Federal and State Efforts to Make Nantucket Sound a National Marine Sanctuary

In 2003, the Center for Coastal Studies released a report examining the efforts of federal and state officials during the 70s and 80s to fully protect all of Nantucket Sound. I have posted this report to my web site to make the findings widely available.

In the 70s, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made all of Nantucket Sound a protected ocean sanctuary. The Massachusetts Congressional delegation also proposed a Nantucket Sound Islands Trust that would require federal agencies to support state and local efforts conserve the land and waters of the area.

In the 80s, the federal government gained control over the "donut hole" in the center of the sound, opening it up for potential development. In the meantime, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts responded by formally petitioning the federal government to make all of Nantucket Sound a National Marine Sanctuary, providing federal funding and full protection of the area.

Two federal agencies and even a scientific panel endorsed the petition, among the first to propose “ecosystem based” management of important coastal areas. The proposed Nantucket Sound National Marine Sanctuary was endorsed by local groups, tribes, and newspapers and some proposed making it larger. Many thought it would happen.

However, the entire Sanctuary program faced opposition in Washington. Efforts to create sanctuaries were being opposed by energy companies and developers. While Nantucket Sound made it to the list of National Sanctuary candidate sites and was determined to be worthy of national protection, only a handful of nominations have advanced. Today there is a moratorium on new Sanctuary designations.

Congressman Bill Delahunt

• Review of State and Federal Marine Protection of the Ecological Resources of Nantucket Sound, Center for Coastal Studies. Click here


• Appendix A: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Petition to Nominate Nantucket Sound As a National Marine Sanctuary. Click here


• Appendix B: "State Fights for Control of Nantucket" Source: Cape Cod Times. Click here


• Appendix C: Boston Globe Endorsement of Nantucket Sound Sanctuary. Click here


• Appendix D: National Marine Sanctuary Site Evaluations, Recommendations, and Final Reports. Click here


• Appendix E: NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program Site Evaluation List Nantucket Sound. Click here


• Appendix F: Congressional Research Service Report: Nantucket Sound As a Proposed Marine Sanctuary Listing. Click here


• Appendix G: Nantucket Sound Islands Trust Legislative Proposal To Protect Waters and Lands Around Nantucket Sound. Submitted By Congressman Gerry E. Studds. Click here