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Fall 1997 |
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Page 4 |
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Inside |
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Milestones in MBNMS History |
pg. 4 |
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Thought About Clean Water Lately? The Water Quality Protection Program Has |
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Barbara VanderWerf |
The
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary doesn't stop
at the high tide line; protection of marine
resources is unalterably linked to protection of
land resources. The Sanctuary has been a focal
point around which environmentalists can link land
to sea.Grassroots public support is what got the idea of a Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary off the ground, and the continued support of local people and politicians keeps it alive today. The hard work, dedication, and vision of the Central Coast's communities shows itself in every step of the process &emdash;from the early efforts, through designation in 1992, and in the past five years as Sanctuary programs have grown and prospered. The timeline on these pages is a very brief summary of the Central Coast's long struggle to earn protection for our marine resources.
1967
A Marine Sanctuaries Study Bill is proposed in response to
offshore oil development plans. The Sierra Club (Ventana
Chapter) begins lobbying for priority status for the
Monterey Bay/Big Sur areas under the bill.
1972
The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act is
passed.
1975
In the California Coastal Plan, the California Coastal Zone
Conservation Commission recommends that one possibility to
protect the area could be creation of a Federal Marine
Sanctuary.
1976
Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties join forces to begin
lobbying for a Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Scientists, activists, and local leaders begin documentation
of this area's spectacular natural resources.
May 1977
The California Coastal Commission nominates the Monterey Bay
as one of ten California sanctuary candidates.
December 1983
The Reagan/Bush Administration drops this area from active
consideration. Santa Cruz Supervisor Gary Patton and others
turn for help to Monterey's Representative Leon Panetta and
Congress.
February 1986
City of Santa Cruz contracts with Save Our Shores to educate
the public about proposed offshore oil development along the
Central Coast.
1988
As part of the Sanctuaries Act's reauthorization, Congress
directs the Administration to designate Monterey Bay as a
Sanctuary. Locals feel the proposed boundaries are too
restrictive, and another grassroots campaign begins.
1989
Two public hearings kick off the public review process.
Hundreds of citizens appear, all demanding a larger
Sanctuary, including the entire Monterey Bay ecosystem and
an oil drilling ban.
1990
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is released,
still recommending a smaller boundary. Public hearings in
Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Half Moon Bay are attended by
thousands of locals -- demanding the largest and strongest
Marine Sanctuary in the U.S., with a ban on all oil
drilling.
June 1992
The Final Management Plan endorses a Sanctuary from the
Golden Gate to San Simeon.
September 20, 1992
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary -- the nation's
largest -- is designated, thanks to the hard work of local
citizens!
September 1993
First Annual birthday celebration is held.
September 1993
Research Management Plan is completed -- the first written
for any Marine Sanctuary.
January 1994
WQPP committees are established and first workshops
begin.
March 1994
The Sanctuary opens its current office on Foam Street in
Monterey.
April 1994
The SAC (Sanctuary Advisory Council) is established to
advise and assist the Sanctuary manager and to provide a
link between the community and Sanctuary management.
1994-95
The Sanctuary staff grows, to include an Education
Coordinator, WQPP Director, Research Coordinator, and two
Program Specialists.
July 1995
MBNMS website becomes available to the public.
August 1995
The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a non-profit
organization to support the activities of the Sanctuary, is
established.
March 1996
The First Sanctuary Currents Symposium is held.
December 1995
First BAYNET class graduates.
January 1996
First Save Our Shores Sanctuary Stewards class
graduates.
May 1997
A vessel traffic working group meets for the first time.
September 1997
The Sanctuary is five years old!
1998 and on…
The future of the Sanctuary lies in all our hands.
This timeline was created with help from Sanctuary staff and significant input from the following sources:
- The Central Coast OCS Regional Studies Program. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (undated pamphlet).
- Knight, Michelle. "A Political Culture of Conservation: Citizen Action and Marine Conservation in the Monterey Bay" Ph.D. diss., UCSC, (draft, June 1997).
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