Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to designate an area of 1,075 square miles of Wisconsin state waters as the Wisconsin--Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary (WLMNMS or sanctuary). NOAA also proposes regulations to implement the sanctuary designation and establish the sanctuary's terms of designation. A draft environmental impact statement and draft management plan have also been prepared for this proposed action. The purpose of this action is to supplement current Wisconsin state regulations and resource protection efforts in a way that will ensure long term protection of the nationally significant collection of historic shipwrecks and other maritime heritage resources in the area. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), and draft management plan (DMP). NOAA will also begin consultations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and solicit public comments specifically related to the identification and assessment of the historic properties within the affected area in compliance with Section 106 review process.