HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 - Marine Life Protection ActCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. s
August 24, 2004
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: City Manager's Office
Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager
949/644 -3002 or dkiff @city.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Resolution 2004 -_ --Support for the Marine Life Protection Act
ISSUE:
Should the City Council adopt a formal Council resolution asking the Schwarzenegger
Administration and the Department of Fish and Game to continue work on the Marine
Life Protection Act?
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution 2004 -_ asking the State to pursue further implementation of the
Marine Life Protection Act in Southern California.
DISCUSSION:
Background: Please see the Study Session report provided by Surfrider Foundation on
Tuesday, August 10`h. This information is available at www.city.newport- beach.ca.us.
The proposed Resolution is a result of Council's direction on August 10`h, 2004, to
support Surfrider's effort asking Governor Schwarzenegger and various State
departments to move forward with the Marine Life Protection Act, which is an attempt to
better use marine science to delineate reserves and other special areas along the
coastline.
Committee Action: On April 8`h, 2004, the Coastal /Bay Water Quality Committee
recommended unanimously that the Council adopt a resolution similar to the attached.
Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not
require environmental review.
Marine Life Protection Act
August 24, 20)4
Page 2
Public Notice: This agenda item may be noticed according to the Ralph M. Brown Act
(72 hours in advance of the public meeting at which the City Council considers the
item).
Funding Availability: Not applicable
Submitted by:
� l
Dave <iff
Assi to City Manager
Attachments: Resolution 2004-
L
Marine Life Protection Act
August24,2004
Page 3
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT (MLPA)
WHEREAS, there is increasing evidence that ocean ecosystems are being adversely
altered by a combination of human activities, including fishing, pollution, and coastal
development; and
WHEREAS, only 3.5% (140 nautical square miles) of California state waters are set
aside as genuine no -take marine reserves; and
WHEREAS, many of the existing marine reserves in California were designated without
the benefit of scientific guidelines and were not designed to maximize the benefit of a
comprehensive "network "; and
WHEREAS, there is strong scientific evidence that marine reserves restore and protect
the natural diversity and abundance of marine life, and the structure, function and integrity of
marine ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, marine reserves and water quality protection areas recognize the inherent
value of relatively undisturbed marine ecosystems and provide the public incomparable
opportunities for non - consumptive recreation, education and scientific study; and
WHEREAS, marine protected areas, including marine reserves and water quality
protection areas, are important tools in improving fishery management by, among other things:
serving a s a b aseline a nd c ontrol s ite for p opulation a ssessments a nd n aturally f unctioning
ecosystems, resolving user conflicts, providing insurance for management errors, and possibly
shortening the rebuilding period for overfished species; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Fish and Game has disbanded seven local
working groups statewide. For the time being, the Department of Fish and Game will be
focusing all resources on implementing the MLPA in the Central Coast region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach
1. Endorses the implementation of the MLPA in Southern California as soon as possible
and will support creative implementation processes that include input from the science
community and every interested stakeholder group, including commercial and
recreational fishing interests.
2. Urges the Department of Fish & Game to implement the Marine Life Protection Act and
Marine Managed Area Improvement Act to better protect the natural diversity and
abundance of marine life, and the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems
in California.
Marine Life Protection Act
Augusl 24, 2004
Page 4
3. Directs the City Clerk to distribute copies of this resolution to the Fish & Game
Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Parks and
Recreation Commission, Governor Schwarzenegger, and to the City's representatives in
the State Assembly and Senate.
ADOPTED, this 24ftl day of August 2004.
Tod W. Ridgeway, Mayor
ATTEST:
LaVonne Harkless, City Clerk
q