COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Board of Supervisors

 

DATE:

August 21, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 9, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

No

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Supervisor Rich Gordon

SUBJECT:

Integrated Preferred Alternative Proposal to create a system of Marine Protected Areas as part of the Marine Life Protection Act.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve a resolution supporting proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the state Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitments: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment. Leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life.

Goals 14, 23: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.

Leaders throughout the County provide the impetus for broader regional solutions in land use, housing, childcare, education, health and transportation.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) was adopted by the California legislature in 1999 and incorporated into the state Fish and Game Code. The MLPA established both substantive environmental protection goals and a process for developing a statewide network of marine protected areas in California waters. The goals of the MLPA are to improve protection of California’s marine life and ocean habitats.

 

In February 2005, the Board unanimously adopted a resolution in support of timely implementation of the MLPA. Since that time, an initial phase of new MPAs was successfully implemented along the Central Coast between Point Conception and Pigeon Point (in September 2007) and a second phase covering the area between Pigeon Point and Point Arena (referred to under the MLPA process as the “North Central Coast”) is now being considered by the state Fish and Game Commission (FGC). The FGC is expected to adopt the North Central Coast MPAs later this year.

 

DISCUSSION:

Over the past year, a wide variety of interested stakeholders, including several San Mateo County residents, have participated in the new MLPA Initiative serving as official advisors to the State. Based on the input of these stakeholders, in April, a Governor appointed task force developed a recommended MPA network for consideration by the FGC. Titled the “Integrated Preferred Alternative” MPA Network, the task force recommendations would significantly expand protection at San Mateo County’s Fitzgerald Marine Reserve while leaving important fishing grounds near Pillar Point Harbor unaffected. The attached resolution voices our support for this balanced approach to improving protection of the San Mateo coast.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no net County cost.