The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will consider the Lake Erie Quadrangle for national marine sanctuary designation until Feb. 22, 2026, according to a news release issued Thursday.

NOAA determined it meets the 11 criteria for the sanctuary nomination process following a five-year review.

The proposed marine sanctuary would preserve the scenic beauty, biodiversity, historical connections and economic productivity for 759 square miles of Lake Erie. The main goal of the designation is to preserve and protect known and undiscovered shipwrecks in both the United States and Canada, the news release said.

The county first submitted its application for the nomination Dec. 31, 2015. NOAA accepted the application in February 2016.

“I’m thrilled our nomination will remain under consideration because long-term, comprehensive conservation of this Great Lake is critical for our economy to thrive today and for future generations," said Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie County Executive, in a news release. "We must act as responsible stewards of this special resource.”

The National Marine Sanctuary System was established in 1972. The existing network consists of 14 sites from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic coast through Pacific.