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Home My WebLink About2009/09/15 Item 13 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ..' ,. ~\ft.. CITY OF . ~- (HUlA VISTA SEPTEl'vIBER 15,2009, Item /3 SUBMITTED BY: COJ\tL.\1ENT LETTER REGARDING THE MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT INITIA!~ DEPUTY CITY MAL"AGE~ DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR ~ CITY MANAGER /r ITEM TITLE: REVIEWED BY: 4/5THS VOTE: YES D NO 0 SUMMARY The Marine Life Protection Act (MLP A) was designed to assemble a network of Marine Protected Areas throughout California's coastline. The MLPA Initiative efforts in Southern Cahfornia propose to designate some or all of the San Diego South Bay as a State Marine Conservation Area, Park or Reserve. Staff has prepared a comment lettcr regarding this Initiative and is requesting Council to authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the letter (Attachment 1) to the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Department ofFish and Game. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Not applicable RECOMMENDATION That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the comment letter on behalf of the Clly. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDA nON Not apphcable DISCUSSION The MLP A was signed into law in 1999 and directs the state to examine and redesign California' systems of marine protected areas in order to increase the Department of Fish and Game's effectiveness in protecting the state's marine life, bays and estuaries. The state is divided into three regions: North, Central and South Coast regions. Recommendations have already been made for the North and Central coasts. The state is 13-1 September 15,2009 Item /3 Page 2 of3 now looking to establish marine protected areas from Point Conception to the USlMexico border, which is called the South Coast region. In each study region, several groups oversee the study process. The Regional Stakeholder Group (Stakeholder Group) is an appointed group that develops Marine Protected Area (MFA) proposals that are reviewed and evaluated by the Science Advisory Team, the California Department of Fish and Game, MLP A Initiative Staff, the public and policy- level Blue Ribbon Task Force (Task Force). The MFA proposals are then again refined by the Stakeholder Group and then presented to the Task Force, which makes the recommendation to the California Department ofFish and Game. Draft versions of the MFA proposals for the south coast study region are currently being prepared. The proposal process includes three rounds. Round 1 was completed in Spring 2009. Round 2 was just completed in June 2009 and Round 3 is currently taking place at this time. Each round of the proposal preparation process produces alterative mapping proposals with potential MFA designations. In Round 2 six map variations were created and are included as Attachments 2-7. There are three different designations of marine protected area: state marine reserve (SMR), state marine park (SMF) and state marine conservation area (SMCA). These areas are distinguished by the type of activil1es that are allowed. A SMR is the most restrictive designation and does not allow any fishing or extraction activity. An SMF prohibits commercial fishing, commercial extraction and may limit some recreational activities. A SMCA may limit commercial and/or recreational activities. The proposals that are being considered in the area include