California Ocean Acidification Action Plan

DRAFTCALIFORNIAOAACTIONPLAN[FORPUBLICCOMMENT8.1.18]

CaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlan

August2018

**NOTEFORPUBLICCOMMENT**

ThankyoufortakingthetimetoreviewthedraftCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlan.Thisdraftwasdevelopedbasedonawiderangeofstakeholderinputandidentifiesobjectives,strategies,andalistofactionitemsforstakeholderstocollaborativelyimplementtoreduceandpreparefortheimpactsofoceanacidification.PleasenotethattheActionPlanisstillindraftformandafinalversionwillbemadeavailableafteritsanticipatedadoptionattheOceanProtectionCouncilmeetingonOctober25,2018.Youwillnoticethattherearesectionsofthetables,calloutboxes,andappendicesthatarenotyetcomplete.Thesewillbediscussedandfurtherfleshedoutduringthefinaleditingstages.Inparticular,wearesolicitingfeedbackonthefollowing:

1. Whatareyourthoughtsonthesixoceanacidificationactionstrategies?a. Dotheyreflectyourunderstandingofwhatthestate’socean

acidificationprioritiesare/shouldbe?b. Ifnot,whatoceanacidificationactionstrategiesdoyouthinkshould

beincludedasapriorityaction?

2. Doyouthinkthefive-yeartimelinethatthesixstrategiesofthisActionPlanareorganizedaroundisanappropriateandrealistictimescaleforthisdocument?Doyouthinkitwouldbebetterifthetimeframewaslongerorshorter?

YourcommentsonthisdraftwillhelpidentifyandaddressanygapsintheActionPlansactionitemsand/orprioritystrategies,andwillultimatelyfinalizetheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlan.ThepubliccommentperiodonthedraftActionPlanisopenfromWednesday,August1throughFriday,August31,2018.Allcomments,edits,andquestionsregardingthedraftActionPlanshouldbesubmittedbyemailto:COPCpublic@resources.ca.govbyFriday,August31,2018.OtherquestionscanbedirectedtoOceanProtectionCouncil’sClimateChangePolicyAdvisor,JennPhillips,at:Jennifer.Phillips@resources.ca.gov

TableofContents

TABLEOFCONTENTS...................................................................................................3

LISTOFFIGURESANDBOXES.......................................................................................4

LISTOFAPPENDICES....................................................................................................4

ANOCEANACIDIFICATIONACTIONPLANFORTHESTATEOFCALIFORNIA...................5WHATISOCEANACIDIFICATIONANDWHYISCALIFORNIATAKINGACTION?....................................5THESCOPEOFCALIFORNIA’SOCEANACIDIFICATIONACTIONPLAN................................................7

SIXSTRATEGIESFORACTIONONOCEANACIDIFICATION............................................16Strategy#1–PreparefortheFullRangeofOARisksandImpacts..........................16Strategy#2–ActivateResponsibleElementsofStateGovernment.........................19Strategy#3–ReducethePollutionthatCausesOA.................................................22Strategy#4–DeployLivingSystemstoSlowOAandStoreCarbon.........................27Strategy#5–BuildResilienceofAffectedCommunities,Industries,&Interests......30Strategy#6–EngageBeyondStateBoundaries.......................................................33

MOVINGFORWARDWITHBOLDACTION...................................................................37

APPENDIX1:CORRESPONDENCEOFTHECALIFORNIAACTIONPLANTOGOALSOFTHEINTERNATIONALALLIANCETOCOMBATOCEANACIDIFICATION................................38

APPENDIX2:CONSULTATIONANDREVIEWPROCESSESTHATINFORMEDTHECALIFORNIAOCEANACIDIFICATIONACTIONPLAN.....................................................39

APPENDIX3:MEASURESFORASSESSINGPROGRESSINIMPLEMENTINGTHEPLAN...43

APPENDIX4:KEYSCIENCE/TECHNOLOGYANDCOMMUNICATIONNEEDSIDENTIFIEDINTHEPLANREQUIREDTOENABLEORIMPLEMENTOAPOLICYORMANAGEMENT..47

APPENDIX5:ASCIENCEPLANTOSUPPORTIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHEACTIONPLAN..................................................................................................................................50

ListofFiguresandBoxesFigure1.Oceanacidification101Figure2.CaliforniaoceanacidificationpolicymilestonesFigure3.OceanacidificationispartofasystemofinteractingstressorsBox1.HowthePlanAddressesOceanAcidificationwithintheContextofOtherEnvironmentalChangesBox2.Oceanstewardship&climatechangepoliciesinCaliforniaBox3.InternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidification

ListofAppendicesAppendix1:CorrespondenceoftheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlantogoals

oftheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidificationAppendix2:ConsultationandreviewprocessesthatinformedtheCaliforniaOcean

AcidificationActionPlanAppendix3:High-levelmeasuresforassessingprogressinimplementingtheActionPlanAppendix4:Keyscience/technologyandcommunicationneedsrequiredtoenableor

implementOApolicyandmanagementAppendix5:AdetailedscienceplanforadvancingtheActionPlan’simplementation1

1Note:IndevelopmentbytheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaScienceTaskForceandtobemadeavailable

AnOceanAcidificationActionPlanfortheStateofCaliforniaWhatisOceanAcidificationandWhyisCaliforniaTakingAction?Globalemissionsofcarbondioxide(CO2)sincethestartoftheindustrialrevolutionhavebeendrivingnotonlychangestotheEarth’sclimate,butalsofundamentalshiftstothechemistryoftheworld’soceans.TheoceansareacidifyingbecausetheyareabsorbingasignificantshareoftheCO2releasedprimarilybytheburningoffossilfuelsandchanginglanduses(Figure1).Oceanacidification(OA)affectsthehealthofmanymarineorganismsinavarietyofways,includingmakingitdifficultforcertainspeciestobuildandmaintaintheirshellsandskeletons.Becauseoftheseeffectsonmarinespecies,OAhasthepotentialtosignificantlyaltermarinefoodwebsandothercriticalecologicalprocessesthataffecttheproductivity,health,andeconomicvitalityofcoastalandmarineecosystems.2TheeffectivenessofglobaleffortstoreduceCO2emissionswilldeterminehowmuchtheoceansacidifyandtheenvironmentalandsocialdisruptionthatresults.ThedevastatingfailureofoysterhatcheriesinthePacificNorthwestbetween2006and2009signaledthefirstOA-relatedwarningsigninourregionandledtotheestablishmentofaBlueRibbonTaskForceandalandmarkOAactionplanfortheStateofWashington.3Researchandobservationssincethenhaveshownwidespreadshellcorrosionamongcertainzooplanktonandsensitivityofmanyshellfishtoacidifyingconditions,andsuggestthatcommerciallyvaluablefisheriesalongtheWestCoastcouldbeatrisk.4OAisprogressingrapidly,withaveragesurfaceacidityoftheworld’soceansexpectedtodoublefromthatofpreindustriallevelsbytheendofthiscentury.OfparticularconcerntoCaliforniapolicy-makers,scientistsexpectthewestcoastofNorthAmericatoexperiencesomeoftheearliestandmostseverechanges,becausethewind-drivenupwellingthatfuelstheregion’shighproductivityalsowillbringincreasinglyacidifiedwaterstothesurface.5

2Theworld’soceanshaveabsorbedaboutathirdoftheCO2releasedthroughhumanactivitiessincethestartofthe

industrialrevolution.CO2dissolvedinseawatergoesthroughchemicalreactionsthatcauseadeclineinpHandtheavailabilityofcarbonateminerals,andanincreaseinthepartialpressureofCO2.Thesechangescanhaveimportanteffectsonthecalcification,physiology,andbehaviorofmanymarinespeciesthatcantranslateintosystem-levelimpactsonnutrientcycling,foodwebdynamics,andecosystemprocesses.See:Somero,G.N.etal.2016.Whatchangesinthecarbonatesystem,oxygen,andtemperatureportendforthenortheasternPacificOcean:Aphysiologicalperspective.BioScience66:14-26;Klinger,T.,etal.2017.Usingintegrated,ecosystem-levelmanagementtoaddressintensifyingoceanacidificationandhypoxiaintheCaliforniaCurrentlargemarineecosystem.ElemSciAnth5:16.

3WashingtonStateBlueRibbonPanelonOceanAcidification(2012).OceanAcidification:FromKnowledgetoAction,WashingtonState’sStrategicResponse.WashingtonDepartmentofEcology.

4See:Bednaršek,N.,etal.2017.ExposurehistorydeterminespteropodvulnerabilitytooceanacidificationalongtheUSWestCoast.NatureScientificReports7:4526;Busch,S.andP.McElhany.2016.EstimatesofthedirecteffectofseawaterpHonthesurvivalrateofspeciesgroupsintheCaliforniaCurrentEcosystem.PLoSONE11(8):e0160669;Marshall,K.N.etal.2017.RisksofoceanacidificationintheCaliforniaCurrentfoodwebandfisheries:ecosystemmodelprojections.GlobalChangeBiology23:1525-1539.

5Foradditionaldetailaboutthepattern,process,andimpactsofOAseefindingsandreportsoftheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaPanelavailableathttp://westcoastoah.org/westcoastpanel/

ThescientificfoundationforthisActionPlanwaslaidbyCalifornia’spromptresponsetotheoysterhatcheryfailuresinthePacificNorthwest(Figure2).IncollaborationwithOregon,Washington,andBritishColumbia,CaliforniaspearheadedtheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaSciencePanel(Panel)–amulti-disciplinaryregionalefforttosynthesizethestateofknowledgeandidentifypotentialmanagementoptions.FollowingreleaseofthePanel’sfindingsin2016,theCaliforniaStateLegislaturepassedtworelatedbills(SenateBill1363andAssemblyBill2139)thatchargedtheOceanProtectionCouncil(OPC)totestpotentialOAmitigationmethods,beresponsivetothePanel’srecommendations,andensurethestatecontinuestoreceivethebestavailablescientificadvicethroughestablishmentofasciencetaskforce.6Overthepasttwoyears,theCaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncilhasmadeseveralstrategicinvestmentsinOA-relatedsciencethatisfundamentaltotakingeffectiveaction.Today,CaliforniaisactivelyparticipatinginagroundswellofinternationalactiononOA.In2016,thestatebecameoneofthefoundingmembersoftheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidification(OAAlliance),aninternationalnetworkofmorethan60governmentsandorganizationsthathavejoinedtogethertoelevatethevisibilityofOAinpublicdiscourseandpolicydevelopmentandtopushfortheinclusionofstrongoceanprotectionprovisionsininternationalclimateagreements.7ThisActionPlanfulfillsoneofCalifornia’sobligationstotheOAAlliance,isconsistentwiththeOAAlliance’sgoals(seeAppendix1),andmayserveasamodelforother

6RecommendationsoftheearlierWestCoastOcean

AcidificationandHypoxia(OAH)PanelgenerallyfocusedonaddressinglocalfactorsthataffectOAHexposure,enhancingtheabilityofbiotatocopewithOAHstress,andexpandingandintegratingknowledgeaboutOAH.

7FormoreontheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidificationsee:https://www.oaalliance.org.

Figure1*.Oceanacidification101.GlobalcarbonemissionsarethedominantcauseofOA,thoughlocalfactorsincludingnutrientandorganicmatterpollution,andlandusechangescanexacerbateconditionsatlocalscales.Oceanacidificationistriggeringawiderangeofmarineecosystemandcoastalcommunityimpacts.

jurisdictionsseekingtoundertakeconcreteactionstobetterunderstand,mitigate,andadapttoOA.TheScopeofCalifornia’sOceanAcidificationActionPlan

TheprimarypurposeofthisActionPlanistoprovidearoadmapfortheStateofCaliforniatotaketractableandstrategicactionsandmaketargetedinvestmentstoreduceandpreparefortheimpactsofOA.AlthoughitfocusesonCalifornia’sparticularneedsandopportunities,thesearecastwithinaregional,national,andinternationalcontext,whereappropriate,toachievestategoals,advanceglobaleffortsandcollaboration,andhelpotherjurisdictionsmoveforwardonthischallengingproblem.SomeactionsintheActionPlanaddressOAasastand-aloneissueandothersaddressOAwithinthecontextofotherenvironmentaldriversandchanges,asappropriatetothepolicyormanagementcircumstances(Box1).

