City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 08/24/2009 Item Number: A-1
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Supporting the
Implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act
Contact Person/Dept.: Helen Kerstein/PW Phone Number: (310) 253-5618
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Ongoing Topics - Sustainability and Environmental Issues
(08/19/09); Meetings and Agendas – City Council (08/19/09)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (08/13/09)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (08/19/09)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (08/19/09)
City Manager Approval:
Mark Scott (08/19/09)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution supporting the
implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act.
BACKGROUND:
For many years, state and federal governments have attempted to protect fish and
other sea life. One way in which they have done this is to create Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) where fishing is typically limited or prohibited. As of 1999, there were
over a hundred MPAs in the ocean surrounding the State of California. However,
these MPAs were created on a case-by-case basis without the coordination
necessary to ensure their effectiveness at protecting wildlife.
In 1999, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) was passed by the State Legislature
and signed into law by Governor Gray Davis. One of the goals of the MLPA was to
bring a more coherent, strategic, and inclusive process to the creation of MPAs in
order to protect fragile ecosystems and support biodiversity. The MLPA required the
California Department of Fish and Game (Department) to create a master plan to
guide the creation of new MPAs.
In order to implement the MLPA, the Department formed three groups: an MLPA
Blue Ribbon Task Force, a Master Plan Science Advisory Team, and Regional
Stakeholder Advisory Groups throughout the state. These groups were charged to
use a scientifically-based and stakeholder-driven process to evaluate alternatives
and provide the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) with recommendations
on the establishment of MPAs.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Utilizing this process, the Commission approved the first cluster of MPAs along the
coast of Central California in 2007. In August of this year, it voted to establish
another group along a stretch of coast in Central and Northern California. The
Commission is now turning its attention to Southern California. The South Coast
Regional Advisory Group is currently in the process of narrowing down alternatives
for the establishment of MPAs along the southern portion of the state. At an
upcoming meeting in early September, the group will decide on which alternatives to
recommend to the Master Plan Science Advisory Team. This team will then vet the
alternatives and the Blue Ribbon Task Force will make a recommendation on where
and how MPAs should be established in Southern California to the Commission by
the end of this year.
DISCUSSION:
Many Culver City residents take advantage of the City’s proximity to the Pacific
Ocean. They benefit from vibrant and healthy bodies of water, including the Ocean
and Santa Monica Bay. The proposed resolution supports the implementation of the
MLPA process and the preservation of marine habitats in Santa Monica Bay, so that
they will be available for Culver City residents to enjoy for generations to come
(Attachment 1). It is consistent with the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan and
with the City’s Legislative Advocacy Program, which includes support for efforts to
clean-up and improve waterways that affect the City. Also the City Council’s
Sustainable City Subcommittee is recommending City Council support of this
process due to its potential to have positive impacts on the environment.
The city councils of the cities of Laguna Beach, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles
have passed resolutions in support of the MLPA process. Furthermore, the Santa
Monica Bay Restoration Commission has agendized a similar resolution in support
of the MLPA and the establishment of MPAs in Santa Monica Bay.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the process of adopting of this resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution supporting the implementation of the Marine Life Protection
Act.
MEETING DATE: 8/24/2009
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Supporting the
Implementation of the Marine Life Protection
Act
ATTACHMENTS
Pages|109| Draft Resolution Supporting the Implementation of the Marine Life 1-3
Protection Act|109| Support Letter from Heal the Bay/Santa Monica Baykeeper 4-5,
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARINE LIFE PROTECTION
ACT (MLPA)
WHEREAS, California adopted the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) in
1999 to provide improved protection for the diversity and abundance of California's
ocean habitats through a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) with the goals of
sustaining, conserving and protecting marine life populations, protecting marine
ecosystems, improving recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by
marine ecosystems, and protecting marine natural heritage; and
WHEREAS, goals of the MLPA are consistent with the restoration,
educational and research goals and objectives of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Commission's Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan; and
WHEREAS, near-shore rocky reef and kelp bed habitats along the north
coast of Malibu and Palos Verdes Peninsula are among most abundant and diverse in
marine life in Santa Monica Bay as well as the Southern California Bight; and
WHEREAS, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) data show
that some fish stocks in Santa Monica Bay and the Southern California Bight are
dwindling and unlikely to recover due to loss of quality habitat; and
WHEREAS, there is strong scientific evidence that MPAs, especially
marine reserves, restore and protect the natural diversity and abundance of marine life,
and the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, DFG documents show that recreational and commercial
fishing are of enormous cultural and economic value and provide significant
employment and recreational opportunities for small businesses, subsistence fishers,
sport divers, arid others; and|101010101010101010 10
10|11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28,
WHEREAS, scientific studies locally and around the world show that
freeing key habitats of fishing pressure results in increased abundance, diversity and
size of target species in adjacent areas and is the most effective way to support long-
term harvesting of fish for present and future users; and
WHEREAS, these scientific studies also show that a wider variety of
bigger, more abundant fish are better at seeding future populations which, in the event
of natural or man-made environmental disasters or accidental mismanagement of
fisheries due to lack of knowledge of the resource, will expedite recovery of fish stocks
and other related resources and ensure the ecological integrity of the Santa Monica
Bay's ecosystems;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE as follows:
The City Council of the City of Culver City, California supports the
implementation of the MLPA in Santa Monica Bay, inasmuch as it includes the following
elements:
1. Marine protected areas that protect and conserve marine life and
habitat, allowing for the recovery of depleted fish, invertebrate, and plant populations;
2.
