Lori Donchak, Mayor Sim Dahl, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Anderson, Councilmember Bob Baker, Councilmember G. Wayne Egleston, Councilmember George Scarborough, City Manager Office of Mayor and City Councilmembers Phone: (949) 361-8322 Fax: (949) 361-8283 E-mail: CityCouncil@san-clemente.org October 8, 2009 Catherine Reheis-Boyd, Chairwoman South Coast Study Region Blue Ribbon Task Force California Department of Fish and Game Headquarters 1416 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: Support for Proposal 2 Dear Chairwoman Reheis-Boyd: On behalf of the City of San Clemente, | am pleased to see the Blue Ribbon Task Force study proposals which seek to improve the health and value of California's coastal waters, while making a very valuable contribution to marine conservation. Thank you for your outstanding efforts. Asa coastal community, San Clemente's population derives a tremendous recreational benefit and scenic enjoyment from the beaches. San Clemente also benefits economically as this pristine natural resource and historic fishing Pier serve as great tourist draws to our community. The ocean also provides a large amount of resources to state and national interests, proving itis critical to our entire country’s economic growth, recreational needs and environmental stability. Locally, we strive to decrease urban runoff and improve the quality of the ocean for the benefit of people and marine life and habitats. Certainly, there is no single solution to conserving the marine environment; however, we support marine protected areas as they are a potentially valuable tool for marine conservation to help prevent degradation, foster marine biodiversity, and maintain a more sustainable fishing industry. Your work towards increasing the effectiveness of these areas through the development of various proposals is highly beneficial in accomplishing these goals. Out of the proposals set forth, we support proposal 2, which was crafted by anglers, commercial fisherman, city officials, harbor masters, the Department of Defense and wastewater representatives. This proposal has tremendous conservation value for Orange County and the rest of the study area. In Orange County, the proposal shares coastal access points equally between those wanting to visit a marine reserve for viewing purposes and those wishing to practice sustainable fishing. Gily of San Clemente 700 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, CA 92672 (G49) 961-8200 ‘wu san-clemente.orgPage 2 South Coast Study Region Blue Ribbon Task Force Furthermore, proposal 2 is the only proposal that places a premium on capturing the entire spectrum of habitats and depth zones in the area, while allowing access to coastlines vital to the local marine economy. On the contrary, proposals 1 and 3 are inefficient, maximizing the closure of coastline and near-shore waters but capturing relatively little deeper water. If enacted, proposals 1 and 3 would devastate the marine economies of nearby ports in Newport Bay and Dana Point, In placing 16% of southern California's ocean environment in protected areas, proposal 2 provides significant additional protections for California’s currently healthy and sustainable ocean resources. It is an integrated proposal, maximizing conservation goals while at the same time, minimizing the impact on those who enjoy the sport of fishing, those who depend on fishing for their livelihood, and the economy of California Additionally, proposal 2 will have the least economic impact for both recreational and commercial fishermen. Proposal 2 strikes the best balance between protecting the environment and minimizing economic impact. California's recreational fishing community contributes more than $2.2 billion annually to the state's economy, including $160 million in state and local taxes and supports nearly 20,000 jobs, including over 14,000 in southern California. In 2008, recreational fishing garnered over $2 million in sales and nearly $115 million in tax revenue. This is a major contributor to a struggling California economy. I respectively request that the Blue Ribbon Task Force recommend proposal 2 to the Fish and Game Commission at its October 20-22 meeting in Long Beach, California. I appreciate your consideration and once again, I thank you and your fellow task force members for the time and commitment you have given to such an important endeavor Sincerely, vax Daclot, Lori Donchak Mayor