MBNMS Business and Tourism Activity Panel (BTAP) Minutes September 11th, 2002

Meeting Date: September 11, 2002
Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Location: Santa Cruz Harbor Community Room

Attendance:

• Dave Ebert, BTAP Chair, SAC Business/Industry Representative
• Rachel Saunders, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Holly Price, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• John Robinson, Seaside Company, Santa Cruz
• Jorge Corral Meza, West Marine
• Mike Stiller, Santa Cruz Commercial Fisherman’s Association
• Tom Canale, SAC Fishing Representative, Santa Cruz Commercial Fisherman
• Bryndie Beach, AMBAG
• Annie Schnorf, Moss Landing Harbor District
• Stephanie Harlan, SAC Chair, AMBAG
• Linette Abbott, Santa Cruz Water Department
• Maggie Ivy, Santa Cruz CVC
• Brian Foss, Santa Cruz Port District
• Glenn Eberhart, Seacliff Coalition
• Michael Bekker, Cannery Row Company, Monterey
• Steve Schieblauer, Monterey Harbor

Draft Meeting Notes – a Brief Summary of the Meeting’s Proceedings.

Welcome and Introductions:

Dave Ebert, BTAP Chair gave welcoming comments and individual introductions commenced.

Items Not on the Agenda:

1. Tom Canale expressed a desire to report on the SAC action at the August meeting regarding fishing (see August SAC meeting update).
2. Glenn Eberhart from the Seacliff Coalition made a brief presentation regarding concerns over the possible future siting of a MBNMS visitor center at Seacliff State Beach. The Coalition is opposed to locating a visitor center at this site. John Robinson from the Seaside Company suggested that they might have a10,000 square foot storage area that might be suitable for a visitor center.

Santa Cruz Tourism Ballot Initiative:

Maggie Ivy and John Robinson spoke about an initiative on the November ballot that would increase hotel taxes to help cover costs for tourism promotion provided by the Santa Cruz County Convention and Visitors Council. Those attending were encouraged to support the local initiatives and handouts were provided. Stephanie Harlan agreed to put the item on the next SAC agenda.

Protocol for BTAP Letter Writing:

Dave Ebert reported that there has been some concern/confusion over the guidelines governing how working groups can write letters to the SAC and to the Sanctuary Office. Dave indicated that Stephanie Harlan and Bill Douros would be meeting soon to discuss this, after which time working group chairs would also get together to make sure everyone was operating in a consistent manner.

August SAC Meeting Update:

Dave Ebert gave a brief summary of the August SAC meeting. A special meeting was held in Cambria to take public comment on the Sanctuary’s southern boundary. Communities at the southern part of the Sanctuary have expressed strong interest in the boundary issue, with some supportive of extending the MBNMS boundary further south, others interested in establishing a separate new sanctuary and still others opposed to both. The SAC voted to support a local working group to explore options for expanding the southern boundary or other sanctuary related alternatives. Tom Canale indicated that fishermen were not supportive of expansion of the sanctuary and was concerned that it would consume too much staff time. Tom also expressed disappointment that the SAC rejected a motion proposed by Tom making clear that the Sanctuary would not be involved in regulating fishing activities. Steve Schieblauer expressed similar disappointment. Both expressed concern over the direction the Sanctuary might take with regard to mpa’s and reserves. Dave indicated that the BTAP should keep track of how its recommendations on the draft management plan match up with what is proposed. At the SAC meeting the Council passed a number of motions related to priorities for the Joint Management Plan Review. For more information please see the SAC meeting minutes located on the Sanctuary’s web site at http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov/intro/advisory/sac_min.html.

MBNMS Presentation on Desalination:

Dr. Holly Price, MBNMS Resource Protection Coordinator, gave a presentation on status of desalination activities within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and passed around several handouts. Currently the Sanctuary’s involvement with this issue is on a case-by-case review of projects and permits. Holly reviewed current sanctuary regulations that are relevant to desalination; spoke about potential impacts and reviewed the types of issues that will be evaluated as part of the Joint Management Plan Review.

MBNMS Cooperative Efforts with Business, Tourism and Industry:

Holly gave a brief presentation on the Sanctuary’s collaborative approach in working with business and industry. Holly indicated that while the Sanctuary has regulations there are many ways to protect resources. The Sanctuary focuses a great deal on identifying voluntary measures and stewardship approaches. Holly reviewed a number of issues that have involved collaboration and the implementation of voluntary measures (e.g., cruise ships, agricultural runoff, vessel traffic management, urban runoff, etc). Steve Schieblauer remarked that these were good examples. He also noted that there are other entities that want the Sanctuary to be more assertive. He encouraged the Sanctuary to continue the collaborative/voluntary approach and urged the Sanctuary not to use its authority ahead of science and cooperative efforts. Holly indicated that the Sanctuary welcomed opportunities to work with business in coming up with creative solutions to issues.

BTAP Role and Future Directions:

Time ran out for a discussion of this item. It was placed on the agenda for November. BTAP members were asked to come with ideas on the BTAP’s mission, goals, future direction and membership. The meeting adjourned.