c. Prohibiting the discharge of substances except cooling 

 waters from vessels, fish or parts and chumming material, 

 and discharges from marine sanitation devices. 



NOAA has chosen alternative c as the preferred alternative. 



This alternative would prohibit littering and discharge of solid waste 

 from vessels. It would prohibit the discharge of raw, untreated sewage into 

 the sanctuary. The large number of people using Looe Key has led to a high 

 incidence of litter and trash being discharged overboard. The proposed 

 regulation prohibiting discharging and littering will maintain the areas' over- 

 all recreational and aesthetic appeal. It would prevent floating or submerged 

 waste debris such as platic and metal objects. 



The Coast Guard regulations prohibit the discharge of untreated wastes 

 within the territorial sea for public health reasons - the presence of 

 swimmers and relatively shallow water. Because Looe Key is heavily used 

 for water contact activities such as swimming and diving and portions have 

 relatively shallow water depths, NOAA has proposed regulations for the sanctuary. 



Impacts of the regulation will be minor. Sanctuary users will have to 

 retain trash for disposal at proper facilities. Vessel operators will have 

 to utilize their MSD or holding tanks and will be unable to empty the latter. 

 Fishermen will be allowed to discharge fish or parts and use chumming materials. 

 By not restricting the discharge of cooling waters, this alternative will 

 allow the use of motorized vessels. 



8. Anchoring 



The following alternatives were analyzed for regulating anchoring within 

 the proposed sanctuary: 



1. Unrestricted anchoring (status quo); 



2. Prohibiting anchoring on the Fore Reef and encourage anchoring 

 in sand areas elsewhere; 



3. Instituting a mooring buoy system; and 



4. Requiring the use of sand anchors. 



NOAA has chosen alternative b as the preferred alternative. This proposed 

 management measure is consistent with that being proposed for the HAPC in the 

 Coral Reef Resources FMP. Anchor abraision of corals is common in the Fore 

 Reef zone of Looe Key. It is here that anchor chains and lines, primarily 

 from the smaller draft boats anchored in the sand bottom between the coral 

 spurs chafe the adjacent corals. Raising anchors snagged on the coral spurs 

 also has resulted in significant damage. The preferred alternative would 

 protect the Fore Reef by preventing this type of anchor damage. This regulation 

 would result in boats anchoring on the Reef Flat and seaward of the Fore Reef. 

 Recreationists and hook and line fishermen would have to anchor off the Fore 

 Reef and drift into the area of troll or anchor in sand channels of the Fore Reef. 



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