RPVCCA_SR_2010_09_21_13_Marine_Life_Protection_Act_South_Coast_Study_Draft_EIRCrrvOF
MEMORANDUM
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CAROLYNN PETRU,DEPUTY CITY MANAGER~
SEPTEMBER 21,2010
MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT SOUTH COAST
STUDY REGION DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT
REVIEWED BY:CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER
Project Manager:Sara Singer,Senior Administrative Analyst @,
RECOMMENDATION
Provide any comments or changes to the attached draft comment letter and direct staff to
submit it to the Department of Fish and Game.
BACKGROUND
On August 3,2010,Staff provided the City Council with an update on the Marine Life
Protection Act and its impact on the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.On August 18 th ,the
California Department of Fish and Game released the Draft Environmental Impact Report
for the South Coast Study Region for a 45-day public comment period.
The California Fish and Game Commission will be the lead agency reviewing and
potentially adopting proposed regulations for MPAs in State waters within the Southern
California coast region.Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA),the Department of Fish and Game has prepared a CEQA Draft
Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)regarding the proposed project.All comments
regarding the DEIR must be received by October 4,2010.
The proposed project being reviewed in this document is the MLPA South Coast Study
Region (SCSR)which is a component of the statewide network of MPAs as required by the
Marine Life Protection Act.For the purpose of this project,the SCSR is defined as State
waters between Point Conception (Santa Barbara County)and the California border with
Mexico (San Diego County),and extending 3 miles from the shoreline out to sea.The area
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MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT SOUTH COAST STUDY REGION DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
September 21 ,2010
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in Rancho Palos Verdes affected by this proposal includes the waters around Point
Vicente,Long Point and Abalone Cove.
DISCUSSION
The planning process to implement the MLPA in the SCSR was conducted pursuant to the
MLPA Master Plan for MPAs.Over an 18 month period,the Marine Life Protection Act
Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF)worked with the Regional Stakeholder Group,Science
Advisory Team,and the public to develop proposals for MPAs between Point Conception
and the California/Mexico border.Four proposals were developed in November 2009,and
out of these proposals an Integrated Preferred Alternative proposal was developed and
recommended by the BRTF to the California Fish and Game Commission.Although four
proposals are analyzed in the DEIR,the Commission has publicly stated that they are in
support of the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA)which would:1)Create a Point Vicente
State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA)extending from Long Point around Point Vicente
to the north,including the area below the Point Vicente Interpretive Center,within which the
taking of all marine resources would be prohibited,and 2)Expand the boundaries of the
existing Abalone Cove State Marine Park (SMP)westward to Long Point,and change the
SMP designation to State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA).Although public access is
not as convenient elsewhere along the City's coastline,recreational (as well as
commercial)fishing would not be restricted in the areas north of the Point Vicente
Interpretive Center and south of Portuguese Point.
1.Point Vicente
The proposed Point Vicente SMCA would prohibit the taking of all living marine resources,
including "hook and line"fishing and spear fishing which are currently allowed at the Point
Vicente Fishing Access.This area was originally proposed to be a State Marine Reserve
(SMR)which is the most restrictive designation;however,due to the Environmental
Protection Agency's designation of the Palos Verdes Shelf (the marine area off the City's
southern coastline)as a Superfund Site,this designation would not be allowed due to the
required remediation of the polluted sediment in this area.The proposed regulations will
allow activities associated with the Palos Verdes Shelf Superfund Site remediation
program,while still restricting the take of any marine resources.
2.Abalone Cove
The proposed replacement of the Abalone Cove SMP with the SMCA will expand the
boundaries of the area in addition to restricting all "hook and line"fishing and restrict other
fishing practices and allow only:
•Recreational take of pelagic finfish,including Pacific bonito and white sea bass by
spearfishing only,and market squid by hand-held dip net.
•Commercial take of coastal pelagic species and Pacific bonito by round haul net,
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MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT SOUTH COAST STUDY REGION DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
September 21,2010
Page 3
and swordfish by harpoon.
As previously indicated,~ublic comments must be submitted to the Fish and Game
Commission by October 4 h.Staff has developed a draft comment letter (see Attachment
B)for the City Council to consider for submittal to the Fish and Game Commission.
