jennfeinberg
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Hi everyone,
I just wanted to encourage all divers in the Santa Barbara/Ventura area to attend a very important meeting of the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), which is going to be held on February 26th in Santa Barbara. Come voice your support for the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southern California!
Over the next 10 months, these meetings will shift in location from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border, so there will only be a few chances to appear in person at a local meeting. The BRTF is the perfect group to speak to in a general sense in support for MPAs that will protect the legacy and richness of ocean ecosystems.
The BRTF is an appointed 5-member board that oversees the process process of locating and sizing MPAs under the Marine Life Protection Act. This group is crucial, standing between the stakeholder panel (fishermen, conservationists, divers, etc.) and the Fish and Game Commission who make the final decision. The BRTF guides the stakeholders as to which MPA proposals are going to be forwarded along in the process and in the past has pretty much set the stage for how strong the ultimate MPA network will be. They are not appointed as experts in marine science or policy; rather, they are government process experts who ensure a sense of fairness, balance and openness to the process.
Come to the meeting and give public comment to the BRTF supporting the creation of MPAs and communicate how your diving experience will be improved by the establishment of these underwater parks. In past meetings, the BRTF has taken public comment on specific agenda items prior to voting on them, and takes general comment around lunchtime (12:00 or 12:30 or so). This general comment period is often where the action is and I encourage all of you to come and have your voices heard.
Meeting Details:
Blue Ribbon Task Force of the Marine Life Protection Act
Santa Barbara Meeting
Thursday, February 26, 8:30am 5pm
Public comment period expected around Noon
Location: Hotel Mar Monte
1111 Cabrillo Blvd (the waterfront)
Near the corner of Calle De Los Ninos (where the zoo is)
Let me know if you have questions or need more information!
Hope you can make it.
Jenn
I just wanted to encourage all divers in the Santa Barbara/Ventura area to attend a very important meeting of the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), which is going to be held on February 26th in Santa Barbara. Come voice your support for the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southern California!
Over the next 10 months, these meetings will shift in location from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border, so there will only be a few chances to appear in person at a local meeting. The BRTF is the perfect group to speak to in a general sense in support for MPAs that will protect the legacy and richness of ocean ecosystems.
The BRTF is an appointed 5-member board that oversees the process process of locating and sizing MPAs under the Marine Life Protection Act. This group is crucial, standing between the stakeholder panel (fishermen, conservationists, divers, etc.) and the Fish and Game Commission who make the final decision. The BRTF guides the stakeholders as to which MPA proposals are going to be forwarded along in the process and in the past has pretty much set the stage for how strong the ultimate MPA network will be. They are not appointed as experts in marine science or policy; rather, they are government process experts who ensure a sense of fairness, balance and openness to the process.
Come to the meeting and give public comment to the BRTF supporting the creation of MPAs and communicate how your diving experience will be improved by the establishment of these underwater parks. In past meetings, the BRTF has taken public comment on specific agenda items prior to voting on them, and takes general comment around lunchtime (12:00 or 12:30 or so). This general comment period is often where the action is and I encourage all of you to come and have your voices heard.
Meeting Details:
Blue Ribbon Task Force of the Marine Life Protection Act
Santa Barbara Meeting
Thursday, February 26, 8:30am 5pm
Public comment period expected around Noon
Location: Hotel Mar Monte
1111 Cabrillo Blvd (the waterfront)
Near the corner of Calle De Los Ninos (where the zoo is)
Let me know if you have questions or need more information!
Hope you can make it.
Jenn
