CFR > Title 15 - Commerce and Foreign Trade > SUBTITLE B—Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade > CHAPTER IX—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (parts 902 to 996) > SUBCHAPTER B—OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (parts 921 to 932) > PART 922—NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS > SUBPART C—Designation of National Marine Sanctuaries (§922.20 to §922.25) > 922.21—Selection of active candidates.

922.21—Selection of active candidates.

(a) The Secretary shall, from time to time, select a limited number of sites from the SEL for Active Candidate consideration based on a preliminary assessment of the designation standards set forth in section 303 of the Act.
(b) Selection of a site as an Active Candidate shall begin the formal Sanctuary designation-evaluation process. A notice of intent to prepare a draft environmental impact statement shall be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers in the area(s) of local concern. A brief written analysis describing the site shall be provided. The Secretary, at any time, may drop a site from consideration if the Secretary determines that the site does not meet the designation standards and criteria set forth in the Act.