As
bleak as many parts of the state's economy appear, we are fortunate
that the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative's planning budget
has not been directly impacted by the state's fiscal crisis.
Thankfully, the MLPA Initiative public-private partnership remains
strong, enabling us to supplement state resources and to continue
redesigning California’s system of marine protected areas. This
commitment was recently confirmed by Secretary for Natural Resources
Mike Chrisman in a letter dated January 29, 2009. Our
public-private partnership has helped the MLPA Initiative weather the
surrounding financial storm, allowing us to move forward with the
planning process in the south coast study region. I wish to commend our
stakeholders, scientists and members of the public for their resolve
and fortitude to complete our process during these challenging times. I
also want to recognize the tremendous efforts of those MLPA staff
members subject to the state work furlough who continue to meet the
needs of the MLPA Initiative process despite their reduced hours and
pay.
All of us hope our economy is on the mend. Thanks to each of you for your support and continuing involvement.
~Ken Wiseman, Executive Director
A complete list of upcoming meeting dates through December 2009 can be found on the MLPA Initiative website.
Blue Ribbon Task Force
Agenda & Meeting Materials
On
January 22, 2009, the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) held its
fourth public meeting via webinar and conference call. The BRTF
directed the MLPA staff to:
- Continue
discussions regarding military use areas and a proposal to avoid
designating marine protected areas (MPAs) in those areas.
- The
task force requested that a full discussion of this issue take place at
its February 26 meeting, including presentations from the U.S.
Department of Defense and the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team,
as well as input from stakeholders and members of the public.
- The
task force requested additional information prior to providing any
guidance to the stakeholders regarding how military use areas will be
considered in the MPA planning process.
- Continue
the agenda item regarding MLPA contractors and their scopes of work.
Task force members will review the document staff prepared for
discussion in February.
- Provide a written report on the status of federal and state coordination recommendations for review in February.
The BRTF will meet again on Thursday February 26, 2009
in Santa Barbara: a public meeting will be held in the morning and a
tour will be taken in the afternoon (public is invited, but must
provide own transportation).
Science Advisory Team
Agenda & Meeting Materials
The fifth meeting of the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT)
took place via teleconference and webinar on January 23, 2009 and at
the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel on January 27, 2009. During this
incredibly productive meeting, SAT members:
- Reviewed
and approved evaluation methods for habitat representation and habitat
replication, birds and mammals, modeling outputs, MPA spacing
guidelines and some levels of protection. Evaluation work groups were
created for each evaluation method. Finalizing evaluation methods for
habitat quality and MPA sizing were tabled to the February 24, 2009 SAT
meeting.
- Proposed
a revised set of water quality maps to show additional information on
issues such as stormwater outflow, power plant intakes and sediment
toxicity. The SAT approved the water quality guidance document and
maps, however water quality evaluation methods have not yet been
finalized.
- Requested that the species likely to benefit work group draft a new list of species for the February 24 SAT meeting.
- Formed
a work group to provide additional information about the ecology and
connectivity patterns of the military use areas of the MPLA South Coast
Study Region (including San Nicholas, San Clemente and the Camp
Pendleton shore).
SAT
members also addressed questions from the MLPA South Coast Regional
Stakeholder Group (SCRSG), including halibut movement, and assigned
other questions dealing with water quality concerns, retention zones
and ecological features of San Clemente and San Nicolas to specific
work groups. In the future, MLPA Initiative staff will assign SCRSG
questions to SAT members or work groups without waiting until the next
SAT meeting to help expedite answers to SCRSG questions.
The most recent SAT meeting took place on February 24, 2009 via teleconference and webinar. The next SAT meeting will be held on April 1 in the Los Angeles area and April 3 via teleconference and webinar.
