Thursday, December 6, 2007

Marine Access Protection Act?


This map overlays the Marine Protected Area (MPA) options being considered and public access points. Of the MPA coastline between Stewarts Point and Point Arena shown here, more than 70% fronts privately-held land that has no public access.

These areas have been protected from nearly all human predation for decades. If they are the only ones to be "protected" by the Act, MLPA goals cannot be met in this area. MLPA protects what is already protected and leaves open what is already open.

How can MLPA be more than an exercise in labeling? Is marine protection the primary goal or is access protection?

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