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It
was just over a year ago that I started, once again, making regular
trips to the very special communities of California’s north coast. As a
kid on vacation from a small rural community in the Central Valley, I
always felt very comfortable and at home in these coastal communities.
Memories of hiking incredible shoreline vistas, my first abalone dive
and the absolute certainty as a 12-year old that I had snagged bottom
at the mouth of the Klamath, only to quickly find a very different 20
pound outcome as I struggled to land my first salmon!
Although our
initial MLPA Initiative meetings would hardly be described by anyone as
“comfortable,” the north coast communities have given this planning
process a chance to show that we are trying to implement this law in
the most open and equitable way possible, while honoring the unique
nature of California’s north coast. It was a very significant moment
last week for those of us serving as your MLPA Initiative staff to be
able to join with local stakeholders in the planning of recreational
activities and a community potluck on April 19.
The commitment and positive energy of all involved gives me great
confidence that we will succeed in crafting a marine protected areas
solution that respects all interests in the north coast. Now that the
MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group has received evaluations of
the eight Round 1 draft MPA arrays developed by north coast community groups, I believe we’re continuing what was a great start by those groups.
I am very encouraged about our progress to date and look forward to the
upcoming NCRSG work sessions where we will be able to watch the Round 2
draft proposals begin to blossom and grow.
~Ken Wiseman, Executive Director
Blue Ribbon Task Force
March 1-2, 2010
On March 1, the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force held its third meeting in Fort Bragg. During this meeting, the task force:
- Received
science presentations on water quality and on the use of commercial and
recreational fishing data in the design and evaluation of marine
protected areas (MPAs)
- Received an update on Round 1 external proposed MPA arrays submitted by community groups
- Reviewed
policy direction that had been provided in previous study regions and
confirmed its applicability to the MLPA North Coast Study Region
The
task force also discussed additional policy direction specific to the
north coast. During this discussion, the task force received California Department of Fish and Game and California Department of Parks and Recreation input
on the state decision-making context related to tribal uses of marine
resources. To ensure the task force had adequate time to fully discuss
policy direction specific to tribal traditional uses, a subsequent
meeting via teleconference and webinar was scheduled for Thursday,
March 18.
On
March 2, the task force participated in a field trip of the central
part of Mendocino County’s coastline, beginning in Westport and
concluding at Albion River Campground.
March 18, 2010
The task force’s fourth meeting was held on March 18 via
teleconference/webinar. During this meeting, the task force discussed
additional policy direction and legal guidance for the north coast
related to tribal and tribal community uses of marine resources. The
task force guidance included direction for NCRSG members and California
tribes and tribal communities to:
- Continue sharing information with one another;
- Avoid siting MPAs in locations of high priority for California tribes and tribal communities; and
- Where MPAs are sited in locations where tribal activities occur, allow for these uses in SMCAs or SMPs.
The
task force noted that, consistent with California Department of Fish
and Game authorities and policy, allowed uses should be proposed that
apply to all Californians. The task force also noted this guidance is
intended to complement other guidance that have previously been
provided. The task force also discussed potential long-term solutions
that may be pursued outside of the MLPA Initiative’s planning process;
these potential solutions will be further discussed in an April 9
meeting between the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG),
California Department of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks)
and California tribes and tribal communities.
The task force's next meeting is schedule for May 3-4 in Crescent City.
Science Advisory Team
March 16-17, 2010
On March 16-17, the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT) held
its fifth meeting in Eureka. SAT members voted to approve all
evaluation results of Round 1 external proposed marine protected area (MPA) arrays, including those for:
The SAT also approved the evaluation methods
document chapters for habitat replication, water quality, and marine
birds and marine mammals. Finally, the SAT approved the species likely
to benefit (SLTB) list, the SLTB criteria document, and the draft
responses to science questions. The next SAT meeting will held via
teleconference and webinar on May 12, 2010.
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North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
February 25, 2010
On February 25, the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (NCRSG)
held its second meeting via teleconference and webinar. During this
meeting, NCRSG members and MLPA Initiative staff discussed the February
19, 2010 MLPA Initiative memorandum
summarizing anticipated legal guidance from DFG and California Fish and
Game Commission staff regarding how California tribal and tribal
community marine resource uses should be addressed in the MPA planning
process.
NCRSG members discussed and revised
draft text for a proposed NCRSG recommendation to the BRTF regarding
tribal and tribal community marine resource uses. Following the
meeting, the proposed language was electronically sent to the NCRSG,
and members were asked to vote on whether they supported the proposed
NCRSG recommendation to the BRTF. The results of the vote (28-yes,
3-no, 3-abstain) and the recommendation were presented to the BRTF at
its March 1-2, 2010 meeting, which helped inform the BRTF’s
deliberations.
