Frequently Asked Questions

The management plan acts as a road map to:

1. Guide site programming and management actions toward achievement of the sanctuary's goals; and
2. Inform sanctuary constituents, including the general public, about the sanctuary and planned actions by NOAA to manage the sanctuary over the next five to 10 years.

The management plan contains information about the sanctuary's environment and resources, staffing and administration, regulations and boundaries, and priority management issues and actions proposed to address them. The sanctuary's current management plan was published in 2014, and is available online.

Over time, the management plan must be reviewed and updated to adapt to changing conditions and needs within the sanctuary. Since the adoption of the current management plan in 2014, new resource management issues have emerged, as have new partners, technologies, and opportunities. An evaluation of past conservation accomplishments and future needs at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary will allow site managers and partners to revise priorities as necessary.

Periodic review and update is also a statutory requirement. Prior to review of the management plan, a new condition report will be published to identify current status and trends of sanctuary resources and reveal emerging issues of concern that can be evaluated for potential management attention.

The entire process is estimated to take two to three years, starting with the initial scoping period. Priority topics for the revised management plan will be selected in early 2024. A draft management plan and a corresponding National Environmental Policy Act compliance document will be released in 2025, and final documents are expected by the end of 2026.

At the onset of a management plan review, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries holds public meetings to "scope out" or receive input from sanctuary users, interest groups, government agencies, and other members of the public about resource management issues of concern. Public scoping, visit our management plan revision section.

Keep up to date on the management plan revision process, ask questions, and receive notifications when there are opportunities for public comment by following the sanctuary's email list or social media channels.

You may also attend public meetings of the Sanctuary Advisory Council, at which the management plan revision will be a regularly discussed topic throughout the process. For meeting details, check the advisory council webpage or contact resource protection coordinator.