Stakeholder process that uses the best readily available science as
well as the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts,
stakeholders and members of the public;
3.
A network of MPAs that meet the scientific guidelines established
by the MLPA Science Advisory Team;
4. Marine reserves that protect high quality rocky habitats in Santa
Monica Bay such as Point Dume and the Palos Verdes Peninsula and generate spill-
over of fish into surrounding habitat;
5. Marine cultural preserves at places such as Nicholas Canyon that
will protect the Chumash cultural heritage;
-2-|1010101010101010 10
10|11
12
13
14
15|1010|17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
282|10101010101010 10
1010|12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
6. Marine parks and conservation areas that encourage public
enjoyment of the marine environment, while educating users about the benefits and
risks of consuming fish and shellfish from Santa Monica Bay;
7. MPAs that improve recreational, educational and study
opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human
disturbance; and
8. A management framework that actively involves the Santa Monica
Bay Restoration Commission and coastal communities in long-term outreach and
monitoring of MPAs in Santa Monica Bay.
APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of .2009.
ANDREW WEISSMAN, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST:
MARTIN R. COLE, City Clerk
A09-00339
-3-City Council of Culver City
9770 Culver Blvd,
Culver City, CA. 90232
August 12, 2009
RE: A Culver City Council Resolution in Support of the California Marine Life Protection Act
Process
Dear City Council Members:
Heal the Bay and Santa Monica Baykeeper representing over 15,000 members, invite you to join us in
supporting the California Marine Life Protection Act and the public's participation in this historic
process.
To protect California's coastline and marine waters, California adopted the Marine Life Protection Act
(MLPA) in 1999. The MLPA is the first state law in the nation requiring the formation of a network of
science-based marine protected areas (MPAs).
Similar to the movement over 100 years ago when the United States took steps to protect our most
exceptional places on land by establishing national parks, such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, today
California is doing the same for our oceans through the fulfillment of the MLPA and the creation of
MPAs.
MPAs benefit the marine ecosystem, as well as the people who live in or visit our state's coastal areas and
those who depend on the state's coastal waters for work. California's beaches and coastal waters draw
millions of visitors to the ocean each year, and California's coastal economy, largely driven by tourism, is
valued at $43 billion. These visitors, both locals and tourists, enjoy swimming, kayaking, scuba diving,
fishing, wildlife viewing and many other activities that will benefit from MPAs.
The State is taking a regional approach to implement MPAs along the coast and has already established
53 MPAs in the central and north central coast, leaving close to 90% of the coast in these regions
open to fishing. Now, the MLPA process is being implemented in southern California (from Point
Conception to the U.S./Mexico border). During the past several months, a diverse group of local
stakeholders—including fishermen, divers, conservationists, and business owners--has been working
together to design a south coast MPA network. They have identified areas of ecological importance, and
are now refining proposals that will be reviewed by science and policy experts.
The ultimate goal is to map out a system of MPAs that will protect sensitive marine life and critical
habitat, while ensuring south coast residents can continue to use and enjoy the ocean. The final network
will leave the vast majority of the ocean open to various forms of fishing, and the entire coastline open for
non-consumptive activities like diving, swimming, boating and surfmg. There has been some
misinformation spread on this topic, so we would like to emphasize the point that the MLPA does not
limit public access in any way.The stakeholders will enter their third and final round of negotiations in August and September 2009 to
develop three maps that will be scientifically evaluated. In late October, the Blue Ribbon Task Force — a
team of policy experts - will select a preferred alternative to forward to the Fish and Game Commission
for a final vote.
Locally, in terms of Santa Monica Bay, all draft maps (including those being drafted by fishing interests)
have proposed MPAs on the Palos Verdes peninsula and in Malibu. The differences in the maps are
mostly in the specific locations of these MPAs. We all support strategically placed MPAs on the Palos
Verdes peninsula and in Malibu to safeguard critical habitats necessary to protect and restore these
ecosystem, while still minimizing the economic impact to fisheries.
This timely resolution is an effective way to show the current participants in the MLPA process
that the City of Culver City supports the MLPA process, recognizes the particular value of marine
reserves, and urges community members to participate. Culver City has the reputation of being a
city that cares deeply about the environment and the ocean, and this resolution is the perfect way to
send that message clearly to the stakeholders and policymakers determining the placement of
IVIPAs along the southern California Coast, particularly in Santa Monica Bay.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mark Gold
Torn Ford
President
Executive Director
Heal the Bay
Santa Monica Baykeeper
mgoldkhealthebav.org
tforcl@smbaykeeDer.org
310-451-1500
(310) 305-9645