*Figure1adaptedfromtheNatureConservancy“WashingtonandOceanAcidification”figureintheWashington2017AddendumtoOceanAcidificationhttp://oainwa.org/assets/docs/2017_Addendum_BRP_Report_fullreport.pdfFactsfrom:NOAAPMLCarbonProgram.2018.“WhatisOceanAcidification”https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3FUNESCO.2017.“Rio+20Oceans-OceanAcidification”2018.http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/ioc-oceans/focus-areas/rio-20-ocean/blueprint-for-the-future-we-want/ocean-acidification/facts-and-figures-on-ocean-acidification/PCC.2018.RepresentativeConcentrationPathways.http://sedac.ipcc-data.org/ddc/ar5_scenario_process/RCPs.html

Figure2.CaliforniaOApolicymilestones.SincetheoysterproductionfailuresinthePacificNorthwest,CaliforniahasparticipatedinagroundswellofactiononOAinrecentyears,includinginvestinginresearchandmonitoring,passingstatelegislation,andidentifyingscience-basedoptionstoaddressOAatregionalandlocallevels.

Box1:HowthePlanAddressesOceanAcidificationwithintheContextofOtherEnvironmentalChanges

Theworld’soceansareacidifyingbecausetheyareabsorbingasignificantshareoftheCO2releasedgloballythroughhumanactivities.ThepaceandintensityofOAalongtheCaliforniacoastvaries,however,fromplacetoplaceandovertime,inpartbecausetheacidificationcausedbytheabsorptionofCO2emissionsissuperimposeduponnaturallyoccurringpHvariationcausedbyupwellingandthedeliveryoffreshwaterbyriversandstreams.Also,locallygeneratedpollutionmayamplifyandspeedOAinareaswherenutrientsandorganiccarbonfromrunoffandoceandischargescauseexcessivealgalgrowthandthebreakdownofcarbon-containingmaterialsbybacteria.Theongoingandfuturechangesinoceanaciditywillhaveimportanteffectsonmarineanimalsandplantsthatcantranslateintoimpactsoncoastalandmarinefisheriesandecosystems,andthebenefitstheydelivertosociety.OAisjustoneofmanysignificantenvironmentalchangesnowoccurringalongtheCaliforniacoast,anditwillactincombinationwiththeseotherprocesses.Climatechangeisalteringtemperatureandprecipitationpatternsandoceanographicprocesses.Largerandmoreintenseregionsoflowoxygen(hypoxia)areoccurringinsomeareas.Sealevelisrisingandcoastalcommunitiesarerespondingbyrelocatingandprotectinginfrastructure.Humanusesandinputstotheoceansalsoareshifting,drivenbypopulationandlandusechange,shiftingfisheries,andnewusesoftheoceansforfood,energy,recreation,andhabitation.SomeoftheactionsidentifiedintheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlanfocusspecificallyonOA,particularlythoseseekingtoelevateattentiontoOAamongpolicy-makers,managers,andaffectedinterestsortoreducethecausesofOA.Otheractions,suchasthoserelatedassessingrisksandadaptingtoOAormanagingbiologicalresourcesaffectedbyOA,addressOAwithinthecontextofotherongoingenvironmentalchanges,becausetheeffectsofOAcannotbeconsideredormanagedseparately.Inmanycases,thestrategiesandactionsundertakentodealwithOAwillaidinaddressingotherkeychallenges,suchcopingwithcoastalhazardsandadaptingtoclimatechange.

Box1(con’t.):HowthePlanAddressesOceanAcidificationwithintheContextofOtherEnvironmentalChanges

Figure3.Oceanacidificationispartofasystemofinteractingstressorsfacingmarineecosystems.Effectivelyamelioratingandadaptingtochangesrequirescoordinatedactionbylivingmarineresource,water,land,andairqualitymanagers.FormoreonthescienceofOAandhowOAinteractswithotherenvironmentalchanges,seefindingsoftheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaPanel(http://westcoastoah.org).FigureadaptedfromOceanandCoastReport,California'sFourthClimateChangeAssessmentandQSR2010https://qsr2010.ospar.org/en/ch03_01.html

California’swell-establishedpoliciesforfurtheringgoodstewardshipofouroceansandaddressingclimatechangeprovideasupportiveandenablingcontextforadvancingstateactionsonOA(Box2).Manyexistingprograms,processes,andcapacitiescanbeleveragedtoadvanceactiononOA.Moreover,thestate’sexperiencesundertakinginnovativeapproachestooceanstewardshipandclimatechangedemonstrateCalifornia’sabilitytotackletough,seeminglyintractableproblems,andtheyprovideusefulinsightsandmodelsthatthisplandrawsontoimprovethespeedandeffectivenessofCalifornia’sOAactions.Theten-yearvisionthatfollowslaysoutthestate’saspirationsformakingprogressonOA.ThesixstrategiesofthisActionPlanareorganizedaroundafive-yeartimeline,withaclearrationaleandapproach,setofgoals,andmeasuresfortrackingprogressandimplementation.TheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlanispracticalanddesignedforintegrationintopublicagencyoperationsandtoinformdecisionsmadebymembersoftheprivatesectorandscientificcommunity.TheActionPlan’sdevelopmentwasinformedbyextensiveconsultationwithexpertsfromacrossocean-useindustries,stateandfederalgovernment,theconservationcommunity,relevantscientificdisciplines,andprivatephilanthropy(Appendix2).HelpfulinsightsandconceptsfromparalleleffortsinotherjurisdictionsandguidancedevelopedbytheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidificationwereadaptedforapplicationtotheCaliforniacontext.8Lookingforward,thisActionPlanisthefirststepinamuchlongereffort.ScientificunderstandingofOAisrapidlyevolving,asisexperienceworldwideinidentifyingandimplementingstrategiestomitigateandadapttoOA.PeriodicassessmentofprogressontheActionPlanandrevisionstoupdateandrefineitshouldbeundertakenataminimumofevery5yearstoincorporatewhathasbeenlearnedfromCalifornia’sexperienceandtheexperiencesofothers.

8SeveralotherstateshaveorarecurrentlytakingstepstoaddressOAthroughOAinitiativesandplansoraspartof

broaderoceaninitiatives,includingWashington,Oregon,Maryland,Maine,andNewYork.InternationaleffortsonOAincludeMonaco’sactionplanandregionalvulnerabilityassessmentsandplanningforthePacificislandregionandLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.Tohelpjump-startthedevelopmentofOAactionplans,theInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidificationprovidesan“ActionToolkit”(availableathttps://www.oaalliance.org/build-your-oa-action-plan/)thatprovidesnumerousoptionsforaddressingOAthroughimprovedscientificunderstandingandpublicawareness,mitigationandadaptation,andregionalandinternationalcollaboration.

Box2:Oceanstewardship&climatechangepoliciesinCalifornia

OceanStewardshipTwolawspassedin1998and1999,theMarineLifeManagementAct(MLMA)andtheMarineLifeProtectionAct(MLPA),establishedinnovativeframeworksforsecuringthehealthandproductivityofCalifornia’smarinefisheriesandecosystems.Bothtakeanecosystem-basedperspective,requireconsultationwithaffectedconstituenciesandscience-baseddecision-making,andemphasizeadaptiveapproachesasameansofenablingactionunderconditionsofuncertainty.Since2009,CaliforniahasadvancedthesustainablemanagementofnumerouscoastalfisheriesundertheMLMAthroughnewmanagementplansandrule-makings,and,undertheMLPAdesignatedthenation’sfirststatewidenetworkofmarineprotectedareas(MPAs),fullyprotectingmorethan9%ofstatewaters.TheseparateMasterPlansthatguideimplementationofeachactareperiodicallyupdated,providingamechanismforadoptingimprovedscientificunderstandingandmanagementtools.Recentupdatestobothhavebeguntointegrateapproachesforaddressingclimatechange,OA,andotherenvironmentalchangesbytakingstepstomaintainecologicalandsocialresilience,adoptingmanagementflexibility,andsystematicallyassessingandintegratingchangingconditionsintomanagementactions.Strategies#2,4,and5ofthisplancalloutactionsrelatedtoCalifornia’sfisheriesmanagementandMPAnetworkandidentifyprocessesforengagingaffectedconstituencies.

MitigationofGreenhouseGasEmissionsCalifornia’sprogramtoreducegreenhousegas(GHG)emissions–includingCO2,theprimarycauseofOA–hasevolvedthroughseverallawsandExecutiveActionsstartingin2005.ThecurrentgoalistoreducestateGHGemissionsto40%of1990levelsby2030.Strategiesforachievingthesereductions,specifiedinthe2017versionofthestate’s3-yearScopingPlan,includeimprovingenergyefficiencyinthebuildingandtransportationsectors,transitioningtorenewablefuels,reducingemissionsfromcommunities,agriculture,andothersectors,andcappingemissionsfromvariousindustries.TheGreenhouseGasReductionFund(GGRF)isamechanismthroughwhichproceedsfromthestate’sCap-and-TradeauctionsareinvestedtoreduceGHGemissionsandachieveotherstategoals.TheStateLegislature,inextendingtheCap-and-TradeProgramthrough2030inrecentlegislation,expresseditsintenttouseaportionofGGRFfundstosupport“climateadaptationandresilience,”openingthedoorforagenciestoconsideractionsthatimproveresiliencewhilesequesteringcarbonorreducingGHGemissions.Policy-makershavestartedtoexamineopportunitiesforbetterintegratingcoastalandoceansystemsintothismitigationframework,andthemostrecentupdatetotheScopingPlanincludesthepotentialfordirectingGGRFinvestmentstowardsstoringcarbonincoastalareasandtheoceans,suchasinseagrassmeadowsandsaltmarshes.Strategies#3and#4ofthisplanidentifyactionsforelevatingOAandtheroleofcoastsandoceansinthestate’sGHGreductioneffortsandforadvancingcarbonstorageandOAameliorationbynatural,restored,andconstructedlivingsystemsinCalifornia’scoastalandoceanhabitats.

Box2(cont.):Oceanstewardship&climatechangepoliciesinCalifornia

ClimateChangeAdaptationClimatechangeadaptationinCaliforniahasprogressedalongseveralavenues,reflectingthemanydifferentpeopleandinstitutionsinvolvedindiversekindsofadaptationactivities.Eachofthesuccessivestatewideadaptationstrategiespreparedsince2009–currentlyreferredtoastheSafeguardingCaliforniaPlan–hasidentifiedOAasasignificantthreattoCalifornia’scoastsandoceans.Theplan’sOAactions,althoughnotextensive–haveprogressivelyexpandedbeyondinitialcallsforimprovedscienceandmonitoringtoalsoincludeintegratedvulnerabilityassessmentsandactionstoimprovefisheriesresilienceinthemostrecent2018update.TheseinitialstepsonOAhelpedpreparethegroundforthisActionPlan,which,inturn,setsoutabroaderrangeofactionsthatwillinformthenextstepsofstateagencies.

In2015,theGovernor’sOfficeofPlanningandResearchestablishedthenewlegislatively-mandatedIntegratedClimateAdaptationandResilienceProgram(ICARP).ICARPfacilitatestheworkoftherepresentativeTechnicalAdvisoryCouncil(whoseroleistohelpcoordinateclimateadaptationinthestate)andalsohostsaStateAdaptationClearinghousetoprovideacentralizedsourceofinformationandresourcesfordecision-makingatthestate,regional,andlocallevels.Otherstate-supportedmechanismsestablishedtofacilitatenetworkingandlearningamongclimateadaptationpractitionersandscientistdevelopingdecision-relevantclimatescienceincludethebiennialCaliforniaAdaptationForumorganizedbytheLocalGovernmentCommissionandperiodicCaliforniaClimateChangeScienceSymposia.Actionsidentifiedunderstrategy#5ofthisplanidentifywaystobuildoffthesemechanismstohelpspeedOAinformationsharingandtohelpbuildthestate’sOAconstituencyandnetworks.

AdaptationtoSeaLevelRiseManystateagenciesmakedecisionsthatneedtointegratesealevelrise(SLR)projectionsanduncertainties–someinvolvingsignificantinvestmentsandlongtimelinesrelated,forexample,toinfrastructureandtransportation.In2010,CaliforniasoughttorapidlyspurintegrationofbestavailableinformationonSLRintodecision-makingofthesediverseagencieswhilealsoprovidingamechanismforupdatingthescientificbasisfordecision-makingasimprovedinformationbecameavailable.Thesolutiontothischallengewastoconveneamulti-agencyworkinggrouptodevelopedandenablebroadadoptionofoverarchingguidanceonSLRthatwasflexibleenoughtobeusefulwithintheagencies’differingdecisiontimelinesandrisktolerances.The2018updatetotheStateofCaliforniaSeaLevelRiseGuidanceincorporatesthemostup-to-dateSLRscienceandbroadensthedocumenttoaddresstheneedsoflocaldecision-makers,inadditiontostateagencies.ActionsinStrategy#1ofthisplanforactivatingstategovernmentdrawonlessonsfrommethodpioneeredpreviouslyforSLR.

