Management Plan Revision
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is initiating a periodic review of its management plan in November 2026, and is soliciting public input and recommendations from sanctuary users, the general public, partners, and the Sanctuary Advisory Council to help shape future management activities.
Over the last decade, sanctuary resources and environmental conditions have changed, creating new challenges and requirements for protecting resources and facilitating compatible uses. At the same time, new tools for effective management have emerged, driven by scientific advances, technological innovation, and new partnerships. A re-evaluation of requirements and approaches, both current and future, will ensure that the sanctuary and its partners are most effectively stewarding sanctuary resources.
Management Plan Revision Process
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is revising the management plan for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The current plan was issued in 2014, and a rapid management plan review (completed in 2019) concluded that no urgent or immediate revisions to the 2014 management plan or regulations were needed at that time.
Public engagement is central to NOAA's community-based approach to managing national marine sanctuaries. Accordingly, NOAA is soliciting public input at multiple stages throughout the management plan review.
What are the steps for updating the Management Plan?
Sanctuary Condition Report
April 2025
The process began with the release of a new Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report to inform the management plan update process. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries revised the sanctuary's condition report in 2025. The condition report is an assessment of the status and trends of the sanctuary's marine resources, human activities, and ecosystem services. It identifies existing and emerging issues of concern for potential management consideration. The previous condition report was published in 2008 and amended in 2012.
Current Step
Request for Information
Nov. 2 - Dec. 17, 2026
NOAA published a Request For Information (RFI) in the Federal Register on Nov. 2, 2026, beginning a 45-day comment period, during which the public was invited to comment on a preliminary list of future sanctuary goals and strategies (outlined in the RFI) and suggest activities and issues to be considered during revision of the sanctuary management plan. The RFI explains the three ways written comments can be submitted during the comment period. NOAA scheduled the following five public meetings to provide information about the marine sanctuary and management plan process, answer questions, and accept written comments:
Nov. 4, 2026, 4 – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center, Coastal Regional Headquarters, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 1 Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520. For directions, visit coastalgadnr.org/public-meetings and look for the single-story gray building on the left side of the parking lot, as you enter the campus.
Nov. 10, 2026, 4:15 - 7:45 p.m. (EST)
Location: Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC 29909. For directions, go to maps.app.goo.gl/DGtVorY8gqKbs1kb8.
Nov. 13, 2026, 4 – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center, 340 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Ste A, Savannah, GA 31401. Street parking only nearby.
Nov. 17, 2026, 4 – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: Coastal Carolina University, Singleton Hall, Allen Ballroom, 103 Tom Trout Drive, Conway, SC 29526
Nov. 18, 2026, 4 – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Location: School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Room 129, College of Charleston, 202 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29403. For directions, visit map.charleston.edu/?id=2132#!ce/79714?ct/77201?m/965578?s/
Blank paper comment forms will be available at each scheduled public meeting and the scheduled Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting addressed in step 3 below. Attendees may use the forms to prepare written comments and place them in a receiving box that will be present at each meeting site. The public can also enter comments electronically or by mail as described in the official Request For Information published in the Federal Register.
Sanctuary Advisory Council Input
Nov. 12, 2026
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will provide input to the sanctuary superintendent in response to the Request for Information at its scheduled Fall quarterly meeting. Public attendees can view/hear the same staff presentation about the RFI delivered at the public meetings listed above; however, GRNMS staff will not entertain attendee questions about the RFI or management plan during the council meeting. For the meeting agenda and information, visit graysreef.noaa.gov/management/advisory-council/news.html.
Location: Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center, 340 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite A, Savannah, GA 31401. Street parking only nearby.
Issue Identification and Action Plan Development
After the public scoping period, sanctuary staff will review all comments and seek input from the Sanctuary Advisory Council and subject matter experts to identify and prioritize issues to be addressed in the management plan. Strategies to address priority issues will form the foundation of a draft revised management plan.
Draft Environmental Review and Draft Management Plan
A draft management plan will be prepared, which will contain updated strategies to address resource protection and general management of the sanctuary. Accompanying the draft management plan will be an environmental analysis of the activities proposed within the plan. This will be guided by the National Environmental Policy Act and take the form of a draft environmental assessment (DEA) or draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). In addition, if sanctuary regulatory changes are proposed, a Proposed Rule will be developed.
Public Review and Comment
The draft management plan, DEA or DEIS, and proposed rule (if needed for any regulatory changes) will then be released for public review and comment, and public meetings may be held to invite comments. After the close of the public comment period, sanctuary staff will review comments and make any necessary changes to plans, environmental analyses, and regulations (if applicable).
Final Environmental Review and Final Management Plan
To close out the process, a final management plan, final environmental assessment or final environmental impact statement, and final rule (if needed for any regulation changes) will be released.
Implementation
The sanctuary team implements the various parts of the management plan over the next 5-10 years in stages, based upon available resources, staffing, partner support, and funding.
Want to stay informed?
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.
For more information please see our Management Plan FAQ webpage.
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 the resource protection coordinator.