Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) in Laguna Beach

The process of developing a network of marine reserves and protected areas in state waters along the Southern California Coast from Point Conception to the Mexican border is moving toward completion. Will Laguna Beach be included in a Marine Reserve?

The Laguna Beach City Council endorsed a marine reserve for the entire Laguna Beach coastline at its meeting of June 16, 2009.

It is the rich intertidal habitat for which Laguna Beach is famous that makes it a priority location for a marine protected area. A marine reserve the length of our city would be part of a statewide network of nurseries along California’s coast to restore our fish populations. Laguna would provide the link to habitat in Palos Verdes and Point Loma. This backbone of reserves approximately 45–60 miles apart would give larvae and fish populations sufficient room to migrate and rebuild. Reviewed every five years, the only restriction in a marine reserve would be against killing fish or other marine life. Recreational activities such as boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and just enjoying the beach would not be affected or limited in any way.

Laguna Beach residents testified at the August 3 Regional Stakeholders MLPA hearing in Carlsbad and September 10, 2009 in Los Angeles in support of a marine reserve for all of Laguna, and this led to the emergence of one map out of three alternatives designating a citywide marine reserve.

The last round of map-drawing by the Regional Stakeholders Group was completed and the three resulting proposals were reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF). At their Los Angeles hearing on October 20-22, the BRTF forwarded all three proposals for consideration to the California Department of Fish and Game Commission (DFG). Proposal 3 provides for a Marine Reserve along the entire Laguna Beach coast. BRTF also created a map of their own called the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA), which includes a smaller Marine Reserve for Laguna Beach–from Abalone Point in North Laguna to Secret Cove in South Laguna.

Alternative 3 has been endorsed by Village Laguna, South Laguna Civic Association, League of Women Voters, Laguna Canyon Conservancy, Zero Trash, Coastkeeper, OCdiving.com, Endangered Planet, Help Blue Water along with many individuals. To add your name to a list of people endorsing a citywide marine reserve, send your name to Jinger Wallace at jingerw@hotmail.com. The DFG, who will make the final decision, held their first meeting on December 6 and is now proceeding with CEQA (environmental) review of all proposals. Their next meeting will be on March 3-4 in Upland where public testimony will be accepted.

What you can do?

Calla Allison is our City’s representative to the Regional Stakeholders Group. Feel free to contact Ms. Allison with questions or concerns. callison@lagunabeachcity.net

Send e-mails in support of Proposal 3 and a citywide marine reserve for Laguna and attend the Department of Fish and Game hearing March 3-4 in Upland, California. Visit the Department of Fish and Game website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ or contact Jinger Wallace (jingerw@hotmail.com) or Charlotte Masarik (charlottemasarik@cox.net) for more information.