Senator Carl Levin Announces Great Lakes Cultural Heritage Assessment Act

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) announced at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's (NMSF) 12th annual Ocean Awards Gala June 10 that he is introducing the Great Lakes Cultural Heritage Assessment Act next month.

Sen. Levin's proposed bill would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to identify underwater areas in the Great Lakes that possess significant historical and archaeological resources and consider recommendation for designation as national marine sanctuaries.

Sen. Levin's bill follows yesterday's announcement from Counselor to the President John Podesta that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is releasing the final rule reopening the Sanctuary Nomination and Evaluation Process.

NOAA has not been able to accept nominations for new national marine sanctuaries since 1995. More information is available at www.NMSFocean.org/sanctuary-nomination-process.

"Senator Levin's initiative recognizes that the Great Lakes serve as a living museum celebrating our nation's history," said Jason Patlis, President and CEO.  "Coupled with the White House announcement yesterday, this bill will usher in a new era of attention on the importance of special places below the surface of our ocean and Great Lakes."

CHOW 2014 takes place June 10-12 in Washington.  Hosted by NMSF, CHOW brings together policymakers, industry leaders, scientists, academics and conservationists to shape marine policy and provoke conversation about critical ocean and coastal issues.

Live-streaming of CHOW is available through www.OceansLIVE.org. An agenda and list of speakers is available at www.CapitolHillOceanWeek.org.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will deliver a keynote address at 1pm on Wednesday, June 11.  The conference features 12 sessions on topics including climate change, energy, fisheries, human health, and media engagement. 

About the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
NMSF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the national marine sanctuaries in their goal to protect essential U.S. marine areas and to ensure a healthy ocean. Through public-private partnerships, NMSF fosters scientific research, funds conservation projects, supports educational programs, and advocates for public policies on behalf of these special places representing the best hope for the ocean and Great Lakes. Learn more at www.NMSFocean.org.

Katie Zacharkiw
[email protected]
240-595-3491

SOURCE National Marine Sanctuary Foundation