This section of the management plan identifies the major parties that are responsible for managing Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary: NOAA's Sanctuary Programs Division; U. S. Coast Guard; Georgia Department of Natural Resources; University of Georgia; and Sanctuary Steering Committees. Primary roles and responsibilities for each party during Phase I of this plan are identified.
A. Overview: Identification of Responsible Parties
1. Sanctuary Programs Division
The National Marine Sanctuary Program is administered through the Sanctuaries and Reserves Division (SRD) within the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U. S. Department of Commerce. Headquarters for the National Marine Sanctuary Program are at SSMC-4, 12th Floor, 1305 East-West Highway, Siver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-3132).
NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division has overall responsibility for managing Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, but delegates certain on-site management and surveillance/enforcement responsibilities to State and other Federal agencies.
The U. S. Coast Guard enforces all applicable Federal laws on or under the high seas, and is responsible for enforcing regulations in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is located in the 7th Coast District with headquarters in Miami, Florida. For report and contact purposes, the 7th District Group Commander at Charleston, SC, has been designated as the primary point of contact. All reports or contacts can be processed through this Command by calling a 24-hour telephone number (803/724-4382). It is possible that from time to time the Coast Guard Stations on Tybee Island off Savannah, Georgia, and St. Simons Island off Brunswick, Georgia, will be involved in surveillance and enforcement activities.
NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division. The terms of this agreement provide for on-site coordination of research activities. Specific responsibilities of a Sanctuary Coordinator are highlighted later in this section.
The Sanctuary Coordinator's office is located at the Coastal Resources Division headquarters at 1200 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, Georgia 31523 (912/264-7218). Coastal Resources Division facilities consist of 10,000 square feet of office and laboratory space, parking facilities, storage sheds, computer terminal, and working library. Three research vessels are available for use in the Sanctuary: the R/V BAGBY, a 52-foot Harkers Island offshore vessel; the R/V ANNA, a 60-foot trawler; and the R/V COBIA, a 45-foot trawler. Several smaller boats are also available. It is possible that the Department's Law Enforcement vessel, the R/V RANGER, may also be available for use in sanctuary programs. Dock space consists of a large stationary dock and floating dock facility. The dock facility is equipped with an air compressor unit, ice house dive lockers and storage sheds. Additional temporary dock space is available at Meridian Dock and the Sapelo Island docks.
The University of Georgia's Marine Resource Center on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia will serve as the primary site for interpretation and recreation programs related to Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The Center is open to the public. Contact can be made by visiting the Center, writing to P.O. Box 13687, Savannah, Georgia 31416 or calling 912/598-2496.
Public involvement is an integral part of sanctuary program planning. An extensive process of public consultation was conducted prior to the designation of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary and during the development of the management plan (see Appendix B). Continued public involvement in sanctuary operations is desired.
Many groups and individuals in coastal Georgia have expressed an interest in participating on Sanctuary Steering Committees (see Fig. VII-l for listing). It is possible that committees will be structured as follows:
Committees will be limited to between 10 and 15 members to assure a workable, productive body. Committee members will serve three-year terms with the initial appointments staggered to ensure continued action and expertise. Criteria for membership requires selection of individuals whose judgment would be objective and not subject to a conflict of interest due to a particular affiliation. Initially, only two Committees will be formed: a Resource Studies Steering Committee and an Interpretation and Recreation Steering Committee. Since the sanctuary is offshore Georgia and most users are from Georgia, most members of the teams are likely to be from Georgia. However, since it is a national sanctuary, membership will not be limited to citizens of Georgia. Applications, resumes and letters of intent to serve will be solicited from organizations listed on Table VII-l and from the general public. NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division will have final decision on committee membership. The roles of the Sanctuary Steering Committees are highlighted below and described in Section VIII, Management Plan Review.
B. Management Roles and Responsibilities
a. Sanctuary Programs Division
Provides legal support as needed for enforcement of regulations and prosecution of violations.
Reviews quarterly and annual reports on surveillance, enforcement, monitoring, and visitor activities and evaluates the effectiveness of resource protection programs and regulatory regimes. Initiates procedures for changes, where necessary.
Coordinates national program activities with those of individual sanctuaries. Ensures that each sanctuary is operated in a manner consistent with established national program policies, and with applicable national, international, state, and local laws.
Coordinates with Federal, State and local government agencies, as well as public, private and international entities concerning protection and management of marine resources.
Coordinates Program efforts with other projects and programs, such as estuarine sanctuaries, national seashores, regional fishery management councils and State CZM plans.
Comments on major federal marine-related actions and accompanying environmental impact statements as to their effect on proposed and designated sanctuary Consults with individual members of Congress and with Congressional committees.
b. U. S. Coast Guard
Provides active enforcement presence in the Sanctuary (see Section IV, Resource Protection Plan).