Foradditionaldetailsaboutthesepolicies,programsandactivitiesdescribedabovesee:• https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MLMA(MLMA);• https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs(MLPA);• https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cc.htm(GHGemissionsreduction);• https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB398(recentlegislationonCap-and-

Trade)• http://resources.ca.gov/climate/safeguarding/(climatechangeadaptation);• http://www.californiaadaptationforum.org;http://californiascience.org(conveningprocessesforclimateadaptation);• http://www.opr.ca.gov/planning/icarp/(integratedclimateresilience);and• http://www.opc.ca.gov/2013/04/update-to-the-sea-level-rise-guidance-document/(adaptationtosealevelrise).

Box3:TheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidification

The International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification brings together jurisdictions across the globe to combat ocean acidification and changing ocean conditions as an immediate and critical threat to coastal economies and ocean ecosystems. Members benefit from working together to mitigate carbon emissions and other contributors to ocean acidification, sharing knowledge about the impacts of ocean acidification, and learning how to adapt locally to the ongoing changes in ocean conditions. Globally, the OA Alliance is:

• Supporting governments to take meaningful actions to address changing ocean conditions • Pushing for inclusion of strong ocean protection provisions in international climate

agreements and other relevant frameworks • Creating a coalition of governments and partners to elevate the visibility and importance of

ocean acidification in public discourse and policy development

Individual Alliance members are encouraged to create an OA Action Plan that describes their own unique contribution to advancing some or all the 5 goals of the OA Alliance as written in the Call to Action. The Alliance’s Call to Action provides an immediate opportunity for parties across the globe to highlight ocean acidification as an imminent threat to coastal economies and ocean ecosystems. The Call to Action identifies five goals that the Alliance is working to further:

• Advance scientific understanding of ocean acidification • Take meaningful actions to reduce causes of acidification • Protect the environment and coastal communities from impacts of a changing ocean • Expand public awareness and understanding of acidification • Build sustained support for addressing this global problem

OA Action Plans will help governments create actionable responses to threats in their regions and will help affiliate members best leverage their expertise and resources on this issue. The OA Alliance has engaged with members in the development of OA Action Plans which describe real, tangible actions governments will take to respond to the threat of ocean acidification. Calling for the development of regional, member-driven, OA Action plans makes the OA Alliance unique in the focus on concrete, implementable actions to address changing ocean conditions. To facilitate the development of OA Action Plans, the OA Alliance has created a toolkit as a reference aid. The OA Action Plan Toolkit provides members with examples and suggestions of both regulatory and non-regulatory actions, and is meant to be a source of inspiration and a listing of suggested actions that members might consider when crafting their own OA Action Plan. The OA Alliance is continuing to develop the Action Plan toolkit and supporting resources for both government and affiliate members to utilize. For additional details on the OA Alliance, the Call to Action, or the OA Action Plan Toolkit, please see: https://www.oaalliance.org/

TheStateofCalifornia’s10-yearVisionforActionto

AddressOceanAcidification Asoftheyear2028:

ü MOBILIZINGTHESTATE.California’spolicy-makers,resourcemanagers,public,andoceanindustriesunderstandthatoceanacidification(OA)isamajorimpactofglobalCO2emissions,onethathasasmuchpotentialtodisruptthehealthandproductivityofourcoastsandoceansasthechangingclimate.ThepeoplemostlikelytobeaffectedbyOAknowwhattheyhaveatstakeandareactivelyhelpingthestatetoadvancesolutions.TheStateofCalifornia–workinginpartnershipwiththeprivatesector,federal,tribal,andlocalgovernmentsaswellasgrowingregionalandinternationalcoalitions–hasmobilizedtoreducethecausesandadapttotheunavoidableimpactsofOA.

ü TAKINGACTION.California’seffortshaveresultedinsignificantreductionsintheCO2emissionsandotherpollutantsthatcauseOA.Throughactivestewardship,California’scoastsandestuarieshostrobusteelgrass,saltmarshes,andkelpforeststhatsupportthrivingfisheries.Improvedunderstandingofwhether,where,andhoweelgrass,saltmarshes,andkelpcanlocallyslowOAorsequestercarbonisbeingappliedinstatepoliciesandtheaquacultureindustry.Coastalcommunitiesandoceanindustrieshaveadoptednewwaysofdoingbusinessandaremaintainingtheirvitalityasoceanconditionschange.

ü ADVANCINGSCIENCE.Arobustscientificinfrastructureexistsfordevelopinganddeliveringdecision-relevantinformationaboutthecurrentandfuturepatterns,causes,andimpactsofOA.CalifornianshaveagreatlyimprovedunderstandingofhowcoastalandoceanconditionsandecosystemswillrespondtotheeffectsofOAactingincombinationwithotherongoingoceanchanges(includingtemperature,circulation,oxygen,freshwaterinputs,humanuses)andofpotentialoptionsforsustainingbiologicalproductivityandecosystemfunctionsandbenefits.Thisinformationisinformingandimprovingtheday-to-dayactions,investments,andlong-termplanningofdecision-makersacrossthepublicandprivatesectors.

SixStrategiesforActiononOceanAcidification

Sixco-equalstrategiesformtheorganizingframeworkforCalifornia’sOceanAcidificationActionPlan.Thesefocuson(1)preparingforOArisksandimpacts,(2)activatingresponsibleelementsofstategovernment,(3)reducingthepollutionthatcausesofOA,(4)deployinglivingsystemstolocallyslowOAandstorecarbon,(5)buildingCalifornia’sadaptivecapacitiesandresilience,and(6)engagingbeyondstateborderstoaccomplishmorethanCaliforniacanonitsown.Eachofthesixstrategiesisessentialandallshouldbeundertakenexpeditiously.Foreachstrategy,thePlanexplainstheunderlyingrationale,providesa5-yearplanandgoals,andidentifiesasetofspecifictractableactions.Appendix3identifiespotentialmeasuresforevaluatingprogressagainstthe5-yeargoalsduringtheActionPlan’simplementation.ScienceandcommunicationsplayintegralrolesintheActionPlan.Botharesystematicallyembeddedthroughoutthesixstrategies,reflectingthediversewaysthatscienceandcommunicationsareessentialforeffectivepolicyandmanagement.Appendix4summarizestheActionPlan’sscienceandcommunicationactions.TheOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaScienceTaskForce9establishedinJanuaryof2018asdirectedbyAssemblyBill2139(Williams)developedamoredetailedscienceplanforovercomingimpedimentstoactionandenablingsuccessfulimplementationoftheCaliforniaOAActionPlan.ThisscienceplanappearsinAppendix5(note:forthcomingOctober2018aspartofthefinalActionPlan).

Strategy#1–PreparefortheFullRangeofOARisksandImpacts

TheimplicationsofOAforthehealthandproductivityofCalifornia’scoastalandoceanecosystems,andthecommunitiesandindustriesthatdependontheseecosystems,areenormous.Fromcorrodingshellsandskeletonsofmarineorganismstodisruptingnormalfishbehaviors,OAhasthepotentialtoaltermarinefoodwebsandecosystemsandtoreduceoraltertheproductivityandpredictabilityofmarinefisheriesandaquacultureoperations.TheproductionfailuresexperiencedbyPacificNorthwestoysterhatcheriesbetween2006and2009providesasmallglimpseofwhatmaylieahead.10

9TheOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaScienceTaskForceservesasaresponsiveadvisorybodythatprovidesscientificguidancetotheOPCinanongoingmannertoinformcontinuedactionsonoceanacidificationandhypoxiainCaliforniaandalongtheWestCoast.Tolearnmoreseehttp://westcoastoah.org/taskforce/about/

10WashingtonStateBlueRibbonPanelonOceanAcidification(2012).OceanAcidification:FromKnowledgetoAction,WashingtonState’sStrategicResponse.WashingtonDepartmentofEcology.https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Our-role-in-the-community/Partnerships-committees/Ocean-acidification-Blue-Ribbon-panel

Evenso,wedonotyethaveaclearpictureofwhatisatstakeforCaliforniaasOAconditionsintensifyinthecomingdecades.IdentifyingtherisksthatOAposestoCalifornia’sinterestsandassetswillbeessentialtohelpthosewhowillbemostaffectedprepareforthecomingchanges.Thisprocesswillalsohelpwithdevelopingmanagementinterventionsandpoliciesthatcanbesthelpsustainthehealthandwell-beingofcoastalecosystems,communities,andeconomies.Promptactionnowislikelytoyieldbetteroutcomes,becauseoptionswilldecreaseasOAconditionsworsen.OAisunfoldingatatimewhenCalifornia’scoastalandoceanenvironmentsareundergoingothersignificantchanges.Warmingtemperatures,changingprecipitationandfreshwaterflows,risingsealevels,decliningoxygen,andchangestothetypesandintensityofhumanusesarejustsomeoftheshiftsalreadyunderway.RealisticassessmentsofOAriskswillneedtoconsidertheinteractingeffectsofthesevariouschangeprocessesactingincombination.Insomecases,takingstepstoreducetheeffectsofotherfactors(suchashumanusesandpollution)mighthelpenhancetheabilityofnaturalsystemsorpeopletocopewithOA.Conversely,effortsshouldbemadetoensurethatsocietalresponsestootherenvironmentalchanges,suchassealevelrise,aredesignedinwaysthatdonotexacerbateOArisks.115-YEARGOALS:

• TherisksOAposestoCalifornia’sassetsandinterestsarewellunderstoodamongpolicy-makers,resourcemanagers,affectedindustriesandcommunities,andthepublic.

• Decision-relevantmonitoringinformationaboutOAiswidelyavailable,deliveredinausableform,androutinelyappliedtodecisionsacrossthepublicandprivatesectors.

• ImprovedscientificunderstandingofhowOA,andtheinteractionsofOAwithotherenvironmentaldrivers,affectscoastalandmarineecosystemsisinformingstateresource,landuse,andoceanandcoastalmanagementdecisions.

ACTIONS:

1. ConductastatewidevulnerabilityassessmenttoidentifytherisksOAposestotheCalifornia’sbiologicalresources,communities,andeconomies,withinthecontextofotherongoingenvironmentalchangesandhazards,andtoidentifyprioritiesandoptionsforactiontoimprovesocietaladaptivecapacity.12,13

11Coastaladaptationtosealevelrise,forexample,shouldbeundertakeninwaysthatdonotunintentionallyenhance

nutrientrunoffthroughlandusechangeordegradeseagrasshabitatthroughcoastalarmoring.12Suchenvironmentalchangesandhazardsinclude,forexample,changingtemperatures,precipitationpatternsand

runoff,landuses,andhumanuses,sealevelrise,andharmfulalgalblooms.

• Assesscurrentandfutureriskstospeciesofhighecologicalandeconomicvaluetothestate–including,butnotlimitedto,Dungenesscrabandsalmon.

• Assesscurrentandfutureriskstoocean-dependentindustries–includingaquaculture,fisheries,andcoastaltourism.

• IdentifythosecommunitiesparticularlyvulnerabletotheeffectsofOA.Conductsocialandeconomicresearchtoevaluatepotentialpublicpolicyinterventionsforbolsteringthesecommunities’resilience,adaptivecapacity,andabilitytopursueemergingopportunities.

• Translateandcommunicateinformationaboutrisks,vulnerabilities,andpotentialinterventionstoassistpolicy-makersandaffectedcommunitiesandindustriesinprioritizingandundertakingactionsforimprovingsocietaladaptivecapacity.

2. Designandmaketargetedinvestmentsinamonitoringandobservation(M&O)

systemoptimizedtodeliverdecision-relevantinformationthatservesuserneeds.• BuildingonexistingeffortsinvolvingWestCoastjurisdictionsandthe

federalgovernment,finalizethesystemdesignformonitoringinstate,federal,andcoast-widewatersthatwillassisttheCaliforniainunderstandingandprojectingfutureOApatternsandimpactsonbiologicalresources,communitiesandeconomiesandinapplyingthisinformationtodecisionsrelatedtowaterquality(Strategy#3),themanagementoflivingmarineresources(Strategy#4),andsustainingsocietalandecosystemresilience(Strategy#5).

• TheM&Osystemdesignshouldbeinformedbyanassessmentofuserneedsandshould:encompassnear-andoff-shoreareas;coupleenvironmentalandbiologicalmonitoring(e.g.,offishstocks,ecosystems,andbiologicalOAindicators,suchaspteropods);strategicallyintegrateexistingM&Oassets;includeindustry(e.g.,fishing)andcitizensciencewherefeasibleandbeneficial.

• Ensureadoptionandparticipationinmonitoringdesignandimplementationbyrelevantlocal,state,andfederalagencies.

