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Chesbro testifies for North Coast MLPA proposal at Fish & Game hearing
Below is the press release from Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro regarding the hearing held on the North Coast Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process on the North Coast.
After 70 people including Tribal leaders, fishermen, environmentalists and elected officials spoke, the Commission moved the unified North Coast MLPA proposal, including provisions for continued traditional tribal gathering along the coast, forward. The Commission directed staff to follow the guidance provided at the beginning of the meeting by John Laird, Natural Resources Secretary, to work to identify a path forward that would respect continued tribal traditional uses in North Coast marine protected areas.
"Nothing is final until it's final," said Thomas O'Rourke, chair of the Yurok Tribal Council, after the meeting. "We are as comfortable as we can be in this stage of the process."
He emphasized in his testimony, "The Tribe doesn't endorse the unified proposal, but it accepts the proposal."
A group of environmentalists, seaweed harvesters, fishermen and Tribal representatives also spoke in favor of Option Zero, a proposal to keep the fishing regulations as they are now, and asking the Commission to include it in the CEQA review.
A complete report on the Commission meeting will be forthcoming.
After 70 people including Tribal leaders, fishermen, environmentalists and elected officials spoke, the Commission moved the unified North Coast MLPA proposal, including provisions for continued traditional tribal gathering along the coast, forward. The Commission directed staff to follow the guidance provided at the beginning of the meeting by John Laird, Natural Resources Secretary, to work to identify a path forward that would respect continued tribal traditional uses in North Coast marine protected areas.
"Nothing is final until it's final," said Thomas O'Rourke, chair of the Yurok Tribal Council, after the meeting. "We are as comfortable as we can be in this stage of the process."
He emphasized in his testimony, "The Tribe doesn't endorse the unified proposal, but it accepts the proposal."
A group of environmentalists, seaweed harvesters, fishermen and Tribal representatives also spoke in favor of Option Zero, a proposal to keep the fishing regulations as they are now, and asking the Commission to include it in the CEQA review.
A complete report on the Commission meeting will be forthcoming.
First Assembly District
Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2011
Contact: Andrew Bird, Chesbro communications director, (916) 319-2001
Tom Weseloh, Legislative Fisheries Committee consultant, (707) 445-7014
Chesbro: Local, unified MLPA proposal ‘deserves to be supported’
1st District Assemblymember testifies for North Coast at Fish & Game hearing
SACRAMENTO – Telling members of the California Fish and Game Commission “the North Coast Unified Plan is unprecedented and deserves to be supported,” First District Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) today testified in support of the local proposal to implement the Marine Life Protection Act on the North Coast.
Chesbro gave the testimony this morning at a meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission, which was considering the proposed North Coast Marine Protected Area for the first time.
“The North Coast Regional Stakeholders Group accomplished what no other region has been able to do – generate a single Unified Array proposal,” Chesbro said. “The Unified Array is an unprecedented accomplishment and provides a wonderful opportunity for this Commission to also act in unity. On behalf of the overwhelming consensus on the North Coast, I urge you to support our community’s request.”
Chesbro also told Commissioners that additional concessions must be made to protect the traditional fishing and gathering rights of North Coast tribes.
“These tribes are willing to work with you to administratively resolve these issues in order to provide support for the Unified Array,” Chesbro said.
Today’s meeting was the first step in the lengthy process of the Fish and Game Commission’s implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act on the North Coast. The Unified Array proposal will be considered further at subsequent meetings of the Commission this year.
###
Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2011
Contact: Andrew Bird, Chesbro communications director, (916) 319-2001
Tom Weseloh, Legislative Fisheries Committee consultant, (707) 445-7014
Chesbro: Local, unified MLPA proposal ‘deserves to be supported’
1st District Assemblymember testifies for North Coast at Fish & Game hearing
SACRAMENTO – Telling members of the California Fish and Game Commission “the North Coast Unified Plan is unprecedented and deserves to be supported,” First District Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) today testified in support of the local proposal to implement the Marine Life Protection Act on the North Coast.
Chesbro gave the testimony this morning at a meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission, which was considering the proposed North Coast Marine Protected Area for the first time.
“The North Coast Regional Stakeholders Group accomplished what no other region has been able to do – generate a single Unified Array proposal,” Chesbro said. “The Unified Array is an unprecedented accomplishment and provides a wonderful opportunity for this Commission to also act in unity. On behalf of the overwhelming consensus on the North Coast, I urge you to support our community’s request.”
Chesbro also told Commissioners that additional concessions must be made to protect the traditional fishing and gathering rights of North Coast tribes.
“These tribes are willing to work with you to administratively resolve these issues in order to provide support for the Unified Array,” Chesbro said.
Today’s meeting was the first step in the lengthy process of the Fish and Game Commission’s implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act on the North Coast. The Unified Array proposal will be considered further at subsequent meetings of the Commission this year.
###
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