NOAA to Hold Public Meetings for Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA is holding four public meetings requesting more input from the public on a draft management plan, draft environmental impact statement and proposed rule for a national marine sanctuary off the Wisconsin coast of Lake Michigan.

The proposed 1,075-square mile sanctuary, adjacent to Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties, would protect historically significant shipwrecks and related maritime heritage resources.

The area under consideration holds 37 known shipwrecks including Wisconsin's two oldest known shipwrecks discovered to date – the Gallinipper (1833) and the Home (1843). As many as 80 known shipwrecks are yet to be discovered in the proposed sanctuary. These ships played critical roles in the settlement and development of the Midwest during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The public meetings in Wisconsin will be held:

March 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Knudson Hall; 620 Lake Street, Algoma

March 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Wisconsin Maritime Museum; 75 Maritime Drive; Manitowoc

March 15, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan; Main Building; Wombat Room (Room 2114); 1 University Drive; Sheboygan

March 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Wilson House; 200 N. Franklin St.; Port Washington

The public may provide comments online at www.regulations.gov, using docket number NOAA-NOS-2016-0149, or by mailing comments to:

Russ Green, Regional Coordinator

Proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary

University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan

One University Drive

Sheboygan WI 53081

Additional media resources are available at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/press/mallows-bay-and-wisconsin/.

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