Science, Policy, and the Coast Improving Decisionmaking (1995) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
2 Regional Symposia
2 Regional Symposia
Pages 13-26
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From page 13... ...
From the fog-shrouded redwoods of the north to the wide sandy beaches in the south, the more than 1,100-mile California coast supports numerous habitats and spans several biological provinces (California Coastal Commission, 1987~. Most of this coast is composed of headlands with semienclosed bays, lagoons, and estuaries, which 13
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From page 14... ...
25-27, 1995, New Orleans, Louisiana Issues Cumulative Impacts of Development Coastal Ocean Habitat Mitigation Strategies Coastal Sediment and Water Quality Cumulative Impacts of Land and Water Activities Protecting Regionally Significant Terrestnal and Manne Habitats Using Indicators of Environmental Quality Cumulative Impacts of Offshore and Coastal Oil and Gas Development Effects of Freshwater Inflow Changes Water Quality and Shellfish Production are, with a few exceptions such as San Prancisco and San Diego bays, relatively limited in scope. The habitats in these environments have been particularly susceptible to the effects of human activities.
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From page 15... ...
Science has also been applied to air and water quality control programs, monitoring programs related to public health and habitat productivity, port expansion activities, selection of offshore dredge disposal sites, location of new marinas, offshore energy resources development, mitigating the impacts of electricity generating plants, and public lands management. Research on the subject of shoreline processes and hazards affecting coastal development and uses, habitat loss and restoration, a wide range of fisheries issues, and aquaculture has helped state and local officials manage these processes and activities.
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From page 16... ...
Understanding and dealing with cumulative impacts offer many opportunities for, and requires, extensive interaction between the science and policy communities. Coastal Ocean Habitat Mitigation Strategies Vast areas of biologically rich habitats in California are economically, environmentally, and socially significant but have been substantially altered or lost because of human perturbations.
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From page 17... ...
An example incorporating these principles is the approach adopted by the California Coastal Commission to attempt to compensate for the adverse impacts on the marine environment of the operation of units two and three of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in northern San Diego County. This compensation took the form of requirements that the utility restore the San Dieguito wetlands and create an artificial reef.
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From page 18... ...
Examples of these initiatives are the three state coastal management programs and Sea Grant College Programs, the National Estuarine Research Reserves, and the National Estuary Program sites. The Gulf of Maine Program serves as a cooperative mechanism to address transboundary issues by adopting a watershed management approach that incorporates both the upland area and the coastal marine environment.
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From page 19... ...
using indicators of environmental quality. Summary of Gulf of Maine Symposium Findings Cumulative Impacts of Land and Water Activities One of the most pressing coastal and ocean management issues is the gradual, incremental degradation and loss of resources.
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From page 20... ...
developing consistent approaches to managing Gulf of Maine coastal and marine habitats between the United States and Canada. Using Indicators of Environmental Quality-The region's science and management community has embraced the use of indicators of marine environmental quality.
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From page 21... ...
Reductions in freshwater inflow due to use or diversion, the effects of changing sediment supply on coastal environments, and the excess enrichment of coastal waters with ever-borne nutrients are significant environmental management issues for much of the Gulf Coast. To facilitate joint solutions to environmental protection and resource management problems around the U.S.
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From page 22... ...
Eight issue committees have been formed to address specific problem areas: freshwater inflow, nutrient enrichment, marine debris, coastal and shoreline erosion, toxic substances and pesticides, habitat degradation, public health, and living aquatic resources. The science-policy interactions surrounding three specific issues embedded in this comprehensive list served as the focus of discussion at the Gulf of Mexico Symposium: the cumulative impacts of offshore and coastal oil and gas development, the effects of freshwater inflow changes, and water quality and shellfish production.
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From page 23... ...
encouraging a water conservation ethic. Water Quality and Shellfish Production Because of the low tidal range and consequent poor flushing of shallow Gulf Coast estuaries coupled with warm water temperatures and numerous human population centers, Gulf of Mexico waters are particularly susceptible to contamination by human pathogens.
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From page 24... ...
ADDRESSING CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Some aspect of the cumulative impacts of coastal development or human uses of the coastal ocean was considered in all three symposia: coastal development in California, land and water use in the Gulf of Maine, and offshore and coastal oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico. Furthermore, virtually every other issue considered in the regional symposia relates to cumulative impacts.
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From page 25... ...
Second, setting spatial and temporal boundaries for scientific analyses of cumulative effects is difficult. The problems inherent in setting boundaries are complicated by the need to address multiple complex issues simultaneously and requires an understanding of the various geographical units used to conduct the assessment (e.g., habitat, ecosystem, watershed, airshed, ecoregion, governmental jurisdiction)
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