(NOAA). Regional teams of marine scientists identify geographically representative sites for potential marine sanctuaries. NOAA then selects candidate sites and meets with state resource managers and/or the governor's staff to determine the interest level. If there is mutually satisfactory interest, the candidate sites are evaluated through a process of public and legislative review and validated by congressional, state, and territorial governments. NOAA initiates the designation by the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and a proposed management plan. Notice is published in the Federal Register. Regional meetings and public hearings are held to gather comments. Congress receives the draft statements and may conduct hearings. A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that addresses the concerns raised in the DEIS process is prepared and distributed for comment. The Secretary of Commerce, upon approval of the US President, designates the area as a National Marine Sanctuary. The US Congress and the governor of the state or territory may formally object to or appeal against the designation. List of U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific) Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific) National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (formerly Fagatele Bay) (Pacific) Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico) Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Gulf of Mexico) Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic) Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (formerly Gulf of the Farallones) (Pacific) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific) Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic) Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic) Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific) Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific) Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Atlantic) Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Great Lakes) Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Great Lakes) Proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary (Great Lakes) Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (Pacific) Notes External links Sanctuaries.noaa.gov: Official National Marine Sanctuaries website National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Sanctuary Coasts of the United States Marine Sanctuary