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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expanded the boundaries of Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (now renamed Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary to an area north and west of their previous boundaries with a final rule published on March 12, 2015. The Final Rule entered into effect on June 9, 2015. At that time, NOAA postponed the effectiveness of the discharge requirements in both 'sanctuaries' regulations with regard to U.S. Coast Guard activities for six months, which has since been extended. Upon request by U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would allow the following U.S. Coast Guard discharges within part or all of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary: untreated vessel sewage, vessel graywater that does not meet the definition of clean as defined by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and ammunition and pyrotechnics (flare) materials used in U.S. Coast Guard training exercises for use of force and search and rescue. Concurrently with this proposed rule, NOAA is publishing a notice to extend the postponement of the discharge requirements for U.S. Coast Guard activities in the expansion areas of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary for one year to provide adequate time for completion of a final environmental assessment and final rule, if appropriate. This extension will end on December 9, 2018, or 30 days after publication of a final rule, whichever comes first.