Appendix F: State and Federal Ocean and Coastal Managed Areas
DESIGNATION: STATE AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Areas of Special To provide special protection In the 1970s, the State Water Primary: State Water
Biological Significance to species or biological Resources Control Board Resources Control Board
The State Water communities in specified areas established numerous Areas of Secondary: Regional Water
Resources Control Board such that all discharges, Special Biological Significance Quality Control Boards
established this including point, nonpoint, and (ASBS) in marine areas. Department of Fish and Game
designation in the elevated temperature waste water, Management plans are not required regulates fishing.
California Ocean Plan are prohibited. prior to, or after the
and the Water Quality designation of an ASBS.
Control Plan for Control
of Temperature in
Coastal and Interstate
Waters.
Coastal Sanctuary The AB 2444 prohibits any state The State Lands Commission may Primary: State Lands Commission
California Coastal agency from entering into a lease not enter into any lease for the
Sanctuary Act of 1994. for the extraction of oil or gas extraction of oil and gas from
AB 2444 (O'Connell) from all state waters subject to state-owned tidelands and
Chapter 970, Stats 1994. tidal influence. Waters subject submerged lands unless specific
to a lease in effect by January conditions identified in AB 2444
1, 1995 are not included in the are met.
sanctuary. The State Lands
Commission is authorized to enter
into a lease for the extraction
of oil or gas from state-owned
tidellands and submerged lands if
the Commission determines that
deposits are being drained by
wells on adjacent federal lands
and the lease is in the best
interest of the State. .
DESIGNATION: STATE AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Ecological Reserves To protect threatened or The Department of Fish and Game, Primary: Fish and Game
Fish and Game Code endangered native plants, (DFG) with the approval of the Commission Department of Fish
Sections 1580-1585 and wildlife, or aquatic organisms or Fish and Game Commission (FGC), and Game Secondary: Some
8610.14. specialized habitat types, both may obtain, accept on behalf of local agency involvement
terrestrial and aquatic, or large the State, acquire, or control,
heterogeneous natural marine gene by purchase, lease, easement,
pools for the future use of gift, rental, memorandum of
mankind. Ecological Reserves are understanding, or otherwise for
designated to be preserved in a the purpose of establishing
natural condition or to be ecological reserves. The FGC
provided some level of protection adopts regulations for the
for the benefit of the general occupation, utilization,
public to observe native flora operation, protection,
and fauna and for scientific enhancement, maintenance, and
study or research. In general, administration of the reserves,
all living resources in an including any limits on resource
Ecological Reserve are protected, takings, activities, and other
unless specifically exempted. uses. The Marine Resources
Protection Act of 1990 (section
8610.14 of the Fish and Game
Code), required the FGC to
establish four ecological
reserves in ocean waters with a
surface area of at least two
square miles each. Use is
restricted to scientific research
relating to the management and
enhancement of marine resources,
including, but not limited to,
research relating to sportfishing
and commercial fishing.
Recreational uses are permitted
in thses four areas. The DFG
enforces protection through game
wardens, the district attorney,
as well as sheriff and peace
officers.
Offshore Rocks and To withdraw all unreserved Formerly the California Primary: Department of Fish
Pinnacles Ecological islands, rocks, and pinnacles Islands Wildlife Sanctuary under and Game Secondary: Bureau of
Reserve Fish and Game offshore California from the Bureau of Land Management. Land Management
Code [[section]]1580. settlement, sale, or entry. In 1983, the Department of Fish
California Code of and Game (DFG) and the Bureau of
Regulations Title 14, Land Management signed an MOU
Section 630(b)(67). which transferred management
responsibilities to the DFG for
at least 50 years. Following the
formal MOU, the Fish and Game
Commission established the
Reserve.
DESIGNATION: STATE AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Refuges Fish and Game To protect specified Refuges are established through Primary: Fish and Game
Code Sections invertebrates and plants for the legislative action. The Fish and Commission Department of Fish
10500-10514, purpose of propogating, feeding, Game Commission may accept and Game Designations are made
10650-10677, 10711, and protecting wildlife. donations, land, or wildlife, and by the Legislature.
10770-10913. Collectively, these codes may acquire by purchase, lease,
establish seven general rental, or otherwise, and occupy,
categories of refuges: fish and develop, maintain, use and
game, fish, game, waterfowl, administer land, or land and
quail, marine life, and clam water, or land and water rights,
refuges. Designations can be suitable for refuges.
established in one or more of Regulations are further
these categories and may include implemented as designated in the
other specified limitations on California Code of Regulations
activity. with limits on resource takings,
activities, and other uses. The
Department of Fish and Game
enforces protection through game
wardens as well as the local
district attorney, sheriff, and
peace officers.
State Estuary AB 640 AB 640 designated Morro Bay and The California Environmental Primary: California
(Seastrand) Chapter 52, San Diego Bay as a State Estuary Protection Agency will convene a Environmental Protection Agency
Stats 1994. and identified Morro Bay and its Morro Bay Management Plan Task through the Central Coast
watershed as a State Estuary Force, to include local, state, Regional Water Quality Control
planning area. and federal agency and special Board.
interest group participation.
The participants must develop and
submit a management plan for
Morro Bay and its watershed to
the Legislature on or before July
1, 1997.
State Park System: State To preserve outstanding State Parks may be established Primary: Department of Parks
Parks Public Resources natural, scenic, and cultural in the terrestrial or underwater and Recreation Naming,
Code [[section]]5019.53. values, indegenous aquatic and areas of the State and are classification and General Plan
terrestrial fauna and flora, and managed as a composite whole in adopted by the State Parks and
the most significant examples of order to restore, protect, and Recreation Commission.
such ecological regions of maintain their native Secondary: Department of Fish
Califronia as the Sierra Nevada, environmental complexes to the and Game State Lands
northeast volcanic, great valley, extent compatible with the Commission
coastal strip, Klamath-Siskiyou primary purpose for which each
Mountains, soutwest mountains and park was established.
valleys, redwoods, foothills, and
low coastal and desert mountains.
These parks consist of relatively
spacious areas of outstanding
scenic or natural character,
oftentimes also containing
significant historical,
archaeological, ecological,
geological, or other such values.
DESIGNATION: STATE AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
State Park System: These areas are selected and State recreation units may be Primary: Department of Parks
State Recreation Units developed to provide surface and established in the terrestrial or and Recreation Parks and
Public Resources Code water-oriented recreational underwater areas of the State and Recreation Commission
[[section]]5019.56. opportunities, and are classified are managed in a manner Secondary: Department of Fish
as one of the following types: consistent with State Reserves and Game State Lands
State Beaches consist of areas Commission
with frontage on the ocean, or
bays designed to provide
swimming, boating, fishing, and
other beach-oriented recreational
activities; State Receation Areas
consist of areas selected and
developed to provide multiple
recreational opportunities to
meet other than purely local
needs, and are selected for
having terrain capable of
withstanding extensive human
impact and for their proximity to
large urban centers, major routes
of travel, or proven recreational
resources, such as manmade or
natural bodies of water;
Underwater Recreation Areas
consist of areas in the
underwater environment selected
and developed to provide surface
and subsurface water-oriented
recreational opportunities, while
preserving basic resource values
for present and future
generations; Wayside Campgrounds
consist of relatively small areas
suitable for overnight camping
and offering convenient access to
major highways.
State Park System: State To preserve native ecological State Reserves may be Primary: Department of Parks
Reserves Public associations, unique faunal and established in the terrestrial or and Recreation Parks and
Resources Code floral characteristics, underwater environmentss of the Recreation Commission
[[section]]5019.65. geological features, and scenic State. While recreational use is Secondary: Department of Fish
qualities in a condition of permitted, these areas receive and Game State Lands
undisturbed integrity. State the highest resource protection Commission
Reserves consist of areas with level of any park unit general
outstanding natural or scenic classification. These areas are
characteristics of statewide acquired through private
significance. Resource donations or State Lands
manipulation is restricted to the Commission purchase or lease.
minimum required to negate the Management is through onshore
deleterious influence of man. State Park officials. Removing
living and non-living resources
is prohibited except for
scientific or management
purposes.
DESIGNATION: STATE AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
State Park System: State To preserve outstanding The Legislature has designated Primary: Department of Parks
Seashores Public natural, scenic, cultural, twelve stretches of coastline, and Recreation Designations
Resources Code Sections ecological, and recreational both publicly and privately made by the Legislature or
5001.6 and 5019.62. values of the California owned, as State Seashores. Units Parks and Recreation
coastline as an ecological of the State Park System, Commission. Secondary:
region, and to make possible the including State Reserves, Parks, Department of Fish and Game
enjoyment of coastline and or Beaches, may be located within State Lands Commission
related recreational activities and be a part of, a State
which are consistent with Seashore. Management is
preserving the principal values consistent with State Reserves.
which contribute to public State Seashores may include
enjoyment, appreciation, and underwater areas within them, but
understanding of those values. may not be established solely in
State Seashores consist of the underwater environment.
relatively spacious coastline
areas with frontage on the ocean,
or on bays open to the ocean,
including water areas seasonally
connected to the ocean,
possessing outstanding scenic or
natural character and significant
recreational, historical,
archaeological, or geological
values.
DESIGNATION: FEDERAL AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Federal Ecological Preserve To withdraw a portion of the Mineral leasing is prohibited Primary: U.S. Department of
Executive Order, March 21, 1969 Santa Barbara Channel from within this designated area on the Interior through the
mineral leasing and reserve it the continental shelf. Minerals Management Service.
for scientific, recreational,
and other similar uses.
National Estuaries Clean Water To protect and improve the A management conference is Primary: U.S. Environmental
Act of 1987 [[section]]320 water quality and enhance the convened with participants from Protection Agency through the
living resources of nationally federal, State, and local Office of Water, Oceans, and
significant estuaries and bays agencies, academic Wetlands. Secondary: U.S. EPA
that are threatened by institutions, interest groups, delegates authority to the
pollution, development and and the public. The management State Water Resources Control
overuse. conference is responsible for Board, which delegates
developing a detailed authority to the appropriate
Comprehensive Conservation and Regional Water Quality Control
Development Plan to address Board.
priority problems in the bay or
estuary.
National Estuarine Research To protect estuarine Reserve managers identify and Primary: U.S. Department of
Reserves Coastal Zone ecosystems that are suitable establish research and Commerce through the National
Management Act [[section]]315 for long-term research and management priorities among the Oceanic and Atmospheric
protection, and contribute to coastal issues present in the Administration's Sanctuaries
the biogeographical balance of system. Research principles and Reserves Division.
the system. To enhance public consistent with those of other Secondary: California
awareness and understanding of reserves are established to Department of Fish and Game
estuarine areas and provide guide the development and jointly manages with the
suitable opportunities for implementation of research National Oceanic and
public education and programs. Atmospheric Administration.
interpretation.
DESIGNATION: FEDERAL AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
National Marine Sanctuaries To maintain a discrete marine National Marine Sanctuaries Primary: U.S. Department of
Marine Protection, Research, area of special national are required to develop and Commerce through the National
and Sanctuaries Act 16 U.S.C. significance in ocean waters as implement comprehensive, Oceanic and Atmospheric
1431 et seq. far seaward as the outer edge long-term management plans Administration's Sanctuaries
of the continental shelf, with tailored to the specific and Reserves Division.
the intent of protecting resources found within each Secondary: Law enforcement
coastal and marine resources, sanctuary. Research, activities are contracted with
while providing for multiple monitoring, and evaluation the California Department of
uses. programs are established to Fish and Game on a funds
expand knowledge of significant available basis.
marine resources and improve
management decision-making.
Education programs are
developed to enhance public
awareness, understanding, and
wise use of the marine and
estuarine environments.
Public and private uses are
permitted if the activities do
not threaten the basic
integrity of the site's
resource values.
National Parks 16 USCA 79 a-q To conserve the scenery, The Channel Islands National Primary: U.S. Department of
and 410ff national and historic objects, Park and the Redwood National the Interior through the
wildlife, and the marine, Park were established by National Park Service.
ecological, archaeological, Congress to conserve the unique
cultural, and scientific values marine resources of national
of the system while providing significance found within each
for the enjoyment of these Park. Both Parks have a
resources. comprehensive general
management plan that outlines
the managment activities needed
to protect the system.
National Seashores 16 U.S.C. To save and preserve, for National Seashores are Primary: U.S. Department of
459 et seq. purposes of public recreation, administered to promote the Interior through the
benefit, and inspiration, recreational, educational, National Park Service.
portions of the diminishing historic preservation,
undeveloped seashore of the interpretation, and scientific
United States. research opportunities in
accordance to the laws of the
general park system. Hunting
and fishing are permitted on
designated seashores.
DESIGNATION: FEDERAL AREAS INTENT OF DESIGNATION METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
National Wildlife Refuges 16 To preserve wildlife ranges, Although managment plans are Primary: U.S. Department of
U.S.C. 668dd game ranges, wildlife not required, federal or state the Interior through the Fish
management areas, or waterfowl agencies can develop plans that and Wildlife Service.
production areas for the meet the needs of each Refuge. Secondary: California
protection and conservation of Certain activities, including Department of Fish and Game.
fish and wildlife, including actions that would destroy or California Department of Parks
those threatened with damage any plants or animals, and Recreation.
extinction. are prohibited unless
authorized for managing a
refuge or a permit is issued.
The State can manage these
areas pursuant to agreements
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.