Stellwagen Bank Final EIS and Management Plan 



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the Stellwagen Bank environment and resources, 

 and to identify and resolve specific management 

 issues. Research results will be used in 

 interpretation and education programs, for visitors 

 and others interested in the Sanctuary, as well as for 

 resource protection. Specific objectives of the 

 research program are to: 



• Establish a framework and procedures for 

 administering research projects to ensure that 

 they are responsive to management concerns, 

 and that research results contribute to 

 improved management of the Sanctuary; 



• Gather necessary baseline data on the physical, 

 chemical, and biological characteristics of the 

 Sanctuary; 



• Gather necessary baseline data on cultural and 

 historical resources of the Sanctuary; 



• Monitor and assess environmental changes as 

 they occur; 



• Identify the range of effects on the Sanctuary 

 environment resulting from changes in human 

 activities; 



• Incorporate research results into the 

 interpretation/education program in a format 

 useful for resource users and the general 

 public; and 



• Encourage information exchange among all 

 agencies and organizations conducting 

 management-related research in the Sanctuary, 

 to promote informed management. 



3. Interpretation/Education 



The interpretation/education program is directed 

 to improving public awareness and understanding of 

 the significance of the Sanctuary and the need to 

 protect its resources. Specific objectives of the 

 interpretation/education program are to: 



• Provide the public with information on the 

 Sanctuary, and its goals and objectives, with an 

 emphasis on the need to use its resources 

 wisely to ensure their long-term viabihty; 



• Enhance and broaden support for the 

 Sanctuary and Sanctuary management by 

 offering programs suited to visitors with a 

 range of diverse interests; 



• Provide for public involvement by encouraging 

 feedback on the effectiveness of 

 interpretation/education programs; and 



• Collaborate with other organizations to provide 

 interpretation/education services, including 

 extension and outreach programs and other 

 volunteer projects, that explain the purposes of 

 the Sanctuary and the National Marine 

 Sanctuary Program. 



4. Visitor Use 



The Sanctuary's overall goal for visitor 

 management is to encourage commercial and 

 recreational uses of the Sanctuary, compatible with 

 resource protection. Specific objectives of the 

 visitor use program are to: 



• Provide relevant information about Sanctuary 

 resources ^md Sanctuary uses policies; 



• Collaborate with public and private 

 organizations in promoting compatible uses of 

 the Sanctuary by exchanging information 

 concerning its commercial and recreational 

 potential; and 



• Monitor and assess the levels of Sanctuary use 

 to identify and control potential degradation of 

 resources and minimize potential user conflicts. 



Section II: The Sanctuary Setting 



The most important factors to be considered in 

 developing a management plan for the Stellwagen 

 Bank National Marine Sanctuary aie its location; its 

 physical characteristics, environmental conditions, 

 and biological resources; its human uses; and the 

 roles of the agencies with management 

 responsibihties in the proposal area. These factors 

 are summarized below to provide the background 

 context necessary for understanding the 

 management plan. 



