MBNMS SAC Meeting Minutes June 19th, 2009

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

FINAL
June 19th, 2009
Hidden Valley Music Seminars
Carmel Valley, CA

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) Advisory Council met on Friday, April 17, 2009, in Moss Landing, California. Public categories and government agencies were present as indicated:

The following non-voting members were present as indicated:

• Gulf of the Farallones NMS: Irina Kogan
• Monterey Bay NMS: Paul Michel
• US Coast Guard: LT Elisa Garrity

Alternates present in audience:

• Karen Grimmer – Monterey Bay NMS
• Kortney Leabourne - At Large
• Randy Herz - Diving
• Rexford Keyes – Recreation
• Steve Shimek - Conservation
  
  

I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, WELCOME, APPROVAL OF MINUTES

APPROVAL OF 4/17/09 DRAFT MEETING NOTES

The advisory council passed the April 17, 2009 meeting minutes with a few editorial comments provided by Paul Reilly.

MOTION: (Passed)
Motion introduced by Robert Frischmuth, seconded by Cindy Walter
(Vote: 15 in favor, 0 opposed)

II. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

The following members of the public provided comments to the advisory council: Jackie Dragon, John Doughty, Advisory Council member Steve Scheiblauer also provided a comment,

III. OCEAN ACIDIFACTION: PRESENTATION ON CINMS REPORT

Kaitilin Gaffney, Conservation primary, introduced Shiva Polefka, a member of the Channel Islands NMS (CINMS) CWG, and the recommendations to the MBNMS advisory council from the MBNMS Conservation Working Group on the CINMS CWG report to the CINMS advisory council on ocean acidification. Shiva provided the presentation to the MBNMS advisory council. Mr. Polefka’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Of the recommendations proposed by the MBNMS CWG, the MBNMS Advisory Council made the following changes:

-Change the word “adopt” in the first recommendation to “support”.
-The MBNMS Advisory Council is not adopting the entire report from the CINMS CWG.

Motion: (Passed)
Motion introduced by Kaitilin Gaffney, seconded by Robert Frischmuth
(Vote: 16 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions)

IV. ASSEBMLYMEMBER MONNING REQUEST FOR INPUT ON PROPOSED OIL PLATFORMS IN CINMS

Paul Michel, MBNMS Superintendent, provided background information on the letter from Assemblymember Monning and the issue of oil platforms in CINMS.

After some discussion the advisory council voted to have Paul Michel write a letter to Assemblymember Monning reminding him of the primary goal of the sanctuary is to keep out oil and gas drilling and to also let him know the advisory council needs more information to make an informed decision on the issue.

Motion: (Passed)
Motion introduced by Kirk Schmidt, seconded by Richard Hughett
(Vote: 16 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions)

V. MANAGEMENT PLAN PRIORITIZATION

Karen Grimmer, Deputy Superintendent, provided a presentation on the recent and upcoming steps MBNMS staff is taking to prioritize the action plans within the MBNMS Management Plan. Mrs. Grimmer’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

VI. SAC SUMMIT DEBRIEF

Kirk Schmidt asked the advisory council to please read the information emailed to them by Chris Harrold, Chair, regarding the SAC Summit in Alpena, MI, since Mr. Harrold was unable to attend the meeting and speak to the item himself.

VII. THANK YOU OCEAN CAMPAIGN

Amy Vierra, CA Resources Agency, provided an update on the status of the Thank You Ocean campaign. Mrs. Vierra’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

VIII. LUNCH

IX. UPDATE: ENFORCEMENT WORKING GROUP

Dayna Matthews, NOAA Office for Law Enforcement, provided an update on the Enforcement Working Group.

X. MBNMS MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) PROCESS

Paul Michel introduced the MPA item by stating that he appreciated the work of the subcommittee and the striving for consensus. Due to the emphasis on interagency coordination and opportunity for integrated assessment work, the establishment of the MPA working group and Science Panel will be on hold for now. These groups will come together at the appropriate time.

Mike Eng, Resource Protection Coordinator, provided an update on the process to establish MPAs in the MBNMS. His presentation covered the following topics: update on interagency consultation; consideration of final recommendations from MPA subcommittee on makeup of working group and science advisory panel; next steps; and an update on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. . Mr. Eng’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

After some discussion the advisory council accepted the recommendations from the MPA subcommittee regarding the makeup of the MPA Working Group and the Science Panel. The advisory council chose to vote on the three recommendations separately.

