MBNMS: CWGroup Meeting Minutes March 12th, 2002

Minutes- March 12th, 2002

Attendance:

Alan Graves (SOS)
Kaitilin Gaffney (TOC)
Meredith Lopuch & Mike Osmond (WWF)
Jack Ellwanger (PPN)
Maya Conrad (CWC)
Rachel Saunders & Carol Maehr (ACS)
Don Ingraham, John Fisher & Matt Ruithauser (FOSO)
David Zaches & Jack Wickham (SC-Monterey)
Steve Webster (MBA)
Steve Shimek (Otter Project)
Janice O'Brian (LWV)
Art Haseltine, Harriet Mitteldorf & Milos Radakovich (Bay Net)
Holly Price & Lisa De Marignac (MBNMS)

Announcements

John Fisher gave an update on the status of discussions of a regional Desalination Plant: Water Board Districts and MBNMS are moving into a discussion phase fleshing out the issues. The Sanctuary is concerned about development of several small desal plants, preferring a regional approach. The next step will be for Cal Am to come up with a proposal.
A retreat/conference was held by The Otter Project to develop a grant proposal designed to address the issue of chemical contaminants and its effects on marine mammal species. Report will be available on their web site.
At the last Coastal Commission hearing, two seawall proposals were denied as well as a proposal for a tunnel. The Commission also discussed the need for a regional plan for addressing coastal armoring.
Alan Graves announced the upcoming Fisherman’s forum on MPAs.

Sanctuary Report

Mystery oil spill - The source was identified as a sunken vessel in the Gulf of the Farallones. The appropriate agencies are in the process of doing a risk and damage assessment.
The Sanctuary just finished its dispersants guidelines. Scott Kathey will provide a report to the CWG on this at a future meeting.
Water Quality: An update was given on the desalination plant and concerns about the permitting process for small desal by the Regional Board.
Snapshot Day, an annual water monitoring day co-hosted by the Sanctuary and The Ocean Conservancy will be held April 20th.
Fireworks: The Sanctuary and USFWS have decided to limit fireworks permits to the 4 urban areas located along the Sanctuary. Each of the 4 will be allowed 4 public events and 3 private events. The Sanctuary will issue no other fireworks permits.
The Sanctuary is doing outreach to pilots about overflight regulations
Sanctuary hosted its Sanctuary Currents Symposium March 9th. Several hundred people attended.

Cruise Ships Issue

CWG discussed a proposed letter outlining the CWG's concerns about cruise ships visiting the Sanctuary this spring, summer, and fall. The CWG agreed to make changes and additions to the letter and send it to both the SAC and the Sanctuary and to encourage the Sanctuary to address this issue in JMPR.

JMPR priority issues

The CWG took its 12 priority issues and voted for its top 4 cross cutting issues and top 4 Sanctuary specific issues in preparation for the next SAC meeting.
Cross Cutting: Reserves, Water Quality, Outreach/Education, Monitoring
Sanctuary specific: Water Quality (includes desal and cruise ships), Reserves, (Enforcement, Bottom Trawling

Adjournment
Next Meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2002.