CONCLUSION
The IPA would significantly change existing recreational and commercial fishing
opportunities along the City's coastline from Point Vicente to Abalone Cove.The IPA
would restrict all fishing at the Point Vicente Fishing Access,which has historically been
one of the most utilized recreational fishing areas in the City,dating back prior to the City's
incorporation.Per Council's direction on August 3rd ,Staff has included language in the
draft comment letter requesting to change the restriction to allow recreational "hook and
line"fishing to continue from the Point Vicente Fishing Access.The comment letter
includes language supporting the proposed restrictions at Abalone Cove to better protect
the marine life in the tide pools found in this area.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact at this time,although adoption of the final marine protection area
designations may increase the City's enforcement activities along the shoreline,primarily
through the Park Rangers.The cost of the enforcement cannot be determined at this time.
In addition,if Point Vicente is designated as a State Marine Conservation Area,the City will
incur costs to remove and replace the existing signage which identifies the park as a public
fishing access.The cost is estimated at $5,000.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:Description of Alternatives and Designations
Attachment B:Draft Comment Letter
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ATTACHMENT A
The chart below illustrates the impacts on the City of Rancho Palos Verdes of the
various proposals analyzed in the DEIR:
Abalone Cove SMP Point Vicente Palos Verdes
(Rocky Point)
Alternative 1 Remove existing SMP.No change proposed.Proposed new Palos
Verdes SMR.
Modify boundaries and
Alternative 2 replace existing SMP Proposed new Point No change proposed.with Abalone Cove Vicente SMR.
SMCA.
Incorporate into Proposed new PalosAlternative3RemoveexistingSMP.proposed new Palos Verdes SMR.Verdes SMR.
Alternative 0 Do nothing.No impact.Do nothing.No impact.Do nothing.No impact.
Proposed new Point
Integrated Replace and expand Vicente SMCA which
Preferred existing SMP with would be modified to No change proposed.
Alternative Abalone Cove SMCA.prohibit any taking of
marine resources.
Marine Protected Area (MPA)Designations
SMP:
SMCA:
SMR:
State Marine Park would prohibit the taking of any living marine
resources except the recreational take of finfish,invertebrates
except for rock scallops and mussels,and the harvest of giant kelp
by hand.
State Marine Conservation Area would prohibit the taking of any
living marine resources except:1)Recreational take of Pelagic
finfish,Pacific bonito,and White seabass (spear)and Market squid
(dip net).2)Commercial take of Pacific bonito,Coastal pelagic
finfish,and Market squid (pelagic round haul nets),Market squid
(dip net),and Swordfish (harpoon).
State Marine Reserve would prohibit the taking of any living marine
resources.
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ATTACHMENT B
September 21,2010
MLPA South Coast CEQA
Department of Fish and Game
4665 Lampson,Suite C
Los Alamitos,CA 90720
Electronic Mail Delivery via:MLPAComments@dfg.ca.gov
SUBJECT Comments in Response to the Notice of Preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed California Marine Life
Protection Act Initiative South Coast Study Region
To Whom It May Concern:
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes appreciates the opportunity to comment on the scope
of the proposed Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)for the above-mentioned
project.We respectfully offer the following comments on the scope of the DEIR for this
initiative:
1)The discussion of the proposed addition of the Point Vicente SMCA (page 3-20)
notes that the proposed regulations would prohibit take of all living marine
resources.Currently,the City's Point Vicente Fishing Access is located within
the proposed SMCA.This 10.5 acre park has a long history of recreational
fishing which pre-dates the City's incorporation 37 years ago.In addition,the
existing parking lot,restrooms,signage and trail to the beach were recently
improved in conjunction with the adjacent Terranea Resort to accommodate and
enhance this use.The City of Rancho Palos Verdes respectfully requests that
recreational hook and line fishing continue to be allowed from the Point Vicente
Fishing Access area for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.
2)The discussion of the proposed replacement of the Abalone Cove SMP with a
larger Abalone Cove SMCA (page 3-21)is supported by the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes.The City supports increased regulation in this area to protect the
delicate tide pool areas and the marine life which provide a rich educational
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MLPA
September 21,2010
Page 2
experience for the visitors of the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and State
Ecological Reserve.
Again,thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this important initiative.If
you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me at
(310)544-5203 or via e-mail atcarolynn@rpv.com.
Sincerely,
Carolynn Petru
Deputy City Manager
cc:Mayor and City Council
Carolyn Lehr,City Manager
Sara Singer,Senior Administrative Analyst
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