Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Management Plan Review

Overview

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on October 7, 2000. It is jointly managed by the State of Michigan to protect and interpret a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks and other maritime heritage resources. While most other national marine sanctuaries regulate natural resources, the Thunder Bay solely manages maritime heritage resources. As outlined in the sanctuary’s designation document and reinforced in a Memorandum of Agreement between NOAA and the State of Michigan, the Sanctuary does not regulate fishing and other natural resources.

In late 2006, the sanctuary began reviewing its management plan which was written as part of the sanctuary designation process and published in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (1999).  Management plans are sanctuary-specific planning and management documents required by law for all National Marine Sanctuaries.  These plans summarize existing sanctuary regulations and programs, and guide future management activities.  Using a community-based process that will provide numerous opportunities for public input, the Sanctuary will conduct a management plan review to evaluate and update current sanctuary management strategies and programs.  The purpose of the review is to ensure that the Sanctuary will better protect, conserve, and enhance its maritime heritage resources for current and future generations. 

The management plan review began with a series of public scoping meeting in late-September (see dates below).  The sanctuary also welcomed written comments via mail, fax, and email.  Comments from the scoping meetings and written public comments were used to identify issues to address in the updated management plan.   The following six working groups were identified to address the issues:  boundaries, education and outreach, funding, resource protection, research and monitoring, and sanctuary operations.  Based on the work of these groups, a Draft Management Plan will be developed.   The Draft Plan will be circulated to the public and Draft Management Plan hearings will be held to gather further public comments and suggestions.  After considering public comments, the sanctuary will complete the Final Management Plan, and that plan will be approved by both NOAA and the State of Michigan. 

A State of the Sanctuary Report will be used as a basis for revising the original management plan.  This document will discuss management activities of the Sanctuary and its accomplishments since its designation in 2000.  The State of the Sanctuary Report will be available in mid-September, prior to the scoping meetings.  Please contact the Sanctuary to request a copy or download a copy at State of the Sanctuary Report (pdf)

Contact information: Mail:      Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary              Attention:  Management Plan Review              500 West Fletcher Street              Alpena, MI  49707 Phone:   (989) 356-8805 Email:  TBMPR@noaa.gov Fax:      (989) 354-0144

Timeline and additional information