MBNMS Business and Tourism Activity Panel (BTAP) Minutes April 25th, 2001

Meeting Date: April 25, 2001
Time: 10:00-12:00 AM
Location: Santa Cruz Conference and Visitors Center

Attendance:

• Burke Pease, Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, BTAP Co-Chair; SAC member
• Dave Ebert, US Abalone, BTAP Co-Chair; SAC member
• Art Seavey, Monterey Abalone Company
• Bryndie Beach, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
• Aaron King, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Karen Grimmer, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Holly Price, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Dana Werdmuller, Primary Print Media
• Dan Haifley, O’Neill Sea Odyssey; SAC member
• Thomas Canale, Commercial Fisherman; SAC member
• Steve Abbott, Duke Energy
• Maggie Ivy, Santa Cruz Visitor Center
• John Robinson, SC Seaside Company
• Ted Burke,
• Melanie Mayer Gideon,
• Stephanie Harlan, SAC Chair
• Bryndie Beach, AMBAG
• David Clayton, SAC member
• Steve Scheiblauer, City of Monterey

Welcome and Introductions

Dave Ebert, BTAP Co-Chair gave welcoming comments. Individual introductions commenced.

Sanctuary Overview (Karen Grimmer)

Karen Grimmer, Sanctuary Advisory Council and BTAP Coordinator, gave a brief introduction to new members about the MBNMS. She also gave some brief comments about the BTAP in regards to revisiting the role of the group and that with new leadership (Burke and Dave) and new membership, and an interest in expanding to Santa Cruz businesses, new opportunities exist for developing partnerships with the Business community. She offered the 50 ways to get your feet wet brochure as an example that could be expanded upon.

Kelp Report Update (Aaron King)

Aaron King provided BTAP members with an update on the Sanctuary Kelp Management Report recommendations to the California Dept. of Fish and Game (DFG). Over the past year the kelp management report has been an important issue for the SAC and BTAP

Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting update (Dave Ebert/Burke Pease)

Dave Ebert provided a brief summary of issues discussed at the February 2nd, SAC meeting in Big Sur. Topics included Navy’s Proposed Use of Ft. Hunter Liggett Bombing Range, an update on Caltrans Highway One issues, an update on the upcoming management plan review process, and a discussion on firework permits in the Sanctuary.

Update: Sanctuary Management Plan Review (Karen Grimmer/Dave Ebert)

Karen Grimmer gave an overview of the MBNMS’s MPR process that is scheduled to begin with public scoping meetings planned for October of this year. Three handouts were distributed that outline the geographic area, timeline and background information for the joint plans for Gulf of the Farralones, Cordell Bank, and MBNMS. Burke Pease expressed three separate issues regarding this topic. 1. Combining the 3 NMS plans could risk the ability to effectively address the unique issues of each sanctuary; 2. Locating public hearings along most of the coastline of California could seriously limit effective public participation in the process; 3. What is the appeal process or recourse available to citizens or groups that are in conflict with or dissatisfied with the management plan recommendations. After much discussion, Holly Price suggested that Sean Morton, our new MPR Coordinator could provide additional information on those issues during his MPR update at the next SAC meeting.

Motion was made by Burke Pease, and seconded by Steve Scheiblauer (unanimous)

The BTAP will bring their concern to the SAC regarding the combining the management review plans for of the three sanctuaries and seeks assurances that the MBNMS plan will focus on local issues.

Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fishing (Tom Canale)

Tom gave an overview of the Alliance’s actions to date and their goal to seek community support for the fishing community. The SAC has endorsed the study group during the June 3rd, 2001meeting. Steve Scheiblauer handed out the February 2, 2001 letter to the SAC chair and Bill Douros, Sanctuary Superintendent. Steve expressed that he would have liked to see the SAC move to support the Alliance as the one voice for the Sanctuary. Holly Price gave us the Sanctuary perspective in that we are looking forward to working closely with the fishing community during the MPR process.

Fireworks (Burke Pease)

Burke recapped the June SAC meeting discussion on this issue accusing the Sanctuary of utilizing a “pocket veto” approach to dealing with private party permit requests. The staff needs to accelerate the process. Holly responded that we have heard no response from Fish and Wildlife regarding the program consultation that was requested. Steve Scheiblauer commented that in regards to “Section 7” consultation, there might be a threat to larger, public firework displays. Discussion occurred around that issue, and it was suggested that public discussion could be allowed on how many private show per area. Some members saw that as a problem. Burke Pease made a motion – to draft a letter from the BTAP to the US F&W and NMFS requesting that they accelerate the process, and send the letter to SAC, MBNMS staff and Sam Farr. A question stayed the motion. A member of the Santa Cruz interagency task force needed to have the process and protocols for the BTAP more clearly defined. After some discussion, the same motion was offered by B. Pease.

Motion: the BTAP will write a letter to US Fish and Wildlife and NMFS stressing the desirability for an early consultation with the staff of the MBNMS and resolution of the issue.

Other Comments:

Art Seavey expressed concern that the kelp issue is not dead (as Aaron King had alluded) because of the upcoming State MPA process. He offered a letter to the BTAP that Dave Ebert will distribute to BTAP members.

David Clayton will also get a copy of a letter that was offered at the February 2nd, Fish and Game Commission meeting regarding the Ed. Ricketts Marine Park. Dave Ebert will distribute it to all members.

New Agenda Items for future meetings.

Management Program Review Update
Fireworks
Santa Cruz Interagency Task Force
Tentative meeting date June 6th, 2001 at Moss Landing

Meeting adjourned at 12:20pm