from the NOAA National Marine Protected Areas Center:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) are pleased to announce the release of the Revised Draft Framework for Developing the National System of Marine Protected Areas for a 30 day comment period ending April 16.  You can find electronic copies of the draft framework and associated documents at http://www.mpa.gov.

The release of this revised draft framework reflects continued dialogue with federal, state, tribal and territorial resource managers; fishery management councils; inter-state fishery commissions; anglers; conservation organizations; the energy industry; commercial fishermen; coastal communities; scientists; divers; and others. At the end of the public comment period, the MPA Center will address all comments received, and begin working with government partners to establish the national system.

The revised draft framework addresses comments from the public and the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee on the first draft of the Framework, published in September 2006.  It aims to simplify, streamline and strategically focus the document, which proposes collaborative efforts to build a initial national system of MPAs. The revised draft outlines key components of the national system, including a set of overarching national system goals and priority conservation objectives; MPA eligibility criteria and other definitions, a nomination process for existing MPAs to be included in the national system; a science-based, public process for identifying conservation gaps; and a process for improving regional, national and international coordination.  Please forward this to others who may be interested.

All comments regarding the Revised Draft Framework should be submitted to Joseph A. Uravitch, National MPA Center, N/ORM, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.  Comments submitted by email are preferred; however, those submitted by mail and fax will also be accepted.  Comments send via email should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and all comments send by fax should be sent to 301-713-3110.  Email and fax comments should state "Revised Draft Framework Comments" in the subject line. 

Please direct all questions concerning the Revised Draft Framework or requests for paper copies to Lauren Wenzel, at 301-713-3100 x136, or via email at mpa.comments.noaa.gov.  Email requests should state either "Question" or "Paper Copy Request" in the subject line.