5-Year Review

Introduction

The final rule establishing the sanctuary nomination process included a five-year limit on any nomination added to the inventory that NOAA does not advance for designation. In November 2019, NOAA issued a notice (84 FR 61546) to clarify procedures for evaluating and updating a nomination as it approaches the five-year mark. The clarified procedure ensures the inventory contains nominations that remain relevant and responsive to the four national significance criteria and seven management considerations.

When nominations on the inventory approach the five-year mark, NOAA may solicit comment in writing or via a workshop to gain insights about the nomination’s continued relevance and responsiveness to the 11 criteria on national significance and management considerations. NOAA will only be considering public comments with new or relevant information that are responsive to the 11 criteria.

The process to update a nomination about to expire at the five-year mark includes the following steps:

  1. ONMS notifies the nominating party around the four and a half-year mark to give the nominating party an opportunity to provide updates of the nominated area’s relevance and responsiveness to the 11 criteria on national significance and management considerations.
  2. ONMS staff works with partners to gather information on the nomination’s relevance to the 11 criteria on national significance and management considerations. This information gathering could include gathering information through public processes such as a public workshop or written comment period, as examples.
  3. ONMS reviews information received from the original nominating party, partners, the public and other relevant sources against the 11 criteria on national significance and management consideration to assess if the nomination is still accurate, relevant and responsive.
  4. ONMS staff produce a brief synopsis report to the ONMS Director for decision, presenting an analysis of information that has been collected, and a recommendation regarding maintaining the nomination in the inventory, or removing it once the five-year anniversary is reached.

Whether removing or maintaining a nomination after the five-year mark, NOAA would follow the same procedure for notifying the public as was followed when the nomination was submitted, including a letter to the nominator, a notice in the Federal Register, and posting information on this website “nominate.noaa.gov”.


Nominations Evaluated Under the 5-Year Review by ONMS

None at this time

Nominations Maintained on the Inventory After the 5-Year Review

Hudson Canyon (New York, Atlantic)

Date Submitted: 11/17/16

Date Added to Inventory: 2/23/17

The five-year review of the Hudson Canyon nomination has been completed. The ONMS Director has decided to maintain the Hudson Canyon nomination on the inventory for an additional five years, until February 23, 2027. Below are important documents regarding the five-year review.

Downloads
Questions

For general questions regarding the five-year review of the Hudson Canyon nomination please contact:

LeAnn Hogan
Leann.Hogan@noaa.gov
202-731-0678

St. George Unangan Heritage (Alaska)

Date Submitted: 10/1/16

Date Added to Inventory: 1/27/17

The five-year review of the St. George Unangan Heritage nomination has been completed. The ONMS Director has decided to maintain the St. George Unangan Heritage nomination on the inventory for an additional five years, until January 27, 2027. Below are important documents regarding the five-year review.

Downloads
Questions

For general questions regarding the five-year review of the St. George Unangan Heritage nomination please contact:

Paul Michel
Paul.Michel@noaa.gov
831-241-4217

Lake Erie Quadrangle (Pennsylvania)

Date Submitted: 12/31/2015

Date Added to Inventory: 2/22/2016

The five-year review of the Lake Erie Quadrangle nomination has been completed. The ONMS Director has decided to maintain the Lake Erie Quadrangle nomination on the inventory for an additional five years, until February 22, 2026. Below are important documents regarding the Lake Erie five-year review.

Downloads
Questions

For general questions regarding the five-year review of the Lake Erie nomination please contact:

Ellen Brody
ellen.brody@noaa.gov
734-276-6387

Chumash Heritage (California, Central Coast)

Date Submitted: 7/17/15

Date Added to Inventory: 10/5/15

The five-year review of the Chumash Heritage nomination has been completed. The ONMS Director has determined on September 24, 2020 to maintain the Chumash Heritage nomination on the inventory for an additional five years, until October 5, 2025. Below are important documents regarding the Chumash Heritage five-year review.

Questions

For general questions regarding the five-year review of the Chumash Heritage nomination please contact:

Paul Michel
Paul.Michel@noaa.gov
831-241-4217

Nomination Removed from Consideration

Mariana Trench (CNMI, Pacific)

Date Submitted: 12/5/16

Date Added to Inventory: 3/13/17

This nomination was removed from consideration following a 5-year review and a request from the nominating organization

Questions

For general questions regarding the five-year review of the Mariana Trench nomination please contact:

L. Hoku Kaʻaekuahiwi Pousima
hoku.kaaekuahiwi@noaa.gov
202-731-0678