Initiation of Review of Management Plan for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary; Request for Information
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
NOAA is starting a formal review of the 2012 management plan for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), which protects 160 square miles of coral reefs and mesophotic habitats across 17 banks located 80–125 miles off Texas and Louisiana. The review evaluates progress since the 2021 expansion that added 14 additional banks and seeks public input on updating the plan under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. NOAA published a 2024 Condition Report covering 2009–2021 and is requesting comments on education/outreach, responses to environmental pressures (including coral bleaching and invasive species), research and monitoring needs, and sustainable resource use. Written comments are due by May 21, 2026. Three public meetings are scheduled: one virtual on April 20, 2026, and two in-person in Galveston, Texas on May 19, 2026. No major regulatory changes are currently planned.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Review of 2012 FGBNMS management plan, including post-2021 expansion areas covering 17 banks
- Public comment period ends 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2026
- Three public meetings: virtual on April 20, 2026 (6-8 p.m. CDT) and two in Galveston, TX on May 19, 2026 (2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. CDT)
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Submit written comments on management plan review scope, types, and significance of issues by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2026
Submit comments via Federal eRulemaking Portal (Docket NOAA-NOS-2025-0009), mail to Flower Garden Banks NMSA office, or provide oral comments at designated public meetings
Attend virtual public meeting on April 20, 2026 (6-8 p.m. CDT) with prior registration at flowergarden.noaa.gov
Attend in-person public meetings on May 19, 2026 at Flower Garden Banks NMSA office in Galveston, Texas (2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. CDT) without prior registration requirement
Do not submit confidential business information, account numbers, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive protected information in comments