CALIFORNIA OCEAN PROTECTION COUNCIL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Sandy Cooney
September 19, 2006
(916) 653-9205
Draft Report on Long-term Health of the State’s 1,100 Mile Coastline
Released Today at California and the World Ocean ’06
Long Beach, Calif. ““ A draft report on the long-term health of the state’s 1,100 mile coastline and ocean was released today at California and the World Ocean ’06. The document, The California Coastal Sediment Master Plan Status Report, was made available for public review and comment by the Coastal Sediment Management Workgroup.
“Our beaches, ports, and other coastal resources provide critical goods and services for California and the nation,” said Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman. “Equally important is the fact that our citizens have access to ocean for recreation and enjoyment.” Chrisman said. He added, “This report shows that the state, federal and local governments are serious about addressing problems of coastal sediment management in a comprehensive and long-term program.”
The report, that has far reaching implications for coastal health, documents the completed, on-going, and future activities of the workgroup. The workgroup is working to compile the California Coastal Sediment Master Plan. This plan, when completed will provide scientists and resources managers the ability to more effectively manage sediment on a regional basis along the entire California coastline. Issues including coastal erosion, beach nourishment, harbor dredging, wetlands restoration and habitat for numerous coastal species are addressed in the report.
The Coastal Sediment Management Workgroup is a collaborative of federal, state, and local agencies and non-governmental organizations working together to find solutions to California’s coastal sediment management needs on a regional, system-wide basis. The workgroup is co-chaired by the California Resources Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“In order to protect and maintain these economic interests and resources, it is essential that we work collaboratively with our federal and local partners in addressing the problems that affect our coast,” Chrisman said.
Funding for the Master Plan program was initiated by a $1,200,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Impact Assistance Program administered by the Resources Agency of California. Subsequent funding has been provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ($795,000) California Department of Boating and Waterways ($580,000), and the California State Coastal Conservancy ($20,000).
To download the report when it is released and to receive instructions on submitting public comments, go to: http://www.dbw.ca.gov/CSMW/csmwhome.htm
-30-
—————————————————————-
Please help us disseminate this information by forwarding this message to your distribution lists.
—————————————————————-
To subscribe/unsubscribe from the Ocean Protection Council’s public e-mail list server, send a plain text message to Majordomo@resources.ca.gov with “subscribe oceanpublic” or “unsubscribe oceanpublic” in the body (not subject) of your e-mail message. If you have problems, please email owner-oceanpublic@resources.ca.gov.
For more information on the California Ocean Protection Council, please see http://resources.ca.gov/copc/
http://resources.ca.gov/ocean/cwo06/PDF/cwo_press03.pdf