Communicates with Sanctuary Coordinator, Sanctuary Interpreter, and NOAA's Sanctuary Programs Office on matters related to surveillance and enforcement.
activities related to the Sanctuary and submits annual reports. Participates in Resource Protection Plan review (see Section VIII, Management Plan Review).
c. Sanctuary Coordinator
Discusses with NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division and the U. S. Coast Guard on visitor use patterns, potential and observed regulation violations, and other information as needed to ensure adequate protection of the sanctuary resources.
Reviews reports on surveillance and enforcement and participates in Resource Protection Plan review (see Section VIII, Management Plan Review).
Ensures that the sanctuary buoy is maintained at its present location (see Section II, Management Context). Schedules and participates in buoy maintenance activities.
Provides, as needed, training programs to orient surveillance and enforcement personnel to sanctuary environment.
Coordinates sanctuary response in the event of an environmental emergency threatening sanctuary resources.
Coordinates a resource monitoring program (see Section V, Resource Studies Plan). Advises NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division on resource quality and recommends changes as needed in the monitoring program or sanctuary regulations.
Coordinates with the Sanctuary Interpreter on studies to monitor visitor usage of the Sanctuary (see Section V, Resource Studies Plan). Participates in visitor use surveys as needed to ascertain patterns and levels of use. Records visitor activities when in the Sanctuary area.
Reports to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division on a regular basis (as soon as practical in the event of environmental emergency or major violation; quarterly reports on surveillance and monitoring activities and annually on the effectiveness of sanctuary regulations and resource protection plan).
d. Sanctuary Interpreter
Designs and initiates interpretive programs, exhibits and materials that will enhance public understanding and appreciation for sanctuary values and the purpose and need for regulations.
Maintains close communication with sanctuary visitors and extension audiences. Advises NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division and the Sanctuary Coordinator on potential user conflicts or controversies arising from sanctuary-sponsored activities. Recommends appropriate action.
Participates in Resource Protection Plan review (see Section VIII, Management Plan Review).
2. Resource Studies: Roles and Responsibilities
a. Sanctuary Programs Division
Approves an annual budget and provides funds to support sanctuary research and monitoring programs. Encourages cost-sharing by other funding sources to enhance research opportunities.
Approves members of Resource Studies Steering Committees.
Approves annual research topics and priorities and individual research projects recommended by Sanctuary Coordinator and Resource Studies Steering Committees. Approves permits for research.
Maintains a registry of scientists and resource managers who have indicated a willingness to review sanctuary research proposals. (Note that because reviewers are selected as needed on the basis of the subject area of the proposal, they need not be members of the Resource Studies Steering Committee).
Reviews annual progress under the Resource Studies Plan and updates the Plan every 5 years.
b. Sanctuary Coordinator
Maintains close communication with members of the academic and scientific communities and other parties that have intimate knowledge of the Sanctuary, the resources, the user groups, and the resource studies needs.
Coordinates Resource Studies Plan review process (see Section VIII, Management Plan Review).
Solicits applications for Resource Studies Steering Committee membership. Forwards resumes with recommendations to NOAA's Sanctuary Programs Division for final decision on appointments.
Serves on Resource Studies Steering Committee. Coordinates Committee activities and provides support to its Chair (while the Sanctuary Coordinator serves on the Committee, it is recommended that an individual scientist serve as chair).
As member of the Resource Studies Steering Committee, assists in the evaluation and selection of annual research priorities and individual research projects. Reports to NOAA's Sanctuary Program Division on the Committee's recommendations.
Coordinates research proposal review process. Upon receipt of proposals from NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, recommends persons to review research proposals and decides whether a meeting of reviewers is needed or whether written comments will suffice. Forwards comments to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division for final decision.
Coordinates permit application review process. Upon receipt from NOAA's Sanctuaries and Resrves Division, recommends persons to review permit applications if necessary. Forwards recommendation to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserve Division for final decision.
Monitors activities of permit holders. Advises NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division of any potential irregularities in performance under permits. Distributes research flag to permit holders and advises permit holder of sanctuary policies regarding displaying the flag while conducting permitted activities in the Sanctuary. Retrieves flag at termination of research activities covered under the permit.
Cooperates with persons conducting research in the Sanctuary (research funded by NOAA and other sources). Maintains an inventory of sanctuary vessels, equipment and facilities available for use in research. Arranges logistic support where feasible.
Advises the Sanctuary Interpreter and the U. S. Coast Guard of research in progress.
Maintains a sanctuary resource data base and bibliography and provides for access by individual scientists, educators, students and the interested public.
Reports to NOAA's Sanctuary Programs Division on a regular basis on activities related to fulfilling management objectives (as soon as practical in the event of management problems, quarterly reports on resource studies activities, and annually on progress toward management objectives).
c. Sanctuary Interpreter
Integrates information acquired through resource studies into interpretive and recreational programs.
Participates in review of research at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary as a member of the Resource Studies Steering Committee. Advises members on potential user conflicts or controversies that may arise over a particular project or research approach.
Designs and initiates interpretive programs, exhibits and materials that advise sanctuary visitors and extension audiences on the research in progress and the values of that research.
3. Interpretation and Recreation: Roles and Responsibilities
a. Sanctuary Programs Division
Reviews development of interpretive and recreational planning and provides advice on interpretive themes, messages, and priority audiences.
Approves an annual budget and provides funds for interpretive and recreational programs. Encourages cost-sharing by other funding sources to enhance overall effort.
Reviews annual progress toward management objectives of the Interpretation and Recreation Plan.
b. Sanctuary Interpreter
Oversees planning, development and coordination of interpretive and recreational programs, exhibits and materials in accordance with recommendations of the management plan. Advises on interpretive approach, methods and material, in light of experience of the Marine Resource Center.
Coordinates Interpretation and Recreation Plan review process. Solicits applications for members of an Interpretation and Recreation Steering Committee and forwards resumes to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division for a decision on appointments.
Serves on Interpretation and Recreation Steering Committee Coordinates Committee activities and provides support to its Chair (while the Sanctuary Interpreter serves on the Committee, it is recommended that another interpreter/educator/recreationist serve as Chair). Advises Committee of outstanding management problems that could be addressed by specific interpretive or recreational projects.
As member of Interpretation and Recreation Steering Committee, assists in the evaluation and selection of annual interpretive and recreational priorities and individual projects. Reports to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division.
Reviews current scientific and socioeconomic information related to the Sanctuary to assure that interpretive products are factual and accurate.
Assures that interpretive and recreational programs meet Sanctuary management objectives, are of high quality and audience benefit, and are effective, pragmatic and within budget constraints. Sees that interpretive materials associated with research-based information avoid the tendency to be overly detailed or technical which limits their effectiveness.
Carries out studies to establish sanctuary audience profiles, preferences and aspirations. This information will be used in program planning, development and evaluation.
Provides the primary location for sanctuary interpretive programs, exhibits and materials. Recommends additional locations and coordinates set-up and upkeep of sanctuary-related projects.
Ensures that sanctuary visitors and extension audiences have adequate opportunity to comment on sanctuary programs.
Cooperates with other educators and interpreters developing materials on Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.
Reports to NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division on a regular basis (as soon as practical in the event of management problems, quarterly reports on interpretive and recreational activities and annually on progress toward management objectives).
c. Sanctuary Coordinator
Responds to requests for information on the Sanctuary and provides access to sanctuary resource data base. Advises Sanctuary Interpreter on type and frequency of requests received. Solicits Sanctuary Interpreter's assistance as needed.
Reviews draft designs for interpretive and recreational programs.
Coordinates with Sanctuary Interpreter on studies to monitor visitor usage of the Sanctuary.
Represents the Resource Studies Program at special events, such as workshops, society meetings, etc.
Cooperates with persons designing interpretive programs or conducting educational programs related to the Sanctuary.
Participates in Interpretation and Recreation Plan review.
4. Sanctuary Administration: Roles and Responsibilities
a. Sanctuaries and Reserves Division
Approves budgets and provides funding for on-site sanctuary operations. Encourages cost-sharing by other agencies to enhance overall efforts.
- Makes final decisions on how new or existing resources are to be used;
- Advises and assists on-site managers in the preparation and administration of the sanctuary's budget;
- Monitors financial performance, including transferred funds, contracted studies, and management grants and contracts.
Establishes a data management capability for information collected on nominated sanctuary sites and in designated sanctuaries.
Encourages and assists in information exchange between sanctuaries and interested parties.
Encourages public involvement in sanctuary management through information exchange and steering committees where appropriate.
Reviews quarterly and annual reports on sanctuary administration. Reviews proposals for new cooperative agreements. Develops special award conditions. Monitors performance under cooperative agreements.
b. Sanctuary Coordinator
Advises NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division on facilities, staffing and budget required for annual and long-term sanctuary operations. Upon approval from NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, initiatesprocedures needed to fulfill requirements (e.g., hiring personnel, building facilities, purchasing research vessels and equipment, etc.).
c. Sanctuary Interpreter
Advises NOAA's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division on facilities, staffing and budget required for annual and long-term sanctuary operations. Upon approval from NOAA's Sanctuaries and Resrves Division, initiates procedures needed to fulfill requirements (e.g., hiring personnel, building facilities, purchasing interpretive and recreational equipment, etc.).