Blue Ribbon Task Force (North Coast Study Region)

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• MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Delivers Recommendations for the North Coast Study Region
  (updated January 30, 2011)
• North Coast MPA Proposals, Special Closures Recommendation, and Evaluations
  (November 17, 2010)
• News Release: Task Force Approves Recommendations to Complete California's Open Coast Marine Protected Areas
  (October 28, 2010)
• News Release : Blue Ribbon Task Force Named For MLPA North Coast Study Region; Panel's First Meeting November 18 and 19 in Eureka (November 16, 2009)

The MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) is composed of seven public leaders selected by the secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency for their knowledge, vision, public policy experience, and diversity of professional expertise. The BRTF is responsible for:

• Overseeing a regional project to develop alternative marine protected area (MPA) proposals in California's MLPA South Coast Study Region to present to the California Fish and Game Commission,
• Preparing information and recommendations for coordinating management of MPAs with federal agencies, and
• Providing direction for expenditure of private funds

The BRTF also provides direction in the face of uncertainty, while meeting the objectives of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). The chair of the task force oversees the work of the executive director of the MLPA Initiative, works with the director of the California Department of Fish and Game to convene a stakeholder group, and serves as the principal link between the BRTF and MLPA Initiative staff. BRTF members also serve as liaisons to the regional stakeholder group.