National Marine Protected Areas Center: Nominating MPAs to the National System

Nominating MPAs to the National System of Marine Protected Areas

> National System > Nomination Process

MPA programs are invited to nominate their eligible sites to be part of the national system of MPAs. The national system of MPAs includes MPA sites, networks and systems established and managed by all levels of government that work together to achieve common marine conservation goals. The national system does not bring state, territorial or local sites under federal authority, nor does it restrict or change the management of any MPA.

Entry Criteria

All sites must meet the following three criteria:

Meets the definition of an MPA as defined in the Final Framework
Has a management plan (can be site-specific or part of a broader programmatic management plan)
Contributes to at least one priority conservation objective as listed in the Framework
In addition, cultural heritage MPAs must meet additional cultural heritage requirements (see Framework, pages 18-21).

Nomination Process

The MPA Center will use existing information in the MPA Inventory to identify potentially eligible MPAs, and they will be invited to nominate their sites. Sites and programs are welcome to enquire about their eligibility status.
Managing entities submit a nomination form for each nominated MPA to the MPA Center.
A list of nominated sites will be published in a Federal Register notice and posted on www.mpa.gov for a 30-day public comment period. .
Based on public comment, managing entities will reaffirm or withdraw their nominations.
After final MPA Center review, mutually agreed upon MPAs will be accepted into the national system.
MPAs accepted into the national system will be listed in the official List of National System MPAs, which will be published in the Federal Register and on www.mpa.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions about Joining the National System of MPAs

Links

Benefits of the National System of MPAs
MPA Executive Order 13158
Framework for the National System of MPAs
Nomination Process Fact Sheet
Definition of Marine Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas Inventory

For More Information
Write to mpainfo@noaa.gov.

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National System Benefits Framework Nomination Process Identifying Conservation Gaps Public Participation List of National System Sites Cultural Heritage MPAs International MPA Effectiveness MPA Partnership Grants Gulf of Mexico MPA Network	Nominating MPAs to the National System of Marine Protected Areas > National System > Nomination Process MPA programs are invited to nominate their eligible sites to be part of the national system of MPAs. The national system of MPAs includes MPA sites, networks and systems established and managed by all levels of government that work together to achieve common marine conservation goals. The national system does not bring state, territorial or local sites under federal authority, nor does it restrict or change the management of any MPA. How do I know if my site may be eligible? Download the nomination package Entry Criteria All sites must meet the following three criteria: Meets the definition of an MPA as defined in the Final Framework Has a management plan (can be site-specific or part of a broader programmatic management plan) Contributes to at least one priority conservation objective as listed in the Framework In addition, cultural heritage MPAs must meet additional cultural heritage requirements (see Framework, pages 18-21). Nomination Process The MPA Center will use existing information in the MPA Inventory to identify potentially eligible MPAs, and they will be invited to nominate their sites. Sites and programs are welcome to enquire about their eligibility status. Managing entities submit a nomination form for each nominated MPA to the MPA Center. A list of nominated sites will be published in a Federal Register notice and posted on www.mpa.gov for a 30-day public comment period. . Based on public comment, managing entities will reaffirm or withdraw their nominations. After final MPA Center review, mutually agreed upon MPAs will be accepted into the national system. MPAs accepted into the national system will be listed in the official List of National System MPAs, which will be published in the Federal Register and on www.mpa.gov. Frequently Asked Questions about Joining the National System of MPAs Links Benefits of the National System of MPAs MPA Executive Order 13158 Framework for the National System of MPAs Nomination Process Fact Sheet Definition of Marine Protected Areas Marine Protected Areas Inventory For More Information Write to mpainfo@noaa.gov.

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