WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of the United States most precious resources, and as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of Californias marine environment and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and relaxation; and tourism and recreation comprise the largest sector of the states $45 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The National Marine Sanctuaries Act authorizes the United States Secretary of Commerce to designate discrete areas of the marine environment that are of national significance for their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, and educational value; and

WHEREAS, Californias four national marine sanctuariesthe Channel Islands, Cordell Bank, Greater Farallones, and Monterey Bayare held in the public trust for current and future Californians, and are integral to the United States National Marine Sanctuary system; and

WHEREAS, Californias national marine sanctuaries provide habitat to endangered whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, 180 fish species, 70 bird species, remote coral reefs, and one of the largest white shark populations in the world; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, the United States Secretary of Commerce, in response to widespread public support and participation, authorized the expansion of the Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries; and

WHEREAS, The designation of national marine sanctuaries is guided by state, local, and tribal governments, members of the public, and other stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, Exploration for, or development or production of, oil, gas, or minerals is prohibited in Californias national marine sanctuaries, except as authorized for certain Channel Islands leases; and

WHEREAS, The values of the State of California include historic diversity, scientific advancement, economic output, and sense of global responsibility, and Californias national marine sanctuary system reflects and advances these values; and

WHEREAS, Healthy ecosystems provide improved water quality, air quality, and climate resilience and adaptability, which are vital priorities for the State of California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate declares that the United States National Marine Sanctuaries are a national treasure that belong to all Americans and should be maintained for future generations; and that those protected federal waters off the coast of California are integral to the history, culture, economy, natural environment, and values of the State of California and for which California is globally renown; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate is committed to defending United States National Marine Sanctuary designations and expansions according to the national marine sanctuary designation process; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretaries of the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each Member of the California State Legislature.

WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of the United States most precious resources, and as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long term viability of Californias marine environment and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and relaxation; and tourism and recreation comprise the largest sector of the states $45 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The National Marine Sanctuaries Act authorizes the United States Secretary of Commerce to designate discrete areas of the marine environment that are of national significance for their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, and educational value; and

WHEREAS, Californias four national marine sanctuariesthe Channel Islands, Cordell Bank, Greater Farallones, and Monterey Bayare held in the public trust for current and future Californians, and are integral to the United States National Marine Sanctuary system; and

WHEREAS, Californias national marine sanctuaries provide habitat to endangered whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, 180 fish species, 70 bird species, remote coral reefs, and one of the largest white shark populations in the world; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, the United States Secretary of Commerce, in response to widespread public support and participation, authorized the expansion of the Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries; and

WHEREAS, The designation of national marine sanctuaries is guided by state, local, and tribal governments, members of the public, and other stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, Exploration for, or development or production of, oil, gas, or minerals is prohibited in Californias national marine sanctuaries, except as authorized for certain Channel Islands leases; and

WHEREAS, The values of the State of California include historic diversity, scientific advancement, economic output, and sense of global responsibility, and Californias national marine sanctuary system reflects and advances these values; and

WHEREAS, Healthy ecosystems provide improved water quality, air quality, and climate resilience and adaptability, which are vital priorities for the State of California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate declares that the United States National Marine Sanctuaries are a national treasure that belong to all Americans and should be maintained for future generations; and that those protected federal waters off the coast of California are integral to the history, culture, economy, natural environment, and values of the State of California and for which California is globally renown; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate is committed to defending United States National Marine Sanctuary designations and expansions according to the national marine sanctuary designation process; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretaries of the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each Member of the California State Legislature.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 44

Author: Jackson (D), De León (D), Dodd (D), Hill (D), Lara (D), Leyva (D), Monning (D), Stern (D), and Wieckowski (D)

Introduced: 6/6/17

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: United States National Marine Sanctuaries

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution declares that the United States’ National Marine Sanctuaries are a national treasure that belong to all Americans and should be maintained for future generations.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. California’s iconic coastal and marine waters are one of the United States’ most precious resources, and as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long term viability of California’s marine environment and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors.
2. The National Marine Sanctuaries Act authorizes the United States Secretary of Commerce to designate discrete areas of the marine environment that are of national significance for their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, and educational value.
3. California’s four national marine sanctuaries—the Channel Islands, Cordell Bank, Greater Farallones, and Monterey Bay—are held in the public trust for current and future Californians, and are integral to the United States’ National Marine Sanctuary system. California’s national marine sanctuaries provide habitat to endangered whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, 180 fish species, 70 bird species, remote coral reefs, and one of the largest white shark populations in the world.
4. Exploration for, or development or production of, oil, gas, or minerals is prohibited in California’s national marine sanctuaries, except as authorized for certain Channel Islands leases.
5. Healthy ecosystems provide improved water quality, air quality, and climate resilience and adaptability, which are vital priorities for the State of California.

This resolution declares that the United States’ National Marine Sanctuaries are a national treasure that belong to all Americans and should be maintained for future generations; and that those protected federal waters off the coast of California are integral to the history, culture, economy, natural environment, and values of the State of California and for which California is globally renown.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/21/17)

California Coastal Protection Network

Clean Water Action

Defenders of Wildlife

Environment California

Environmental Defense Center

Friends of the Earth – US

Heal the Bay

National Parks Conservation Association

Natural Resources Defense Council

Seventh Generation Advisors

Surfrider Foundation

The Lutheran Office of Public

The Ocean Foundation

Wholly H2O

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/12/17)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The supporters write, “Expanded offshore fossil fuel development at the expense of National Marine Sanctuary protections would plainly contradict the State’s commitment to addressing climate change. In resolving to safeguard National Marine Sanctuaries from potential and gas development, SR 44 reaffirms the State’s commitment to protecting California’s

precious marine resources for the well-being of the humans and wildlife dependent on them.”

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

6/21/17 11:06:00

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