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EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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Executive Order W-162-97

    WHEREAS, the Pacific Ocean has played a profound role in the history of California and the state's coastal and marine regions define California in unique and important ways; and

    WHEREAS, California's ocean ecosystem is one of the most biologically productive and rich systems in the world; and

    WHEREAS, ocean-dependent industries support a key portion of California's economy, contributing more than $17 billion annually to the State's economy; and

    WHEREAS, most existing resource protection policies and programs related to California's ocean and coast address single purpose objectives or limited geographic areas; and more effective and efficient protection is possible through greater coordination within government and through the establishment of partnerships between government agencies, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, the public, and academia; and

    WHEREAS, the California Ocean Resources Management Act (Public Resources Code 36000 et seq.) established the California Ocean Resources Management Program which is intended to help guide the comprehensive and coordinated management, conservation and enhancement of California's ocean resources for the benefit of current and future generations; and

    WHEREAS, California's Ocean Resources: An Agenda for the Future, prepared pursuant to the California Ocean Resources Management Act, finds that California's ocean ecosystem health is dependent on a series of complex inter-relationships between land and sea which must be recognized in any management scheme; that substantial economic benefits can be derived from ocean dependent industries; that ocean research, education, and technology development activities are necessary components for management; and that existing governmental processes are in need of enhanced coordination; and

    WHEREAS, the federal responsibilities for ocean protection and management are implemented through a fragmented system of federal statutes, associated regulations, and agency guidelines which impact State management and protection responsibilities and must to a greater degree integrate and support existing and future State policies and programs;

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, PETE WILSON, Governor of the State of California, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue this order to become effective immediately:

I.     The policy of the State of California shall be to encourage and facilitate planning for the ocean and the coast of California through efforts to:

a. Assess, conserve, restore, and manage California's ocean resources and the ocean ecosystem.
b. Encourage environmentally sound, sustainable, and beneficial ocean resource development activities.
c. Advance research, educational programs, and technology developments to meet future needs and uses of the ocean.
d. Maximize California's interests within State Tidelands, the Territorial Sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone.

II.    Pursuant to Section 11019.6(a) of the Government Code, I hereby designate the following principal state agencies.

a. Except as otherwise specified below, the Secretary for Resources as the principal state agency for ocean resource management.
b. The State Water Resources Control Board as the principal state agency for coastal water quality.
c. The Secretary for Business, Transportation and Housing as the principal state agency for port development and maintenance.
d. The Secretary for Trade and Commerce for coastal and ocean related tourism.
e. The Department of Fish and Game for living marine resources and marine habitat protection.
f. The Department of Parks and Recreation for marine managed areas.
g. The Department of Boating and Waterways for shoreline erosion maintenance and control.

III.    By October 1, 1998, the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall inventory existing ocean and coastal water quality monitoring programs and make recommendations for a comprehensive program for monitoring water quality and reducing water pollution within coastal watersheds, bays, estuaries, lagoons, and near-shore ocean waters.

IV.    By October 1, 1998, the Secretary for Business, Transportation, and Housing shall, in close cooperation with the ports of California, develop a maritime policy that sets clear goals and objectives for the development and maintenance of required facilities to maintain the State's lead in offshore commerce activities.

V.    By October 1, 1998, the Department of Fish and Game shall conduct a comprehensive review of and make recommendations to improve coordination of the State's policies, plans and programs for the management of California's living marine resources and marine habitats in coastal wetlands and enclosed tidal bays and estuaries, and state waters seaward of mean high tide. This review shall consider the CALFED Bay-delta Program, the governor's Wetlands Conservation Policy of 1993, the Watershed Policy Review Council, and other appropriate State programs that may affect California's living ocean resources.

VI.    By July 1, 1998, the Secretary for Resources and the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall complete a comprehensive analysis of existing Federal responsibilities for ocean protection and management; review the areas in which the Federal system of statutes, regulations, and guidelines impact State management and protection responsibilities; and determine the degree of fragmentation and redundancy that exists in these Federal responsibilities. The analysis shall make recommendations on actions that can be taken to achieve greater integration of Federal and State functions and on those Federal authorities, programs, and activities that may be transferred to the State.

VII.    By October 1, 1998, the Secretary for Resources and the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall establish a California Ocean Information System to identify the most important data and information for ocean resource management needs, and make this data accessible through the California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES) and other appropriate systems. This system shall include, but not be limited to, information about living and non-living marine resources, including water quality and habitat monitoring data from federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and citizens groups.

VIII.    By July 1, 1998, the Secretary for Resources shall, working with the Sea Grant Advisory Panel, identify research needs to support California ocean resource management in partnership with the California Sea Grant Program or other initiatives undertaken by government, private sector, or not-for-profit organizations.

[Seal]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 8th day of October 1997. s/Pete Wilson Governor of California Attest: s/Bill Jones Secretary of State