MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WECT) – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Coastal Management is accepting public comments on potential changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.

The comment period was originally set to end at the end of July, but it has now been extended to 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.

The proposal includes, per the NCDEQ DCM:

• “Modifying the boundaries and timing seasonal speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (renamed as Seasonal Speed Zones or SSZs) to better align with areas characterized by elevated collision-related mortality risk;
• “Creating a Dynamic Speed Zone (DSZ) program to implement temporary mandatory speed restrictions when whales are known to be present outside active SSZs;
• “Extending the size threshold of regulated vessels to include most vessels 35 ft (10.7 m) or greater in length; and
• “Updating the speed rule’s safety deviation provision. See 87 FR 46921 (August 1, 2022).”

You can comment in writing and email the comments to DCMComments@deq.nc.gov with “North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule” in the subject line. If you would like to submit comments over mail, you can send them to Daniel Govoni, Federal Consistency Coordinator, at 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC, 28557.

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