Redesign of Protected Marine Areas Hits Snag

Besieged with controversy and conflicting opinions since the process first began in 2008, the Marine Life Protection Act’s mandated redesign of marine protected areas along the coast of Southern California, from Pt. Conception to the Mexican border, has hit another potential snag as it readies to become a reality. With a plan picked out and currently undergoing the never easy Environmental Impact Review (EIR) process, the California Fish and Game Commission—the body that must ultimately sign off on the plan—has called for an emergency meeting on 9/29 to discuss extending the public comment period for the draft EIR.