In 1999, California passed the first law of its kind in the country-the Marine Life Protection Act, or MLPA. Sponsored by coastal legislators, the MLPA requires the state to improve the way it sets aside marine areas for further protection. The MLPA was supported by scientists, divers, educators, fishermen, and conservation organizations and surveys show that Californians across the state also want more protection for the oceans.

Despite this support, the state has struggled to implement the law. After two failed attempts, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would commit his administration to getting the job done.

In 2005, the state took a new approach to combine science with public input. The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative includes:

• a high-level Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop a framework for implementing the law
• an extensive public participation process
• an advisory team of biologists, economists, and other scientific experts
• a private/public partnership to support these advisory panels and public meetings, coordinated by the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation to under a Memorandum of Understanding