HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11/07/2011 3.C A Iti
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DATE: November 7,:2011
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown, City Mana SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National
Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution in Support of the Gulf of
the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and
Protection Act.
BACKGROUND
On. February 7, 2005, the Petaluma,, City Council approved Resolution, 2005 -020 N.C.S. at the
request of Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, which sought to expand the Gulf of the Farallones
and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary from Marin north through the Sonoma Coast to Pt.
Arena. Representative Woolsey's `bill passed in the House in the last Congress but stalled in the
Senate.
Representative Woolsey is re- introducing the bill, HR 192, and is again asking for resolutions
and letters of support. The bill is non- controversial and has wide support from state electeds,
local governments, fishing organizations, businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and
environmental groups.
DISCUSSION,
HR 192, if approved, r
pp oved, would not affect fishing but would prevent oil drilling and offer other
protections for an area that is one of the most biologically productive regions in the entire world.
The legislation, would preserve one of only four coastal upwelling zones on the planet which
makes up just 1% of the ocean but produces more than 22% of its harvestable fish. The
expansion of the sanctuaries would ensure that this vital area will be protected so it can continue
to provide jobs for the coastal economy, the tourism industry, and the commercial and
recreational fishing communities.
Agenda Review:
City Attorney Finance Director City Maria)Z'r —``
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ATTACHMENT 1
The Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine
Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act
r Purpo To protect thelnch biologicallife n the coastal waters and estuariesyof Sonoma and
southern Mendocino Counties, California These manneenviroriments s `port high levels of
' biological diversity ex the bio1ogical productivity of tropical rain forests.
While the Northern California coast just south of Bodega Head is protected by the Gulf of the
Farallones and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, the biologically productive
Sonoma and southern Mendocino Coast deserve protection from oil spills and land -based
pollution. The bill would also extend protection to the rich estuaries of the Russian and Gualala
Rivers.
The bill would adjust the boundary of the two existing sanctuaries north and westward. The
westward adjustment will take the sanctuaries out into deeper water making it more difficult to
extract oil from the ocean floor. The northern adjustment for Cordell Bank will add an area
called the Bodega Canyon, the vortex for much of the nutrient -rich upwelling along this coast.
Moving the boundary of the Gulf of the Farallones northward wouldbring it just past Point
Arena in Mendocino.
National Marine Sanctuaries are designated in areas that have special biological significance.
The Sonoma and southern Mendocino Coast is one of the most biologically productive regions in
the world. It is within one of the four coastal upwelling zones on the planet, comprising only one
percent of the ocean, but producing 20 percent of the world's fish. Nutrient -rich water rises from
deeper levels to replace the surface water that has drifted away, and these nutrients support the
large fish population. found in this area. Additionally, the coastal estuaries are important passages
for endangered salmon and steelhead, - essential haul -outs for seals and sea lions, and prolific
nurseries for hundreds of aquatic species.
This bill does not add any additional regulations to fishing. That will be left to the State of
California, which has jurisdiction in state waters, and to the Pacific Fisheries Management
Council, which already has federal jurisdiction.
By protecting the Sonoma and southern Mendocino coast and estuaries, the bill will protect the
Bodega Marine Laboratory investment in marine research, jobs that are dependent on a tourist
economy. And, because the bill will protect fish habitat, it will protect the livelihoods of
fishermen.
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ATTACHMENT 2
The Honorable Lynn Woolsey
United States House of Representatives
1050 Northgate Drive, Suite 354
San Rafael, CA 94903
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Re: Support for HR 192
Dear Congresswoman Woolsey:
The City of Petaluma is committed to protecting the unique and rich array of marine resources along our
coast. This letter is to confirm our support of the reintroduction of HR 192 (S. 179), the Gulf of the
Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act.
The expansion of the boundaries places no additional restrictions on the fishing community, does not
conflict with existing or future regulation from the California Depai linent of Fish and Game, and does not
interfere with vessel traffic lanes. In addition, the expansion helps maintain important commercial and
sport fishing enterprises as well-as helps to protect local jobs, existing oyster operations and native
fisheries. It both safeguards and .enhances our extremely valuable tourism industry and the vital ocean
and fisheries research conducted by the University of California's Bodega. Marine Laboratory.
This bill would extend these sanctuaries north and westward to protect the Sonoma and southern
Mendocino Coast's natural beauty and significant bio- diversity. These waters will protect the California
Upwelling Ecosystem (CUE), one of only four major coastal upwelling systems on Earth, the only such
system in the United States, comprising only 1 percent of the ocean but producing 20 percent of the
world's fish. Not only is this region one of the most important `natural laboratories' in the world, its
coastal estuaries are critical passages for endangered salmon and steelhead, •essential haul -outs for seals
and sea lions, and prolific nurseries for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of aquatic species.
The City of Petaluma is pleased to give this bill a clear endorsement and looks forward to helping ensure
its passage into law.
Sincerely,
David Glass •
Mayor of Petaluma
cc: The Honorable Barbara Boxer
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
The Honorable Doc Hastings, Chair, House Natural Resources Committee
The Honorable Edward J. Markey, Ranking Member
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller, Chair, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member
ATTACHMENT 3
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE GULF OF THE FARALLONES AND CORDELL
BANK NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES BOUNDARY MODIFICATION AND
PROTECTION ACT
WHEREAS, inclusion in the National Marine Sanctuary system offers comprehensive
and permanent protection to marine resources, large scale ecosystem management, and vital
oceanic research investments, while • allowing for recreational, shipping and fishing activities;
and .
WHEREAS, Sonoma and Marin coastal waters just south of Bodega head are within the
boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries and
enjoy the protections and benefits of the National Marine Sanctuary program; and
WHEREAS, the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
Boundary Modification and Protection Act, authored by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, would
adjust the boundaries of the two existing sanctuaries north and westward to add deeper and
biologically important waters, and would extend the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones
National Marine Sanctuary up to the Gualala River, thus including the entire Sonoma County
coast; and,
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County coast is one of the most biologically rich regions in the
world and National Marine Sanctuaries are only designated in areas that have special biological
significance. These waters are within one of the four coastal upwelling zones on the planet,
comprising only one percent of the ocean but producing twenty percent of the world's fish.
Additionally, its coastal estuaries are important passages for endangered salmon and steelhead,
essential haul -outs for seals and sea lions, and prolific nurseries for hundreds of aquatic species;
and
WHEREAS, these important resources, among the richest on the planet, must be
protected from oil spills and other forms of pollution; and,
WHEREAS, by expanding the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell
Bank Sanctuaries, the bill will protect the Bodega Marine laboratory's investment in marine
research, regional jobs that are dependent on a tourist economy, recreational uses, and
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indefinable aesthetic benefits. And because the Bill will protect fish habitat, it will protect the
livelihoods of commercial fisherman; and
WHEREAS, a congressional moratorium on offshore oil, exploration and exploitation in
these waters is at risk each year in a changing political climate, thus protection must be made
permanent.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council does hereby
endorse the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary
Modification and Protection Act and supports its passage.
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