some or all of the San Diego South Bay as a State Marine Conservation Area, Park or Reserve. The CDFG is responsible for implementing the MLPA and the impacts of these designations are limited by the CDFG authority, of which extends seaward of the mean high tide line or mouth of a coastal river out to federal waters. Anything outside this boundary is not subject to the MLP A provisions. Affects ofthe MLPA on South San Die20 Bav As Council is aware, the City has been actively working together with the Port of San Diego on developing a comprehensive land use plan for the 556-acre Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan. This plan has been developed in close coordination with a citizen stakeholder group and involved over 50 pubhc outreach meetings over the course of 6 years. After extensive outreach, the City has worked with the Port of San Diego and the community to develop a plan, which balances local needs, protection of the environment, recreation and commerce. The City is currently working with the Port of San Diego to finalize the Environmental Impact Report for the project. City staff has researched the MLP A Initiative, however we are uncertain of the impacts on the South Bay and more specifically, within the lImited coastline areas in Chula Vista. The previous proposals that were being considered in the area include some or all of the San Diego South Bay as a State Marine Conservation Area, Park or Reserve. Any of these designations could potentially impact future development and recreation along our coastline. 13-2 September 15,2009 Item /3 Page 3 of3 Next Steps/Timeline At this time, it is staffs understanding that the Stakeholder Group will be meeting on September 9th and lOth The Stakeholder Group will continue to refine their proposals for the South Coast Region and then prepare three (3) new proposals for consideration by the Science Advisory Team in early October, and the Task Force in late October. A final recommendation from the Task Force is expected to be forwarded to the CDFG Commission in December for final action. Staff will continue to monitor these meetings and apprise Council of any new information as it becomes available. As discussed in the attached comment letter, concerns are raised regarding the potential effects on the current Chula Vista Bayfront project, as well as the lack of outreach and involvement with the local communities and jurisdictions in the MPA proposal process. Given these concerns, the City is requesting that a presentation be provided to the City Council prior to any final recommendations so that local concerns can be appropriately considered. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and given that this action is a comment letter, the. SOO-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Section 18704.2(a)(I) is not applicable to this decision. CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT This item involves only a comment letter. If there are any changes in the MLPA status change for the area, then fiscal impacts will be evaluated at that time. ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT Not Applicable A TT ACHMENTS 1. Comment Letter on the Marine Life Protection Initiative 2. Round 2 Lapis I Draft MPA Proposal 3. Round 2 Lapis 2 Draft MPA Proposal 4. Round 2 Opal Draft MP A Proposal 5. Round 2 Topaz Draft MPA Proposal 6. Round 2 Revised External Proposal A 7. Round 2 Round 2 External Proposal B Prepared by: lvJarzsa Lundstedt, Principal Planner, Development Services Department 13-3 August 30, 2009 Ken Wiseman Executive Director California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative c/o California Natural Resources Agency 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311 Sacramento, CA 95814 Donald Koch California Department ofFish and Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814 SUBJECT: COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT Dear Mr. Wiseman and i'vir. Koch: On behalf of the Chula Vista City Council, 1 am wntmg to express the City's concerns regarding the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative process and the potential impacts to the Chula Vista Bayfront and the South San Diego Bay. The City just recently learned of the proposed MLPA Initiative, and since that time has been working diligently to gain an understanding of the efforts and background on the current MPLA proposals. Based on a review of the available information, we are still uncertain of the extent of impacts on the South Bay and more specifically, on the limited coastline area within the City of Chula Vista. The proposals that are being considered include designatmg some or all of the San Diego South Bay as a State Marine Conservation Area, Park or Reserve. Any of these designations could potentially impact future development, recreational activities, and existing users along our City's coastline. Over the course of the last six years, the City of Chula Vista has been actively working together with the Port of San Diego on developing a comprehensive land use plan for the 556-acre Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan. This plan has been developed in close coordination with a citizen stakeholder group and involved over nearly 50 public outreach meetings. After extensIVe outreach, the City has worked with the Port of San Diego and the community to develop a plan that balances local needs, protection of the environment, recreation and. commerce. The City is currently working with the Port of San Diego to finalize the Environmental Impact Report for the project. A proposed MLPA designation 13-4 Page 2 Ken Wiseman and Donald Koch August 30, 2009 within the South San Diego Bay may potentially affect the measurable progress that has been made on this planning process. The City of Chula Vista is concerned that local jurisdictions have not had adequate opportunity to participate collaboratively as an active partner in the development of the MLPA proposals for the South San Diego Bay. Although a few local public workshops were held, this outreach effort did not fully engage all local jurisdictions that may be affected by the proposed MLP A designations. In addition, based on a review of the available information, it is unclear what specific activities are limited or prohibited within each MLPA designation. The MLP A initiative for the South Coast region has proceeded on an accelerated schedule and to date, the City Council and the local community has not had an adequate opportunity to fully understand the specific parameters of this initiative, nor provide meaningful comments on the draft proposals. Given the potential implications of this initiative, the City of Chula Vista requests that a presentation be provided to the City Council prior to any final recommendations so that information can be distributed and comments can be appropriately considered. Please contact the office of the City Manager, Jim Sandoval at 619-409-5997 to schedule a presentation to the Chula Vista City Council. We look forward to being a part of this process. Thank you for consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Cheryl Cox Mayor cc: City of Chula Vista Council Members Catherine Reheis-Boyd, Chair Blue Ribbon Task Force Chair Jim Sandoval, CIty Manager Gary Halbert, Deputy City Manager/Development Services Director Donna Toledo, Executive Secretary 13-5 . .. . Agua Hedionda Lagoon SMR .