Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Final Rule To Implement Speed Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales

GAO-09-117R October 27, 2008
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Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) new rule on ship speed restrictions to reduce the threat of collisions with North Atlantic right whales. GAO found that (1) the rule restricts the speed of vessels 65 or more feet long in certain locations and at certain times along the east coast of the U.S. Atlantic Seaboard to reduce the likelihood of collisions between vessels and North Atlantic right whales; and (2) GAO found that NOAA complied with applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.