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FROM: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, BUILDING & CODE ENFORCEMENT DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2006 SUBJECT: LETTER IN SUPPORT OF SEA LAB ABALONE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Staff Coordinator: Kit Fox, AICP, Associate Planner RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter expressing the City Council’s support of the proposed SEA Lab Abalone Enhancement Project. BACKGROUND As reported in the September 5, 2006, Border Issues Status Report, the third and final stakeholder meeting for the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission’s (SMBRC) South Bay Watershed Coordination and Outreach Project was held in August. The result of this process was a list of possible watershed improvement projects in the South Bay, which SMBRC intends to use to match up local jurisdictions with funding sources to implement these watershed improvement projects. DISCUSSION SMBRC has decided to pursue three (3) projects on the Palos Verdes Peninsula as its lead projects to obtain funding. The first of these projects, sponsored by SEA Lab, would involve restoring abalone to Abalone Cove. The goal of this project would be to grow green abalone at the SEA Lab facility and utilize these abalone in replenishing wild populations to higher levels. This project at Abalone Cove would be a pilot study for expanding abalone replenishment to additional coves along the Palos Verdes Peninsula shoreline. SMBRC is pursuing grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for this project, and has asked for a letter of support for the project from the City Council to include with the grant application. A draft letter for the Mayor’s signature is attached for the City Council’s review and approval. A similar letter from Mayor Pro Tem Long was sent to NOAA in September 20, 2006. CONCLUSION Staff requests that the City Council review and approve the attached draft letter to NOAA for the Mayor’s signature. Respectfully submitted: Joel Rojas, AICP, Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Reviewed by: Les Evans, City Manager Attachments: Draft letter of support for SEA Lab Abalone Enhancement Project October 3, 2006 Community-Based Restoration Program Re: Letter of Support for Los Angeles Conservation Corps’ SEA Lab Abalone Enhancement Project To Whom It May Concern: On behalf of the entire Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, I wish to state our strong support the Los Angeles Conservation Corps’ SEA Lab program in its efforts to enhance the Palos Verdes green abalone population. This project is strongly in line with the regional goals of restoring the Santa Monica Bay. The strengths of this project are the project’s location, the expertise of the SEA Lab staff, and most of all, the tremendous community support for this project. Indeed as you may know, the community is home to Abalone Cove. Nothing could be more appropriate as a restoration effort than bringing back an abalone population to the Palos Verdes peninsula. The SEA Lab is an outstanding organization and a tremendous resource to the community. We fully support its effort to both protect the environment and engage young people in this effort as a part of the Los Angeles Conservation Corp. This project will help SEA Lab continue in its effort to implement both goals. Respectfully, Stefan Wolowicz cc: Kit Fox, RPV Associate Planner
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