May
21, 2002
Attendance
- K.
Gaffney (TOC)
- A.
Graves & Crescent (SOS)
- J.
Tang (Keeley)
- H.
Price (MBNMS)
- J.
Fisher, J.Wickham (SC)
- P.
Matejcek (SC)
- D.Ebert
(BTAP)
- M.Radakovich
(BAYNET)
- S.
Morton (MBNMS)
Announcements
- J.
Fisher gave an update on water district/desal activities on the
Peninsula
- The
Highlands Inn and Highlands Assn. Are scheduled to connect to the
Carmel Wastewater Plant by Spring 2003, resolving the recent Wildcat
Cove sewage issues
- Reauth
of Magnuson Act is going in for markup and the Marine Fish Conservation
Network asking for additional time to provide input to the bill.
- The
request for military exemptions from environmental laws is expected
to be acted on by the House in the next few weeks. An action alert
on this issue is available on the TOC website.
Sanctuary Report
- Sanctuary
is working with the new staffer for the BLM Coastal monument (HQ’d
in the MBNMS offices). Holly will invite the BLM staff to the next
CWG meeting to give a brief presentation.
- The
Sanctuary is participating in a research trip to the Davidson Seamount
this week.
- NOAA
enforcement officer Carol Takaka is leaving to go back to school.
- Snapshot
Day 2002 results will be available soon. The Sanctuary will be involved
in a coastwide extension of Snapshot Day in 2003.
- Mystery
Spill – the Sanctuary is working with other agencies to address
a plan for removing the remaining oil from the sunken vessel off
the Farallones.
- K.
Gaffney distributed the text on the CWG for the 2001 Annual report
and asked for comments by the end of the week.
- Team
Ocean kayak docents will begin the summer season soon and target
kayakers and wildlife interactions in Monterey and Elkhorn Slough.
The Sanctuary is seeking advice as to how to evaluatethis program.
- Special
use permits: The CWG discussed NOAA’s request for public comments
regarding the special use permit process and directed K.aitilin
to draft a letter to the SAC/MBNMS recommending that fiber optic
cable maintenance not be treated under the special use permit provisions
based on their potential for harming Sanctuary resources.
Cruise Ships
- Princess
Cruise lines got blown out on May 7 and did not unload passengers
in Monterey.
- RCCL
and Crystal Cruise Lines have also voluntarily agreed to zero discharge
in the Sanctuary.
- The
City of Monterey adopted as City policy that Cruise Ships landing
in Monterey would be expected to comply with a zero discharge policy
and if they violated this policy, the line (or possibly just the
ship) would not be allowed back in Monterey.
- Eric
Russell of the Aquatic Protection Agency monitored ocean waters
behind the Star Princess by taking samples and did not find any
samples violating fecal coliform action levels.
- The
Cruise Ship issue is on the June 7 SAC meeting agenda where K. Gaffney
will present the CWG’s recommendations contained in the March
12 letter to the SAC and the MBNMS.
JMPR
S. Morton gave an update on the JMPR process. The Sanctuaries expect
to release a list of priority issues, both cross cutting and sanctuary
specific by mid-June. A Draft work plan will be developed and issues
will be addressed either through working groups, interagency coordination
efforts, or ongoing processes. The workplan process is expected to being
in August and end by January 2003.
