Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman Announces Blue Ribbon Task Force for the MLPA Initiative's Second Phase.

Former San Diego Mayor Susan Golding Named Task Force Chair for Helping California Implement the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman today announced members of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative's Second Phase Blue Ribbon Task Force to further MLPA implementation. Former San Diego Mayor Susan Golding was named task force chair.

The five-member panel follows on the heels of the First Phase Blue Ribbon Task Force and will work with the California Department of Fish and Game and the California Fish and Game Commission to improve the state's system of marine protected areas through scientific analysis and expanded public input.

"This group represents a wide range of perspectives and is highly regarded for having good judgment," said Chrisman. "Their track record of results and breadth of experience in statewide and national policymaking has already played a huge role in the success of this effort and will continue to do so," he added.

Secretary Chrisman has charged the task force with three specific goals:

* oversee a regional project to develop alternative marine protected area proposals in an area along the north central coast to present to the California Fish and Game Commission by March 2008,

* prepare information and recommendations for coordinating management of marine protected areas with federal agencies, and

* provide direction for expenditure of initiative funds.

Chair Golding said, "I am pleased to continue the work we started in the first phase of the initiative, using a transparent and open public process. As we progress in our knowledge, we are becoming better stewards of the marine environment while allowing current and future generations to enjoy the ocean's bounty, which I believe is reflected in the goals of the MLPA."

The first phase of the MLPA Initiative focused on a pilot project along the central coast of California, while the second phase is focused on the north central coast (Alder Creek in Mendocino County to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County).The first meeting of the task force will be held March 29 in Sacramento, California.

The MLPA Initiative depends on the active involvement of stakeholders and the general public to succeed. Various opportunities will be available for such involvement, including a statewide interests group, regional stakeholder group, and meetings of the task force and science advisory team that will be open to the public.

The MLPA Second Phase Blue Ribbon Task Force members:

Susan Golding, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Golding Group and Former Mayor of San Diego

William W. Anderson, President of Westrec Marina Management, Inc.

Don Benninghoven, retired as executive director of the League of California Cities (LCC) and later of the City-County-School Partnership

Meg Caldwell, Director and Lecturer on Law at Stanford Law School's Environment and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program

Catherine Reheis-Boyd, Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff for the Western States Petroleum Association

For more information about the task force members, their first meeting, or the MLPA Initiative, please visit the MLPA Initiative website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa.