Key West The Newspaper

NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will hold a public meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council in Marathon, Florida, at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

The morning session includes presentations by sanctuary staff and Curtis Kruer, Conservation Consultant, on vessel impacts to shallow water habitats and highlights the current and potential suite of management options to mitigate such impacts. At 11:00 a.m., Lieutenant Commander Michelle Comeaux, U.S. Coast Guard, will discuss the Coast Guard’s role in pollution hazard assessment and pollution removal from abandoned migrant vessels in the Marquesas Keys.

During the afternoon, the South Florida Water Management District will provide an update on South Florida Ecosystem Restoration activities and the impacts on Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. This discussion is a follow-up to the resolution passed by the Council at their December meeting on ecological conditions and restoration needs of Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

Public comment for items not on the agenda will be taken at 2:00 p.m., and will be taken before any Advisory Council decision or action. The meeting will conclude with general reports and updates from state and federal agencies on recent activities.

WHAT: Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting
WHEN: April 19, 2016, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hyatt Place, 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
WHO: NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

To receive more information, or to request a meeting agenda, please contact Beth Dieveney at 305-809-4700 or [email protected].

Authorized in 1990 and established in 1992, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the sanctuary. The council has 20 representatives and alternates from community constituent groups, and 10 government agencies have non-voting representatives on the council. Serving in a voluntary capacity, the council members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats, as well as shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join NOAA on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.

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