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Bureau of Land Management C Mt( OR IGttr•JA‘, BLM MOU No. CA-939-09- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Department of the Interior And CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES Regarding the CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT I. PARTIES This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by and between the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. II. PURPOSE The purpose of this MOU is to formalize a collaborative partnership between the BLM and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in a mutually beneficial undertaking to assist with the preservation and stewardship of the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM) and advance the understanding and protection of California's coastal and ocean resources. III. BACKGROUND A. California Coastal National Monument— Established by Presidential Proclamation on January 11, 2000 (Hereinafter referred to as the "Proclamation"), the California Coastal National Monument consists of"all unappropriated or unreserved lands and interest in lands owned or controlled by the United States in the form of islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles above mean high tide within 12 nautical miles of the shoreline of the State of California." The CCNM was nationally recognized in the Proclamation as a biological and geological treasure, rich in biodiversity, and providing essential habitat for many species of scientific interest. The CCNM designation mandates the protection of historic and scientific objects, particularly geologic formations and the habitat that they provide for plants and animals that normally inhabit the area of the CCNM, and the designation limits management discretion that the Federal managers otherwise have. The Secretary of the Interior manages the CCNM through the BLM and under the BLM's existing authorities, subject to the overriding purpose of protecting the objects described in the Proclamation. B. Core-Managing Partners—Through a separate MOU that went into effect on May 4, 2000, the BLM agreed to collaborate with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) in the management of the CCNM. This collaborative management effort between the three agencies includes (1) use-authorization related to the CCNM, (2) preservation of the objects of historic and scientific interest outlined in the Proclamation, (3) mapping and 1 understanding resources within the CCNM, and (4)working with the public to explain the values of the CCNM. As a result of this separate MOU, the "core-managing partners" for the CCNM are BLM, DFG, and State Parks and are responsible for the administration and long-term oversight of the entire CCNM. C. CCNM Gateway Initiative & Palos Verdes Peninsula.Without developing community involvement and the sense of community"ownership," it will be very difficult to effectively manage the CCNM. Key to the successful implementation of the CCNM is the establishment and initiation of a series of"CCNM Gateways." CCNM Gateways are sections of the California coast that serve as visitor contact points or portals for the CCNM. These are areas, towns, cities, communities, or various locations that are ideal for providing visitor information and services, and have the infrastructure and interest in serving in this capacity. It is also the vehicle to establish a local "flavor"for a specific portion of the CCNM and provide local stewardship. The CCNM Gateway initiative for the Palos Verdes Peninsula includes the portion of the CCNM that extends from Malaga Cove at Palos Verdes Estates to the north to Cabrillo Beach Park in San Pedro to the south. With its breathtaking coastline vistas, dramatic steep cliffs, gracefully rolling hills, and deep canyons, the Palos Verdes area is a landscape inspiring both artists and poets. The Palos Verdes Peninsula area, a part of the greater Los Angeles megalopolis yet separated from the hectic pace of modern life, is filled with natural beauty and majestic beaches and provides a diversity of natural habitats and other natural and cultural values. D. City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Incorporated in 1973, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is interested in functioning as a collaborative partner in the development and implementation of the CCNM Gateway for the Palos Verdes Peninsula that falls within the city jurisdiction, highlighted by the stretch from Point Vicente to Shoreline Park. IV. AUTHORITY A. BLM Authority. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, Section 307(b), provides that the Secretary of the Interior may undertake programs of resource management through cooperative agreements. B. City of Rancho Palos Verdes Authority. The Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (1978) authorizes communities to enter into cooperative agreements with Federal agencies. V. PRINCIPLES OF AGREEMENT A. City of Rancho Palos Verdes Agrees To: 1. Serve as a collaborating partner in working with BLM, DFG, State Parks, and other CCNM partners to collaborate with the long-term protection and administration of the CCNM and its various resources and resource values associated with the CCNM Gateway initiative for the Palos Verdes Peninsula. 