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 The
new Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) program is focused on the restoration
of biological diversity and recovery of critical ocean habitat. The
focus of PCLF’s Coastal Zone Watersheds Initiative (CZWI) is
to increase critical understanding of the direct connection between
land use practices and associated impacts to newly designated MLPA
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in two coastal counties, Monterey and
San Luis Obispo. In this effort, PCLF is working with resource agencies,
local governments, and local nonprofit organizations and other community
groups and individuals to engage them in action to develop broad-based
public awareness and active support for the MLPA Initiative for the
Central Coast Region.
This includes assessing impacts from the coastal region to nearshore
marine habitat associated with polluted runoff, also referred to
as nonpoint source pollution. This can lead to better understanding
of habitat degradation that results from contaminants flowing into
streams and eventually to adjacent coastal waters. Nonpoint source
pollution is the leading cause of water quality impairments that
can also degrade wetlands and estuaries, as well as harbors and bays.
PCLF’s Central Coast staff is currently working to implement
the Marine Life Protection Act through its CZWI Program with support
from the Resources Legacy Law Foundation.
For more information please contact Dr.
Monica Hunter.
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