NOAA will continue to require undersea cable operators and movie ...
NOAA will continue to require undersea cable operators and movie production companies to apply for special use permits under National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) Act. NOAA “until further notice” will not seek to amend requirements of law’s Sec. 310, which…
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“establishes condition of access to and use of” such protected areas. Although those activities generally are prohibited, Sec. 310 allows agency to issue special use permits when use of sanctuaries “is conducted in a way that does not injure, cause the loss of, or destroy a sanctuary resource.” NOAA regulations apply specifically to installation, removal and any necessary fiber repair activities, while special use permits are required for “continued presence” of cable on seabed or under sea floor. Since 1988 NOAA has granted permits to film TV ads in those undersea areas, and agency now “has received inquiries from motion picture companies seeking to deposit objects into a sanctuary and immediately recover them for special effects.” NOAA seeks comment on its special use authority by July 19. Through separate process agency “will consider whether to issue regulations or a policy statement on submarine cables” and “whether the issuance” of special use permits for cable maintenance “continues to be appropriate.” -- 301-713-3125 ext. 152.