Meeting Agenda
Friday, February 17, 2012
10:00am
Sierra Hearing Room – CalEPA Building
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95812-2815

Meeting Agenda
Friday, February 17, 2012
10:00am
Sierra Hearing Room, CalEPA Building
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95812-2815

John Laird, Secretary for Natural Resources, Council Chair
Matt Rodriquez, Secretary for Environmental Protection
John Chiang, State Controller, Chair of the State Lands Commission
Susan Golding, Public Member
Geraldine Knatz, Public Member
Fran Pavley, State Senator
Toni Atkins, State Assemblymember

Friday February 17, 2012

10:00am*

ACTION:  Election of Council Chair

2.  Report from the Executive Director
Amber Mace, Executive Director, OPC

3.  Report from the Secretary
Sam Schuchat, Council Secretary

ACTION:  Consideration and possible adoption of updated OPC Meeting Procedures

• Exhibit 1: Revised OPC Meeting Procedures
• Exhibit 2: Revised OPC Meeting Procedures, red-line version

4.  Report from the Science Advisor
Skyli McAfee, Executive Director, California Ocean Science Trust

5.  DEMONSTRATION:  Presentation on New Coastal Mapping Data (LiDAR) and the San Francisco Bay Adapting to Rising Tides (ART) Project
Rebecca Smyth, West Coast Director/Regional Division Chief, Coastal Services Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Wendy Goodfriend, Senior Planner, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission

OPC STRATEGIC PLAN

6.  ACTION:  Consideration and possible adoption of the OPC Five-Year Strategic Plan for FY12/13 – FY16/17
Amber Mace, Executive Director

• Attachment 1: Ocean Protection Council Strategic Plan
• Attachment 2: Ocean Protection Council Strategic Plan Tracked Changes

PUBLIC COMMENT

7.  Public comment on non-agenda items

*Note:  Agenda items may be reordered at the discretion of the council chair.

Questions about the meeting or agenda can be directed to Lawrence Matthews at (510) 286-1212 or lmatthews@scc.ca.gov.  Any person who has a disability and requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this council meeting should contact Mr. Matthews no later than five days prior to meeting.

FROM:           John Laird, Secretary for Natural Resources

DATE:            January 10, 2012

SUBJECT:       Ocean Protection Council Meeting Highlights – December 16, 2011 in Sacramento

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) convened on December 16, 2011 for a very productive meeting in Sacramento. The Council discussed extreme climate events, adopted a California voluntary sustainable seafood program protocol, recommended policy on marine renewable energy test and pilot projects, supported integration of California’s coastal and marine geospatial data into a statewide geo-portal, and concurred with selected research projects to inform management.

The highlights of our meeting are below.  For further information, we encourage you to visit our website to access the meeting minutes and the webcast.

OPC Strategic Plan Update

The Council’s Executive Director announced that a new draft of the strategic plan is available on the OPC website for review and public comment until January 16, 2012.

Spotlight on Science:  Extreme Events

Building off of the Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future on December 15, 2011, the Spotlight on Science provided a targeted discussion of the latest science addressing increasing coastal vulnerability due to a changing climate. Dr. Gary Griggs, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, gave the presentation The Vulnerability of the California Coast to Climate Change and Extreme Events. Dr. Patrick Barnard, Coastal Geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, followed with his presentation Storminess and Extreme Coastal Water Levels: Historical Observations and Future Projections for the California Coast. Rebecca Smyth, West Coast director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Services Center, provided examples on how Californians are using data to plan for future events in her presentation Examples of Decision Support Tools and Community Adaptation Efforts.

Support for Integration of California’s Coastal And Marine Geospatial Data into a Statewide Geo-Portal

The Council was updated on progress toward implementing AB 2125 to improve use and sharing of geospatial data. The OPC authorized development of an agreement with the California Technology Agency to support the integration of California’s coastal and marine geospatial data into a statewide internet-based “geo-portal”. The Council requested review of a range of funding options for implementation at a future meeting.