2. Work with BLM and the various CCNM partners, as appropriate, to collaboratively communicate to the general public the unique coastal habitats, protection needs, and appropriate public use of the CCNM and associated California coastal resources. 2 3. Coordinate, where feasible, associated City of Rancho Palos Verdes outreach program initiatives with CCNM outreach initiatives. 4. Display and distribute CCNM outreach materials and provide visitor information at appropriate City of Rancho Palos Verdes visitor contact venues. 5. Undertake agreed upon projects, tasks, or initiatives. B. BLM Agrees To: 1. Look for ways to enhance the City of Rancho Palos Verdes educational/interpretive outreach programs associated with local unique coastal habitats and resource values. 2. Coordinate with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, in cooperation with other CCNM partners as appropriate, on collaborative efforts for pooling resources and/or data and/or obtaining funds in order to carry-out educational initiatives associated with the CCNM and the CCNM Gateway for the Palos Verdes Peninsula. 3. Provide leadership regarding the planning, implementation, and monitoring of agreed upon projects, tasks, or initiatives. 4. Follow the CCNM Gateway Geotourism Approach and Principles, as outlined in Attachment 1, and use them as the guiding principles for the development and implementation of the CCNM Gateways. 5. Assist the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, as appropriate, with mutually agreed upon projects, as approved by the City Council, tasks, or initiatives. C. BLM and CRPV Mutually Agreed To: 1. Collaborate in the long-term preservation and stewardship of the CCNM. 2. Seek opportunities to coordinate, share, and/or combine resources and positions and/or personnel where feasible in effectively serving the mission and purpose of both the CCNM and associated programs of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. 3. Seek and establish partnerships, as appropriate, to further carry out these actions. 4. Meet at least annually to discuss and reach agreement on projects, tasks, or initiatives pertaining to the CCNM to be undertaken pursuant to this MOU. 5. Enter into agreement, supplemental to this MOU when necessary or otherwise appropriate, regarding the implementation of mutually agreed upon projects, as approved by the City Council, tasks, or initiatives. 3 • VI. OTHER PROVISIONS A. Limits of Authority and Funding 1. Nothing in this MOU will be construed as limiting or affecting in any way the respective authorities or legal responsibilities of either party. 2. Nothing in this MOU binds either party to perform beyond the respective authority of each. 3. Nothing in this MOU requires any party to assume or expend any sum in advance of appropriations available nor does this agreement obligate the parties to spend funds on any particular project or purpose, even if funds are available. 4. The mission requirements, funding, personnel, and other priorities of either party may affect the ability of either party to fully implement all the items and opportunities identified in this MOU. 5. This MOU is neither a fiscal nor funds obligation document. Specific activities that involve the transfer of money, services, or property between the parties will require execution of separate agreement or contract. 6. Nothing in this MOU restricts either party from participating in similar activities or arrangements with other public or private agencies, organizations, or individuals. 7. BLM retains the sole decision-making authority for public lands and resources it administers. 8. Activities conducted under this MOU will be in compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions as contained in Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (PL 100-259) and other nondiscrimination statues, namely Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and in accordance with the regulations of 7 CFR 15, Subparts A and B, which provide that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. B. Amendment. Amendments, modifications, or supplements to this MOU may be proposed at any time by either party and shall become effective upon written approval of both parties. C. Dispute Resolution. The parties will attempt to resolve controversies through alternative dispute resolution methods that are mutually acceptable to both parties. Methods may include, but are not limited to, fact-finding, mediation, and non-binding arbitration. D. Termination. At any time, this MOU may terminate by written mutual consent of both parties or through written notification to the other party at least 90 days prior to 4 termination. E. Review. Both parties will review this MOU at least once every three years to determine whether it should be amended, modified, supplemented, or terminated. F. Effective Date. This MOU shall become effective as soon as signed by authorized representatives for both parties. VII. CONTACTS Rancho Palos Verdes CCNM-Wide Manager Holly Starr Rick Hanks Recreation Services Manager CCNM Manager City of Rancho Palos Verdes Bureau of Land Management 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. 