Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Task Force Approves North Coast Marine Protected Area Recommendations
Here is the press release from the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Task Force regarding the unified Marine Protected Area Proposal for California's North Coast.
"The MPA proposal, developed by the 33-member north coast regional stakeholder group (NCRSG), will be presented to the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) together with a modified enhanced compliance alternative MPA proposal and other recommendations on February 2, 2011 in Sacramento," according to the release.
The initiative is extremely controversial, since it is funded by a private corporation, the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation. Fishermen, Tribes and environmentalists have criticized the Blue Ribbon Ribbon Task Force that oversees the process for numerous conflicts and violations of state, federal and international laws. The task force includes an oil industry lobbyist, marina developer and real estate executive.
The unified proposal was the first of its kind in this initiative, since multiple proposals with varying levels of "protection" were submitted to the Commission during the Central Coast, North Central Coast and South Coast MLPA processes.
"The MPA proposal, developed by the 33-member north coast regional stakeholder group (NCRSG), will be presented to the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) together with a modified enhanced compliance alternative MPA proposal and other recommendations on February 2, 2011 in Sacramento," according to the release.
The initiative is extremely controversial, since it is funded by a private corporation, the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation. Fishermen, Tribes and environmentalists have criticized the Blue Ribbon Ribbon Task Force that oversees the process for numerous conflicts and violations of state, federal and international laws. The task force includes an oil industry lobbyist, marina developer and real estate executive.
The unified proposal was the first of its kind in this initiative, since multiple proposals with varying levels of "protection" were submitted to the Commission during the Central Coast, North Central Coast and South Coast MLPA processes.
California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
October 28, 2010
CONTACT: Annie Reisewitz, MLPA Initiative
(858) 228-0526
Task Force Approves Recommendations to Complete California’s Open Coast Marine Protected Areas
A unanimous recommendation forwards a community-based marine protected area proposal to the California Fish and Game Commission
Fortuna - The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) unanimously voted this week to forward a community-based marine protected area (MPA) proposal for the north coast. The MPA proposal, developed by the 33-member north coast regional stakeholder group (NCRSG), will be presented to the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) together with a modified enhanced compliance alternative MPA proposal and other recommendations on February 2, 2011 in Sacramento.
“The task force decision honors the hard work and compromises made by the regional stakeholder group,” said Cindy Gustafson, chair of the BRTF. “We also adopted an alternative proposal that does not alter the placement of MPAs developed by the stakeholders, but strengthens the level of ocean protection to be consistent with other regions in the state while considering the unique environmental conditions and important cultural and socioeconomic interests specific to the north coast.”
The MPA proposal and modified enhanced compliance alternative are based on the efforts of the NCRSG, a group composed of individuals representing a broad range of interest and in-depth knowledge about local resources. The NCRSG was tasked with evaluating existing MPAs and developing alternative MPA proposals in the north coast study region, from the California-Oregon border to Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County. Members of the NCRSG help ensure that multiple perspectives are heard in the MLPA Initiative’s MPA planning process. Maps and descriptions of the MPA proposal and modified enhanced compliance alternative will be posted to the MLPA website in the coming weeks.
In August the NCRSG forwarded a single MPA proposal for the north coast, identified as the Round 3 NCRSG MPA Proposal, to the BRTF. The Round 3 Proposal was developed after more than a year of formal meetings, numerous informal meetings, public input, and evaluations and analyses from a science advisory team, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and MLPA Initiative staff.
“I’m extremely proud of the stakeholder group for accomplishing their task with great integrity and consideration for the entire north coast region and all ocean users,” said Ken Wiseman, executive director of the MLPA Initiative. “The stakeholders did a tremendous job of working together as a community in this science-based public process.”
In addition to the NCRSG MPA proposal and modified enhanced compliance alternative MPA proposal, the BRTF adopted two additional recommendations related to traditional tribal uses in the north coast region and recognizing a tribal use category within MPAs, a recommendation for the state to seek co-management partnerships between sister agencies and California tribes and tribal communities, and a recommendation to retain existing MPAs at MacKerricher, Russian Gulch and Van Damme state parks.
Led by Chair Cindy Gustafson, the eight-member BRTF comprises public leaders with experience in addressing complex public policy issues. Appointed by the Secretary for Natural Resources, members of the BRTF were charged with overseeing the north coast study region planning process and providing its recommendations to the FGC.
Proposal 0, which is the existing MPAs in the study region, was also used as a baseline. The FGC and DFG will include Proposal 0 as the “no project” alternative during the state regulatory and environmental review processes. The commission’s process to adopt north coast MPAs is expected to take about one year and includes numerous opportunities for public input.
