Public Comment Now Open: California Ocean Acidification Action Plan

The California Ocean Acidification Action Plan is out for public comment. Download the draft here: http://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/_media_library/2018/08/California-OA-Action-Plan_Public-Comment_August-2018.pdf 

About the Plan

California is actively participating in a groundswell for international action on ocean acidification (OA). The California Ocean Protection Council, in cooperation with Ocean Science Trust, undertook development of a State of California Ocean Acidification Action Plan (Action Plan) to provide a concrete vision and tractable actions for making progress in better understanding and addressing this threat to the state’s coastal and nearshore marine ecosystems.

The Action Plan fulfills one of California’s obligations to the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, a network of more than 60 governments and organizations that have joined together to elevate the visibility of OA in public discourse and policy development. The primary purpose of the Action Plan is to provide a roadmap for the State of California to take tractable and strategic actions to reduce and prepare for the impacts of OA. Although it focuses on California’s particular needs and opportunities, these are cast within a regional and international context to achieve state goals, advance global efforts and collaboration, and help other jurisdictions move forward on this challenge.

The Action Plan was informed by the ideas and advice of more than 70 people from across the aquaculture and fisheries industries, state and national governments, private philanthropy, and the scientific community. California’s Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Task Force [established under California Assembly Bill 2139 (Williams, 2016)] provided scientific and technical input to the draft and is developing a supporting science plan.

Informational Webinar: Tuesday, August 21, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (PST)

Ocean Protection Council staff, in coordination with the Ocean Science Trust, will host an informational public webinar on Tuesday, August 21, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (PST) to provide an overview of the draft Action Plan and provide an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and provide input.

Please register for the webinar using the following link:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0pL6JOn3T_mm0rFkYd5D2A

Public Comment

Thank you for taking the time to review the draft California Ocean Acidification Action Plan. This draft was developed based on a wide range of stakeholder input and identifies objectives, strategies, and a list of action items for stakeholders to collaboratively implement to reduce and prepare for the impacts of ocean acidification.

The public comment period is open from Wednesday, August 1 through Friday, August 31, 2018. All comments should be submitted by email to: COPCpublic@resources.ca.gov. Questions can be directed to Ocean Protection Council Climate Change Policy Advisor, Jenn Phillips at: Jennifer.Phillips@resources.ca.gov

For more information about the Action Plan and Project Team, visit the OPC webpage: http://www.opc.ca.gov/oa-action-plan/