NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries today announced (1) its decision to suspend for two years the application of special use permit requirements for the continued presence of commercial submarine cables in any new sanctuaries designated after Aug. 16, 2024; and (2) its request for public comments by Monday, Sept. 30 on the use of the special use permit category for the continued presence of commercial and submarine cables, potential modifications to the special use permit category, and input on developing an updated policy and permit guidance document for submarine cable projects.
In announcing the two-year suspension while the agency considers and responds to public comments, NOAA noted that during the suspension period, any activities related to submarine cables that would violate regulatory prohibitions for sanctuaries designated after Aug. 16, 2024 (e.g., cable installation, maintenance, and repair) would still be prohibited unless approved by other NOAA approval mechanisms like certifications, authorizations, or general permits.
NOAA noted that it is initiating the suspension in part “to be responsive” to comments received in response to the draft Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary designation documents that expressed concerns about implications of special use permits for industries reliant on submarine cables, adding that the agency “recognizes the importance of telecommunication cables and submarine electrical transmission cables from renewable offshore energy installations to shore.”
