Part
V Table of Contents
I. Section Introduction
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972,
as amended, and its implementing regulations (l5 CFR Part 922)
require that a management plan be prepared for each proposed Sanctuary.
Once the Sanctuary is designated, the plan will be implemented.
The management plan focuses on Sanctuary goals and objectives,
management responsibilities and guidelines for the resource protection,
research, education and administration programs.
The plan establishes an administrative framework in recognition
of the need for cooperation and coordination to ensure effective
management. The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division (SRD), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is responsible
for management of the site.
Variable funding for staff and program development over the next
several years may affect specific aspects of Sanctuary management
described in this plan. Modifications to the scope and scale of
the programs may have to be made because of such unforeseeable
changes in the level of funding. The goals and objectives of the
plan will, however, remain unchanged.
Sanctuary goals and objectives provide the framework for developing
the management strategies. The goals and objectives direct Sanctuary
activities towards the dual purposes of resource protection and
compatible public use and are consistent with the intent of the
National program.
The management strategies planned for the proposed Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) are directed to the goals and
objectives outlined below. It should be noted that, although the
Sanctuary goals are listed discretely, they are actually overlapping.
For instance, the research and education efforts both contribute
to resource protection and to enhancing compatible public use
of the Sanctuary.
The first task upon Sanctuary designation will be to establish
liaisons with the appropriate agencies to ensure the Sanctuary
mandate can be carried out through a cooperative management strategy.
Sanctuary staff will meet with other agencies and institutions
operating in the area to familiarize them with the Sanctuary mandate
and staff, and determine appropriate working relationships. For
example, discussions to determine resources most in need of management
would take place with California Departments of Fish and Game
and Parks and Recreation, State Water Quality Resources Board,
Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, local businesses, Association of Monterey
Bay Area Governments, towns and cities, agricultural and fishing
representatives and research institutions. A Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee (SAC) will be created by the
Sanctuaries and Reserves Division to advise the Sanctuary Manager
on policy issues. The Committee will consist of appointed representatives
of government agencies, research and education groups, and commercial
and environmental interests.
During the public comment period on the DEIS/MP, NOAA received
many requests from Government agencies, environmental organizations,
municipalities, research and education groups and private industries
as well as individual members of the public requesting participation
in the SAC. One of the top priorities for the Sanctuary Manager
will be to assist with the creation of the SAC according to the
procedures and guidelines required by the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (FACA). All groups and individuals will have an opportunity
to assist in the development of the SAC via the procedures specified
in FACA and its implementing regulations (see Appendix A).
It is intended that the SAC will create subcommittees to assist
in developing programs in research, education, resource protection
and administration for the Sanctuary. Thus the SAC will play a
key role in advising on what the management priorities should
be, and coordinating Sanctuary actions with those of other agencies.
The Sanctuary staff will work with other agencies to coordinate
resource management programs and look for necessary support for
such programs. The Sanctuary also will support management-related
research and monitoring through funding, staffing, and other means
that may be available and appropriate.
Other immediate and high priority activities will include reviewing
development or management proposals that will impact upon the
marine resources, providing policy advice to other agencies working
in the proposed Sanctuary area, and making presentations to appropriate
levels of government.
Another priority will be to assist in coordination and support
of existing interpretive and education programs, such as those
of the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Monterey
Bay Aquarium. SRD headquarters and Sanctuary staff will review
and develop educational materials, signage, interpretive displays
and appropriate facilities in cooperation with existing programs.
Interpretive information provided to those using the Sanctuary
for recreation uses may help them enjoy their visit more and increase
their awareness of Sanctuary resources.
The general public and interested organizations in central and
northern California will play important roles in attaining resource
protection goals in the Sanctuary. Interpretive programs fostering
public understanding and, hence, support for management objectives,
are inherent in the plan's concept. The establishment of the Sanctuary
will provide an excellent opportunity to inform the public about
the value of efforts to protect its fragile resources and the
need for a long-term management framework. Effective communication
will depend on publications, exhibits, and special events that
convey the significance of the Sanctuary's resources to both the
in-state and out-of-state public.
The management plan proposes actions tailored to specific issues
affecting the Sanctuary. The plan recognizes the need for a balanced
approach reflecting the protection priorities and the multiple
use character of the area. Implementation of this plan will require
cooperation and coordination among many federal, state and local
government agencies as well as private organizations and individuals.
See Appendix C for a listing and brief description of the various
state and federal management authorities which have statutory
responsibility for protecting marine resources in the proposed
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary area.
Information exchange, sharing facilities and staff, and the coordination
of policies and procedures for resource protection will be features
of all programs, including research and education. The plan is
designed to guide management of the proposed Sanctuary for the
first five years after implementation. During this period, management
initiatives will generally fall into four basic programs: Resource
Protection, Research, Education and Administration. The remainder
of this section describes goals, guidelines and initiatives for
each program.
Section
II
Part
V Table of Contents
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