~ Escondida \'rn Batiquitos Lagoon SMR t~t.----- San Elijo Lagoon SMR Swami's-San Elijo SMCA .,'f A for 111(l'-.~ de(.tileill1l,11~ Pic,ISI! \'1.~iL ':~~.i 'f~:iVY~,.n l~;{JDt;lPi] P.9!"iJ 'n!.tll:iI!!2!1!~JP Salam:, aeach San Dieguito Lagoon SMR California lVIarine Life Protection Act (IVILPA) Initiative San Diego-Scripps SMCA :'C ~ . 0, PenasqUltos Lagoon! SMR : ~ Round 2 Lapis 1 Draft MPA Proposal La Jolla 1 SMR ; La Jolla 2 SMR Legend [ZA Panting MUllalY Ocsura ~propo".dSI.I.Mii"".CQn.......aIIDoAtea{SMCII) Propo..dSIOlu Marine POlk (SMP) ~ Proposed 51ale MlIrtne RBS8NalSMR ~ No T.~.l L~ITJ Propc'ed Slele Marine R."",eIIoMI M""BSemenl ^"'. ISMRMA) 5oulhCoo.ISludyR8slonBoundary San Diego River: SMCA ' Famosa Slough SMR \ Point Lorna' SMCA @ San Diego Coronado Pain/Lome Ha Sil (South San Deigo Bay) SMP . Imperial BOilCh Tijuana Estuary SMR This map represlilnls it draft marine protected area (MPA) arTay{JBneratadbYllcro~s-interestworkgroupwilhlnlhe MLPASouth COilst RllQlonal Stakeholder Group. Thl~ df'ilrt MPA arrilY 15 underrllvlllWj Ills NOT II recommandallon to thll California Fish and Game Commlssion.. I Tijuana River Mouth ! SMCA MezicQ Prolectlon Information: N . " , PrinllngDatll:61212009 A , . . . , . . . , Crualed8y: Name: NAD 1983 California TealeAlbers ATTACHMIENT 2 ProjecUon:Albers 1:420,000 Marine Map, Cartographic Dlvlsloll UCS8 Dalum: North Arnllrlcan 1983 ,~ ,'.' .~. , - ~-"'r""'''' - --=_..,..""...C' ,,,.. - " , . .~' . " " . , ."" ,- ". ., -""", . -~~ ." , . '-"''' " . 6) 0, ~,r, ". ;. ~ . '\~lr . l\lE " q;r.1' 11 : . f_ =.. . ars a 'Agua Hedionda Lagoont' SMR ' '--'~' . . Batiquitos Lagoon: , SMR <P Encinitas Ar.A h'r"h'JI.,<:Iel..liletlrllap:,I,I"""E'II';ll (~./ ':".0:If.~!).lt!XI!}1,1 !If!P~'!I!Jf.il_ k]~~I!,lmm 'San Elijo Lagoon, ! SMR "f;.,.P Solana l:Ieach ,Del Man SMR ; San Dieguito Lagoon, SMR California Marine Lite Protectiol1 Acl (MLPA) Il1itintive Round 2 Lapis 2 Draft MPA Proposal San Diego-Scripps: SMCA : Penasquitos Lagoon' SMR ~ 'La Jolla~.-- rfJ l SMR ;--. PoiJILIlJaJ/a \,.. Logend ~pa""ngMII(8ryCl<>..,,. ~propo56d5IaI8MarlnOCtlnsorvaltonAr08(SMCAI PfDpOSeOSla\nMarnePBrk(SMP) Em Propo.e~ Stala Marine ReS.NO (SMR ~ No Toke) b1~J P'OP"Sft~ Stale Mafln8 Roc",.llonal MlIr)~9Gm.nlAIlIII (SMRMAl SoutnCoa.ISlwdyflogllHllloundufY w I -.J ;San Diego River SMCA- i Point Lorna L__ , SMCA ,- 'Famosa Slough: , SMR @ San Diego Coronado PoinrLoma 'Tijuana Estuary' SMR This map repr"slInts a drolfj marlno protected Bf"il (MPA) Ilrray generated by a cross-inleresl workgrotJp within Ihe MLPASouth Coast Regional Slal\eholder Group. Th[" draft MPA i1rray Is tJnd",r review; It Is NOT" rocommendallon 10 Ihe California Fish and Game CommIssion.. H~ ~m-(S~~thS~~D~ig~ Bay): SMP . lt1)perial Beadl !Tijuana River Mouth SMCA ~~ ~I~ IIJJexisCJ N A " , ..n. , ATIACHMlIEINIT 3 Prinling Data: 5/212009 CrealedBy: "1arine Map, CartographIc DivisIon UCS8 11ermection Information: Nama: NAD 19B3 California TealeAlbars Plojecliun:Albef5 I Datu"" NorlhAm..rlcan 1963 """"_."',.........