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Public Meeting: Flower Garden Banks (FGB) Expansion - Houston
Event  
Date(s)March 05, 2015(18:00 - 20:00)
Venue:Bayland Community Center
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) (under NOAA) is initiating a review of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS or Sanctuary) boundaries. The review process will be conducted concurrently with a public process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NOAA will hold three public and stakeholder meetings to solicit information and comments on the range and significance of issues related to the expansion.

NOAA is initiating a review of the FGBNMS boundaries to "evaluate and expand, as appropriate" the network of protected areas within the sanctuary. The action under consideration will evaluate options for the expansion of the sanctuary by incorporating selected reefs and banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico for their long-term protection and management.

It is important to note that certain activities related to oil and gas exploration and development are already prohibited within a significant portion of each of the banks recommended for expansion, as these areas have been designated "no activity zones" by BOEM under lease stipulations that have been in place since 1973. (Restrictions are contained within NTL No. 2009-G39 for "Biologically-Sensitive Underwater Features and Areas".)
Location:Houston, TX
Point of Contact:Kelly Drinnen
Email:fgbexpansion@noaa.gov
Event Website:http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/document_library/mgmtdocs/fmp2012/fmpexpansionactionplan.pdf