• MakeandencouragecollaboratorstomaketargetedandsustainedinvestmentsintheM&Osystem.StateinvestmentsshouldbetargetedtowardM&OactivitiesthatarecriticalforimplementingstateactionprioritiesidentifiedinthisActionPlanandformakingpolicyandmanagementdecisionsrelatedtoanticipating,mitigating,andadaptingtoOA.

13Since2006,successiveCaliforniaClimateChangeAssessmentshaveprovidedthestatewithcriticalscientific

informationabouttheimpactsofclimatechangeandpotentialadaptationoptionsandprovideapossiblemechanismforsupportingelementsofthestatewideOAvulnerabilityassessment.FormoreabouttheCaliforniaClimateChangeAssessmentsseehttp://climatechange.ca.gov/climate_action_team/reports/climate_assessments.html.

• EnhanceandexpandcoupledenvironmentalandbiologicalmonitoringacrossthestatewideMPAnetworktoprovideessentialbaselineinformationforunderstandingOAecosystemimpactsandpotentialcontributionsofMPAstosustainingregionalecosystemfunctionsandsocietalbenefitsunderintensifyingOA.

• ProvideopenaccesstoinformationdevelopedthroughtheM&Osystemviaexistingornewweb-basedplatformsanddataportal(s)thatallowtheOAinformationtobeviewedandanalyzedincombinationwithotherenvironmentalinformation.

• Theplatformshouldbedevelopedinwaysthat,overthelonger-term,willsupportweb-basedmappingtoolsthat,amongotherthings:showcurrentandprojectedfutureOAtrends,forecastsandscenarios;highlightareashistoricallysubjecttogreatpHvariation;andidentify“hotspots”wherefutureOAchangeswillbefasterandmoreintense.

3. CharacterizehowinteractionsbetweenOAandotherenvironmentalchangeswill

affectthestructure,function,andsocietalbenefitsderivedfromCalifornia’scoastalandoceanecosystems.

• InvestdirectlyandthroughpartnershipsinbuildingthescientificfoundationforunderstandingandprojectingthepotentialfutureecosystemimpactsofOAinteractingwithotherchangeprocesses(e.g.temperature,runoff,hypoxia,humanuses,landusechangeandchangestocoastalinfrastructure).Supportedworkshouldincluderesearchonfoodwebimpactsthatcaninformfisheriesmanagement.Thestatewidenetworkofmarineprotectedareascanpotentiallyserveasa“livinglaboratory”forrelatedresearch.

• Identifyandtest,usingmodelsandothermeanssuchasfieldexperimentsandlaboratorymanipulations,potentialpolicyandmanagementinterventionstosloworreduceOAecosystemimpacts.Examplesmightincludeadjustingotherenvironmentaldriversthataffectecosystemhealth(e.g.,pollution,disturbance,resourceextraction)andexaminingtheextenttowhichmarineprotectedareasaidinlocallyorregionallysupportingecologicaladaptationtoOA.14

Strategy#2–ActivateResponsibleElementsofStateGovernment

14Marineprotectedareasmight,forexample,harborrobustandgeneticallydiversepopulationsofmarinespeciesthatcanhelpre-seedareassubjecttotransientOAextremesorincludevariantsthatarenaturallymoreresistanttoOA.MarineprotectedareasthatsupporthealthyseagrassmeadowsmayamelioratelocalOA.

Overthecomingdecades,intensifyingOAalongtheCaliforniacoastwillinteractwithotheroceanchangestosignificantlyalterandpotentiallydegradecoastalandoceanwaterqualityandecosystemsandthewell-beingofcommunitiesandindustriesthatdependonthecoastandocean.15Althoughstategovernmentcoulddomuchtoanticipate,mitigate,andadapttothesechanges,sucheffortshaveonlyjustbegun.California’ssuccessinaddressingOAdemandstheengagementofamuchbroadersetofstateagenciesandprograms–includingallwhosemissionsandactionswillaffectorwillbeaffectedbyOA.ThesubstantivecoverageandmissionsoftheseagenciesgoeswellbeyondthosethathavealreadybeguntoaddressOAinaconcretefashion,andincludesgreenhousegasemissionsreduction,sealevelriseadaptation,landuseandtransportationplanningandmanagement,watermanagementandquality,agriculturalandseafoodproduction,andwildlifeconservation.BroadengagementacrossagenciesandsectorswillensurethatthestateisdoingeverythingitcantolimitharmtoCalifornia’sinterestsfromOA,andthatworkonOAthroughoutstategovernmentiscoordinated,wellaligned,andeffective.Californiahastakenonsimilarchallengesinbuildingapproachesforaddressingclimatechange,anditseffortshaveresultedinwell-recognizedmodelsofsuccessfulmulti-agencygovernanceforreducinggreenhousegasemissionsandadaptingtoclimatechangeandsealevelrise.16TheActionPlanhasdrawnonlessonsfromtheseexperiencesindesigningtheapproachbelowforspeedingtransformationalchangeinthestate’sapproachtoOA.5-YEARGOALS:

• AllrelevantstateagenciesaresuccessfullyintegratingthebestavailablescientificinformationaboutOAintodecisionsandpoliciesthathavethepotentialtocontributetoortoslowOAalongtheCaliforniacoastorthatdealwithbiologicalresources,industries,orcommunitieslikelytobeaffectedbyOA.

• StategovernmentisdoingasmuchasitcantominimizeharmtoCalifornia’sinterestsfromOAandtoanticipateandadapttothoseharmfulimpactsthatcannotbereduced.

ACTIONS:

15SeefindingsandreportsoftheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaPanelavailableathttp://westcoastoah.org/westcoastpanel/

16http://www.opc.ca.gov/updating-californias-sea-level-rise-guidance/,https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/ab32/ab32.htm,andhttp://resources.ca.gov/climate/safeguarding/providebriefhistoriesandrelevantdocumentsrelatedtothedevelopmentofCalifornia’sapproachestosealevelrise,GHGemissionsreduction,andclimatechangeadaptation,respectively.

1. FullyintegrateOAintoCaliforniastategovernmentpolicies,planning,andoperations

• TheCaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncilwillconveneandleadaninteragencyOAworkinggroupthatincludessenior-levelstafffromthefullsetofstateagencieswhosedecisionsaffectorwillbeaffectedbyOA.

• Theworkinggroupwill,withinoneyear:(a)Identifyagencypolicies,decision-makingprocesses,andinvestmentsthatshouldconsiderinformationaboutpotentialimpactstocoastalOAorpossibleeffectsofOAonmanagedresourcesorinterests;(b)Articulateoverarchingstateguidance,,intheformofgeneraloperatingprinciplesandpractices,thatwillassistthememberagenciesandprogramsinmovingforwardinaddressingOAwithintheirpurview;and(c)SpecifyhowmemberagenciesandprogramswillconsiderandimplementtheCaliforniaOAActionPlanandintegrateOAintotheirpolicyandmanagementdecision-making.

• OvertheActionPlan’s5-yearlifespan,theworkinggroupwilltrackimplementationprogressand,attheendofthisperiod,developarevisedplaninlightofdocumentedaccomplishments,identifiedchallenges,learning,andscienceadvances.

• Tosupporttheday-to-daypolicyandmanagementdecisionsandactionsonOAbymemberagenciesandprogramsoftheworkinggroup,theOPC,workingincollaborationwiththeOAHScienceTaskForce,willoverseeproductionofasciencesynthesisthattranslatescurrentunderstandinganduncertaintiesaboutOAintoactionableknowledgethatisusefulforagencyandprogramdecision-making.17ThissynthesiswillincludeOApatternsandprojectionsandtheanticipatedbiologicalandsocioeconomicimpactsofOAinrealworldsituationswhereOAinteractswithotherenvironmentaldrivers,manyofwhicharealsochanging.ThesynthesiswillberesponsivetoachargefromtheOAworkinggroup,andwillbeupdatedaminimumofeverythreeyearsinlightofimprovedscientificunderstanding.

• ImproveunderstandingofOAanditssignificanceamongpolicy-makersandleadersinCalifornia’slegislatureandpublicagencies.

• Sharewithpolicy-makersoutsideofCalifornia(domesticallyandinternationally)lessons,insights,andpracticalaccomplishmentsfromCalifornia’sexperienceelevatingattentiontoOAintothestate’spolicyframeworksforclimatechange(mitigation,adaptation),oceanstewardship(fisheries,wildlife,marineprotectedareas),andcoastalwaterquality.

17ThissynthesiswouldplaythesameroleforOAthatRisingSeasinCalifornia:AnUpdateonSeaLevelRiseScienceisplayinginthestate’sguidanceonsealevelrise.Seehttp://www.oceansciencetrust.org/projects/updating-californias-sea-level-rise-guidance/

2. EnsureimplementationoftheActionPlan• ProvidededicatedcapacityandstafftimetoimplementtheActionPlan,

evaluateprogress,andperiodicallyupdateandrevisetheplan.ThelogicalnexusforleadingandcoordinatingimplementationoftheOAActionPlanistheCaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncilandtheCoastalandOceansResourcesWorkingGroupestablishedaspartofthestate’sClimateActionTeam.18IndividualagenciesandprogramsparticipatingintheOAworkinggroupwillneedtoallocatestafftimetocontributeandbuildinternalexpertiseaboutOAanditsimplicationsforagencypoliciesandoperations.

• IdentifyandtargetfundingtoimplementtheActionPlan,includingthroughpublicfunding,public/privatepartnerships,leveragedinvestments,andidentificationofprioritiesforotherfunders(science,federal,privatephilanthropy).

Strategy#3–ReducethePollutionthatCausesOA

Oceanacidificationisfundamentallyawaterpollutionproblem.Byfar,themajordriverispollutionoftheworld’soceanscausedbyabsorptionofglobalCO2emissions.19Consequently,themostimportantactionsCaliforniacantaketolimitOAanditsimpactsarethoseaimedatreducingCO2emissionsandsecuringcarbonstorage.Californiaalreadyhasawell-establishedprogramtoreducegreenhousegasemissions.BuildinguponthegroundbreakingCaliforniaGlobalWarmingSolutionsActof2006(AssemblyBill32),thestateestablishedarobustaccountingframework,hassetincreasinglyambitiousGHGreductiongoals,andlaunchedastrategicsetofactionsandinvestmentstoachievethesegoals.California’scurrent2030targetofreducingemissionsto40%below1990levelsby2030isthemostambitiousGHGreductiongoalforNorthAmerica.TheGHGreductionprogramscope,whichinitiallyemphasizedmeasurestoimproveenergyefficiency,reducefossilfueldependence,andlimittransportationemissions,recentlyexpandedattentiontomeasuresforpromotingcarbonsequestrationonnaturalandworkinglandsandreducingemissionsfromlandandresourcemanagementpractices.20Attentiontocoastsandoceansinthesevariousapproacheshasbeen

18FormoreontheCoastalandOceansResourcesWorkingGroupoftheClimateActionTeamsee:http://www.opc.ca.gov/2010/07/coastal-and-ocean-climate-action-team-co-cat/).

19SeefindingsandreportsoftheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaPanelavailableathttp://westcoastoah.org/westcoastpanel/.

20See:CaliforniaAirResourceBoard(webpage).NaturalandWorkingLandsSector:GHGReductionsandCarbonSequestrationGoalsforCalifornia’sForests,Ranches,andFarms.

limitedsofar,andopportunitiesnowexisttomoresystematicallyelevateattentiontoOAandtocoastalandoceansystemsinCalifornia’sGHGreductionframework.21California’sClimateChangeScopingPlan,inparticular,shouldfullyintegratestrategiesforreducingOA.22InadditiontoongoingOAresultingfromglobalCO2emissions,locallygeneratedpollutionhasthepotentialtoacceleratetherateatwhichcoastalwatersareacidifying,especiallyinsemi-enclosedwaterslikeestuariesandbays.Thislocalaccelerationoccurswheninputsofwaterborneorganiccarbonandnutrientsfromoceanwastewaterdischarges,agriculturalandurbanrunoff,andothersourcesresultinadditionalcontributionsofCO2tocoastalwaters.23,24Absorptionoflocalairborneemissions(includingCO2andchemicalsthatdirectlyacidifyoceanwaterssuchasnitrousoxidesandsulfurcompounds),fromsourcessuchastransportationandelectricutilities,alsohasthepotentialtoexacerbateOAlocally.FreshwaterrunofffromimpervioussurfacesinsomeareascanworsenOAbyfloodingcoastalwaterswithlowpHwater.InplaceswherelocalinputsareacceleratingOA,reducinglocalpollutioncouldhelpslowthisprocess.TechnicalassessmentsofthemagnitudeandimpactsoflocalcontributionstocoastalOAinCaliforniahavebegun,buthavenotyetbeencompleted.Importantquestionsremainrelatedto:WhereandwhatproportionoftheOAoccurringalongtheCaliforniacoastisduetolocalwater-borneoratmosphericpollution?Howwilltheserelativecontributionschangeinthefuture?Whichlocations,ifany,couldorshouldbeprioritizedforreducinglocalinputsinordertoslowthenear-termpaceofOA?Overthenextfewyears,modelscurrentlyunderdevelopmentareexpectedtostartprovidinganswers.Theresultsshouldaidinevaluatingthepotentialbenefits(intermsofslowinglocalacidificationrates)ofinterventionstoreduceorrelocatelocalpollutioninputs,includingmorecostlyorcontroversialinterventions,suchaschangestooceanwastewaterdischargesoradjustingagriculturalpracticestoreducefertilizerrunoff.25https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/natandworkinglands/natandworkinglands.htm.Forestsreceivedparticularattentionbecauseoftheirlargesequestrationpotentialandbecauseoftherisksofcarbonleakageposedbywildfire(seeForestClimateActionTeam(2018).CaliforniaForestCarbonPlan:ManagingOurForestLandscapesinaChangingClimate).http://www.fire.ca.gov/fcat/downloads/CaliforniaForestCarbonPlaFinal.pdf)

21Arecentconceptpaperdevelopedtoinformfutureinvestmentsinnaturalandworkinglandsincludesseagrassandsaltmarshrestorationasproposedmanagementactivities.See:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard,etal.(2018).California2030NaturalandWorkingLandsClimateChangeImplementationPlanConceptPaper.https://arb.ca.gov/cc/natandworkinglands/nwl-implementation-plan-concept-paper.pdfSeealsoStrategy#4ofthisplan.

