For Immediate Release: Sept. 8, 2005 CA-N-05-90
Contact: Rick Hanks (831) 372-6105 or Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332

CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT PLAN APPROVED

A comprehensive and cooperative management plan for the California Coastal National Monument, covering more than 20,000 rocks and islands along the scenic 1,100-mile California coast, was approved today by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

BLM State Director Mike Pool signed the official Record of Decision approving the plan. Ryan Broddrick, director of the California Department of Fish and Game, and Ruth Coleman, director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, also signed a supporting statement with the plan signifying their agencies' roles as "core-managing partners" of the monument.

"This resource management plan is the result of years of public input and participation that began when the monument was established by Presidential Proclamation in January 2000," said Pool. "We now look forward to implementing this plan with our federal, state, tribal, local and non-governmental partners, and all Californians who care deeply about the unique California coast."

Rick Hanks, monument manager, said the plan contains broad direction for the protection of the geologic formations and habitats for seabirds, sea lions, seals, and plant life. It focuses heavily on multi-agency and other partnerships and involvement of local communities as the keys to management and protection.

The plan outlines how the BLM, California Department of Fish and Game and California Department of Parks and Recreation will coordinate day-to-day management of the monument, and the roles of collaborative and stewardship partners. A key element will be future establishment of "gateway communities" up and down the coast, involving areas, cities, and towns in helping to manage and interpret the monument.

Copies of the decision are available upon request from the monument office at 299 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940, telephone (831) 372-6115; or email at ccnm@ca.blm.gov. The final plan will be mailed in the next few weeks to those who participated in the planning; or those who requested copies, either in a printed or CD version. Additional CD or printed versions are available upon request.

The California Coastal National Monument includes the rocks and small islands stretching the length of the coast, above mean high tide, out 12 nautical miles. It does not include major islands such as the eight Channel Islands, the Farallon Islands, or the islands in San Francisco Bay.

-BLM-

California Coastal National Monument 299 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940