Institutional Update: CSUMB (Steve Moore and Marsha Moroh)
Marsha Moroh, has been at CSUMB since 1995 when the University first
opened its doors. CSUMB is a “learning-centered model”.
Growth projection and funding are interdependent. Flat funding currently
due to a California budget crisis $52 million budget. WASC recently
accredited CSUMB. There are 13 majors under four academic programs,
which have been rearranged many times. SMART is further divided into
divisions/schools. Presently there is only an undergraduate program,
but an M.S. degree is under development. Currently there are more
science than humanity majors. Marsha mentioned that the new Science
Academic Center is the first new building on campus and houses most
of the science faculty. For more information visit http://csumb.edu.
Marsha asked the RAP for suggestions on naming the major for the M.S.
degree.
Presentation on (CCoWS) Central Coast Watershed Studies (Fred Watson)
Fred Watson gave a presentation on the results and future needs of
the Central Coast Watershed Studies program. Research is funded through
the Clean Water Act and TMDL funding. Finishing projects on sediments,
nutrients, and pesticides. Sediment research includes agriculture,
forest, and grazing areas. Nutrient research has a spatial distribution,
increasing nutrient and agricultural connection. Beach closures occur
due to high levels of fecal coliform; these levels are too high according
to the Regional Water Quality Board standards. Ditches encourage growth
of bacteria. Next step is genetic analysis. Committees convened with
MBNMS interests including: MBNMS Water Quality Protection Program,
MBNMS SAC, PG&E, and NMFS. There are gaps between watershed and
marine research (i.e. extent of impacts are unknown and levels of
pollutants are unknown). Conclusion is that pollution load and impacts
must be measured. For more information contact Fred Watson at http://science.csumb.edu/~ccows.
Suggestions from the RAP included developing a datalogger to have
students look at coliform noting that sensing is difficult. Currently,
monitoring efforts are voluntary; monitoring is a key aspect. A discussion
of projects using watersheds to treat runoff is needed.
Presentation
on SIMoN website (Josh Pederson)
Josh Pederson gave an overview of the new website and described some
of the great interactive maps and how SIMoN has gotten cooperation
from several network partners. Since October 29th, there have been
over 200,000 hits at the site. Josh asked and encouraged submission
of projects from RAP members. Visit the site at http://www.mbnms-simon.org.
Comments from some RAP members were that the site is easy to use
and it allows people to understand what is going on in research around
the bay.
Final Report on the ATOC Cable Environmental Impact Surveys (Irina
Kogan)
Irina Kogan explained that the environmental impact study on the ATOC/Pioneer
Seamount Cable was done because of interest, momentum, and $13 billion
was spent on installing the cable. Three groups have been involved
and interested in the study, these include: NOAA-OAR, MBNMS/MMSP and
MBARI. Environmental impacts include damage to rock and cable closer
to shore; organisms are aggregating on cable, although, this does
not seem to affect infauna; the unarmored cable at seamount is not
damaged and there is no rock damage, this is related to the energetics
of the area; cable buried in areas of shifting substrate; and increased
species density near the cable. For more information please contact
Irina Kogan at irina.kogan@noaa.gov.
DISCUSSIONS
RAP chair/Research Rep on SAC (Andrew DeVogelaere)
Andrew proposed that Chris Harrold act as Chair until management plan
is through.
E-mail vote by the RAP (ask for nominees).
A second e-mail: Chris and Jeff Paduan to be nominated, are there
any others?
DF&G Representative on SAC (Andrew DeVogelaere)
Updated the RAP on the progress of getting a new representative to
replace Deborah Johnston.
Ricketts Lecture and Science/Research Award Nominations (Andrew
DeVogelaere)
Need a decision by December.
At this time there are three nominations for Ricketts: Mike Foster,
John Pearse, Nicole Crane.
For the Research/Science Award there are four nominations: Bob Lea,
Pete Raimondi, Mark Carr, and Rikk Kvitek. The RAP decided to nominate
Bob Lea for both awards.
2004 RAP Meeting Dates and Locations (Andrew DeVogelaere)
Pass along a sign up sheet for hosts. A proposal to do an afternoon
meeting, starting at 1:00 pm with the annual barbeque.
INFORMATION ITEMS
GFNMS Research Workshop announced.
Handouts for upcoming SAC meeting (December 5).
Presentations on desalination plants are ready for the SAC meeting;
RAP would like Brad Damitz to give a talk at the January RAP meeting.
Formally closed meeting.