22See:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(2017).California’s2017ClimateChangeScopingPlan.https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scopingplan.htm

23CO2isreleasedwhenbacteriadecomposeorganiccarbonthatisdischargedintoriversorcoastalwaterorwhennutrientsinputs(e.g.,nitrogenandphosphorous)thatstimulatetheproliferationofalgaethatlaterreleaseCO2whentheydieanddecompose.

24InadditiontoexacerbatingOA,throughcomplexandinteractingprocesses,excessivenutrientandorganiccarboninputsalsocancontributetoharmfulalgalbloomsandlowoxygen(hypoxia),andtheseeffectsmaybeexacerbatedbytemperatureincreasescausedbyclimatechange.See,forexample,Breitburg,etal.2018.Decliningoxygenintheglobaloceanandcoastalwaters.Science359:46.

25Seedescriptionofmodelingprojectathttp://westcoastoah.org/resources/california/

Whilethisinformationisbeingdeveloped,actionstillcanbetakenthroughvariousmulti-benefitoptionsthatsimultaneouslyreducelocalinputswhileachievingotherpolicyoreconomicgoals.Forexample,wastewatertreatmentplantsundertakinginfrastructureupgradestoimproveenergyoreconomicefficiency,orinvestinginwaterreusetoachievewatersavings,couldsimultaneouslymakechangestoreducenutrientdischarges.26Overthelonger-term,evaluating,communicating,andundertakingmoreaggressivestepstoreducethecausesofOAwillrequiredevelopmentandadoptionofscientificallyrobustandbiologicallymeaningfulOAindicatorsforCalifornia’scoastalandoceanwaters,andindicatorvaluesthatcouldserveasmanagementgoalsandregulatorytriggers.27Suchindicatorsandvalueswillsupportseveralimportantapplications,including:evaluating,communicating,andtrackingacidificationinCalifornia’scoastalwaters;justifyingmanagementinterventionsbyRegionalWaterQualityControlBoards;anddevelopingcriteriaandobjectivesforregulatingcausalpollutantsunderfederalandstatelaw(theCleanWaterActandPorter-CologneWaterQualityControlAct).285-YEARGOALS:

• AttentiontocoastalandoceansystemsandtoOAiselevatedandsystematicallyaddressedinCalifornia’sGHGreductionefforts.

• Near-termoptionsforreducinglocalsourcesofacidifyingpollutants(voluntary,incentive-based,permitting)havebeenidentifiedandarefullyemployed.

• Thestatehasthetechnicaltoolsitneeds–includingscientificallyrobustwaterqualityindicatorsandappropriatemodelsforassessingcontributionsoflocalandglobalCO2–tomeasureandevaluateOA-relatedchangesoccurringalongtheCaliforniacoast,toselectwaterqualitygoals,andtoinitiatemanagementorregulatoryactiontoslowtheserates,iffeasibleandappropriate.

26Notethatwaterreuseimprovementsthatdonotalsoremovenutrientsyieldconcentratednutrient-richeffluentsthatcouldcauseintensifiedlocalOAaroundoceandischarges.

27Theterm“indicator”isusedhereinageneralsensetorefertoawaterqualitycharacteristic(chemicalorbiological,suchaspHlevel,durationoflowpHperiods,carbonatesaturationstate,abundanceorconditionofsensitivespecies,etc.)thatisassociatedwithimpacts,whenitreachescertainvalues,onthestate’scoastalandmarineecosystemsandtheirbeneficialuses.Waterqualitymanagers,scientists,andregulatorsdevelopandusevariouskindsofwaterqualityindicatorsandindicatorvaluesthatcanaidinevaluatingandcommunicatingenvironmentaltrendsorcanserveaswaterqualitygoalsandactiontriggers,variouslyreferredtoas“thresholds,”“benchmarks,”“assessmentthresholds,”“assessmentendpoints,”“objectives,”and“criteria,”dependingonthecontext.FordetailsaboutterminologyusedbyCalifornia’swaterqualitymanagerssee:Marschack,J.B.2016.ACompilationofWaterQualityGoals:17thEdition.StateWaterResourcesControlBoard.https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/water_quality_goals/.

28RevisionofexistingwaterqualitycriteriawasoneofeightmajorrecommendationsmadebytheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaSciencePanelbasedonthePanel’sconclusionthatexistingwaterqualitycriteriaareoutofdateandinsufficientlysensitivetodetectchangesthatarebiologicallysignificantandofmanagementconcern.See:Chan,F.etal.(2016).TheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaSciencePanel:MajorFindings,Recommendations,andActions.http://westcoastoah.org/westcoastpanel/

ACTIONS:

1. SystematicallyintegrateOAandcoastsandoceansintoCalifornia’sGHGemissionsreductionprogram.

• DevelopandamplifyclearmessagesthatidentifyOAasamajorimpactofglobalCO2emissionsandreductionofOAasamajorbenefitofthestate’sGHGreductionefforts.

• Identify,evaluate,andimplement,aswarranted,additionalopportunitiestoreduceGHGemissionsbycoastalandoceanuses(suchastourism,recreation,anddesalinization)andrelatedindustriesthroughvoluntary,incentive-based,and/orregulatorymeasuresandtosecurecarbonstoragethroughsystemssuchasseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,kelpforests,andnovelmechanismssuchaskelpmariculture(seealsoStrategy#4).

• Reducethecarbonfootprintofseafoodconsumptioninthestate.Thefirststepistoevaluatethepotentialforandtheenvironmental,economic,andsocialcostsandbenefitsofincentivizingconsumptionoflocallysourcedproducts(wildcapture,aquaculture)andreducingimportsofforeignsourcedproducts.Ifwarranted,workwithseafoodcertificationandratingprogramstointegratecarbonfootprintinformationintoratingsystemsandpubliceducationproducts.

• Identifyandassignprioritytoemissionsreductionactionsthatalsohavethepotentialtoreduceorslowlocalratesofacidification.Forexample,managementofnitrogenfertilizeronagriculturallandstoreduceemissionsofnitrousoxide(agreenhousegas)alsomayreducenutrientrunoffthatcanintensifylocalOA,andsubmergedaquaticvegetationsecuredtodelivercarbonstoragemayalsoameliorateratesoflocalacidification(seealsoStrategy#4).29,30

• EvaluateandadvanceopportunitiesfordirectinginvestmentsoftheGreenhouseGasReductionFundtowardsactionsthatsimultaneouslyimproveresilienceofindustriesandcommunitiesvulnerabletoOAwhilereducingGHGemissionsorimprovingcarbonstorage.(SeealsoStrategy#5.)

• Continuetoadvancecollaborativedialogueonocean-basedproductionofrenewablewindenergy,whereitiscompatiblewithsustaininghealthyoceanecosystems,fisheries,andcoastaleconomies

2. Identifysourcesandreducelocalwater-borneandairbornepollutionthatcan

exacerbatecoastalOA.

29See:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(2017).California’s2017ClimateChangeScopingPlan.

https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scopingplan.htm30Manyofthesesameactionsarelikelytoyieldadditionalwaterqualitybenefitsbyreducinghypoxiaincoastalwaters.

• Expandincentivesforcoastalinfrastructureupgradesthataredesignedtosimultaneouslyreduceoreliminatenutrient-andcarbon-ladenoceandischargesthatexacerbatelocalacidificationwhilealsoadvancingCalifornia’sclimateadaptationgoalsforthewatersectorbyimprovingwaterreuseandrecycling.31

• Assesswhetherlocalsourcesofacidifyingairborneemissions(e.g.,nitrogenoxides,sulfuroxides)areaffectingtherateofOAinselectregionsofthecoast,suchasnearCaliforniaportsandharborsorcoastalelectricpowerplants.Identifyandimplementoptionsforreducingtheseairbornepollutantsunderstatelaw,asappropriate,whichmayalsoyieldpublichealthbenefitsinsomeplaces.

• SupportandhighlightthesignificanceforOAofintegratedwatershedplanningandlandmanagementandprotectionactivities(e.g.,runoffreduction,protectionofuplandwetlandsandriparianareas)thatarelikelytoyieldimproveddownstreamwaterqualityinbaysandestuarieswhererisksofintensifiedOAfromlocalinputsaregreatest.Targetcommunicationstowardskeyaudiencesdemonstratingtheselinkagesandhighlightingthemultiplepotentialbenefitsforcoastalwaterqualityandproductivity.32

3. DeveloptechnicaltoolsforevaluatingcoastalOAandforattributingintensifying

OAtocausalpollutants.33Prioritizethosetoolsthatsupportbothnear-andlonger-termapplications,includingvulnerabilityassessments,publiceducation,targetedmanagementinterventions,andregulatoryaction.

• Buildoninitialeffortstodevelopascientificallyrobust,well-vetted,andbiologicallysignificantsetofcoastalwaterqualityindicatorsforevaluatingOAconditionsoccurringalongtheCaliforniacoast.Identifyvaluesandthresholdsfortheseindicatorsthatcouldserveaswaterqualitygoalsandtriggersformanagementorregulatoryaction.

• Buildoninitialeffortstoadvanceandvalidatespatiallyexplicitmodelsandanalyticaltoolsthataidinaccountingfortherelativecontributionsofdifferentpollutionsources(e.g.,globalCO2emissions,localwater-bornenutrientsororganiccarbon,localairborneacidifyingchemicals)toongoingandfuturepHchangesalongtheCaliforniacoastandhowthesecontributionsmightbeaffectedbyvariousinterventions.

31TheprimaryincentivecurrentlyavailableistheCleanWaterStateRevolvingFundthatofferslowcostfinancingfor

waterqualityprojectthatcanbeapplied,amongotherpurposes,toupgradingcoastalwastewatertreatmentinfrastructure.https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/

32ReducingnutrientandorganiccarboninputsthroughactionstakeninupstreamwatershedscanpotentiallynotonlyslowratesofOA,butalsohelpreduceeutrophication,oxygendepletion,andharmfulalgalblooms.

33FormoreaboutinitialinvestmentsoftheOceanProtectionCouncilinthisareaseeprojectsrelatedtowaterqualityandintegratedmodelingathttp://www.opc.ca.gov/opc-climate-change-program/ocean-acidification-2/.

