California Coastal National Monument
Working in Coordination with National Marine Sanctuaries
by Carol Georgi and Karl Kempton, former Energy Planner for San Luis Obispo County
and Lead Author of "Proposed Central Coast National Marine Sanctuary, 1990"
Photos by Carol Georgi
Tide Pools
Introduction
Did you know that all those scenic rocks off the California Coast are part of a National Monument? The California Coastal National Monument (CCNM) includes more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles above mean high tide within a corridor of 12 nautical miles (13.8 land miles) from the mainland along the entire California coastline, from Mexico to Oregon, 1,100 miles. In fact, this national monument is perhaps the most viewed, but least recognized national monument.
The near shore coastal waters of San Luis Obispo County contain many parts of the CCNM. Several large rocks, small islands and tide pools can be seen from the shores in Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Montano de Oro, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, and Cambria.
Using the CCNM website provided by the BLM, the main points and possibilities of this unique California Coastal National Monument are reviewed in this article.
Establishment
The CCNM was established on January 11, 2000 by Presidential Proclamation, under the authority of section 2 of the Antquities Act of 1906. The United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has the responsibility to manage this monument as part of the National Landscape Conservation System.
Purpose
The purpose is both to protect the CCNM's scenic quality and natural beauty, and to protect the geologic formations and the habitat that the rocks and small islands provide. The monument includes a significant amount of the rocky, coastal ecosystem and portions of the intertidal zone where the pounding surf and the changing tides create tide pools within the corridor of monument designation.
Seabirds, sea mammals, and a variety of other animal life and plants, both terrestrial and marine, live on the CCNM and are sensitive to human disturbance. The rocks provide a refuge for wildlife. Minimal disturbance to the animals and their habitat is important. For example, when visiting tidepools, one must be careful not to crush or remove sea stars, crabs, or other creatures in their balanced ecosystem.
Several fin-footed marine mammal species, called pinnipeds, depend on the monument’s islands, rocks, reefs, and pinnacles for warming and resting when not frolicking, swimming and feeding in the ocean around them. Harbor seals and California sea lions are the most common near shore. A few small colonies of Steller sea lions, a threatened species, and the northern fur seal, a member of the sea lion family, are sometimes found on the outermost rocks of the monument.
Management
The CCNM Resource Management Plan (RMP) consists of four aspects: Preservation, Landscape, Partnerships, and Communities. Preservation of the monument (the rocks) is the primary management focus. Landscape (or seascape) is the ecosystem focus. The protection of physical, biological, and cultural resources is the priority. For example, non-motorized, non-mechanized recreation is generally allowed, but not encouraged. The BLM generally responds first through education, then through temporary restrictive measures, as needed.
Partnerships provide the collaboration focus for the CCNM. The mission of the CCNM is to protect and foster an appreciation for and a stewardship of California's Coastal resources associated with the CCNM. Therefore, the goals are to enhance cooperative and collaborative initiatives and partnerships with the California Department of Fish and Game, California State Parks, and a variety of communities, agencies, organizations, academic institutions, tribes, and other public and private entities. Communities provide the local focus, especially Gateway communities.
Gateway Communities
The CCNM has formed several Gateway partnerships with towns, cities, and communities to support tourism that sustains the geographical character of the region. These Gateways, serving as focal points for the CCNM, can reap economic benefits from tourism while providing local stewardship that benefits the environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and well-being of residents.
There are currently 5 Gateways in the CCNM:
• Trinidad, Humboldt County
• Point Arena, Mendocino County
• Pigeon Point, San Mateo County
• Piedras Blancas/San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County
• Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County
The residents of San Luis Obispo County could create a series of Gateways linking to the CCNM's coordinated effort. Each Gateway can become a focal point of local control, designated interest and stewardship. For example, a Gateway could focus on geographic location, stewardship of seabird conservation or maintaining tide pool education and appreciation. Local ideas for fostering an appreciation for and a stewardship of California's coastal resources of the CCNM will help the California coastline endure and not be destroyed.
Banner Image of Otter & Pup by Cleve Nash |