299 Foam Street Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5391 Monterey, CA 93940 (310) 544-5264 (831) 372-6105 hollys©rpv.com hhanks@ca.blm.gov Palm Springs/South Coast CCNM So Cal Coordinator Field Office Manager Greg Thomsen John Kalish Project Manager Field Manager California Desert District Palm Springs/South Coast FO Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management 22835 Calle San Juan de los Lagos P.O. Box 581260 Moreno Valley, CA 92553 North Palm Springs, CA 92258-1260 (951) 697-5237 (760) 251-4840 gthomsenaca.blm.gov ikalisha.ca.blm.gov 5 The parties agree that if there is a change regarding the information in this section, the party making the change will notify the other party in writing of such change. VIII.APPROVALS The parties hereto have executed this agreement as of the last date shown below. Approved: Approved: lab e* 11/lA Larry Clark Mi e "ool Mayor to irector City of Ranch Palos Verdes Bureau of Land Management PAO /01 Date Date ATTACHMENT: Attachment 1 —CCNM Gateway Geotourism Definition, Approach and Principles 6 California Coastal National Monument Gateway Geotourism Definition, Approach, and Principles Definition: Geotourism, as defined below, is the tourism approach to be applied to the California Coastal National Monument Gateways initiative: • Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, including its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. • Geotourism is synergistic—all the elements of geographical character create a tourist experience that is richer than the sum of its parts, appealing to visitors with diverse interests. Approach: The geotourism approach: • Is all-inclusive in valuing the various assets of the community that defines its geographical character; • Encourages citizens and visitors to get involved with the assets of the community rather than remain spectators; and • Helps build a sense of local identity and pride in the community, stressing what is authentic and unique. Principles: The following will serve as the guiding principles of the CCNM Gateway Initiative: 1. Integrity of Place • Respect local culture and tradition. • Enhance geographical character through developments and improvements that are distinctive to the locale and reflective of its natural and cultural heritage. 2. Market Differentiation • Promote the unique qualities of the community in order to appeal to the entire demographic spectrum of the geotourism market and maximize economic resiliency. • Encourage growth in tourism market segments most likely to appreciate, respect, and disseminate information about the distinctive community assets. 7 ATTACHMENT 1-1 3. Sustainable Tourism & Enhancement of Destination Appeal • Promote good stewardship of the community's assets. • Anticipate tourism pressures and apply management techniques and limits that ultimately sustain and respect natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture. • Encourage citizens, visitors, and businesses to follow sustainable tourism practices that (a) contribute to conservation of biodiversity; (b) nurture the well being of people; (c) include an interpretive/learning experience; (d) involve responsible actions on the part of tourists and the tourism industry; (e) stress local participation, ownership, and business opportunities, particularly for rural populations; (f) emphasize delivery of goods and services to small groups by small-scale business; and (g)focus on low consumption of non-renewable resources. 4. Tourist Satisfaction • Strive for an engaging and informative visitor experience so that tourists will impart their positive experience to others, thereby ensuring continuing demand for the destination. 5. Community Investment • Seek community partnerships that provide distinct, authentic experiences and market destinations effectively. • Help businesses develop approaches to tourism that foster sustainable tourism opportunities and nurture the area's natural environment, history, culture, tradecrafts, arts, cuisines, and other community attributes. 6. Community Benefit • Build community understanding of the benefits of geotourism. • Encourage tourism business strategies that emphasize long-term economic and social benefits of the community. 7. Land Use and Planning • Anticipate development pressures and engage in collaborative planning to address issues of potential overdevelopment and resource degradation. • Encourage appropriate land use methods that are sensitive to the unique natural and cultural character of the community. • Recognize and respect immediate economic needs without sacrificing long-term 8 character and the geotourism potential of the destination. ATTACHMENT 1-2 8. Indigenous Knowledge • Include the contributions of local and regional indigenous knowledge. • Involve local tribal communities and indigenous peoples to incorporate appropriate institutionalized knowledge of the local and regional area that encompasses original homelands and sacred places. 9. Interactive Interpretation • Engage visitors in experiences that allow them to learn about and understand the distinctive elements of the geotourism region. • Encourage local information processes regarding the natural and cultural heritage of communities, so that tourists gain a richer experience and residents develop pride in their locales. 10. Evaluation • Ensure some means of periodically evaluating the effectiveness of the geotourism initiative(s) and making appropriate adjustments. 9 ATTACHMENT 1-3 10