March 24-25, 2010
On March 24-25, the NCRSG participated in its third meeting in Crescent
City. NCRSG members shared their geographic areas of importance and
received a number of presentations, including:
- Overview
on Round 1 external proposed MPA arrays and the geographic overlap of
those arrays, as well as presentations by proponents for each of the 8
external arrays
- SAT
evaluation methods and evaluation results for Round 1 external proposed
MPA arrays, including habitat representation and replication, MPA size
and spacing, potential impacts to fisheries, bioeconomic models, marine
birds and mammals, and water quality
- DFG guidance, evaluation methods, evaluation of existing MLPA North Coast Study Region MPAs, and Round 1 evaluation results
- State Parks guidance, evaluation methods and Round 1 evaluation results
• MLPA goals and draft north coast regional objectives
- Preliminary
guidance for considering Goal 3 NCRSG members also received a
presentation describing, and provided feedback on, MLPA Initiative
staff guidance for Round 2 process design.
MLPA Initiative staff modified the process design to incorporate interests expressed and feedback received from NCRSG members.
The NCRSG work groups will meet in Fort Bragg on April 20-21 for their first work sessions. In addition, there will be a community potluck held in the Fort Bragg area to allow NCRSG members to get to know the community in the southern part of the study region.
Invitation to Submit North Coast Information
Interested
members of the public are invited to provide new information and/or
comments on the Regional Profile of the North Coast Study Region
(California-Oregon Border to Alder Creek in Mendocino County) with the
MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force for discussion during its meeting on May
3-4, 2010. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments
and/or to present verbal comments during the meeting.
Submissions are requested no later than April 19, 2010 for compilation and distribution to the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force. The
public is encouraged to review the regional profile and submit written
comments. Key information to include when submitting comments:
- Identify the specific section(s) on which you are commenting and/or providing supplemental information
- Indicate whether you wish to provide verbal, in-person comments at the May 3-4 meeting
The regional profile is available to view in two ways:
1. Immediately available for download on the MLPA website
2. On CD by contacting the MLPA Initiative office (MLPAOffice@resources.ca.gov or 916.654.1885)
Written comments should be submitted by April 19, 2010 in one of three ways:
1. Email to MLPAComments@resources.ca.gov
2. Fax to 916.653.8102 (Attention: MLPA Initiative)
3. Postal service to MLPA Initiative
c/o California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
For additional details, click here.
Update: Documents for Review
Update on the Strategy for Public Participation in the MLPA North Coast Study Region
The MLPA Initiative’s Strategy for Public Participation in the MLPA North Coast Study Region
identifies the various methods to be used to help ensure quality public
participation in developing recommendations the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task
Force will deliver to the California Fish and Game Commission for the
MLPA North Coast Study Region. As a result of the thoughtful input from
the north coast community, the strategy was updated and a final version
was reviewed and approved by the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force on March
1, 2010.
Public Meetings
All meetings are open to the public and are also simultaneously webcast
on the day of the meeting (field trips not included); meeting details
are available on the MLPA website. Open houses and workshops are generally not videotaped or webcast.
To
the extent possible, public participation locations are also set up in
at least one other city within the study region (Crescent City, Eureka
and/or Fort Bragg) to provide members of the public with a stable
Internet connection for the webcast and the opportunity to provide
comments during the public comment period(s).
All
meeting agendas are posted to the MLPA website at least one week in
advance of the meeting. Meeting materials are posted as soon as they
become available. In addition to the simultaneous webcast of meetings,
the video and audio archives are posted online within two days of each meeting.
May 3-4, 2010
Blue Ribbon Task Force
Elk Valley Rancheria Community Center
2332 Howland Hill Road
Crescent City, CA 95531
Additional public participation location:
C.V. Starr Community Center
300 S. Lincoln Boulevard
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
If
you live in the Eureka/Arcata area and are interested in helping to
manage a local public participation site, please contact Kelly Sayce at
707-832-4088.
May 12, 2010
Science Advisory Team
Teleconference/Webinar
Staffed public participation locations will be announced soon for
Crescent City, Eureka, Fort Bragg, Sacramento, Santa Barbara and Los
Alamitos.
Work Sessions
Work sessions provide NCRSG members with focused, face-to-face
opportunities to pursue their charge of developing alternative MPA
proposals. NCRSG work sessions are not formal public meetings and are
not videotaped or webcast. All work sessions are open to members of the
public, who may attend as observers; while there is not formal public
comment, there are informal opportunities for members of the public to
share their perspectives with NCRSG members and MLPA Initiative staff.
