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The preliminary goals and objectives
which appeared in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Department
of Commerce, 1980) have been updated and refined during preparation
of the plan. Four main goals provide the basis for the major program
areas for sanctuary management. More detailed management objectives
establish specific targets that will help achieve sanctuary goals
within a five-year plan.
(a) Resource Protection
The goal assigned highest priority
for management is to enhance protection of the marine environment
and resources of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Specific objectives aimed at this goal are:
- Establish cooperative agreements and other
mechanisms for coordination and collaboration among all the federal
and state agencies participating in sanctuary management;
- Promote public awareness of and voluntary
user compliance with regulations through an educational program
stressing resource sensitivity and wise use;
- Develop an effective and coordinated program
for the enforcement of sanctuary regulations; and
- Reduce threats to sanctuary resources
raised by major emergencies through contingency and emergency
response planning.
(b) Research
Research activities within the
program are directed to resolving management concerns and increasing
the understanding of the sanctuary environment and significant resources.
Specific objectives for the research program are as follows:
- Establish a framework and procedures for
administering research to ensure that projects are responsive
to management concerns and that results contribute to improved
management of the sanctuary;
- Make effective use of research results
by incorporating them into information and interpretation programs;
and
- Encourage information exchange among all
the organizations and agencies undertaking management-related
research in the sanctuary to promote more informed management.
(c) Interpretation
Interpretative programs aim
to enhance public awareness and understanding of the significance
of the sanctuary and the need to protect its resources.
The management objectives designed to meet this goal are:
- Enhance public access to relevant information
on the sanctuary, its goals, and resources;
- Improve opportunities for a wider public
access to the sanctuary and first-hand appreciation of significant
sanctuary resources;
- Broaden public support for the sanctuary
and sanctuary management by offering on-site and off-site programs
suited to visitors of diverse interests, ages, and skills;
- Provide for public involvement by encouraging
feedback on the effectiveness of interpretive programs, collaboration
with sanctuary management staff in extension /outreach programs,
and participation in other volunteer programs; and
- Collaborate with other organizations to
provide interpretive services complementary to the sanctuary program.
(d) Visitor Use
The sanctuary goal for visitor
management is to encourage commercial and recreational use of the
sanctuary that is compatible with protection of its significant
resources.
Specific management objectives
are:
- Provide relevant information about sanctuary
regulations, use policies, and standards;
- Collaborate with public and private organizations
in promoting compatible use of the sanctuary by coordinating surveys
and monitoring programs and by exchanging information concerning
commercial and recreational use of the sanctuary, and
- Assess the current levels of use and monitor
use over time to identify and control potential degradation of
resources and minimize potential user conflicts.
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