Key Documents and Resources for the North Coast

MLPA Documents

General Information

• California Marine Life Protection Act
• California Marine Life Protection Act Master Plan for Marine Protected Areas (January 2008 revised draft)
• Commonly Used Acronyms and Abbreviated Terms
• Regional Profile for the MLPA North Coast Study Region
• North Coast Regional Goals and Objectives

Science Documents

• Methods Used to Evaluate Marine Protected Area Proposals in the North Coast Study Region
  • Draft Methods Used to Evaluate Marine Protected Area Proposals in the MLPA North Coast Study Region (July 27, 2010)
• Providing Data for Consideration by the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team
  • Protocol for Evaluating Incoming Data from Sources External to the Master Plan Science Advisory Team
  • Form for the Submission of External Data
  • Form for Submission of External Information
• Responses to Science Questions
  • Protocol for Handling Science Guidance Questions in the North Coast Study Region
    (December 15, 2009)
  • Draft Responses to Science Questions Posed at the December 16-17, 2009 Meeting of the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team
    (January 20, 2010)
  • Draft Responses to Science Questions Posed during MLPA Public Meetings from January 20 to February 11, 2010
    (March 11, 2010)
  • Response to Questions Posed during MLPA Meetings from March 1 to 25, 2010
    (Revised May 12, 2010)
• Goal 3 Guidance
  • Goal 3 Evaluation of Round 2 NCRSG Draft MPA Proposals PowerPoint
    (Presented July 30, 2010)
  • Goal 3 Evaluation of Round 2 NCRSG Draft MPA Proposals for the MLPA North Coast Study Region
    (July 16, 2010)

Policy Documents (MLPA Initiative Guidance Memos)

• MLPA Initiative staff
  • MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Policy Guidance on Tribal Uses: How to Incorporate into the Development of MPA Proposals
    (Revised May 19, 2010)
  • Memo to the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force from senior MLPA Initiative staff
    (March 17, 2010)
  • MLPA Initiative staff memo regarding legal guidance from the California Department of Fish and Game and California Fish and Game Commission staff
    (February 19, 2010)
  • MLPA staff memo regarding asking science questions of the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team
    (February 5, 2010)
  • MLPA staff memo regarding updated summary of key guidance provided in previous MLPA study regions
    (January 13, 2010)
  • Staff Memo Regarding Updated Summary of Key Guidance Provided in Previous Marine Life Protection Act Study Regions for the Development of Marine Protected Area Proposals
    (January 13, 2010)
  • Staff Memo Regarding MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Guidance in Previous Study Regions
    (November 17, 2009)
• California Department of Fish and Game
  • Feasibility Criteria and Evaluation Components for Marine Protected Area Proposals
    (Revised March 23, 2010)
  • Response to Question Related to the Status of Fisheries Posed During the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group Meeting on March 24-25, 2010
    (Revised May 12, 2010)
• California State Parks
  • Guidance for Creating Marine Managed Areas
    (March 23, 2010)
• MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force
  • Announcement from BRTF Chair Gustafson of December 9, 2010 BRTF meeting
    (November 24, 2010)
  • Summary of MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Guidance for Round 2 Marine Protected Area Planning and Application to Round 2 Process Design
  • California MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force Motion Regarding Traditional, Non-Commercial Tribal Uses of Marine Resources in the MLPA North Coast Study Region
    (Adopted May 17, 2010; file revised May 25, 2010)

MPA Arrays and Proposals

In October 2009, north coast communities were invited to develop draft MPA arrays as part of Round 1 of the MPA planning process. During Rounds 2 and 3, members of the North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (NCRSG) can integrate ideas from the external arrays as they develop the next stage of MPA proposals. Input from community groups and the general public is included throughout the MPA proposal development process.

• Guide to Developing External Proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) Arrays
• North Coast Existing MPAs (Proposal 0)
• Round 1 arrays
• Round 2 Draft MPA Proposals
• Round 3 MPA Proposal

Key Resources

North Coast News

North Coast News is distributed on a regular basis to help keep you informed and actively involved in the north coast planning process. The newsletter includes a summary of recent MLPA Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT), and North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group (NCRSG) meetings. We will highlight answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), documents available for public comment as well as upcoming meetings and events.

 

Introduction to the MLPA

• Introduction to the MLPA
• Introduction to the MLPA Video
• North Coast Informational Flier
• MLPA 101 materials
  • Goals
  • MPA definitions
  • Acronyms
  • Key roles
• North Coast Process Information
  • Draft Strategy for Public Participation in the MLPA North Coast Study Region
  • Overview of north coast MPA planning process
  • North Coast Process Diagram
  • North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
  • MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Board for the north coast study region
  • MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force for the north coast study region
• North Coast Informational Workshop Presentations
  Includes: Introduction to MLPA and MLPA Initiative, Science Guidelines and CDFW Guidelines
• North Coast SAT Evaluation Methods
  • Habitat representation
  • Habitat replication
  • MPA size
  • MPA spacing
  • Bioeconomic modeling
  • Potential commercial and recreational fishery impacts
  • Water quality
  • Marine birds and marine mammals

Meetings & Events

All upcoming meetings and events are listed on the MLPA Meetings and Events page. Members of the public are invited to attend meetings in person, participate at a local public participation site, or view and listen to the meeting via simultaneous webcasting on the Internet.

Video and audio archives of each public meeting may be accessed via the Internet approximately two days after the meeting.

• Summaries of the Following Public Meetings:
  • Master Plan Science Advisory Team
  • North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group
• Meeting Materials
  • DVD copies and printed materials of MLPA meetings are available at some local libraries and government offices.

FAQs

What is the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative? A public-private partnership designed to help the State of California implement the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), using the best readily available science as well as the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.

What are the goals of the MLPA? The Marine Life Protection Act was signed into law in 1999 and directs the state to redesign California's system of marine protected areas to increase its coherence and effectiveness in 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.

What are marine protected areas? Marine protected areas (MPAs) are named, discrete geographic marine or estuarine areas designed to protect or conserve marine life and habitat. Examples within California that you may be familiar with include Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, Point Buchon State Marine Conservation Area and Vandenberg State Marine Reserve.

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