California has three types of MPAs - marine conservation areas, marine parks and marine reserves - that are utilized in the proposals as part of an ecosystem-based approach to protecting valuable marine life and critical habitats. In addition, several state marine recreational management areas (SMRMAs) are proposed along with the MPAs. Allowed activities vary greatly among the three types of MPAs and SMRMAs, ranging from limiting certain types of commercial and recreational activities to establishing no-take areas; public access is allowed in all four. The proposed MPAs and SMRMAs do not restrict public access or non-consumptive recreational enjoyment, such as boating, swimming, diving or kayaking.
In 1999 the state enacted the MLPA, which directs the state to reexamine and redesign California’s system of marine protected areas with the goal of increasing its coherence and effectiveness at protecting the state’s marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems.
Making recommendations for MPAs along the north coast, utilizing the best readily available science and the advice of stakeholders, is one of a number of steps being taken in California to implement the MLPA, which is part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ocean Action Plan. To achieve this goal, the California Natural Resources Agency and DFG partnered with the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation to establish the MLPA Initiative, a public-private partnership designed to help the state implement the MLPA, guided by the advice of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
For more information about the MLPA Initiative, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.
####
October 28, 2010
CONTACT: Annie Reisewitz, MLPA Initiative
(858) 228-0526
Task Force Approves Recommendations to Complete California’s Open Coast Marine Protected Areas
A unanimous recommendation forwards a community-based marine protected area proposal to the California Fish and Game Commission
Fortuna - The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) unanimously voted this week to forward a community-based marine protected area (MPA) proposal for the north coast. The MPA proposal, developed by the 33-member north coast regional stakeholder group (NCRSG), will be presented to the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) together with a modified enhanced compliance alternative MPA proposal and other recommendations on February 2, 2011 in Sacramento.
“The task force decision honors the hard work and compromises made by the regional stakeholder group,” said Cindy Gustafson, chair of the BRTF. “We also adopted an alternative proposal that does not alter the placement of MPAs developed by the stakeholders, but strengthens the level of ocean protection to be consistent with other regions in the state while considering the unique environmental conditions and important cultural and socioeconomic interests specific to the north coast.”
The MPA proposal and modified enhanced compliance alternative are based on the efforts of the NCRSG, a group composed of individuals representing a broad range of interest and in-depth knowledge about local resources. The NCRSG was tasked with evaluating existing MPAs and developing alternative MPA proposals in the north coast study region, from the California-Oregon border to Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County. Members of the NCRSG help ensure that multiple perspectives are heard in the MLPA Initiative’s MPA planning process. Maps and descriptions of the MPA proposal and modified enhanced compliance alternative will be posted to the MLPA website in the coming weeks.
In August the NCRSG forwarded a single MPA proposal for the north coast, identified as the Round 3 NCRSG MPA Proposal, to the BRTF. The Round 3 Proposal was developed after more than a year of formal meetings, numerous informal meetings, public input, and evaluations and analyses from a science advisory team, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and MLPA Initiative staff.
“I’m extremely proud of the stakeholder group for accomplishing their task with great integrity and consideration for the entire north coast region and all ocean users,” said Ken Wiseman, executive director of the MLPA Initiative. “The stakeholders did a tremendous job of working together as a community in this science-based public process.”
In addition to the NCRSG MPA proposal and modified enhanced compliance alternative MPA proposal, the BRTF adopted two additional recommendations related to traditional tribal uses in the north coast region and recognizing a tribal use category within MPAs, a recommendation for the state to seek co-management partnerships between sister agencies and California tribes and tribal communities, and a recommendation to retain existing MPAs at MacKerricher, Russian Gulch and Van Damme state parks.
Led by Chair Cindy Gustafson, the eight-member BRTF comprises public leaders with experience in addressing complex public policy issues. Appointed by the Secretary for Natural Resources, members of the BRTF were charged with overseeing the north coast study region planning process and providing its recommendations to the FGC.
Proposal 0, which is the existing MPAs in the study region, was also used as a baseline. The FGC and DFG will include Proposal 0 as the “no project” alternative during the state regulatory and environmental review processes. The commission’s process to adopt north coast MPAs is expected to take about one year and includes numerous opportunities for public input.
California has three types of MPAs - marine conservation areas, marine parks and marine reserves - that are utilized in the proposals as part of an ecosystem-based approach to protecting valuable marine life and critical habitats. In addition, several state marine recreational management areas (SMRMAs) are proposed along with the MPAs. Allowed activities vary greatly among the three types of MPAs and SMRMAs, ranging from limiting certain types of commercial and recreational activities to establishing no-take areas; public access is allowed in all four. The proposed MPAs and SMRMAs do not restrict public access or non-consumptive recreational enjoyment, such as boating, swimming, diving or kayaking.
In 1999 the state enacted the MLPA, which directs the state to reexamine and redesign California’s system of marine protected areas with the goal of increasing its coherence and effectiveness at protecting the state’s marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems.
