Chesbro calls for 6 month delay of North Coast MLPA process

Chesbro calls for 6 month delay of North Coast MLPA process

by Dan Bacher

Citing concerns about how the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is being implemented on the North Coast, Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) announced on August 9 that he is calling for a six month delay in the implementation of the MLPA on the North Coast.

Chesbro, the chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, has asked California Resources Secretary Lester Snow to delay the controversial process for at least six months to “ensure that environmental protection is balanced with traditional access rights.” Chesbro made the request in a recent meeting with Snow, according to a news release from Chesbro’s office.

Opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s MLPA Initiative by a diverse array of groups has mushroomed into the largest grassroots political movement of any kind on the North Coast since Redwood Summer of 1990.

On July 21, over 300 people, including tribal members from 50 Indian nations, immigrant sea urchin industry workers, recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, seaweed harvesters and grass roots environmentalists, peacefully took control of a meeting of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force in Fort Bragg in defense of tribal gathering rights and against the MLPA’s domination by oil industry and other corporate interests.

“I have met with Resources Secretary Lester Snow and strongly urged him to slow down the process and that no action be taken by the Blue Ribbon Task Force for at least six months to allow more time to develop a plan that protects marine life and balances the access rights of traditional user groups,” Chesbro said. “I am confident that given enough time we can develop a workable solution between the fishing community, North Coast tribes and environmentalists.”

“There has already been some movement in this direction. This is something that cannot be rushed,” Chesbro stated.

Since the day he took office in 2008, Chesbro has been a "fierce critic" of the process Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has employed to implement the MLPA, according to the release. Chesbro has been resolute in his demand that access rights of traditional user groups such as fishermen and the tribes be protected.

“It is imperative that the implementation process be driven by local participation,” Chesbro concluded. “The plan that is developed must be supported by those most affected by it. To that end, the North Coast needs more time for all the stakeholders to work out among themselves the best possible solutions.”

Tribal members and fishermen praised Chesbro for calling for a delay in the implementation of the MLPA Initiative.

“My first reaction to Chesbro’s announcement is that he is on the right track and that we’re finally hearing the right kind of things from our legislators about the MLPA,” said Georgiana Myers, organizer for the Coastal Justice Coalition and Yurok Tribal member. “He’s absolutely right in asking for a delay in the process.”

“We’re encouraged by this and hope that Chesbro’s request is granted,” continued Myers. “I think that only time will tell whether this happens – and I hope that Snow will agree."

“I don’t think this request would have happened without the rally, march and many speeches that were given by Tribal members and their allies at the Blue Ribbon Task Force meeting in Fort Bragg on July 21,” Myers emphasized.

"As a Tribal North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group member, I am very happy to receive such a recommendation from Assemblyman Chesbro," said Atta P. Stevenson of the Inter-Tribal Water Commission of California. "But ultimately it is up to the state whether the Governor will reconsider his time frame for the MLPAI. At least the legality of traditional Tribal non-commerical fishing and gathering rights are now being discussed in open forums, where they were once silent regarding Tribes at all."

"Tribes have been adamant in their discussions that we are not 'recreational,' therefore our perspectives are not validated nor acknowledged," Stevenson stated. "We cannot wait and see but must take the lead in whatever venue is open to us."

"We support Chesbro's call for a six month extension," said Jim Martin, West Coast Regional Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. "The MLPA Initiative has been rushed in every region, but never as rushed as in the North Coast Region."

Martin said he was looking forward to the Joint Legislative Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture hearings on the MLPA Initiative that Chesbro is calling for this fall.

I am still waiting for a response to Chesbro’s announcement from Resources Secretary Lester Snow. Schwarzenegger appointed Snow as Resources Secretary on February 1, 2010 to replace Secretary Mike Chrisman.

I urge everybody to sign this petition to the State of California to acknowledge and include Tribal traditional uses within state regulations for marine protected areas of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. Go to the Inter-Tribal Water Commission of California website: http://www.itwatercommission.org. There is a link at the bottom of the posting that goes to: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/protect-traditional-lifeways-in-the-marine-life-protection-act/

For more information about the Coastal Justice Coalition, go to: http://www.klamathjustice.blogspot.com.