Adoption of a California Voluntary Sustainable Seafood Program Protocol

The Council adopted a California Voluntary Sustainable Seafood Program protocol, developed per the requirements of AB 1217 (Monning, 2009). California’s program is based on the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) protocol while incorporating stricter standards on selected performance indicators, additional scientific review, and additional traceability and consumer information. OPC staff will also work with partner agencies to ensure that information about fish toxicity in commercially landed fisheries is accessible to the public because toxicity is an important part of consumer choice related to seafood. Next steps will include requests for authorization of funds to implement the program, including commencement of pre-assessments, and development of a traceability program, logo, and marketing assistance program.

Adoption of a Policy to the California Energy Commission on Marine Renewable Energy Test and Pilot Projects

The Council was updated on progress related to ocean renewable energy (convening of a workshop of regulatory agencies and development of a regulatory guidance document that is now available on the OPC website) and adopted a policy recommendation to the California Energy Commission (CEC) related to marine renewable energy for the CEC to consider as part of their Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) update.

Concurrence with Sea Grant Research Projects

The Council concurred with the proposed research awards for the 2011 University of California and University of Southern California Sea Grant Programs.  At its November 29, 2010 public meeting, the OPC authorized a grant of $1,080,000 to the state’s two Sea Grant programs to select and fund scientific research projects to support the OPC’s research priorities and inform management and policy decisions.  The OPC’s concurrence for the selected research projects is required before the research grants can be awarded.

For meeting details, please visit our website:  http://www.opc.ca.gov/category/meetings/

This report presents the results of a study, the Synthesis for Coastal Ocean Observing Products (SCOOP), intended to provide guidance for California decision makers responsible for managing California’s coastal and ocean resources. California has complex ocean observing systems that gather and analyze extensive amounts of data, most of which are coordinated through regional ocean observing networks (Southern California Ocean Observing System and Central & Northern California Ocean Observing System). However, the state lacks an overall strategy for effectively applying its complex network of OOS tools to critical management and decision needs. This report was recently prepared for the Ocean Protection Council, in an effort to better articulate where ocean observing information can make management of our ocean more efficient and effective. The report focuses on five topics (discharges & water quality, salmon recovery, ocean renewable energy, harmful algal blooms, and oil spills), and recommends how management questions and decisions can be better informed by ocean observing information.

California Permitting Guidance for Ocean Renewable Energy Test and Pilot Projects - PDF

The California Ocean Protection Council, in consultation with the California Marine Renewable Energy Working Group, is providing this guidance to support the state’s long-term energy and carbon reduction goals, particularly the development of experimental wave, tidal and offshore wind energy technologies.

The purpose of this paper is to provide license and permit processing guidance for early test and pilot hydrokinetic and offshore wind projects located in and adjacent to California marine waters. This guidance can help project proponents prepare for and meet anticipated regulatory requirements by providing a level of certainty about the review and issuance process of state permits for these types of projects.

More information about OPC and partner efforts on ocean renewable energy can be found on the Wave Energy Development page.

MEMORANDUM

TO:                       Ocean and Coastal Community

FROM:                 Amber Mace, Executive Director, Ocean Protection Council

DATE:                  December 15, 2011

RE:                        Release of Revised Draft Ocean Protection Council Strategic Plan for 30 Day Public Comment

This revised draft strategic plan clarifies how OPC will engage as a science-informed policy and coordination body to tackle the complex challenges faced by California’s coastal and ocean ecosystems and communities. The plan intends to provide vision, context, and proposed actions that form a targeted and tractable approach to address these mounting challenges. It recognizes the economic value of our ocean resources and honors the OPC’s fundamental mission to protect and preserve the health of marine ecosystems. The plan identifies both opportunities and responsibilities; it is intended to be a roadmap for the Council to apply its leadership, expertise, and resources.

Summary of Changes in Response to Comments

The introductory text was streamlined and focused to more clearly and concisely articulate the context for the strategic plan, OPC’s past accomplishments, and OPC’s strategic approach to provide a unified vision for ocean governance in California.

