NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) today announced that it is seeking applications by Tuesday, Aug. 28 from individuals interested in serving on the following non-governmental voting seats on the Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: citizen-at-large; commercial/charter fishing; divers, dive clubs, and archaeology; economic development; education (K–12); higher education; historically underserved populations; history/maritime heritage and public interpretation; maritime industry; outdoor recreation; recreational fishing; research, science and technology; and tourism and marketing.
ONMS is currently in the process of designating a new national marine sanctuary in ~740 square miles of Lake Erie. Following public scoping conducted in 2023, ONMS is reviewing public comments and preparing a draft management plan and environmental impact statement, proposed regulations, and proposed boundaries, which are expected to be released for public comment in late 2025/early 2026.
