Dear Friend of Ocean Life,
MLPA FULL STEAM AHEAD
Thanks to strong public support for improved ocean protection, the Marine Life Protection Act is moving ahead on all fronts. This month the Governor’s Blue Ribbon MLPA Task Force will decide on the geographic boundaries of the “Central Coast” pilot program, which will be the first phase of MLPA implementation. COOL advocates a Central Coast pilot area which, at a minimum, spans the coast from north of Point Reyes through the Big Sur Coast to Cambria. COOL also supports a science-based process to ensure that that MLPA meets its goals and successfully protects ocean life. We urge you to take this opportunity to weigh in with support for marine reserves on the Central Coast by attending meetings right here in Santa Cruz and Monterey, or by submitting written comments to the Task Force.
FEBRUARY MEETINGS IN SANTA CRUZ AND MONTEREY
February 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the University Inn & Conference Center, 611 Ocean Street. Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Public workshop to get input on selection of Central Coast study region. Plan to attend and voice support for a pilot project that spans at least from Bodega Head to Cambria. Our friends in San Luis Obispo County urge a southern boundary at Point Conception.
February 22-23, at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey, CA. Meeting Schedule and Agenda TBA.
The Governor’s Blue Ribbon MLPA Task Force will be meeting in Monterey. This distinguished panel of public policy leaders will advise the State on implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act. This is a terrific opportunity to watch the Task Force in action and show your support for the creation of new marine reserves to key decision makers. Public comment at this meeting will be limited but the Task Force encourages written comments.
SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS WITH EASY ON-LINE FORM
Please use COOL’s online comment form, it takes only a minute, and can make a big difference to the future of our Coast.
If you can attend either of these meetings in person, please reply to this email and include your telephone number. We’ll give you a call and let you know what to expect and how you can participate. We will let you know the location, and agenda as soon as they are announced.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE MLPA INITIATIVE
Since our last E-letter, the MLPA Initiative, launched in October 2004, has made significant strides forward. In November 2004, the Task Force hired professional staff. In December 2004, the Task Force announced the selection of a 19-member Statewide Interest Group that will advise the Task Force on the overall process to develop a draft master plan framework and network of marine protected areas along the California coast. In January 2005, a 16-member Science Advisory Team was announced. Links to the membership lists of both of these panels, the Task Force’s just-released working documents, and a lot more MLPA information are available on this site. We'll be sure to keep you informed and let you know how you can be involved.
SANCTUARY RESERVES UPDATE
Current details of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's marine protected areas effort, are described on our website, too.
HELP NEEDED
Please tell your friends and family members to check out the COOL endorsement and sign-on.
If you know of a business or organization that might be willing to sponsor the COOL Marine Reserve petition, please send us an email.
Thanks for taking some of your valuable time to protect central coast marine life.
Very Gratefully,
Everyone at COOL
"The mission of the Coalition of Organizations for Ocean Life is to foster the creation of a network of marine reserves that will help restore, enhance and protect the diversity and abundance of California's marine life and underwater habitats, and to educate the public on the value of marine reserves and healthy oceans."
A partial list of our members and supporting businesses is available here.