Recreation Allowed in Reserves

Editor,

There have recently been concerns raised regarding the potential to limit non-extractive recreational activities (surfing, diving, kayaking, etc.) in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) like a reserve proposed in Laguna Beach. The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) program manager, Melissa Miller-Henson, has addressed these concerns, assuring us that these fears are unfounded.

In a recent letter, Ms. Miller- Henson clarified that the MLPA encourages that, to the extent feasible, MPAs remain open for public use, enjoyment, education and study.

To date, neither the California Fish and Game Commission or the California Park and Recreation Commission have acted to further restrict public access or non-extractive uses in MPAs under the MLPA, nor have MPA proposals created by stakeholders for the central coast or north central coast study regions contained suggestions that public access or non-extractive activities be further limited in any way.

Proposals for the south coast study region have not yet been finalized, but there has been very little discussion within the stakeholder group about limiting non-extractive human activities. What little discussion has taken place has been with regard to protecting a few key tidepools from trampling.

More importantly, in order to create or modify MPAs with such restrictions, both commissions are legally required to notice and hold at least two public hearings, so it would be difficult for either commission to legally take restrictive action without knowledge by the public.

So while some people have raised this issue to cast a shadow on marine reserves, it is an unfounded concern since no non-extractive restrictions have even been suggested for a marine reserve in Laguna Beach.

As one of the Regional Stakeholder Group members, I can assure you that the marine reserves proposed in Laguna are designed to limit the take of marine resources and are not proposed to restrict normal enjoyment of the beach and oceans - swimming, boating, diving, surfing, etc.

Should you still have concerns, you can obtain all the information you'd like and ask questions on the MPLA website: http://www.dfg. ca.gov/mlpa/ to separate fact from fiction! Ray Hiemstra Associate Director Orange County Coastkeeper