On May 23, 2024, The Pew Charitable Trusts submitted comments to the California Ocean Protection Council and the California Natural Resources Agency on a proposed framework for evaluating the conservation of coastal waters. The proposal is part of the state’s effort to conserve 30% of its lands and waters by 2030. In its letter, Pew emphasized that the final plan needs to guard against the loss of biodiversity, a key factor in nature’s ability to deal with climate change.
When reviewing Pew’s comments, readers should note that since Pew submitted its letter, the California Ocean Protection Council revised some of its terminology, replacing “draft criteria” with “draft decision-making framework” and changing “spatial management measures” to “marine managed areas.”
The public comment period continues until Oct. 2, 2024.