury, any and all activities, including those not listed in section 1 of this Article, are subject to immediate temporary regulation, including prohibition. Article V. Effect on Leases, Permits, Licenses and Rights

Pursuant to Section 304(c)(1) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1434(c)(1), no valid lease, permit, license, approval or other authorization issued by any Federal, State or local authority of competent jurisdiction, or any right of subsistence use or access, may be terminated by the Secretary of Commerce or designee as a result of this designation or as a result of any Sanctuary regulation if such authorization or right was in existence on the effective date of this designation. The Secretary of Commerce or designee, however, may regulate the exercise (including, but not limited to, the imposition of terms and conditions) of such authorization or right consistent with the purposes for which the Sanctuary is designated.

In no event may the Secretary or designee issue a permit authorizing, or otherwise approve: (1) the exploration for, development of or production of oil, gas or minerals within the Sanctuary; (2) the discharge of primary-treated sewage (except for regulation, pursuant to Section 304(c)(1) of the Act, of the exercise of valid authorizations in existence on the effective date of Sanctuary designation and issued by other authorities of competent jurisdiction); or (3) the disposal of dredged material within the Sanctuary other than at sites authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (in consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) prior to the effective date of designation. Any purported authorizations issued by other authorities after the effective date of Sanctuary designation for any of these activities within the Sanctuary shall be invalid. Article VI. Alteration of this Designation

The terms of designation, as defined under Section 304(a) of the Act, may be modified only by the same procedures by which the original designation is made, including public hearings, consultation with interested Federal, State and local agencies, review by the appropriate Congressional committees and Governor of the State of California, and approval by the Secretary of Commerce or designee.

Appendix I. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Boundary Coordinates. (Appendix based on North American Datum of 1983.) Approximately 4,024 Square Nautical Miles

POINT

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

1

37 52 56.09055

122 37 39.12564

2

37 39 59.06176

122 45 3.79307

3

37 36 58.39164

122 46 9.73871

4

37 34 17.30224

122 48 14.38141

5

37 31 47.55649

122 51 35.56769

6

37 30 34.11030

122 54 22.12170

7

37 29 39.05866

123 00 27.70792

8

37 30 29.47603

123 05 46.22767

9

37 31 17.66945

123 07 47.63363

10

37 27 10.93594

123 08 24.32210

11

37 20 35.37491

123 07 54.12763

12

37 13 50.21805

123 06 15.50600

13

37 07 48.76810

123 01 43.10994

14

37 03 46.60999

122 54 45.39513

15

37 02 06.30955

122 46 35.02125

16

36 55 17.56782

122 48 21.41121

17

36 48 22.74244

122 48 56.29007

18

36 41 30.91516

122 48 19.40739

19

36 34 45.76070

122 46 26.96772

20

36 28 24.18076

122 43 32.43527

21

36 22 20.70312

122 39 28.42026

22

36 16 43.93588

122 34 26.77255

23

36 11 44.53838

122 28 37.16141

24

36 07 26.88988

122 21 54.97541

25

36 04 07.08898

122 14 39.75924

26

36 01 28.22233

122 07 00.19068

27

35 59 45.46381

121 58 56.36189

28

35 58 59.12170

121 50 26.47931

29

35 58 53.63866

121 45 22.82363

30

35 55 45.60623

121 42 40.28540

31

35 50 15.84256

121 43 09.20193

32

35 43 14.26690

121 42 43.79121

33

35 35 41.88635

121 41 25.07414

34

35 33 11.75999

121 37 49.74192

35

35 33 17.45869

121 05 52.89891

36

37 35 39.73180

122 31 14.96033

37

37 36 49.21739

122 37 00.22577

38

37 46 00.98983

122 39 00.40466

39

37 49 05.69080

122 31 46.30542

Appendix II. Dredged Material Disposal Sites Adjacent to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (Appendix based

As of the effective date of Sanctuary designation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the following dredged material disposal sites adjacent to the Sanctuary off of the Golden Gate:

 

POINT

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

1

37 45.875

122 34.140

2

37 44.978

122 37.369

3

37 44.491

122 37.159

4

37 45.406

122 33.889

5

37 45.875

122 34.140

In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as of the effective date of Sanctuary designation, is (in consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) in the process of establishing a dredged material disposal site outside the northern boundary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. When that disposal site is authorized, this appendix will be updated to incorporate its precise location. The site will be located outside the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and any other existing national marine sanctuary and within one of the following Long-Term Management Strategy ocean study areas:

Study Area 3

The area described by the following points and a five-nautical- mile-wide zone west of the western boundary of that area:

 

POINT

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

1

37 25.850

123 21.926

2

37 25.793

123 21.928

3

37 25.733

123 21.919

4

37 25.688

123 21.910

5

37 25.630

123 21.896

6

37 25.566

123 21.875

7

37 25.513

123 21.859

8

37 25.451

123 21.820

9

37 25.394

123 21.779

10

37 25.334

123 21.698

11

37 25.268

123 21.595

12

37 25.180

123 21.456

13

37 25.139

123 21.358

14

37 25.057

123 21.240

15

37 24.992

123 21.167

16

37 24.878

123 21.093

17

37 24.765

123 21.034

18

37 24.700

123 20.975

19

37 24.602

123 20.872

20

37 24.521

123 20.783

21

37 24.449

123 20.682

22

37 24.391

123 20.599

23

37 24.342

123 20.503

24

37 24.298

123 20.421

25

37 24.245

123 20.340

26

37 24.193

123 20.238

27

37 24.147

123 20.134

28

37 24.103

123 20.031

29

37 24.062

123 19.934

30

37 24.017

123 19.839

31

37 23.952

123 19.662

32

37 23.906

123 19.517

33

37 23.855

123 19.396

34

37 23.790

123 19.278

35

37 23.728

123 19.125

36

37 23.644

123 18.968

37

37 23.562

123 18.836

38

37 23.482

123 18.707

39

37 23.367

123 18.556

40

37 23.254

123 18.437

41

37 23.123

123 18.319

42

37 22.977

123 18.231

43

37 22.820

123 18.142

44

37 22.685

123 18.113

45

37 22.555

123 18.083

46

37 22.392

123 18.068

47

37 22.229

123 18.054

48

37 22.051

123 18.039

49

37 21.868

123 18.023

50

37 21.697

123 18.023

51

37 21.547

123 18.010

52

37 21.401

123 17.995

53

37 21.173

123 17.980

54

37 20.978

123 17.965

55

37 20.767

123 17.950

56

37 20.588

123 17.936

57

37 20.458

123 17.921

58

37 20.285

123 17.894

59

37 20.179

123 17.876

60

37 20.084

123 17.876

61

37 19.986

123 17.882

62

37 19.877

123 17.894

63

37 19.792

123 17.921

64

37 19.694

123 17.950

65

37 19.592

123 17.999

66

37 19.489

123 18.056

67

37 19.352

123 18.134

68

37 19.223

123 18.231

69

37 19.126

123 18.305

70

37 19.028

123 18.378

71

37 18.914

123 18.482

72

37 18.833

123 18.556

73

37 18.719

123 18.658

74

37 18.615

123 18.764

75

37.18.492

123 18.880

76

37 18.378

123 18.998

77

37 18.265

123 19.101

78

37 18.151

123 19.190

79

37 18.070

123 19.264

80

37 18.004

123 19.328

81

37 17.951

123 19.393

82

37 17.884

123 19.454

83

37 17.805

123 19.525

84

37 17.735

123 19.567

85

37 17.641

123 19.600

86

37 17.565

123 19.617

87

37 17.489

123 19.622

88

37 17.401

123 19.617

89

37 17.352

123 19.606

90

37 17.305

123 19.583

91

37 17.273

123 19.558

92

37 17.248

123 19.514

93

37 25.802

123 0.617

94

37 25.850

123 21.926

 

The portion of the area described by the above points that lies within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as described

Study Area 4

The area described by the following points and a five-nautical- mile-wide zone west of the western boundary of that area:

 

