After approval of the site nomination, NOAA will award funds to prepare the DEIS/DMP and FEIS/DMP. These funds are limited to that portion of the $100,000 not allocated for the development of the site-selection document. The match requirement is 50/50. The state application for funding must include:
- a draft management plan outline
- an outline of a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the state and NOAA to operate the reserve.
The state may use any funds remaining from the $100,000 for conducting basic characterization studies, subject to the same match requirement.
Prior to preparation of the DEIS/DMP, NOAA publishes an intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register, and the state and NOAA hold a scoping meeting(s) (the state conducts the meeting) to solicit the views of the public regarding the proposed project before the DEIS/DMP is prepared. The meeting must be publicized at least 15 days prior to being held in both the Federal Register and local media. Comments are accepted and addressed in the DEIS.
The state, with assistance by NOAA, prepares a preliminary and final DEIS/DMP, including a MOU identifying the state and NOAA roles in managing the reserve and draft or final MOU(s) among reserve partners establishing roles and responsibilities. The state submits the preliminary and final documents to NOAA for review.
After NOAA approval, NOAA prints the document and distributes it to interested parties including federal, state, and local agencies.
NOAA announces the availability of the DEIS/DMP in the Federal Register. The date of publication begins the 45-day comment period on the DEIS/DMP. The state and NOAA hold a public hearing(s) 30-45 days after the Federal Register notice and notice through the local media.
For more information contact: Laurie.McGilvray@noaa.gov.
