National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: January 13, 2010
CONTACT: Cyndy Holda, 252-473-2111, ext. 148
North Carolina’s Two National Seashores among the 21 National Park Units
Being Considered by NOAA’s Marine Protected Areas Status
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National
Marine Protected Areas Center, in cooperation with the Department of the
Interior (DOI) has created a first ever inventory of the nation’s marine
protected areas. This unique, comprehensive inventory catalogs and
classifies marine protected areas within US waters. Thirty-two sites,
including twenty-one units of the National Park System and several national
wildlife refuges, have been nominated to join the national system of Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs). Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores
are among the national seashores listed in the Federal Register last week.
Developed in response to Executive Order 13158 on Marine Protected Areas,
the final framework for the national system was published on November 19,
2008. Comments on the nominations to the national system are due February
22, 2010. For more information, check NOAA website at: www.mpa.gov or
submit comments to: mpa.comments@noaa.gov .