Motion for Recommendation One: (Passed)
-Break out the Tourism, Education and Local Government seat into three separate seats.
Motion introduced by Deborah Streeter, seconded by Stephany Aguilar
(Vote: 16 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention)

Motion for Recommendation Two: (Passed)
-No changes.
Motion introduced by Kirk Schmidt, seconded by Deborah Streeter
(Vote: 13 in favor, 2 opposed, 2 abstentions)

Motion for Recommendation Three: (Passed)
-Second bullet – add “during” before “meetings”.
-Fourth bullet – add “including gap analysis and socioeconomic consideration” after “guidelines”.
Motion introduced by Kathy Fosmark, seconded by Deborah Streeter. (16 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention)

XI. INFORMATION PRESENTATION: WATER FOR MONTEREY COUNTY COALITION

Lyndel Melton, Marina Coast Water District, provided a presentation on the Water for Monterey County Coalition. Mr. Melton’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

XII. MBNMS ADVISORY COUNCIL CHARTER RENEWAL

Due to a lack of time, the Charter Renewal agenda item was moved to the August 21, 2009 meeting.

XIII. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Amy Vierra announced the West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health just released eight plans and public comment is welcomed. She brought the executive summary of all eight plans if anyone is interested and information is available here.

Steve Clark, Education alternate, announced the National Marine Educator’s Association will be at Asilomar Conference Grounds at the end of June. There will be several presentations by MBNMS staff and a MBNMS booth. Also there are 17 new interpretive signs that have been installed along the central coast regarding the MBNMS. There will be a new postage stamp coming out with photos from Steve Lonhart and Chad King. There will be 50 international students visiting the Monterey area in July and August. Dawn Hayes is coordinating those events. The next meeting of the Sanctuary Education Panel will be July 16th at Pt. Lobos. July 18th is the next Coastal Discovery Fair at San Simeon State Beach. The Pacific Grove Natural History Museum has an exhibit on marine protected areas, which will move to the Coastal Discovery Center.

Steve Scheiblauer announced he previously talked with Paul Michel about the City of Monterey getting rid of their fireworks barge. The two options for removal are: pay to have it hauled out, or if permits were available, to sink it someplace for recreational dive opportunities. The City Manager asked to explore sinking it first. The City of Monterey has been in contact with the Ships to Reefs organization. They realize this is a MBNMS permit issue. The City of Monterey would like to hand this over to the Ship to Reefs organization. Also, there was mention of community fishing associations during the meeting today. Steve just returned from the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting and the council made a key vote opening the door on the central coast to get such an association gong. This could be a really good thing for conservation and sustainability issues. The City of Monterey will continue to work cooperatively with the Nature Conservancy.

Deborah Streeter announced she leaves for Grand Rapids, MI soon for a Church of Christ meeting. She will take the Thank You Ocean DVD with her. Deborah also announced she was heading to Pt. Lobos for a potluck at Bird Island. The focus of the potluck will be saving our state parks. She asked everyone to go to the state parks website and give a donation. Pt. Lobos will be closing at the end of the summer.

Russ Jeffries, CA EPA primary, announced the Regional Water Quality Control Board will meet on July 10th in Watsonville.

Paul Reilly, CA Department of Fish and Game primary, announced he had a copy of the Sea Grant publication ”Fisheries Resources of the Sanctuary” that he could give to anyone who wanted it.

Steve Shimek, Conservation alternate, announced as of July 1st he is no longer the Executive Director for The Otter Project. He will be bringing Alison Ford to the next meeting to introduce herself as the new Executive Director.

Paul Michel encouraged everyone to go to the Coast Guard pier in the next few weeks to see the Hawkes Ocean Technologies Super Falcon submersible. He also announced that Ted Balestreri spoke at Capitol Hill Oceans Week in Washington, D.C. Jon Hubbard, the MBNMS Volunteer of the Year, attended the event with Paul. The overall winner of Volunteer of the Year for the entire program was Josh Churchman from Cordell Bank NMS.

Gary Pezzi, recreation primary, announced that June 20th is International Surfing Day.

Cindy Walter, Business and Industry primary, announced that she and her father were invited by the Gulf of the Farallones NMS to go out on the R/V Fulmar to the outer continental shelf.

XIV. REVIEW WORK PLAN AND UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS

XV. ADJOURN

NEXT MEETING: August 21, 2009, Cabrillo College, Aptos
The meeting adjourned at 4:26 PM

Submitted by
Nicole Capps
Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator