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<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font><font
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<div class=Section2>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;
font-weight:bold'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: </span></font></b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'>Jan.
29, 2010 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;
font-weight:bold'>CONTACT: </span></font></b><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;
font-weight:bold'>Annie Reisewitz, MLPA Initiative </span></font></b><font
size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'>(858)
228-0526 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;
font-weight:bold'>Kirsten Macintyre, Department of Fish and Game </span></font></b><font
size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'>(916)
322-8988 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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clear=all style='page-break-before:always'>
</span></font>
<div class=Section3>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:12.0pt;text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>MLPA
Blue Ribbon Task Force Chair and California Department of Fish and Game
Director Announce North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group </span></font></b><font
size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center;
text-autospace:none'><i><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-style:italic'>The
diverse cross-interest group of marine stakeholders will meet Feb. 8-9 in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eureka</st1:place></st1:City> </span></font></i><font
size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>SACRAMENTO – The MLPA Initiative and
California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today announced the appointment of
the MLPA North Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. The 31-member, cross-interest
group (list attached) will provide local expertise and knowledge to improve the
design and management of the north coast portion of a statewide network of
marine protected areas (MPAs). <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>“These outstanding individuals each
bring first-hand knowledge of the marine resources along the north
coast,” said DFG Director John McCamman. “I am confident that as a
group they will successfully integrate the diverse interests of their
constituents into a science-based proposal that improves our management of <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>’s ocean
environment.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>Collectively, the stakeholder group members
represent broad interests and perspectives from the state’s north coast
region, from the border with <st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> to the
Point Arena area in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mendocino</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. The stakeholder
group includes, among others, representatives of recreational angling and
diving groups, tribes, commercial fishing and other ocean-dependent business
interests, ports and harbors, conservation groups, educational and research
interests, and government agencies. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>Under the guidance of a blue ribbon task
force, the stakeholder group is responsible for working with a science advisory
team and MLPA staff to evaluate existing marine protected areas within the
north coast study region in relation to the goals of the MLPA and to develop
alternative MPA proposals that meet the act’s requirements. Individual
stakeholders will also conduct outreach to constituent groups to encourage
public involvement in the project. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>“I look forward to working with this
unique and diverse group of ocean enthusiasts,” said Cindy Gustafson,
chair of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force. “Their interest in and
dedication to this process will make certain that we successfully maximize
ocean protections for future generations while minimizing short-term
socioeconomic impacts to the north coast community.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>The first meeting of the stakeholder group
will be held </span></font></b><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>Monday,
Feb. 8 </span></font></b><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>and
</span></font></b><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>Tuesday,
Feb. 9, 2010 </span></font></b><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>at
the Red Lion Inn, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1929 Fourth
Street</st1:address></st1:Street> in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eureka</st1:place></st1:City>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>From Feb. to Nov. 2010 the NCRSG will meet
approximately seven times in two-day meetings, including a combination of
formal plenary meetings and informal work sessions, in various locations
throughout the study region. Plenary meetings are open to the public and
videotaped for simultaneous webcasting and later viewing on the Internet.
Members of the public are encouraged to participate in a number of ways; they
also will have opportunities to provide comments on evolving MPA proposals and
other elements of the process. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;page-break-before:always;text-autospace:
none'><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;
font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>“The appointment of
the regional stakeholder group marks the next phase of the north coast MPA
planning process,” said Ken Wiseman, MLPA Initiative executive director.
“It brings together the initial MPA ideas already generated by community
groups as well as other interested members of the public to further refine and
improve upon them.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>The MLPA Initiative’s MPA planning
process began in 2009 with initial outreach and then the development of draft
external MPA arrays from community groups. The first-round draft MPA arrays
developed by community groups, and subsequent science evaluations, will be used
to help inform the stakeholder group as it begins its work in the next two
phases of developing alternative MPA proposals in this science-based,
stakeholder-driven process. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>In Oct. 2009, the California Department of
Fish and Game appointed the MLPA Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT), which
is comprised of 21 scientists with a variety of expertise in marine life
protection, the use of MPAs as a management tool, underwater ecosystems found in
California waters, water quality and other related subjects, most with specific
expertise to the north coast region. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>The SAT is charged with providing scientific
advice to the regional stakeholder group regarding issues such as MPA
placement, size and habitat considerations. The SAT will further support the
process reviewing draft documents and addressing scientific questions raised
through the planning process. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>The California Natural Resources Agency and
DFG have partnered with the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation and others in an
initiative to help achieve the MLPA goals. The MLPA directs the state to
reevaluate and redesign California’s system of MPAs to increase coherence
and effectiveness in protecting the state's marine life and habitats, marine
ecosystems and marine natural heritage, as well as to improve recreational,
educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems subject to
minimal human disturbance. The MLPA also requires that the best
readily-available science be used in the redesign process, as well as the
advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders
and members of the public. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>California is taking a regional approach to
redesigning MPAs along its 1,100 mile coastline, and has divided the state into
five study regions; the MLPA North Coast Study Region, extending from the
California border with Oregon to Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino
County, is the fourth of the five study regions to undergo the MPA planning
process. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>The MLPA Initiative’s north coast MPA
planning process is expected to be completed in December 2010, when the MLPA
Blue Ribbon task Force will present its recommendations to the <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> Fish and Game
Commission, the decision-making body under the MLPA. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-autospace:none'><b><font size=3
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>For more information about the MLPA
Initiative, please visit <u><a href="http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa">www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa</a>
</u><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>###</span></font></b><b><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><em><i><font size=3 color=gray
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Byron
Leydecker</span></font></i></em></st1:PersonName><em><i><font color=gray
face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:gray'>, JcT, Chair</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Friends of <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity
River</st1:place></span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><em><i><font
size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:gray'>PO Box</span></font></i></em></st1:Street><em><i><font
color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:gray'> 2327</span></font></i></em></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><em><i><font
size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:gray'>Mill Valley</span></font></i></em></st1:City><em><i><font
color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:gray'>, <st1:State w:st="on">CA</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">94942-2327</st1:PostalCode></span></font></i></em></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 383 4810 Land/Fax (Call first to Fax) </span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 519 4810 <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Mobile</st1:place></st1:City></span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><u><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><a href="mailto:bwl3@comcast.net">bwl3@comcast.net</a></span></font></u></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><u><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><a
href="mailto:bleydecker@stanfordalumni.org">bleydecker@stanfordalumni.org</a></span></font></u></i></em><em><i><font
color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:blue'> </span></font></i></em><em><i><font
color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:gray'>(Secondary)</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><u><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><a href="http://www.fotr.org/">www.fotr.org</a>
</span></font></u></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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