Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Resumen

This is a public notice of intent to issue, and a request for applications for a special use permit to conduct non-research diving at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS). Public comments are invited. Since 1975, NOAA has protected and preserved the wreck of the USS Monitor as a significant historical resource by restricting physical access except for research expeditions. NOAA recognizes that changes in dive technology and experience in the dive community have resulted in a growing public interest to dive at this site. In 1994, NOAA issued a special use permit, on a trial basis, which authorized a concessionaire to conduct non-research dives over a two-week period. Upon evaluation of activities conducted under the 1994 permit, NOAA has determined to issue a three-year special use permit to a qualified dive concessionaire, selected competitively, for non-intrusive dives at this site for a total of two (2) weeks (14 days) each year. Because any touching of the Monitor or its debris field will be prohibited, NOAA expects that no disruption or harm will occur at the site from dive activities. NOAA will continue to review this activity, evaluate impacts to the Monitor, if any,