Georgia: Protect Public Access and Coastal Economies

In Georgia, public access and coastal economies will be significantly hurt if the Biden Administration does not stop its ill-conceived changes to the 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.  The state is currently reviewing if the administration’s proposed rule is consistent with Georgia’s Coastal Management Program, which protects the public’s access to waterways. Public comments are due August 15.

Recreational boating in Georgia supports nearly 28,000 jobs across 671 businesses. With over 329,000 registered boats in Georgia, the recreational marine community has a $7.8 billion impact.

Without consulting the recreational boating industry or working with any marine technology companies, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed an unprecedented expansion of its ineffective rule that includes: 

• The addition of recreational boats 35 to 65 feet in length to the 2008 whale strike rule that originally encompassed only large vessels 65 feet and greater.
• A 10-knot (11 mph) speed restriction for up to 90 miles out from the shoreline, and in some instances, for up to 7 months out of the year.
• A geographic expansion of the existing Seasonal Speed Zones (SSZ) to span the vast majority of the Atlantic coast – from Massachusetts to central Florida.

We believe there is a more balanced approach that should be taken to protect the North Atlantic right whale; one that does not severely restrict boaters’ access to the Atlantic Ocean. Instead of this sweeping rule, states must object to NOAA’s proposal and work with key stakeholders, like the recreational marine industry, to reduce the risk of vessel strikes.

Write to Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, urging them to object to NOAA’s determination that this proposal is consistent with Georgia’s Coastal Management Program.