South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
January 29 Agenda & Work Session Materials
February 10 Agenda & Work Session Materials
On Thursday, January 29, 2009 and Tuesday, February 10, 2009, the MLPA
South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (SCRSG) initiated the process of
developing marine protected area (MPA) arrays in the south coast study
region. The SCRSG was organized into three cross-interest work groups (see FAQ)
and began generating ideas and options for potential MPAs in the south
coast study region. During these initial discussions, SCRSG members
considered how/whether proposed MPAs contribute to the MLPA goals and
regional objectives as well as socioeconomic factors. MLPA Initiative
staff used a GIS tool, MarineMap, to capture suggested MPA shapes,
rationales and other considerations. Key questions were also noted and
referred for review by the science advisory team and/or blue ribbon
task force, as needed.
These
initial workgroup discussions were made in the spirit of "inventing
without committing," giving SCRSG members the flexibility to introduce
ideas for MPA shapes and allowed uses in a constructive manner.
The work groups will report back to the full SCRSG at its next meeting on March 3-4, 2009
meeting in Long Beach. This will mark the first of three iterative
rounds of MPA planning by the SCRSG. Work group presentations at the
March SCRSG meeting will be an opportune time for the public to learn
about the initial suggestions from the workgroups and provide comment
to the SCRSG on its efforts.
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Public Meetings
All meetings are open to the public and are also simultaneously webcast on the day of the meeting at the MLPA Initiative website.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Blue Ribbon Task Force
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (meeting)
12:35
– 5:30 p.m. (offsite tour)
Hotel Mar Monte
1111 East Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tuesday, March 3 & Wednesday, March 4*, 2009
South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center
701 West Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90831
Wednesday, April 1 and Friday, April 3, 2009
Science Advisory Team
April 1: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Location TBD in the Los Angeles area)
April 3: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Conference call and webinar)
*Work
sessions are not videotaped and do not include a formal public comment
period; members of the public are welcome to attend as observers.
All meeting agendas are posted to the MLPA website
at least a week in advance of the meeting and 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 to the website within two days of each meeting.
Events & Activities
MLPA South Coast Tribal Forum
Two one-day MLPA South Coast Tribal Forums will be held in the Los Angeles area on Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28.
These forums will assist Native Americans within the south coast study
region to become more informed about the MLPA Initiative process and
offer opportunities for tribes to be involved. For more details, please
contact Kelly Sayce, MLPA Initiative Public Outreach and Education Coordinator.
Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28, 2009
MLPA South Coast Tribal Forum
Day 1: 9:00 a.m. –
6:00 p.m.
Day 2: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Temescal Gateway Park
15601 Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Registration will take place between 8 and 9 a.m. on both days.
Suggestions
for upcoming community events to inform the public about the south
coast process are welcome! A special thank you to those Key
Communicators who have been distributing MLPA Initiative information to
a wider public. To learn how you can become a Key Communicator, contact
the MLPA Initiative Public Outreach and Education Team via email or call (310) 738-2665.
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What are the MLPA South Coast Regional Stakeholder (SCRSG) work groups (also known as "gem groups")?
In an effort to promote creative thinking, maximum participation and
efficient deliberations amongst SCRSG members, the SCRSG is organized
into three cross-interest work groups known as “gem groups.” Named
after semi-precious stones – lapis, opal and topaz – the intent of
these smaller work groups is to foster effective discussion and
information exchange about possible MPA options. The work group
sessions are designed to provide SCRSG members a space to share ideas
and foster honest and open dialogue to develop marine protected area
concepts, which would be more difficult in a larger group setting.
All
discussions in the work groups are currently preliminary and any
recommendations coming out of the work groups will be formally
presented at plenary sessions of the SCRSG for public input. While the
public is welcome to observe all work group sessions, the first
opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the SCRSG’s initial
efforts will be at the March 3-4 meeting in Long Beach.
To
help the public gain a greater understanding of the marine protected
area planning and design process, the MLPA Initiative will be
circulating a special supplement to South Coast News focusing entirely
on this topic. Keep your eye out for this additional issue coming soon!
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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:
Stay informed
Provide feedback
Spread the word
- Circulate South Coast News
far and wide to help ensure others in your community are aware of the
MLPA Initiative, upcoming meetings and opportunities for public
involvement
- Distribute
our new brochure (attached) - post it on your website, circulate it via
listservs and/or print it for distribution at community events
- 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 (310) 738-2665 to learn more.
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