Expansion

Expansion History
Supporting Documents
Notice of Intent to Revise Boundaries
Expansion Map

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider possible expansion of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron. During the sanctuary's management plan review in 2006, NOAA received comments encouraging expanding the sanctuary's boundary to include the waters adjacent to Alcona and Presque Isle counties. Several local government and non-governmental organizations passed resolutions or submitted letters of support for boundary expansion. In 2007, the Thunder Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council adopted a resolution supporting expanded boundaries.

The EIS is being prepared through a public process under the National Environmental Policy Act. Once the draft EIS is completed, NOAA will seek public comment before final action is taken. The initial scoping period ended on May 25, 2012 and the next public scoping period will be announced.

Comments may always be submitted via:

• Mail or email to Jeff Gray, Sanctuary Superintendent, 500 West Fletcher St., Alpena, MI 49707 or jeff.gray@noaa.gov

In 2000, NOAA designated the 448-square mile Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is jointly managed by NOAA and the state of Michigan. The sanctuary’s mission is to preserve nationally-significant shipwrecks and other maritime heritage resources through resource protection, education and research. Well-preserved by Lake Huron’s cold, fresh water, these shipwrecks span 150 years of Great Lakes maritime history.