NOAA Seeks Public Input on Gray's Reef Sanctuary Plan
Published Date: 11/2/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is kicking off a big review of the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary plan to see how well it's working and make updates if needed. They want everyone—local folks, businesses, Tribes, and groups—to share ideas and concerns by December 17, 2026. Public meetings will happen in Georgia and South Carolina this November to gather your thoughts and keep the plan fresh and effective.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Review could lead to plan and regulation changes
NOAA is initiating a comprehensive review that will include information collection, release of a draft management plan and environmental analysis under NEPA, a notice of proposed rulemaking for any proposed changes to sanctuary regulations, public review and comment, and then a final management plan and any final rule. The current Gray's Reef plan was published in 2014 and NOAA released a Condition Report in 2025 covering 2008–2022.
Comment deadline: December 17, 2026
NOAA is accepting written comments on the Gray's Reef management plan and will consider comments submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 17, 2026. You can send comments through Regulations.gov (Docket NOAA-NOS-2026-2740) or by mail to Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary at 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411.
Public meetings in November 2026
NOAA will hold five public meetings to gather input: November 4 in Brunswick, GA; November 10 in Okatie, SC; November 13 in Savannah, GA; November 17 in Conway, SC; and November 18 in Charleston, SC (late afternoon-evening sessions). Meeting participation details and updates are available at https://graysreef.noaa.gov/mpr/.
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Key Dates
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