To help create a “safe space” for NCRSG members to explore possible MPA
ideas, the public will not be permitted to videotape, audiotape or take
pictures of work sessions.
April 20-21, 2010
North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
Work Session
C.V. Starr Community Center
300 S. Lincoln Boulevard
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
May 19-20, 2010
North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
Work Session and Meeting
Elk Valley Rancheria Community Center
2332 Howland Hill Road
Crescent City, CA 95531
Community Events
North Coast Community Potluck
(click here for event flyer)
Monday, April 19
Learn more about the MLPA and get to know the NCRSG members!
4-8 p.m (drop by anytime!)
Caspar Community Center
15051 Caspar Road
Caspar, CA 95420-0114
(707) 964-4997
www.casparcommons.org
Join
the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (NCRSG) and MLPA
Initiative staff at the Caspar Community Center for a delicious potluck
dinner. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the potluck – feel
free to bring your favorite dish or select from the list of suggested
items. Need ideas for what to bring? If your last name starts with:
- A – G: Bring a side dish (such as potato salad or green salad)
- H – P: Bring an appetizer (such as chips and salsa or a veggie tray)
- Q – Z: Bring dessert (such as cookies or pudding)
Please
bring your own beverages and, if possible, utensils and plate! Drop by
to learn about the MLPA, meet the NCRSG and share ideas with your
stakeholder representatives.
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Can members of the public still submit MPA and array ideas to the MLPA Initiative?
Yes,
the public can still submit MPA ideas throughout the three rounds of
MPA planning in the north coast study region. Community groups were
encouraged in Round 1 of the MPA planning process
to submit MPA “arrays” for the study region that could then be
evaluated and used by a regional stakeholder group for developing draft
MPA proposals; eight MPA arrays were submitted in February. The MLPA
North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (NCRSG) is now beginning to
develop draft MPA proposals for Round 2 of the planning process.
The
public is encouraged to submit MPA ideas to be considered by the NCRSG
in its deliberations. There are a number of ways to share information,
including: designing MPAs using MarineMap (the online mapping tool),
submitting written public comments, or presenting verbal public
comments at MLPA meetings.
Any
member of the public can set up a MarineMap account by registering at
http://northcoast.marinemap.org/ (click on "register" in the upper
right-hand corner). With a MarineMap account, anyone can create MPAs
and share those ideas with the NCRSG by using the "share" function. If
you are having difficulties registering or sharing ideas within
MarineMap, please send an email to help@marinemap.org.
Members of the public can also share ideas via written public comment (MLPAComments@resources.ca.gov) or verbally at public meetings.
MPAs ideas shared by the public will be considered by the NCRSG as it
develops draft MPA proposals in Round 2 (ends May 20, 2010) and Round 3
(ends August 31, 2010) of the north coast MPA planning process. It is
helpful to submit ideas early in the process so that NCRSG members have
time to integrate new ideas and learn from those ideas during the
evaluations of Round 2. The results of Round 3 evaluations will be used
to inform the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force’s recommendation to the
California Fish and Game Commission.
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The
success of the MLPA largely depends on the continued involvement of the
public. There are a number of ways that members of the public can
participate in this process:
Have you contacted your regional stakeholder group members?
Share your questions and concerns with the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (NCRSG) members.
Composed of your local representatives, the NCRSG is charged with
drafting marine protected area (MPA) recommendations for the north
coast segment of California’s statewide MPA network. Contact an NCRSG
member today and ensure your voice is included in the MPA planning
process.
Stay informed
Provide feedback
Providing feedback is one of the most important ways to get involved in
the MLPA Initiative. Public comment provided at meetings should be
concise and focused on specific ideas or suggestions (click here
for suggested guidelines for providing public comment). While the time
available for verbal comments at meetings is usually limited, there is
no limit on the length of comments submitted in writing. All written
comments can be submitted via email, mail or fax (click here to view north coast written public comments submitted to date):
Email: MLPAComments@resources.ca.gov
Mail: Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
c/o California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916.653.8102
All
written comments are compiled on a weekly basis and distributed to the
I-Team and MLPA Initiative groups (BRTF, NCRSG and SAT as appropriate).
Please do not send comments to SAT or BRTF members directly.
Specific opportunities to provide input include:
Spread the word
- Circulate North Coast News
to help ensure others in your community are aware of the MLPA
Initiative, upcoming meetings and opportunities for public involvement
- If
you are a leader in your community and/or have access to a large number
of constituents, become a “Key Communicator.” Contact the Public
Outreach and Education Team via email or call 707-832-4088 to learn more.
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