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Public Information Meeting about Acadia National Park’s Inclusion into a National System of Marine Protected Areas
At the request of the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission, the National Park Service (NPS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will host a public information meeting to discuss the nomination of Acadia National Park into a National System of Marine Protected Areas of the United States on April 13, 2010 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the second floor meeting room of the Maine Grind, 192 Main Street, Ellsworth, Maine.
Under a 2000 Presidential Executive Order (#13158), Acadia National Park’s intertidal zone and estuaries are considered to be a Marine Protected Area. The Executive Order defines a Marine Protected Area as any areas of the marine environment that have been reserved by Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein. The Executive Order required NOAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to establish a National System of Marine Protected Areas to share science information and technologies and to strengthen management of the areas within the National System.
The DOI and NOAA are seeking public comment about a proposal to include Acadia National Park’s intertidal zone and estuaries with other currently protected Federal, State, and territorial marine protected areas as members of the National System of Marine Protected Areas. Benefits of joining this national system include a facilitated means to work with other existing marine protected areas on issues of common conservation concern and an opportunity to compete for grant funds that are available to members of the national system.
The inclusion of Acadia National Park’s intertidal zone and estuaries into the National System of Marine Protected Areas will not convey any additional authorities to the NPS or NOAA to regulate or restrict uses, activities or access within the park. Membership in this national system will not extend the boundary of Acadia National Park beyond what Congress established in 1982 and 1986. The park boundary extends to mean low water. This situation will not change if Acadia National Park joins the National System of Marine Protected Areas.
The information meeting will include short statements about the National System of Marine Protected Areas from the representatives of the NPS, NOAA, and Maine Department of Marine Resources. There will also be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
For more information, please contact David Manski at Acadia National Park at e-mail us or 288-8720.
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Last updated: February 26, 2015