POINT

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

1

37 17.496

123 7.528

2

37 17.499

123 14.071

3

37 17.383

123 14.285

4

37 17.279

123 14.412

5

37 17.176

123 14.537

6

37 17.047

123 14.651

7

37 16.949

123 14.754

8

37 16.814

123 14.879

9

37 16.664

123 15.026

10

37 16.568

123 15.118

11

37 16.451

123 15.219

12

37 16.348

123 15.308

13

37 16.206

123 15.383

14

37 16.090

123 15.446

15

37 15.999

123 15.484

16

37 15.818

123 15.547

17

37 15.637

123 15.585

18

37 15.482

123 15.585

19

37 15.314

123 15.598

20

37 15.184

123 15.610

21

37 15.055

123 15.635

22

37 14.912

123 15.673

23

37 14.783

123 15.698

24

37 14.667

123 15.712

25

37 14.551

123 15.724

26

37 14.421

123 15.749

27

37 14.292

123 15.799

28

37 14.188

123 15.850

29

37 14.072

123 15.887

30

37 13.956

123 15.938

31

37 13.801

123 16.001

32

37 13.672

123 16.064

33

37 13.568

123 16.102

34

37 13.451

123 16.178

35

37 13.322

123 16.229

36

37 13.193

123 16.266

37

37 13.063

123 16.279

38

37 12.973

123 16.304

39

37 12.830

123 16.330

40

37 12.650

123 16.355

41

37 12.456

123 16.367

42

37 12.275

123 16.367

43

37 12.122

123 16.349

44

37 11.987

123 16.312

45

37 11.853

123 16.269

46

37 11.754

123 16.216

47

37 11.631

123 16.142

48

37 11.537

123 16.067

49

37 11.473

123 15.994

50

37 11.420

123 15.930

51

37 11.380

123 15.872

52

37 11.344

123 15.825

53

37 11.279

123 15.698

54

37 11.227

123 15.547

55

37 11.188

123 15.421

56

37 11.150

123 15.269

57

37 11.116

123 15.124

58

37 11.098

123 14.980

59

37 11.085

123 14.828

60

37 11.072

123 14.626

61

37 11.059

123 14.437

62

37 11.052

123 14.359

63

37 11.033

123 14.259

64

37 11.004

123 14.158

65

37 10.978

123 14.078

66

37 10.942

123 13.978

67

37 10.890

123 13.877

68

37 10.847

123 13.802

69

37 10.804

123 13.727

70

37 10.712

123 13.614

71

37 10.648

123 13.531

72

37 10.564

123 13.439

73

37 10.508

123 13.370

74

37 10.502

123 7.508

75

37 17.496

123 7.528

Study Area 5
The area described by the following points and a five-nautical-mile-wide zone west of the western boundary of that area:

POINT

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

1

37 43.444

123 23.515

2

37 43.436

123 30.053

3

37 34.568

123 30.053

4

37 34.574

123 20.234

5

37 34.661

123 19.507

6

37 34.725

123 19.376

7

37 34.725

123 19.376

8

37 35.031

123 19.452

9

37 35.935

123 19.081

10

37 36.769

123 18.542

11

37 37.698

123 17.788

12

37 37.765

123 17.743

13

37 37.789

123 17.827

14

37 37.838

123 17.911

15

37 37.887

123 17.996

16

37 37.937

123 18.105

17

37 37.998

123 18.202

18

37 38.085

123 18.359

19

37 38.183

123 18.529

20

37 38.270

123 18.674

21

37 38.356

123 18.832

22

37 38.455

123 18.977

23

37 38.554

123 19.134

24

37 38.640

123 19.255

25

37 38.726

123 19.364

26

37 38.825

123 19.497

27

37 38.911

123 19.606

28

37 38.985

123 19.703

29

37 39.071

123 19.811

30

37 39.195

123 19.981

31

37 39.318

123 20.138

32

37 39.404

123 20.272

33

37 39.478

123 20.356

34

37 39.565

123 20.465

35

37 39.664

123 20.574

36

37 39.762

123 20.695

37

37 39.840

123 20.791

38

37 39.922

123 20.889

39

37 39.997

123 20.986

40

37 40.095

123 21.095

41

37 40.181

123 21.192

42

37 40.268

123 21.288

43

37 40.330

123 21.373

44

37 40.416

123 21.470

45

37 40.516

123 21.563

46

37 40.616

123 21.667

47

37 40.736

123 21.785

48

37 40.860

123 21.906

49

37 40.983

123 22.027

50

37 41.107

123 22.148

51

37 41.230

123 22.269

52

37 41.378

123 22.390

53

37 41.515

123 22.499

54

37 41.669

123 22.607

55

37 41.803

123 22.704

56

37 41.920

123 22.768

57

37 42.036

123 22.825

58

37 42.174

123 22.889

59

37 42.295

123 22.957

60

37 42.421

123 23.012

61

37 42.583

123 23.105

62

37 42.704

123 23.165

63

37 42.826

123 23.225

64

37 43.005

123 23.310

65

37 43.088

123 23.358

66

37 43.205

123 23.410

67

37 43.327

123 23.467

68

37 43.376

123 23.482

69

37 43.444

123 23.515

 

END OF DESIGNATION DOCUMENT

Appendix B Section III

Appendix B Table of Contents

B. Proposed Notice of Designation and Final Rule Making
  I: Background
  II: Designation Document
  III: Summary of Final Management Plan
  IV: Summary of Regulations
  V. Miscellaneous Rulemaking Requirements

 

Reviewed: September 08, 2023
Web Site Owner: National Ocean Service

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