Strategy#4–DeployLivingSystemstoSlowOAandStoreCarbon

California’sseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforestsarehometodiverseandabundantwildlife,providehabitatsforcommerciallyandrecreationallyimportantfisheries,andareimportantattractionsforcoastaltourismandrecreation.Increasingly,theyalsoarebeingrecognizedascriticaltoachievingthestate’sgoalsforclimatechangeadaptationandmitigation.Thesehabitatshavethepotentialtoprotectshorelinesfromsealevelrise,sequestercarbon,andlocallyameliorateOAbyremovingCO2fromoceanwaters(seagrasses,kelp)andbyremovingnutrientsandorganiccarbonfromrunoff(saltmarshes).34Thestatecurrentlysupportsseagrass,saltmarsh,andkelpconservation,restoration,andmanagementunderavarietyofauthoritiesandfundingmechanismsthatreflectallofthesediversebenefits.35Lookingahead,Californiahasanopportunitytodeliberatelyleveragethecollectivebenefitsofthestate’sseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforests,andtheplantsthatdominatethesesystems,forlocallyslowingOAandforstoringcarbon–atthesametimeastheselivingsystemsprovidemanyotherbenefits.Doingsowillrequiretreatingcurrentandfutureprotection,restoration,andmanagementprojectsandplacesasanetworkofsitesfor“learningbydoing”tohelpfillgapsincurrentunderstanding.Suchapproachesfortakingactioninthefaceofincompleteinformationarealreadywellestablishedinthestate’soceanmanagementpolicies.36Saltmarshcapacitiesforstoringcarbonandremovingwaterbornenutrients,forexample,havebeenwelldocumented.Nevertheless,understandingofhownutrientremovalbysaltmarshesmighttranslateintoreducedratesofOAinareassubjecttoagriculturalorurbanrunoffislimited.Similarly,althoughweknowthatcertainseagrassesandkelpscanlocallyameliorateOA,andthatseagrassmeadowsalsocansequestercarbon,wedonotyetknowenoughtoprescribespecificpracticesorplacesforoptimizingtheseOAandcarbonstoragebenefitsorforquantifyingtheireffects.37

34Neilsen,K.etal.(2018).EmergingUnderstandingofthePotentialRoleofSeagrassandKelpasanOceanAcidification

ManagementToolinCalifornia.CaliforniaOceanScienceTrust.35Examplesinclude:WithinstatemarineprotectedareasimplementedundertheMarineLifeProtectionActandstate

parks;ClimateReadyProgramgrantsadministeredbytheCaliforniaCoastalConservancy(http://scc.ca.gov/climate-change/);InvestmentsmadeundertheGreenhouseGasReductionFundtosecurecarbonsequestration;LeasingandlicensingofkelpbedsbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife;ManagementofEstuarineResearchReservesandStateParks;ResearchanddevelopmentgrantsmadebytheCaliforniaOceanProtectionCouncil(http://www.opc.ca.gov/opc-climate-change-program/ocean-acidification-2/).

36ThelawsthatgovernstatemanagementoffisheriesandMPAs,TheMarineLifeManagementActandTheMarineLifeProtectionAct,eachsupportsanadaptivemanagementapproachthatincludesdeliberativeinformationgatheringandflexibledecision-makingasnewknowledgebecomesavailable.SeealsoBox2ofthisplan.

37Thepotentialcarbonstoragebykelpforestsundernaturalconditionsappearstobesmall,becausekelpsliveonhardsurfacesanddonotaccumulateorganicmaterialsinsedimentslikeseagrassesandsaltmarshesdo.However,kelpharvestedandremovedfromnaturalandmariculturesystemscanprovidegreaterandmorelastingcarbonstorageundercertaincircumstances.

Earlyinvestmentsbythestateinrelatedresearchisalreadyyieldingimportantinsights(seeFigure2).Implementingalargeranddeliberativeapproachtolearningfromexperienceacrossthenetworkofstateinvestmentsinlivingsystems(seagrasses,saltmarshes,kelp)tohelpslowlocalOAandstorecarbon,wouldspeeddevelopmentofimprovedmethodsformanagingthesesystemsandaccountingfortheirOAandcarbonstoragebenefits.Thesegainswouldimprovethestate’sabilitytooptimizefutureinvestmentsandoveralleffectiveness.5-YEARGOALS:

• RestorationofhealthyseagrassmeadowsacrossallofCalifornia’sestuariesisnowstatepolicyandiswellunderwayandfinanced.

• Stateinvestmentsintoseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforeststosecureOAameliorationandcarbonstoragebenefitsarestrategicandeffective.

• Aquacultureproductionsystemshavebeendeveloped,tested,andadopted,ifwarranted,thatintegratekelpandseagrasstoreduceOAandenhanceshellfishproductionandthatendeavortoenableco-locationofaquaculturewithsuccessfulseagrassconservation.

ACTIONS:

1. Implementacoordinatedandstrategicstatewideapproachtorestoring,conservingandassistinginthemigrationofseagrassmeadows,kelpforests,andsaltmarshestoachievemultiplestategoals.

• Mapcurrentandprojectedfuturehabitatspaceforseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforestsalongtheCaliforniacoastusingscientificallyvalidandreproduciblemethodsthatareverifiedthroughfieldsurveys.Futurehabitatprojectionsshouldincludeconsiderationofthestate’smostrecentguidanceonsealevelrise.Provideforpermanent,centralized,onlinearchivingandopenaccesstotheresultinginformationandmapstoinformpublicandprivatemanagementandpermittingdecisions.

• Accelerateinvestmentinconservingandrestoringthrivingeelgrassbedstothestateestuariesandbaysthroughfundingforgreenhousegasmitigation,waterquality,andnaturalresourcesprotection.38Testandadoptmethodstodrivedowncostsandimprovethesuccessrateofmanagement,restoration,andassistedmigrationofseagrassmeadows.

38Wherepossibleandadvisableinlightofsealevelrise,priorityshouldbegiventoconservingexistingeelgrass

meadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforests,becauseconservationislessexpensiveandmorelikelytosucceedthanrestoringlostordegradedsystemsorestablishingnewones.

• InventoryandacknowledgethepotentialOAandcarbonstoragebenefitsofseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforestsinthestatewidenetworkofMPAs.IntegrateresultsfromMPAmonitoringofOA(seeStrategy#2)intothelearningframeworkforthestate’ssystemofseagrassmeadowsandkelpforests.

• Usethegrowingnetworkofstateinvestmentsinplace-basedconservationandmanagementofseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforestsasasystemfor“learningbydoing”toidentifywhether,where,andhoweffectivelythesenaturalsystemscanameliorateOAandsequestercarbonovernear-andlong-termtimelinesandattendantimpactsonotherspeciesofmanagementconcern.Translateverifiedfindingsintoprescriptiveguidancetoimprovetargetingoffutureinvestmentsandtodevelopbestmanagementpractices.

2. EvaluateandadvanceaquacultureapproachesthatoptimizeOAameliorationandcarbonstorage,whilebenefitingshellfishproduction.

• Developandevaluatetheeffectivenessoftechnologiesandmanagementpracticesdesignedtoallowshellfishaquaculturetoco-existwiththeconservationofthrivingeelgrassbeds

• Buildoninitialeffortstodevelop,test,andapplycoupledaquacultureproductionsystemsthatenhanceshellfishproductionbyintegratingseagrassesorkelpstolocallyameliorateOA.

• Continuetodevelop,evaluate,andrefinekelp-farmingaquacultureasawaytolocallyameliorateOAwhileproducingcommercialproducts,suchasfood,biofuels,agriculturalamendments,andwaterpollutiontreatmentservices.

• Aswarrantedbyevaluationsoffeasibility,costeffectiveness,risks,andbenefits,expandapplicationsoftheaboveapproachesbyinvestingintechnicaltrainingandgreatersupportofextensiontotheaquacultureindustry,suchasthroughCaliforniaSeaGrantand/ortheUniversityofCaliforniaCooperativeExtension.

3.ExplorethepotentialofotherinnovativeoptionsfordeployinglivingsystemstoameliorateOAand/orstorecarbonwhiledeliveringothersocietalbenefits.

• Evaluatecurrentevidencedemonstratingtheabilityofothernaturaland

constructedlivingsystems(e.g.,non-kelpalgaeandoysterreefs)tolocallyameliorateOAand/orstorecarbonwhiledeliveringotherbenefitssuchasfoodproductionandshorelineprotectionfromsealevelrise.

• Supportpiloteffortstotesttheseapproachesinreal-worldsettingsaswarranted.

Strategy#5–BuildResilienceofAffectedCommunities,Industries,&

Interests

MountinganeffectivecampaigntoreduceOA’sharmfulimpactsonCalifornia’snaturalassetsandpeoplewillrequirecomprehensive,coordinatedactionbygovernment,industry,andconservationentities.Thepeoplemostatrisk,aswellasthosewhodirectlyorindirectlycontributetoOA,mustparticipateindeveloping,launching,andensuringthesuccessofcollaborativesolutionsthatwillimproveandsustainsocietalresilienceandtheresilienceofcoastalandmarineecosystemsastheoceansacidify.39TodayinCaliforniathesignificanceofOAisnotyetwellappreciatedbeyondthescientificcommunityandarelativelysmallsetofpolicymakers.ThiscontrastswithplaceslikeWashingtonStateandtropicalislandnationslikeFiji,wheretheimminentandobviousrisksposedbyOAtokeyeconomicinterests(e.g.,oysteraquacultureandcoralreeftourism)haveheightenedpublicconcernsanddrivenindustryengagement.AlthoughthesignificanceofOAforCaliforniaisgreat,thestatehasnotyetdirectlyexperiencedhighprofile,newsworthy,orphotogenicevents.UnderstandingofOArisksandresponseoptionsacrosstheindustriesthatwillbemostdirectlyaffected–aquacultureandfisheries–isuneven,andOAisnotyetahighpriorityfortheleadersofcoastaltowns,cities,orcounties.OurchallengeinCaliforniaisnotsimplytocommunicateinformationaboutOAmoreeffectivelyandtomoreaudiences;itistobroadenownershipoftheproblemandofitssolutions,sothatthesolutionsimplementedbythestateareequitableandsociallyacceptableaswellastechnicallyandfinanciallyfeasible.TheimportanceofdoingsohasbeenamplydemonstratedthroughCalifornia’sextensiveexperiencesmanagingoceanfisheriesandecosystemsandundertakingclimatechangemitigationandadaptation.Manymorepeoplewillneedtobringtheirenergiesandideasintothemixforustosucceed.Fortunately,California’spastdecadeofexperiencewithclimatechangehasyieldedgoodmodelsforengagingdiverseinterestsandgovernmententitiesatalllevels(localtostatewide)tohelpbuildadaptivecapacityandresilience.Thesegenerallyinvolveestablishingmechanismstosurfaceandaddresstheneedsofaffectedgroups;developingandfacilitatingthesharingofknowledge,tools,andguidance;andmaintainingongoinginteractionstoensurealignmentofstate-ledprogramswiththe

39Californiadevelopedanoperationalapproachto“resilience”inestablishingtheIntegratedClimateAdaptationandResiliencyProgramcalledforinSB246(Wieckowski,2015).Identifiedelementsofresilienceinclude:peopleandcommunitiesrespondtochangingconditionsinwaysthatminimizerisksandmaximizeequityandprotectionofthemostvulnerable;naturalsystemsadjustandmaintainfunctioningecosystemsinthefaceofchange;andinfrastructureandbuiltsystemswithstandchangingconditionswhilecontinuingtoprovideessentialservices.Fordetailsseehttp://opr.ca.gov/planning/icarp/tac/.

goalsandchallengesfacedbylocalandregionalentities.ThelegislativelymandatedIntegratedClimateAdaptationandResiliencyProgram,establishedin2015intheGovernor’sOfficeofPlanningandResearch,performsthesefunctionsforthestate’sclimatechangeeffortsandcouldhelpsupportsimilareffortsrelatedtoOAandassistinintegratingOAwithexistingplanning,hazardmitigation,andclimateandsealevelriseadaptationefforts.405-YEARGOALS:

• Californiahasawell-informed,well-functioning,andhighlycollaborativeOAconstituencythatishelpingtoidentifyandadvanceinnovativeandeffectivestrategiesforsustainingcommunity,industry,andecosystemresilienceasOAintensifies.

• Drawingontheknowledgeandtalentsofpeoplefromindustry,publicagencies,tribes,andthescientificcommunity,aquacultureandfisheriesmanagementinCaliforniaisadaptingtoOAthroughimprovedtechnologies,tools,andmanagementflexibility.

• TheconstituencyforCalifornia’scoastalandoceanecosystemsisadvancingtractableoptionsforsecuringecosystemresilienceastheoceansacidify.

ACTIONS:

1. EngageinterestedpartiesfromacrossthepublicandprivatesectorstosharelearningandtakeactiontoaddressOA

• EstablisharepresentativestatewideadvisorygroupthatincludesthediverseintereststhatwillaffectandbeaffectedbyOAaswellastechnicalandpolicyexperts–includingfishing,aquaculture,agriculture,tribes,municipalities,counties,watermanagement,conservation,wastewatertreatment,stateandfederalagencies,andscientistsfromrelevantdisciplines.Thisgroupwilladvisethestateonitspolicy,management,science,andcommunicationsprioritiesandstrategies,startingwiththeStatewideVulnerabilityAssessmentdescribedinStrategy#1.

