PHASE I - The Beginnings of Restoration Blueprint
In accordance with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System have initiated a review of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s boundaries, regulations, and zoning scheme. This review of existing regulations and marine zoning may result in changes to regulations, marine zoning, such as altering boundaries of current zones, creating new zones, or amending the regulations that apply to individual zones, and possibly sanctuary boundaries. The review will also include the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Backcountry Management Plan and associated regulations, as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Service and State of Florida Management Agreement for Submerged Lands within Boundaries of the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges, to evaluate substantive progress toward implementing the backcountry management goals for the wildlife refuges.