Making recommendations for MPAs along the north coast, utilizing the best readily available science and the advice of stakeholders, is one of a number of steps being taken in California to implement the MLPA, which is part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ocean Action Plan. To achieve this goal, the California Natural Resources Agency and DFG partnered with the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation to establish the MLPA Initiative, a public-private partnership designed to help the state implement the MLPA, guided by the advice of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
For more information about the MLPA Initiative, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.
####
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
The MLPA initiative prospers from a gruellling process of stakeholder participation. We should applaud this accomplishment not disparage it as has been done ad nauseoum by Mr. Bacher. His view is so parochial so conflicted by special interest as to have no creditability.
Congratulations to all the participants who worked so conscionably to make this landmark achievement - Years from now all will be grateful for their work.
Congratulations to all the participants who worked so conscionably to make this landmark achievement - Years from now all will be grateful for their work.
For more information:
http://www.pelicannetwork.net
This press release from the MLPA is absolute B.S.
The MLPA does not protect the marine environment from anything. All it has done is to illegally try to alter Article 1, Section 25 of the California State Constitution - which guarantees all Californians equal access to ocean food resource gathering.
Since the 1999 MLPA vote by the CA Legislature, our state has enacted the most stringent fishing restrictions in the world, to the point there is already virtually no fishing at all in state waters. How many fishing boats do you see going out of Fort Bragg? Answer - virtually none.
Right now you cannot throw a hook in the water anywhere off our coast. And yet this small group of well funded scientists and public policy wonks want to close off vast areas of our public commons forever. And this without offering any mentioned protection from oil and gas exploration and drilling, wave and wind energy installations, fish farms, onshore development, or military maneuvers.
And in what is perhaps one of the greatest frauds of our lifetimes, the MLPAI has called themselves an "Initiative" - a word which means specifically the process by which the people may petition in order to initiate legislation. (See: http://ag.ca.gov/initiatives/faq.php & http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/how-to-qualify-an-initiative.htm
While operating under this misnomer, they have unnecessarily created the worst division and strife in our coastal communities in recent memory.
The MLPA does not protect the marine environment from anything. All it has done is to illegally try to alter Article 1, Section 25 of the California State Constitution - which guarantees all Californians equal access to ocean food resource gathering.
Since the 1999 MLPA vote by the CA Legislature, our state has enacted the most stringent fishing restrictions in the world, to the point there is already virtually no fishing at all in state waters. How many fishing boats do you see going out of Fort Bragg? Answer - virtually none.
Right now you cannot throw a hook in the water anywhere off our coast. And yet this small group of well funded scientists and public policy wonks want to close off vast areas of our public commons forever. And this without offering any mentioned protection from oil and gas exploration and drilling, wave and wind energy installations, fish farms, onshore development, or military maneuvers.
And in what is perhaps one of the greatest frauds of our lifetimes, the MLPAI has called themselves an "Initiative" - a word which means specifically the process by which the people may petition in order to initiate legislation. (See: http://ag.ca.gov/initiatives/faq.php & http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/how-to-qualify-an-initiative.htm
While operating under this misnomer, they have unnecessarily created the worst division and strife in our coastal communities in recent memory.
Size and Spacing: The Credulity Gap
Credulity is a state of willingness to believe in one or many people or things in the absence of reasonable proof or knowledge; i.e. MLPA proponents
Credibility
adjective
1. capable of being believed; believable: a credible statement.
2. worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy: a credible witness.
That's the Dan Bacher I know, author of at least a million chapter march.
Creditability
adjective
bringing or deserving credit, honor, reputation, or esteem.
We did our best and we did our worst. David Gurney's comment is accurate also.
The last day of the BRTF had a beautiful closing moment honoring everyone.
"It is a bogus law, and you all have worked so hard. It's not your fault it is a bad law".
Eloquently spoken by a Wiyot Tribal member before she ended the meeting with a closing blessing in a song.
http://www.albionharbor.org/audiotakes/endMotions_PublicComment_Oct26th.mp3
Tomas DiFiore
AHRA Bored Member
Credulity is a state of willingness to believe in one or many people or things in the absence of reasonable proof or knowledge; i.e. MLPA proponents
Credibility
adjective
1. capable of being believed; believable: a credible statement.
2. worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy: a credible witness.
That's the Dan Bacher I know, author of at least a million chapter march.
Creditability
adjective
bringing or deserving credit, honor, reputation, or esteem.
We did our best and we did our worst. David Gurney's comment is accurate also.
The last day of the BRTF had a beautiful closing moment honoring everyone.
"It is a bogus law, and you all have worked so hard. It's not your fault it is a bad law".
Eloquently spoken by a Wiyot Tribal member before she ended the meeting with a closing blessing in a song.
http://www.albionharbor.org/audiotakes/endMotions_PublicComment_Oct26th.mp3
Tomas DiFiore
AHRA Bored Member
For more information:
http://www.albionharbor.org
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$65.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network