• UseCalifornia’sconveningandknowledge-sharingprocessesforclimatechangeadaptationandscienceinCaliforniatoshareandaccelerateinnovationandlearningaboutOA.PossibleoptionsincludethebiennialCaliforniaAdaptationForum,theonlineAdaptationClearinghouse,andperiodicCaliforniaClimateChangeSymposia.41

40FormoreabouttheIntegratedClimateAdaptationandResiliencyProgramseehttp://opr.ca.gov/planning/icarp/.41ThebiennialCaliforniaAdaptationForumgatherstogetherclimateadaptationpractitioners

(http://www.californiaadaptationforum.org).TheonlineAdaptationClearinghouseprovidesacentralizedinformationrepositoryandishostedbytheIntegratedClimateAdaptationandResiliencyProgram(http://www.opr.ca.gov/clearinghouse/adaptation/).ThestateperiodicallyconvenesCaliforniaClimateChange

• DevelopacampaigntoraisepublicawarenessaboutOAanditscauses,impacts,andsolutionsinCalifornia.Thecampaignshouldclearlyspecifythecommunicationgoals,targetaudiences,anticipatedoutcomes,andimpactmeasures,andshouldincorporateameansofevaluatingeffects.

• Establishguidanceandextension-typetechnicalsupporttospeedintegrationofOAintoplanningandoperationsofpotentiallyaffectedcommunitiesandindustries(e.g.,coastalcitiesandtowns;tribes;portsandharbors;aquaculture,fisheries,coastaltourismindustries).Delivertargetedindustry-andcommunity-specificadviceandinformationproducts.

2. Advanceresilienceoftheaquacultureindustry

• FacilitatepartnershipsthatbringtogethermembersoftheaquacultureindustryandthescientificcommunitytofullyunderstandimplicationsofOAfortheindustryandtosolvepracticalproblems.42

• BuildOAmonitoringcapacitiesandinstrumentationathatcherylocationsinCaliforniaattherightlevelofspatialandtemporalresolutiontoassistindustryinanticipatingandrespondingtoOA.

• PartnerwithaquacultureexpertsintheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationtofacilitateproduceraccesstofederalinformationresources,includingmonitoringandobservations,sciencefindings,andspatialanalysisandplanningtoenhancethesitingandmanagementofaquaculturefacilitiesinlightofOAprojections.

3. Advanceresilienceofthefisheriesindustry

• ImplementprovisionsoftherevisedMarineLifeManagementActMaster

Planthatcallforadaptivefisheriesmanagementunderchanginganduncertainconditions.Developpolicymechanismstosupportregulatoryflexibilityasconditionsshiftand/ornewinformationbecomesavailable.

• Developscience-basedpracticesforhowOAcanbestbeintegratedintothestate’sevolvingtoolsforflexiblymanagingchangingfisheryresources,suchasscenario-basedmodelstoexplorealternativemanagementoptionsandscience-basedtriggersandthresholdsfordecision-making.

• Advancecapacitiesofmembersofthefishingcommunitytoidentifyandrespondtoshiftsintherelativeabundancesofdifferenttargetspecies.

• EncouragethePacificFisheriesManagementCounciltotakestepstobetterunderstandtheimplicationsofOAforWestCoastfisheriesandto

Symposiatosharetheresultsofresearchsupportedtoinformstateadaptationandmitigationstrategies(http://californiascience.org).

42Examplesinclude:developmentofdurable,lowcost,andeasytousemonitoringtechnologies;technicaltraininginOAmonitoringequipment;anddevelopmentofOAresistantbroodstock.

integratethisunderstandingintofisheriesmanagementscienceanddecisions.

• Supportsciencetounderstandanddevelopscenario-basedprojectionsoftheeffectsofOAactinginconcertwithotherenvironmentalchangesonCalifornia’sfisheryfoodwebs,productivity,andecosystems.Translatethisinformationintoaformthatmakesitusefulandusabletomembersofthefishingcommunityandtostatemanagersformakingfisheries-relateddecisions.

4.Advanceresilienceofcoastalandoceanecosystems

• Establisharepresentativeworkinggroupofthosepublicandprivatesectorintereststhatdependonorsustainadeepinterestinthehealthofnaturalcoastalandoceanecosystems–includingtourism,recreation,coastalmunicipalities,harbors,parksandreserves,andconservationorganizations,andrelevantscientificexperts.

• TheworkinggroupwillexaminetheimplicationsofOAforecosystemresilienceandsocietalbenefitswithinthecontextofotherongoingenvironmentalchangesandwillidentifypublicpolicyoptionstohelpsustainecosystemresilienceasconditionsacidify.

• Communicatefindingsoftheworkinggrouptopublicandprivatesectorleadersandsupportpilotprojectstotesttheidentifiedoptions.

Strategy#6–EngageBeyondStateBoundaries

BecausetheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlanisastateplan,Strategies#1-5appropriatelyfocusonanticipatingandmeetingstateneeds.TheydovetailwithandexpandupontheeffortsalreadyundertakenbyCaliforniatocombatgreenhousegasemissions,adapttoclimatechange,andsecurethehealthandproductivityofoceanecosystemsandfisheriesinachangingworld.Althoughessential,thesestate-focusedstrategiesandactionsarenotenough.OAisplayingoutonaglobalstage,andwillaffecteverynationandcommunitywhoseeconomicandsocialwellbeingdependsuponhealthyoceans.AndtheprimarycauseofglobalOAisglobalGHGemissions.JustasCaliforniahashelpedoverthepastdecadetoadvancethegrowthofinternationaleffortstoreduceemissions,sotooitmusthelpbuildthemomentumofinternational,national,andregionaleffortstocombatOA.Thestatehasmuchtocontribute,butalsowillbenefitgreatly.Byworkingbeyondstateboundaries,Californiacanlearnmuchfromexperiencesinotherjurisdictionsandgeographiesandaccomplishmorethanitcouldonitsown.

ThroughmembershipinthePacificCoastCollaborative,CaliforniaalreadyisworkingcooperativelywiththestatesofOregon,Washington,andAlaska,aswellasBritishColumbia,onclimatechangeandemissionsreductions.43TheWestCoastscaleistherightoneforaddressingcertainOAissues,becauseoftheregion’ssharedoceansystems,biologicalresources,andpolicyandeconomicinterests.TheWestCoastwastheorganizinggeographyforCalifornia’sinitialeffortstoaddressOAthroughtheWestCoastOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaSciencePanel.Lookingahead,itmakesgoodsense,forexample,tobuildtechnicalcapacitiesforobservingandunderstandingOAatthisregionalscale,whichshouldbeexpandedtoincludeMexico.Atthenationallevel,theNOAAOceanAcidificationProgramhasbeensupportingimportantworkonOAsinceitsestablishmentin2011byinvestinginobservationnetworksandmonitoringinstrumentation,researchonspeciessensitivity,oceanographicandecosystemmodeling,socialscience,education,andcommunication,andstakeholderengagement.44TheprogramprovidesCaliforniawithagoodentrypointforlinkingtofederalOAresearch,development,andapplicationscapacities.ThePacificCoastCollaborativeandthefederalInteragencyWorkingGrouponOceanAcidificationhaveinitiatedastrongpartnershiponregionalmonitoringandobservation.Morebroadly,thefederalgovernmentwillsignificantlyinfluencewhetherandhowthestateachievesmanygoalsoutlinedintheActionPlan,throughitsmanagementoffisheriesandecosystemsinfederalwatersanddiverseprogramsandresponsibilitiesthataffectwaterqualityandrunoff.TherecentestablishmentoftheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidification(ofwhichCaliforniawasafoundingmember),with60membersrepresentinggovernments,industry,academiaandnon-profitorganizations,inadditiontotherecentefforttodevelopanOAactionplanfor14countriesinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,signalgrowingattentiontoOAworldwide.45Theopportunitynowistotransformthiselevatedattentionintoacoherentinternationalinitiativethatspeedsprogressandenhancesthecollectivesuccessofallparticipants.5-YEARGOALS:

• RegionalcollaborationonOA-relatedpolicy,science,andcommunicationsacrosstheWestCoastisrobust,withefficient,effective,coordinatedresponsesacrosstheregion.

43FormoreonthePacificCoastCollaborativeseehttp://pacificcoastcollaborative.org.44ForfurtherinformationabouttheNOAAOceanAcidificationProgramsee

https://oceanacidification.noaa.gov/WhoWeAre.aspx.TheprogramhelpssupporttherecentlylaunchedOceanAcidificationInformationExchange(https://www.oainfoexchange.org/index.html),anonlineforumforcollaborative,multi-sector,teamsthataretacklingtechnical,communication,orpolicyandmanagementissuesrelatedtoOA.

45FormoreabouttheOAplanningeffortforLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanseehttps://www.iucn.org/news/secretariat/201804/latin-american-and-caribbean-countries-threatened-rising-ocean-acidity-experts-warn.

• Californiastateagenciesarepartneringcloselywithrelevantfederalagenciestoleverageinvestmentsandtoensureactionsinstateandfederalwatersarewellalignedandcoordinatedwhereneeded.

• CaliforniaishelpingtoleadaninternationalcoalitionthatisspurringworldwideactiononOAandimprovingattentiontooceansininternationalclimatenegotiations.

ACTIONS:

1. ParticipateinandhelptoleadWestCoastregionalinitiativesthatwillyieldsignificantefficiencies,speedlearning,andadvancecollectiveprogressinreducingthecausesandimpactsofOAacrosstheCaliforniaCurrent.

• DevelopintegratedmonitoringandobservationcapacitiesandfillcriticalinformationgapsessentialforbuildingregionalunderstandingofOApatterns,processes,andfuturescenarios(seealsoStrategy#1).

• Support,lead,andengageinregionalvenues,suchasthePacificCoastCollaborative,forrapidlysharingtheimprovedscientificunderstandingandpolicyandtechnicalinnovationsandinsightsderivedfromparticipatinggovernments’investmentsandexperiencesdevelopingandimplementingactionplans.

• Improvealignment,wherebeneficial,betweenCalifornia’sactionsandtheactionstakenbyotherWestCoastjurisdictionstoimprovetheregion’saggregateefficiencyandimpacts.

• CollaboratewithotherWestCoaststatestospeakwithonevoiceinidentifyingpriorityneedsandpartneringopportunitieswiththeFederalgovernment,includingthoserelatedtooceanresourcesmanagement(e.g.,fisheries,aquaculture,renewableenergy)andscience(e.g.,monitoringandobservations,spatialplanning).

2. Buildnational-levelpartnershipsthatwillsimultaneouslyimproveCalifornia’s

successinimplementingthisActionPlanwhileadvancingfederalOA-relatedefforts.

• ContinuecollaborationwiththeNOAAOceanAcidificationProgramandthefederalInteragencyWorkingGrouponOceanAcidificationtocoordinateresearchandmonitoringinvestmentsandefforts.

• Participateinnational-levelforumsandteams,suchastheOceanAcidificationInformationExchange,thatfacilitateknowledgesharingandcollaborativeproblemsolvingamongdifferentregionsoftheUnitedStates.

• BuildcooperativepartnershipswithCalifornia’sNationalMarineSanctuaries,NationalEstuaries,andNationalEstuarineResearchReservesthatwillaidinaccomplishingtheActionPlangoals.

• SeizeopportunitiesforleveragingCalifornia’sActionPlanandOAaccomplishmentstosupportnationalOAeffortsundertheFederalOceanAcidificationResearchandMonitoringActof2009(FORAM)andtheStrategicPlanforFederalResearchandMonitoringofOceanAcidification.46

3. HelpbuildtheinternationalcoalitiontoraiseglobalunderstandingofOAandto

spuractionstobothadapttoandreducethecausesofOA.• ProvidecontinuedleadershipandsupportfortheInternationalAlliance

toCombatOceanAcidification,andpartnercloselywithrelevantinternationaloceanclimateinitiativesandallianceswhereapplicable.

• AmplifyandsharetheCaliforniamodelforelevatingattentiontoOAinclimatechangemitigationandadaptationandoceanstewardshippoliciesandactions,includingthroughparticipationintheConferenceofthePartiesconvenedundertheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange.47

• ImportlessonsfromothergeographiesthatwillhelptospeedandimproveCalifornia’sOAefforts.

46ThetextofFORAMcanbefoundathttps://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr14/BILLS-111hr14ih.pdf.47Seehttps://unfccc.int.

