Stellwagen Bank Final EIS and Management Plan Page i 



Title: Final Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan for the Stellwagen Bank National 



Mcirine Sanctuary 



Abstract: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposes to implement the 



Congressional designation of a marine area encompassing Stellwagen Bank, and situated 

 appioximately 3.5 miles northwest of Provincetown, Massachusetts as a national marine 

 sanctuary. 



The sanctuary is comprised of Federal waters and the underlying lands within a 638-square- 

 nautical-mile area surrounding the Bank, which measures approximately 19 miles by 6.25 miles 

 at its widest point. Water depths around the Bank range from 65 feet to over 300 feet. 



The designation of Stellwagen Bank as a national marine sanctuary will provide a long-term 

 integrated program of resource protection, research, and interpretation/education to assure 

 comprehensive management and protection of the Stellwagen Bank system. Resource 

 protection will involve cooperation with other agencies and organizations in formulating 

 resource protection policies and procedures, including the enforcement of regulations affecting 

 uses of the Bank's resources. 



Cooperating agencies in the development of this fiaal environmental impact 

 statement/management plan document have included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (New 

 England Division), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region I), and the Massachusetts 

 Coastal Zone Management Office. 



Nine Sanctuary regulations are proposed for implementation. The first regulation prohibits the 

 discharge or deposit of materials or other matter from within the Sanctuary boundary. The 

 second regulation prohibits the discharge or deposit of materials or other matter from outside 

 the Sanctuary boundary, that subsequently enter the Sanctuary and injure a Sanctuary resource 

 or quality. The third regulation prohibits exploration, development, and production of 

 "industrial materials" (e.g., sand and gravel) within the Sanctuary. The fourth regulation 

 prohibits any construction, placement, or abandonment on the seabed of any structure or 

 material, and prohibits any alteration of the seabed within the Sanctuary. The fifth regulation 

 prohibits the movement, removal, or injury (or the attempt to move, remove, or injure) of any 

 historical resource within the Sanctuary. The sixth regulation prohibits the taking of any marine 

 reptile, marine mammal, or seabird within the Sanctuary (except as permitted by the 

 Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, or Migratory Bird Treaty Act). The 

 seventh regulation prohibits "hghtering" within the Sanctuary. The eighth regulation prohibits 

 possession within the Sanctuary of any historical resource, or of any marine reptile, marine 

 mammal, or seabird taken in violation of the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal 

 Protection Act, or Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The ninth regulation prohibits interference with, 

 obstruction, delay or prevention of investigations, searches, seizure or dispositions of seized 

 property in connection with enforcement of Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and 

 Sanctuaries Act or any regulation or permit issued under that Act. 



Additionally, certain activities not currently proposed for regulation are identified in the 

 Designation Document as subject to Sanctuary regulation if, in the future, the need to regulate 

 is demonstrated as necessary for the protection of Sanctuary resources and qualities. Activities 

 identified as subject to Sanctuary regulation are: 



