Public invited to comment on proposed Lake Ontario sanctuary

NOAA is holding four public meetings for public comment on the possibility of designating a national marine sanctuary in eastern Lake Ontario to protect historically significant shipwrecks and related maritime heritage resources. This is one of the first steps in the designation process.

The proposed 1,700-square-mile sanctuary, adjacent to Oswego, Jefferson, Cayuga and Wayne counties in north-central New York state, would protect 21 known shipwrecks and one aircraft representing events spanning more than 200 years of our nation’s history. An additional 47 shipwrecks and two historic aircraft are also likely located within the proposed sanctuary boundaries, based on historical records.

The proposed sanctuary also includes a separate area surrounding the HMS Ontario, which is both the oldest confirmed shipwreck, dating to 1780, and the only fully intact British warship discovered in the Great Lakes.

WHAT:
Public meetings to provide information and gather input on a proposed national marine sanctuary in Lake Ontario.

WHEN and WHERE:    

• June 10, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Fair Haven Fire Hall, 14447 Fair Haven Road, Sterling, NY

• June 11, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Emergency Operations Center, 7376 Route 31, Lyons, NY

• June 12, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Lake Ontario Conference Center, 26 East 1st Street, Oswego, NY

• June 13, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Jefferson Community College, 1220 Coffeen Street, Jules Center, Room 6-002, Watertown, NY

In addition to the four public meetings, NOAA is accepting public comments online and by mail through July 31.

The public may provide comments online at www.regulations.gov, using docket number NOAA-NOS-2019-0032, or by mailing comments to:

Ellen Brody
Great Lakes Regional Coordinator
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
4840 South State Road
Ann Arbor MI  48108