Subtidal Habitat Goals Project

The San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat Goals Project draft document was released on June 16, 2010.

The Goals Project sponsors, BCDC, NOAA Fisheries and the California State Coastal Conservancy held two public meetings on June 16 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.at BCDC’s office to review the draft document and hear feedback and comment.  Information on the project can be found on BCDC’s website at http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/planning/shg/subtidal_habitat.shtml.  The release will initiate a 45-day public review period.  The Draft Plan includes recommendations for research, restoration and management of subtidal habitats and will lead to possible new regulations on dredging, sand mining and in-water construction.  BPC attended the briefing and will be coordinating comments submitted by BPC members.  In its initial review, BPC is alarmed that the Goals Project is not recognizing the value of the habitat types for human use as well as conservation thereby resulting in Management Objectives reflecting a lack of balance for the Bay’s  human, fauna and flora use.