After nearly two years of discussion among commercial and sport fishermen, environmentalists, tribes, educators, birders, divers and other coastal stakeholders, a single unified proposal was submitted for a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) off the coast of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Del Norte Counties. Once adopted, this North Coast proposal will complete the redesign of reserves and conservation areas off the California coast – the first in the nation – as mandated by the Marine Life Protection Act.  

The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed North Coast MPA network is now available and comments are being accepted through Monday, April 16. Along with other area conservation advocates, North Coast county and city governments, and fishing groups, Humboldt Baykeeper supports the stakeholders’ unified proposal, known as “the Proposed Project” in the DEIR. The Proposed Project is the most environmentally beneficial, represents the interests of the community as a whole and ensures that North Coast tribes are able to continue traditional cultural gathering within MPAs.

The California Fish & Game Commission will accept public comments on the Marine Life Protection Act Draft EIR on Wednesday, April 11 at the Red Lion Hotel, 1929 Fourth St., Eureka. (Hearings were held earlier this month in Fort Bragg and Crescent City). The deadline for written comments is 5 p.m. on April 16th.

Submit written comments to: 

MLPA North Coast CEQA Comments 

Department of Fish and Game c/o Horizon Water and Environment

P.O. Box 2727

Oakland, CA 94602 

or via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. E-mailed comments must include “MLPA CEQA Comments” in the subject line. All comments must include the commenter’s name, address and daytime telephone number.

On Wednesday, June 6, the California Fish & Game Commission will meet in Eureka to consider the comments and make a final decision. For more on the Marine Life Protection Act, visit caloceans.org.