The revised draft strategic plan includes five focal areas with an associated goal statement for each:

A. Science-based decision-making

B. Climate change

C. Sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystems

D. Coastal and ocean impacts from land-based sources

E. Existing and emerging ocean uses

Science-based decision-making was moved from the fifth to the first focal area to better reflect its foundational role for all OPC work and its cross-cutting applicability to the four substantive focal areas.

The introductory text for each focal area has been revised to provide additional background on the issues and the OPC’s past efforts, along with a clear rationale for OPC’s proposed future engagement.  The objectives and actions associated with the issues for each focal area have been streamlined and condensed.  In particular, the detailed actions proposed in the earlier draft have been converted to higher-level actions that provide direction for OPC to implement its strategic approach in a way that does not presuppose a policy outcome without public consideration by the OPC.  The OPC will carefully consider which polices to recommend based on a clear process that includes the best available science and deliberation of options.  High-level actions also help the OPC retain its agility, so that it is responsive to emerging issues and innovative ideas.  Many of the comments received contained recommendations for very specific actions.  These were accommodated as appropriate, and our partners and stakeholders will note that many of their suggested actions or priorities fall under or are consistent with the high-level actions that are included in the current draft plan.

To ensure accountability and measure its impacts, the OPC will develop outcomes or outputs for each of the actions that it chooses to pursue. Thus, the detailed metrics were removed from the strategic plan.  In many cases, the success of the proposed actions will be contingent upon successful partnerships and collaborations. OPC is mindful about launching unfunded or costly programs; OPC will work with partners to identify funding sources and develop clear plans for designing and implementing proposed projects or programs as appropriate.

Timeline and Public Engagement

As part of the second formal public comment period, the OPC staff are soliciting feedback from the public on this revised draft strategic plan. Comments can be emailed to opc.comments@scc.ca.gov or mailed to:

John Laird, Secretary for Natural Resources
Chair, California Ocean Protection Council
California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814

The plan is available here and open for public comment through 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on January 16, 2012.

Now in Sacramento

Meeting Agenda
Friday, December 16, 2011
11:00am to 3:00pm
Sierra Hearing Room – CalEPA Building
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95812-2815

Meeting Agenda
Friday, December 16, 2011
11:00am to 3:00pm
Sierra Hearing Room – CalEPA Building
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95812-2815

John Laird, Secretary for Natural Resources, Council Chair
Matt Rodriquez, Secretary for Environmental Protection
Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor, Chair of the State Lands Commission
Susan Golding, Public Member
Geraldine Knatz, Public Member
Fran Pavley, State Senator
Toni Atkins, State Assemblymember

Friday December 16, 2011

11:00am*

1.   Welcome and Council Member Announcements
Secretary Laird, Council Chair

2.  Report from the Executive Director
Amber Mace, Executive Director, OPC

3.  Report from the Secretary
Sam Schuchat, Council Secretary

ACTION:  Consideration and possible approval of an OPC Meeting Schedule for 2012.

4.  Report from the Science Advisor
Skyli McAfee, Executive Director, California Ocean Science Trust

5.  SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE – EXTREME EVENTS

Building off of the Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks on December 15, 2011, the Spotlight on Science will provide a targeted discussion of the latest science addressing increasing coastal vulnerability due to a changing climate. California’s coastal populations, infrastructure, property, and ecosystems are already at risk from coastal storms and this risk is growing. This panel will also highlight the actions California is taking to prepare for and adapt to climate change related risks.

•  Dr. Gary Griggs, UCSC:  The Vulnerability of the California Coast to Climate Change and Extreme Events
• Dr. Patrick Barnard, USGS:  Storminess and Extreme Coastal Water Levels: Historical Observations and Future Projections for the California Coast
• Rebecca Smyth, NOAA Coastal Services Center:  Examples of Decision Support Tools and Community Adaptation Efforts

Skyli McAfee, Executive Director, California Ocean Science Trust

Break for lunch

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

6.  ACTION:  Consideration and possible adoption of a California Voluntary Sustainable Seafood Program Protocol
Sam Schuchat, Council Secretary

• Staff Recommendation
• Exhibit 1: Assembly Bill 1217 (Monning, 2009)
• Exhibit 2: California Voluntary Sustainable Seafood Program Protocol
• Exhibit 3: Advisory Panel Roster

MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY

7.  ACTION:  Consideration and possible adoption of recommended policy to the California Energy Commission on marine renewable energy test and pilot projects
Laura Engeman, Project Manager, OPC

GEOSPATIAL DATA

8.  ACTION:  Consideration and possible authorization to develop an agreement with the California Technology Agency to support the integration of California’s coastal and marine geospatial data into a statewide internet-based “geo portal”  to improve access to these data by agencies, stakeholders, and the general public
Laura Engeman, Project Manager, OPC
Scott Gregory, Geographic Information Officer, California Technology Agency

• Staff Recommendation
• Exhibit 1: Assemby Bill 2125 (Ruskin 2009)
• Exhibit 2: Executive Summary of the California Coastal and Marine Geospatial Information Management System Scoping Study (2011)
• Exhibit 3: 2010 Resolution of the California Coastal and Marine Geospatial Data Working Group
• Exhibit 4: Letters of Support

SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING

9.  ACTION:  Consideration and possible concurrence with the proposed grant awards for the 2011 University of California Sea Grant and University of Southern California Sea Grant programs
Clare O’Reilly, Project Manager, OPC

PUBLIC COMMENT

10.  Public comment on non-agenda items

*Note:  Agenda items may be reordered at the discretion of the council chair.

Questions about the meeting or agenda can be directed to Lawrence Matthews at (510) 286-1212 or lmatthews@scc.ca.gov.  Any person who has a disability and requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this council meeting should contact Mr. Matthews no later than five days prior to meeting.

Photo Credit: Steve Lonhart, NOAA

Funding cycle:  July 1, 2012—June 30, 2014

Collaborative teams of fishermen, resource managers and scientists are invited to apply for funds to conduct applied research on California fisheries during the 2012–2014 biennium. CFR West, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and California Sea Grant (CASG) are now soliciting letters of intent for projects to begin July 1, 2012. Letters of intent are due by midnight PST on January 5, 2012.

Subject to funding availability, a total of $968,000 will be available over two years to fund up to six research projects. Projects must include at least a 25% match (cash and/or in-kind) from applicants. The maximum award size will be $242,000 over the project duration of two years.

For the purposes of this call, collaborative fisheries research (CFR) is defined as an active partnership between fishermen and scientists, managers and other stakeholders, all of whom participate in designing and conducting priority research projects that will inform fisheries management decisions. Projects that are highly relevant to management, scientifically and technically robust, collaborative and engage the broader community are the highest priority. Potential research topics include, but are not limited to: biology; fisheries; methods, tools and technology; and conservation engineering.  See the complete details and requirements for this call at www.csgc.ucsd.edu/FUNDING/APPLYING/CFR2012.html

Project submission and review schedule

Letter of intent due:  January 5, 2012 (midnight, PST)

Notice of review and recommendations for full proposals:  February 27, 2012

Full proposals due:  April 16, 2012 (midnight, PST)

Proposal review completed and project(s) selected:  May 25, 2012 (approximate)

Notice of funding decisions:  early June 2012

Projects begin:  July 1, 2012

Project teams are required to contact the CFR West Executive Director, Peter Nelson, to discuss research plans and strategies for collaboration prior to submitting a letter of intent. Applicants are also encouraged to review the CFR West guiding principles at www.cfr-west.org/.

Peter Nelson

831-440-8690

pnelson@cfr-west.org

The California Wildlife Foundation (CWF) is seeking the qualifications of contractors for preparation of a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) as part of  the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) process of the California Department of Fish and Game. The selected contractor will design an MSE modeling system to assess the consequences of a range of fishery management strategies and options.

Contractors may submit their qualifications following the instructions provided in the Request for Qualifications. Statement of Qualifications are due to the Department of Fish and Game by Wednesday, February 22, 2012, and to the California Wildlife Foundation on Thursday, February 23, 2012.

The Ocean Protection Council has entered into a grant agreement with the California Wildlife Foundation to assist the California Department of Fish and Game in preparation of a fishery management plan for the California Spiny Lobster. More information can be found on the project page.