Members of the general public who has a commercial/economic interest regarding assess and use of the ocean environment off of the Outer Banks, should have an even greater concern than we do regarding this proposal. In NOAA’s Environmental Assessment (link is just below the draft management plan on the web site identified above), NOAA declares that there is a "Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI)" in 3 affected environments: 1) Biological & Physical; 2) Socioeconomic; and 3) the Maritime & Cultural environment. However, since NOAA has not demonstrated an ability to effectively deal with ensuring easy public access to a single shipwreck site in 37 years, how will they deal with a nearly countless number of shipwreck sites in an expansive, and as yet undefined area, known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic"? The proposed expansion is certain to bring major restriction and limitation, and subsequent harm to the entire economic community that uses access to this ocean environment as a means for business - scuba diving, sport fishing, commercial fishing, and all tourist related industries that support these communities.

I urge you to challenge this proposal and the FONSI on the socioeconomic environment that will be brought about by the proposed expansion of the MNMS. Please attend a public scoping meeting at one of the following locations:

April 30, 6:30 p.m., Raleigh, N.C., NC Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27601

May 1, 6:30 p.m., Wilmington, N.C., NC Maritime Museum, 204 E Moore Street, Southport, N.C. 28461

May 2, 6:30 p.m., Beaufort, N.C., NC Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, N.C. 28516

May 3, 6:30 p.m., Nags Head, N.C., Jennette's Pier, Milepost 16.5, Nags Head, NC 7223

May 4, 2:00 p.m., Newport News, Va., The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Va. 23606

Also contact NOAA directly. But even more important contact your local elected official and your local congressmen and Senator.