PHASE V - The Final Environmental Impact Statement, Final Rule and Management Plan for Restoration Blueprint
Phase V is currently underway. In December 2024, NOAA released the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which provides NOAA’s final preferred alternative, responses to recent substantive public comments about the Restoration Blueprint, and begins a required 30-day wait period before the agency can sign the final decision. On January 15, 2025 NOAA released the final rule and Record of Decision to finalize the Restoration Blueprint, which will become effective after 45 days of Congressional session.
