Marine workshop draws a crowd

Stakeholder groups develop proposals, which are reviewed and evaluated by a science advisory team, the California Department of Fish and Game, the initiative staff and the policy-level Blue Ribbon Task Force. The proposals are then refined and presented again to the task force, which makes a recommendation to the Fish and Game Commission, which will guide the adoption and implementation of a Marine Life Protection Program within the department.

Recommendations to the commission for the five study areas that will compose the network are expected to be presented between 2009 and 2011.

The commission is then required to adopt a master plan, which includes the statewide network of marine protected areas.

For more information about the initiative, to see the maps and learn how to get involved, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.

Timeline

The timeline for the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative:

 June 2008: South Coast Study Region Kickoff

Public workshops and Regional Stakeholder Groups nominations

Development of regional profile

 July through December 2008: Appoint groups and collection information

Begin fact finding and complete data collection and regional profile

 January through September 2009: Develop Marine Protect Act Proposals

Draft options, Round 1

Draft proposals, Round 2 — current stage

Final stakeholders proposals, Round 3

 September through October 2009: Blue Ribbon Task Force recommends proposals

Identify preferred alternative and Marine Protection Act proposals to recommend to the California Fish and Game Commission

 November 2009: Commission selects preferred alternative

Begin regulatory process

Begin environmental review process

 Adoption

Once adopted, oversee implementation

Get Involved

There are a number of ways that members of the public can participate in the MPLA process.

Stay Informed

 Review public documents.

 Attend meetings of the task force, science team, regional stakeholders and California Fish and Game Commission.

 Visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa.

Provide Feedback

 Express opinions at South Coast Regional Stakeholder meetings or inform a member.

 Provide written or verbal comments at task force, science team, stakeholder and California Fish and Game Commission meetings.