CRD seeks public comments on NOAA’s proposed rule to amend the rule to reduce collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Resources Division (CRD) is accepting public comments on a request for review of a federal consistency request from the Office of Protected Resources of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposing changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Collision Reduction Rule (“Speed ​​Rule”).

The proposed measure includes:

1. Changing the boundaries and timing of seasonal speed limits of 10 knots or less (renamed “Seasonal Speed ​​Zones” or “SSZs”) to better align them with areas characterized by increased collision-related mortality risk;
2. Establish a Dynamic Speed ​​Zone (DSZ) program to implement temporary mandatory speed restrictions when whales are known to be outside active SSZs;
3. Expanding the size threshold for regulated vessels to include most vessels 35 feet (10.7 m) or more in length; and
4. Updating the speed rule safety deviation provision. See 87 FR 46921 (August 1, 2022).

The proposed amendments to the rule to reduce vessel collisions with North Atlantic right whales can be viewed or downloaded on the NOAA Fisheries website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendments-north-atlantic-right-whale-vessel-strike-reduction-rule, including a link to the August 1, 2022, Federal Register notice at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/01/2022-16211/amendments-to-the-north-atlantic-right-whale-vessel-strike-reduction-rule.

CRD will accept written comments on the proposal until August 15, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Written comments should be mailed to Kelie Moore, Federal Consistency Coordinator, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520, or emailed to [email protected]. Please indicate “North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule” in the subject line. All comments will be considered in developing the State’s consistency response. A notice of decision on this matter will be provided upon request.

The official public announcement can be found here.

About the Coastal Resources Division

The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to strike a balance between coastal development and the protection of the coast’s natural, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.