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Updated  08 01 09 MLPA Open House Public Meetings North Coast Government Agencies Protest MLPA  072109 Official Stakeholder Letter of Resignation  July 2009 News Release: July 15, 2009 MLPA Initiative Begins Planning Process in California's North Coast Region Members of the public are invited to learn about redesigning California's marine protected areas Contacts: Annie Reisewitz, MLPA Initiative, (858) 228-0526 Kirsten Macintyre, CA Department of Fish and Game, (916) 322-8911 A regional approach is being used in the MLPA Initiative process, where California's 1,100- mile coastline has been divided into five study regions. In September of 2007, regulations for the first of the five study regions were implemented for the central coast (Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception in Santa Barbara County). In the second study region, four proposals for redesigning MPAs in the north central coast (Alder Creek in Mendocino County to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County) were submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission in December 2008 and specific regulations are expected to be adopted by the commission next month. The MLPA Initiative's south coast study region planning process Point Conception in Santa Barbara County to the California border with Mexico, including offshore islands) is expected to result in a set of alternative MPA proposals by late 2009. The fifth and final study region, San Francisco Bay (from the Golden Gate Bridge northeast to the Carquinez Bridge), is expected to begin following the north coast process. The MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force will make a final recommendation regarding north coast MPA proposals to the commission near the end of 2010. 07/21/09   Back to Top FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE North Coast Government Agencies Protest Rush to Create Marine Reserves Contact: Adam Wagschal; Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District; (707) 443-0801 On Monday July 20, 2009 the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (District) forwarded a letter signed by three North Coast counties and numerous local governments to California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman asking for a delay in implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). Although the entities signing on to the letter agree that additional steps to conserve coastal resources are desirable, none believe that the current MLPA Initiative process has sufficient data for decision support or the funds necessary for implementation. The MLPA North Coast Study Region spans over 200 miles of coast line from the Oregon border to just north of Point Arena. Signatories on the letter include all three counties (Humboldt, Del Norte and Mendocino), five cities (Crescent City, Trinidad, Eureka, Fortuna and Point Arena), all harbor districts (Crescent City, Humboldt Bay, Noyo), the Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District and the Trinidad Rancheria. The letter was voted on and unanimously endorsed by boards representing each of these agencies. The letter, with authorized signatures, can be read at  http://humboldtbay.org/harbordistrict/protected-area-workgroup/. This is the 5 PAGE LETTER with 2 PAGES OF SIGNATURES Jim Martin of the RFA had on display at the  Recreational Fishing Alliance  table July 21 2009 in Fort Bragg, at the public meeting/workshop show & tell offered by The MLPA-I Ecotrust DFG groups. Freshly harvested Mendocino Wakame and Sweet Kombu along with harvest videos, a slideshow and dried sea vegetables, seaweed snacks, harvesters with stories and photos greeted attendees. The MLPA Initiative process creates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that ban all or most types of recreational and commercial fishing. Some areas, known as "Special Closures" even ban non-fishing boat, surfing and kayak traffic. North Coast governmental agencies all share concerns that economic impacts related to these potential closures will not be properly evaluated or considered. Those signing the letter requesting MLPA delay are also concerned about the membership of a Blue Ribbon Task Force that would evaluate North Coast MPA proposals and recommend their own option to the California Fish and Game Commission. This task force is not part of the original MLPA legislation, no members are from the North Coast region, and none have special knowledge or training that would give scientific weight to their opinion. 07/10/09   Back to Top Letter of resignation from MLPA-I Stakeholders Group written 062509 Vivian Helliwell Watershed Conservation Director Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens Association (PCFFA) "I find that I must withdraw from participation in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Statewide Interests Group (SIG). I am realizing late that apparently the invitation to participate in the SIG comes accompanied by an expectation to act as a communication link or liaison. The MLPA process is neither fair nor transparent. The MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) as proposed are not necessary or effective. The MLPA process draws tremendous State and community resources at a time when they could be better used for other things. My work with the fishing community in salmon recovery and restoration may be compromised by association with the flawed MLPA process, under which, in every case, fishermen and fishing communities lose, it is only a matter of how much they lose, for speculative future benefit. I am not convinced of the necessity for creating these marine study areas, which is not addressed in this process." View the entire letter hosted by California Fisheries Coalition  here. Public Input   Back to Top "NEW" Marine Reserves and Protected Areas (MRPA) are scheduled to be adopted by the California State Fish & Game Commission in August 2009. The MLPA requires Public input. With the right Public input we can halt this corrupt scheme. Give Arnold a call and ask the question, what is the rush to push this through when every coastal government and harbor district from Mendocino to the Oregon border has just sent a letter to him stating "Halt the MLPA Initiative process". 'Open House Meetings' Location/Times:  http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/northcoast.asp Contact Delbra Gibbs  DGA_MLPA@sbcglobal.net or 916.424.8897 Visit:  http://www.seaweed.net/OceanProtection/ For more information, go to  http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ And send comments on the proposed Point Arena Basin offshore oil and gas leasing and development which would open the Point Arena Basin for leasing in the year 2014. The MMS asks that we include our names and return addresses when commenting, and reference "2010-2015 Oil and Gas Leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale 236". Send comments to: Ms Renee Orr, Chief, Leasing Division Minerals Management Service MS-4010 381 Elden St. Herndon, VA 20170-4817 Visit  http://www.mms.gov  to add your comment. MPA's don't protect marine resources from pollution, or oil exploration/drilling, seabed development, aquaculture, industrialization of coastal waters, or militarization, just food gathering. 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