BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1086
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Date of Hearing: June 24, 2002
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Howard Wayne, Chair
SB 1086 (Alpert) - As Amended: June 18, 2002
SENATE VOTE : Not relevant.
SUBJECT : Marine Life Protection Act: extension of time to
develop a master plan.
SUMMARY : Pursuant to the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA, Fish
and Game code section 2850, et seq.), this bill extends from
January 1, 2003 to January 1, 2005 the requirement for the
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to submit, to the Fish and
Game Commission, a draft Master Plan that guides the adoption
and implementation of a Marine Life Protection Program. The
program is designed to protect marine life biodiversity,
habitat, and ecosystems. This bill also extends, from April 1,
2003, to April 1, 2005, the deadline for DFG to submit to the
Commission a final Master Plan for the Marine Life Protection
Program and extends from December 1, 2003, to December 1, 2005,
the deadline for the Commission to adopt the final plan.
EXISTING LAW : Pursuant to the MLPA:
1)Requires the Fish and Game Commission to adopt a master plan
that guides the implementation of the Program and the
establishment of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by December
1, 2003.
2)Requires the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to:
a) Prepare a draft master plan prepare and submit it to the
Commission by January 1, 2003.
b) Convene a master plan team consisting of those
individuals with expertise in marine protection. The team
is to advise and assist in the preparation of the master
plan
c) Solicit comments for the master plan from interested
parties and take into account relevant information from
local communities
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d) Convene, in each of the designated biogeographical
regions, siting workshops, allowing interested parties to
review and provide advice on alternatives to MPAs
e) Submit to the Commission a draft of the master plan on
or before January 1, 2003
f) Submit to the Commission a final version of the Master
Plan following on or before April 1, 2003.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
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COMMENTS :
The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) was established by
Assembly Bill 993 (Shelley), Chapter 1015, Statutes of 1999.
Sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the bill was
supported by conservation, diving, scientific and educational
groups.
The purpose of the MLPA is to improve the array of Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) existing in California waters through the
adoption of a Marine Life Protection Program and a comprehensive
master plan. AB 993 expressly refers to the lack of a clearly
defined purpose and scientific guidelines when existing MPAs
were established. The MLPA states that "marine life reserves"
(defined as no-take areas) are essential elements of an MPA
system because they "protect habitat and ecosystems, conserve
biological diversity, provide a sanctuary for fish and other sea
life, enhance recreational and educational opportunities,
provide a reference point against which scientists can measure
changes elsewhere in the marine environment, and may help
rebuild depleted fisheries."
The master plan requires that recommendations be made for a
preferred alternative network of MPAs with "an improved marine
life reserve component." The MLPA further states that "it is
necessary to modify the existing collection of MPAs to ensure
that they are designed and managed according to clear,
conservation-based goals and guidelines that take full advantage
of the multiple benefits that can be derived from the
establishment of marine life reserves." DFG is the lead agency
charged with implementing the provisions of the MLPA.
Due to the number of stakeholders and the requirement to
establish workshops in various regions, many stakeholders were
concerned that the existing time frame was inadequate to develop
and comment on a viable draft master plan. Accordingly, this
time frame is being extended to address these concerns.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file
Opposition
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None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Scott H. Valor / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092