__"'''''''~~....,.,...,.,....._''''''''''fi__....~''"''''''''''.,......''''''''=...,.'''""''',.,.".,..,..,,._..-'''''''''-~,.~"'.....,.,...,....",". 1:420.000 ....~=..,.".......~~.,. ~~,_",,,,,,,,,"~,._.,~~,,,,,,,",",;,,,,.,,,,,,-~,_,,,_,",,,,~......,.,...,,,,,,,"m...."",,,,,,,,,w,"~,"''''''''f.>'''''''~.<U''.''''W''''',,,",'B'JI';L">!''!'''I<"f<'''';M>'~ ." " . . . . Agua Hedionda Lagoon SMR Escondida ..~ Batiquitos Lagoon SMR ..~ Enclnitas SMCA \: Endnilas (it I-or In,,(c d(;l..lik:!\II"3r:~; 1,1-:-" if' '<''';1(: "Y.Y'::w,n ltJ lil.l!'~ Illj_1 p" VI fJlp).J ri l}f; I !! :.1 C' Del Mar SMR San Dieguilo I SMR ! Cnlifornin Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initintive Solana 8each San Diego-Scripps SMCA Penasquitos SMR Round 2 Opal Draft MPA Proposal La Jolla SMR ;j legend ~P~ndrgM"IBryClosu'a ~ Proposnd Slain Marine Cons..-vellonAroa lSMCA] Prcpo.nd SlalO Marna ?ark (SMP) m Proposed Slain MarUla RO$BI\IB (SMR ~ No Take) rl21 Propoud Slale Marine Rec/utlanol Manallem811IAroa (SMRMA) SoulhCOBblmlldyR~Olo" Boundnry Little Bird Rock; SMR Pain/LilJa/fa m~ Ocean Beach SMCA Sunset Cliffs SMR @) San Diego : South San Diego Bay SMCA Coronado Cabrillo SMR - ;;. ~, . ~'~I PokJ/Loma ..., r.: I;}' :~Impe';al Bea,h :,. l~ .-.'"'" ,. ", \1 Tijuana River Estuary I SMR This ma.p represents a drall marine protected area (MPA) array generallld by a Cl'Oss-intllrest workgroup wlthinlho MLPA South COilst Reglonat Stakoholdor Group. This drat! MPA array [5 under revlow; It Is NOT a recommendation to the Caltfornla Fish and Game Commlssion~ Sweetwater Marsh SMR r Tijuana Reef , SMCA Tijuana River Mouth SMR jvlexic:CJ Projection Information: N . " . .-. Prlnlng Date: 61212009 , . , . . . , Nallle: NAO 1963 Call1ornle Tllale Albers A 1:420,000 ATTACIHIMENT 4 CrealedBy: Projection: Albers Murine Map. Carlographlc DIvision UCS8 Datum; NorthA",adcar119B3 .F"'''<I~''''''''''''--<''''''''''''''''''''''''''"''''''''''''~''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''~''''~'''''''''' _~".......,..,,""'-n"""'Y=".''''''''''''''.''''''-'' _,.'''.......,.,.,.=L......",'''''''''''..,=.".,..._.,_..~'"'''._,..''''~_,>....,..._~-....., "_~__....--..""""...."......,..,_.'T.-.....''',."..,,."''''''''r-''__,.,...'....'''''==...."""""""'\~".",.,,,."'.,_"'_,,.,,,...,..,,...,,'=..'~.T..._......,,,, """'. ~YJr Escondido . " , ars a .,~ Batiquitos Lagoon SMR Agua Hedionda Lagoon SMR <l9~ San Elijo Lagoon SMR Swamis SMCA -. ~I\. Enclnllas .,.~ Solanaaeach {~~ ~~'~~'~::;;);;;'~.;JI;;:~~:'~':~ :~~;t;;lr;~::;'ll~~.i.~~':~':: Del Mar SMR San Dieguito Lagoon SMR California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative La Jolla North SMR Round 2 Topaz Draft MPA Proposal Los penasquitos Marsh I' SMCA La Jolla South Ai' SMR PohlLaJo!iEl Kendal Frost SMCA legend \; ~Pe"d1ngMCIIIBryGl""lIre ffD Prllllosad Slato Marina Consmvat'on Aroa (SMGAl Proplnad5111IBMa<lnePerj((SMPj ~Propo.Bd5Ie\eMa'lneHue"'eI5MFl=NoTBke) l~ Prq>oud 51ele Marlr1e HecrealtO<lal MiiI1agemenlA",o (SMRMAl SOUlhCoaoISludyRoo,cn80undary ......~ .J. San Diego Riverl Famosa Slough SMCA La Jolla South SMCA Ocean Beach SMCA @ San Diego Ocean Beach SMR Coronado ~ Poil' Loma South San Diego Bay SMCA Thismapraprasenlsa draft marll1a plolacted arail (MPA) BrTilY generated by iI cross-Interest wol1l group wllhln the MLPASollth COilsl Regional Stakeholder Group. ThIs drollt MPA array Is under revIew; Ills NOT a recommendilllon to the California Fish and Game CommI6slon.. Cabrillo SMR lijuana Estuary SMR .....!ll .:r-rg;t.. Imperial Beach SMCA Mexico ~~,.....,~~....."'