National Marine Sanctuaries Act

These data represents geographic terms used within the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA). The NMSA was originally enacted as Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. The primary objective of the NMSA is to protect marine resources, such as coral reefs, sunken historical vessels, unique habitats, and submerged lands. National marine sanctuaries consist of designated marine waters, submerged lands, and can extend up to the mean high water line. Marine waters include those within the 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone as well as state waters. For sanctuaries established within state waters or submerged lands, the Governor of the States has the authority to veto the sanctuary, regulations, or particular terms of designation. The NMSA also provides authority for cooperation with other nations and organizations in special marine areas located outside of the United States. When investigating geo-regulatory boundaries near the boundary edges, users should consult the most up-to-date applicable jurisdictional boundaries from all respective authoritative sources.

Source: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/library/national/nmsa.pdf

Date enacted: 10/23/1972

Codification: 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1431 et seq.

Authority: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

To support coastal and ocean planning and other activities pursuant to the Energy Policy Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Rivers and Harbors Act and the Submerged Lands Act.

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None

For coastal and ocean planning

The attributes in this dataset are believed to be accurate.

Spatial and attribute properties are believed to be complete. Geometric thresholds from original data are preserved. No tests have been completed for exhaustiveness.

These data are believed to be logically consistent. Geometry is topologically clean.