~.....m""'_.""""-"~"L.~""""""-.....-"_....,..,,,,,,,,,...........~.,.......~ ~"_,_,~",~"",~,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,~,,-,H__"""""""'_~'-'-'='."",..=.,."..,~"""""-=\lI"'''''''''''"'"'''''"'''-''''''''''''''''=''''"'='''''''''""'''''''''''~''!''"""'~'''j... It N A ....... , ATTACHMENT 5 Prinllng Date: 6/212009 CrealedBy: Marine Map. Carlllgraphlc DIvision UCSB Proiectlon Infonnalion: Nama: NAO 1963 California Taale A bars Plojocllon.Albers Dalurn: North Arm.r1can 1993 1:420,000 ~2scondido Batiquitos Lagoon SMR . ..-, -., '''-;,:HUU~ San Elijo Lagoon SMR Enclnilas _.(..~ For intH~ deI8lk~{J 111<'ID5 P;f)::l':il~ "1';1( ~) ~y.W\!y. nJ@li!lliIT!~lL1 QI_g!Jn\'!rJm~_U1i:W -:-:'.- .~.....- ~~,,~ Solana Ueach California Marine LifH Protection Act (III1LPA) Initiative Del Mar SMR " San Dieguito Lagoon SMR 1'. Round 2 Revised External Proposal A La Jolla SMR ,."",,1 .;J1l PoinlLaJolla Legend V?]PeodlngMilllaryClosures G,m Proposed Slale Manne Conservallon Area (SMCAl Proposed Slala MarlnaPark (SMP) ~~ Proposed Slela Marina Reserve (SMR = No Take) .. I SoulhColIslSludy ROlllonBoundary ~ w I ~ o Ocean Beach SMCA Sunset Cliffs SMR ". @ San Diego Coronado' " !L ...;.:_ F'Oin'tLomiJ ~ i Cabrillo SMR . Imperial Beach TIlls nIap represents a marIna prolaclad arell (MPA) proposlIlthlllhasbeensubmltledelllllmlllfromUla MLPASoulh Coast Regional Stakeholder Grollp MPA plllnnlngprocess. lhh,extemal proposal Is llnderruview; Ills NOT a rccommlmctallon to Ihe Ca1Jlomia Fish ilnd Gamo CommIssion. Oneonta Slough SMR \. IlJlexic:CJ pro1ection Information: N . '~. ,.. :..... Pl1nllng Dale: 5/29/2009 I~NamB NAD19B3CBllfomlBTealBAlbers A 1420000 ATIACHMIENT 6 ~;:~led~Y. C hi Dlvll UCSB ProjecllonAlbers . ne ap, artograp c son Datum NOllh Amencan 19B3 ~.l':I';->>>";""R,l\',I\I.w'i~r.;ilMlr.1',~~~~C,~'1ff.t'/r~~"-!\W"L...-p:-...r.:~'l:7U.J<'1':n".:'ttA'el';'''''.A:lm't3J:W!';~~~.''''~Fl:>W.."'l.l-l.=~r:tY:l<l:';'':;Ulo~".;!tl=I:.7n;n.,..t.I~~.,"",J."'r..~=~"'~~=m:'J!:'~ij~"="""=i!l':.<"~t;I{ID'SM~!1!I!'J-rn:'~~W~ or, G . ,- ~ , Batiquitos Lagoon SMP Escondida Agua Hedionda Lagoon SMR Encinitas ;~~ ~~\~~~~::_~;~ti;~~~~:~(:~;~:~, ~';~~;:i.~;~~l~~~:;; San Elijo Lagoon SMP Solana l:3each San Dieguito Lagoon SMR California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Del Mar SMCA !\ Round 2 Revised Edemal Proposal B Del Mar SMR ~ PoinlLa JoJla ., , Legend t'Zl PanlllO] MlIilllry CIo!Ures bm Proposed Slate Ma(~B Con5Cfoallol1Noe (SMeAl Proposed Slnla Manne Pe'k(SMPj n Propo.ed S1at"Mef~e Re.."ve (SIAR..No Take) [::"l P'Ol'o.ed Slale Marine llacmBUonal Management ^"'. (SMHMA) !--"SoUlhCoeSlsludyRaglor1noundery La Jolla SMCA .....".,...--J/ w I ~ ~ San Diego-Scripps SMCA Ocean Beach SMCA .'. @ San Diego Coronado Sunset Cliffs SMR i. PrWllL~8 ~ Sweetwater Marsh SMR Mia J Tegner SMCA i Imperial Beach South San Diego Bay SMP This map rllprll50nts a marine prole&lod area (MPA) proposal Ihat hll5been suhmitted eKternalfrom the MLPA South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group MPA plannlngproc:e!>!i. This IlKternal prcpcsal Is under review; it is NOT a recommendation to the Callfornla fish Plld Game Commls!llon. -- J1J18;~ic;CJ ~ N A u . ,~, , ATTACHMENT 7 Ptillllrog Dale: 512912009 Created By: Murine Map, Car\o9raphlc Divlslan UCSB Proiection Infonnation: Nama: NAD 1963 Calaornl.. Teale Albero Projection: Albers Datum: North Amerl""" 1983 1420,000