MovingForwardwithBoldAction

ThisActionPlanhaslaidoutacourseofactionthat,whenitissuccessfullyimplemented,willfundamentallyalterhowCaliforniansviewandaddressOA.ThestatewillhavethepoliticalwillandknowledgetotakeeffectiveactiontoreduceOAcauses,toimprovetheresilienceofvulnerablegroups,andtomanagemarineresourcesinnewwaysthatminimizeharmfulsocialandenvironmentalimpactswhilebolsteringresilience.Tobeeffective,theseimprovementsmustaddressOAwithinthecontextofthechangingclimate,escalatingandshiftinghumanuses,andotherchangesthataresignificantlyalteringCalifornia’scoastalandoceanenvironmentsandecosystems.Historically,attentiontotheoceansinstate,national,andinternationalpoliciestomitigategreenhousegasemissions(thebiggestcauseofOA)andtoadapttoclimatechangehasbeensomewhatlow.Atthesametime,oceanresourcemanagershavebeenslowerindevelopingpracticalframeworksandtoolsforanticipatingandadaptingtoclimatechangethantheircounterpartswhomanagelandandfreshwaterresources.California’sOceanAcidificationActionPlanwillhelptobridgethisgapbytakingconcretestepsforaddressingOAwithinthecontextofthestate’sambitiousandwell-establishedpoliciesforoceanmanagementandclimatechange.ThisinnovativeapproachwillcontinuethestateonthepathalreadyforgedbyCalifornia’snationalandgloballeadershiponreducinggreenhousegasemissions.EffectiveimplementationoftheActionPlanwillrequirebroadadoptionandassertiveactionbyallthose,insideandoutsideofstategovernment,whohaveimportantrolestoplay.Overthecomingyear,theActionPlanwillbewidelysharedacrossthestate,regionally,andatinternationalforums.Relatedinformationandcommunicationtoolswillbeavailableviahttp://www.opc.ca.gov/oa-action-plan/forusebyanyoneseekingtoadvanceandcontributetoCalifornia’sefforts.Ultimately,though,thespeedandsuccessofCalifornia’seffortstocombatOAwilldependoncommitmentsofleadership,capacity,andfundingfromacrossstategovernment,thelegislature,andtheprivatesector.Byholdingourselvesaccountableforresults,wecanmakeprogressinbetterunderstandingandaddressingOA,andindoingsosecureabetterfutureforallCalifornians.

Appendix1:CorrespondenceoftheCaliforniaActionPlantogoalsoftheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidification

TheInternationalAlliancetoCombatOceanAcidification(OAAlliance)bringstogetherjurisdictionsacrosstheglobetocombatoceanacidificationandchangingoceanconditionsasanimmediateandcriticalthreattocoastaleconomiesandoceanecosystems.IndividualOAAlliancemembersarecommittedtosupportingtheworkoftheOAAlliancebroadly,andarecommittedtotakingmeaningfullocalactionsbycraftingtheirownuniqueOceanAcidificationActionPlan,withparticularfocusonadvancingthefivegoalsoftheAlliance’sCalltoAction.TheCalltoActionprovidesanimmediateopportunityforpartiesacrosstheglobetohighlightoceanacidificationasanimminentthreattocoastaleconomiesandoceanecosystems,whiletheActionPlanswillhelpgovernmentscreateactionableresponsestothreatsintheirregionsandwillhelpaffiliatemembersbestleveragetheirexpertiseandresourcesonthisissue.

THEFIVEGOALSOFTHEINTERNATIONALALLIANCETOCOMBATOCEANACIDIFICATION StrategiesforActioninthe

CaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlan

AdvanceScientificUnderstanding

ReduceCausesofOA BuildAdaptation&Resilience

ExpandPublicAwareness

BuildSustainedInternationalSupport

#1–PreparefortheFullRangeofOARisksandImpacts

#2–ActivateResponsibleElementsofStateGovernment

X X X X

#3–ReducethePollutionthatCausesOA

X X X X #4–DeployLivingSystemstoSlowOAandStoreCarbon

X X X #5–BuildResilienceofAffectedCommunities,Industries,&Interests

X X X X

#6–EngageBeyondStateBoundaries

X X X X X

Appendix2:ConsultationandReviewProcessesthatInformedtheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlan

TheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationActionPlanbenefittedgreatlyfromtheeffortsofmanypeoplewhogenerouslycontributedtheirtimeandthoughtfulinputintothePlan’sdevelopment.TheActionPlan’sdevelopmentwasinformedbytheideasandadviceofmorethan70peoplefromacrosstheaquacultureandfisheriesindustries,stateandnationalgovernments,privatephilanthropy,andthescientificcommunity.Mostwereconsultedthroughphoneorin-personinterviewsthatsolicitedtheirviewsabouttheplan’s10-yearvision,specifictractableactionstoincludeintheplan,andhowtoensuretheplan’sadoptionandsuccessfulimplementation.California’snewlyconvenedOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaScienceTaskForce[establishedunderAssemblyBill2139(Williams,2016)]providedscientificandtechnicalinputtothedraftplandevelopmentrelatedtomonitoringandobservations,applicationsofSAV,andwaterqualityissuesanddevelopedthesupportingscienceplan(forthcomingAppendix5).TheinitialdraftoftheActionPlanwasreviewedforscientificfeasibilitybytheOAHScienceTaskForceandforpolicyfeasibilitybyagroupofpolicyexperts.IntervieweesSaraAminzadeh,ExecutiveDirector,CaliforniaCoastkeeperAlliance

ClarissaAnderson,ExecutiveDirector,SouthernCaliforniaCoastalOceanObservingSystem(SCCOOS)

MatthewArmsby,ProgramOfficer/Attorney,ResourcesLegacyFund

DebbieAseltine-Neilsen,SeniorEnvironmentalScientistSpecialist,MarineRegion,CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife

SusanAshcraft,SeniorEnvironmentalScientistandMarineAdvisor,CaliforniaFishandGameCommission

BetsyBehl,DivisionDirector,HealthandEcologicalCriteriaDivision,USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency

JonathanBishop,ChiefDeputyDirector,CaliforniaStateWaterResourcesControlBoard

ElliotBourgeault,SeniorPolicyAnalyst,ClimateActionSecretariat,BritishColumbia,Canada

CarenBraby,ProgramManager,MarineResourcesProgram,DepartmentofFishandWildlife,Oregon

MariaBrown,Superintendent,GreaterFarallonesNationalMarineSanctuary,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration

ShallinBusch,Ecologist,NationalOceanAcidificationProgramandNorthwestFisheriesScienceCenter,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration

MarkCarr,Professor,Ecology&EvolutionaryBiologyDepartmentandInstituteofMarineSciences,UniversityofCalifornia,SantaCruz

MargaretCaldwell,DeputyDirector,Oceans,ConservationandScience,TheDavidandLucilePackardFoundation

FrancisChan,AssociateprofessorandSeniorResearcher,DepartmentofZoology,OregonStateUniversity

WilliamCraven,ChiefConsultant,CaliforniaStateSenate

AimeeDavid,DirectorofOceanConservationPolicyStrategies,MontereyBayAquarium

WilliamDouros,WestCoastRegionalDirector,OfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration

JamesEckman,Director,CaliforniaSeaGrant

JuliaEkstrom,ClimateAdaptationProgramDirector,CoastalandMarineSciencesInstitute,UniversityofCalifornia,Davis

ChadEnglish,ProgramOfficer,ConservationandScience,TheDavidandLucilePackardFoundation

RebeccaFitzgerald,Manager,WaterQualityStandardsandAssessmentSection,CaliforniaStateWaterResourcesControlBoard

AlexHarper,ProgramManager,CentralandNorthernCaliforniaOceanObservingSystem

ElliotHazen,AssociateResearcher,NationalMarineFisheriesServicesatLongMarineLab,InstituteofMarineSciences

TessaHill,Professor,DepartmentofEarth&PlanetarySciences,andAssociateDirector–AcademicPrograms,BodegaMarineLaboratory,UniversityofCalifornia,Davis

GretchenHofmann,ProfessorandChair,DepartmentofEcologyEvolutionandMarineBiology,UniversityofCalifornia,SantaBarbara

SaraHutto,OceanClimateProgramCoordinator,GreaterFarallonesNationalMarineSanctuary,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration

ClaireJahns,Clair,AssistantSecretaryforNaturalResourcesClimateIssues,CaliforniaNaturalResourcesAgency

EmilyJeffers,StaffAttorney,OceansProgram,CenterforBiologicalDiversity

MarthaKongsgaard,Kongsgaard-GoldmanFoundation

KristyKroeker,AssistantProfessor,Ecology&EvolutionaryBiologyDepartment,InstituteofMarineSciences,UniversityofCalifornia,SantaCruz

DanLaffoley,SeniorAdvisor,MarineScienceandConservation,InternationalUnionfortheConservationofNature,andMarineViceChair,WorldCommissiononProtectedAreas

JohnLaird,CaliforniaSecretaryforNaturalResources

GeorgeLeonard,ChiefScientist,OceanConservancy

PhillipLevin,LeadScientistandProfessor-of-Practice,TheNatureConservancyandtheUniversityofWashington

HeatherLudemann,ProgramOfficer,ConservationandScience,TheDavidandLucilePackardFoundation

JayManning,PartneratCascadiaLawGroup,EnvironmentalAttorneys

SarahNewkirk,CoastalProgramDirector,TheNatureConservancy

MichaelNorthrop,ProgramDirector,SustainableDevelopmentGrantmakingProgram,RockefellerBrothersFund

NoahOppenheim,ExecutiveDirector,PacificCoastFederationofFishermen’sAssociations

DianePleschner-Steele,ExecutiveDirector,CaliforniaWetfishProducersAssociation

TerrySawyer,Terry,FoundingPartnerandVicePresident,HogIslandOysterCompany

MatthewRodriquez,CaliforniaSecretaryforEnvironmentalProtection

AmandaSantoni,CoastalManagementFellow,NOAADelawareCoastalPrograms

CraigShuman,MarineRegionManager,CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife

MarySmall,ChiefDeputyExecutiveOfficer,CaliforniaCoastalConservancy

BruceSteele,Captain,F/VHalcyon

MarkStone,Member,CaliforniaStateAssembly

AaronStrong,AssistantProfessor,SchoolofMarineSciences,UniversityofMaineatOrono

LisaSuatoni,SeniorScientist,NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil

MarthaSutula,PrincipalScientist,SouthernCaliforniaCoastalWaterResearchProject

DanielSwezey,LeadScientist,TheCulturedAbaloneFarm,LLC

ValerieTermini,ExecutiveDirector,CaliforniaFishandGameCommission

DanaThomas,EnvironmentalScientist,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

JessieTurner,PolicyandGovernmentAffairsSpecialist,CascadiaLawGroup,EnvironmentalAttorneys

KirstenWasson,ResearchCoordinator,ElkhornSloughNationalEstuarineResearchReserve

SteveWeisberg,ExecutiveDirector,SouthernCaliforniaCoastalWaterResearchProject

DianeWindham,SouthwestRegionalAquacultureCoordinator,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration

AmyWolfrum,CaliforniaOceanConservationPolicyManager,MontereyBayAquarium

DebWilson-Vandenberg,SeniorEnvironmentalScientist,CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife

MembersoftheCaliforniaOceanAcidificationandHypoxiaScienceTaskForceSteveWeisberg,Co-chair,SouthernCaliforniaCoastalWaterResearchProject

FrancisChan,Co-chair,OregonStateUniversity

JimBarry,MontereyBayAquariumResearchInstitute

AlexandriaBoehm,StanfordUniversity

ShallinBusch,NorthwestFisheriesScienceCenter,NOAA

SarahCooley,OceanConservancy

RichardFeely,PacificMarineEnvironmentalLaboratory,NOAA

LisaLevin,UniversityofCalifornia,SanDiegoPolicyexpertswhoreviewedtheinitialdraftoftheActionPlanKenAlex,Director,Governor’sOfficeofPlanningandResearch

MattArmsby,ProgramOfficer/Attorney,ResourcesLegacyFund

LisaSuatoni,SeniorScientist,NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil

VirgilWelch,SpecialCounseltotheChair,CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard

Appendix3:MeasuresforAssessingProgressinImplementingthePlan

Strategy 5-YearGoals

MeasuresofProgress

#1–PreparefortheFullRangeofOARisksandImpacts

• TherisksOAposestoCalifornia’sassetsandinterestsarewellunderstoodamongpolicy-makers,managers,affectedindustriesandcommunitiesandthepublic.

• Decision-relevantmonitoringinformationaboutOAiswidelyavailable,deliveredinausableform,androutinelyappliedtodecisionsacrossthepublicandprivatesectors.

• ImprovedscientificunderstandingofhowOA,andtheinteractionsofOAwithotherenvironmentaldrivers,affectscoastalandmarineecosystemsisinformingstateresource,landuse,andoceanandcoastalmanagementdecisions.

• Newpoliciesandinvestmentsarebeingmadetoaddresskeyrisksandgapsinadaptivecapacityidentifiedthroughthestate’sOAvulnerabilityassessment.

• Californiaandthestate’sfederal,academic,andregionalpartnersalongthewestcoastaredevelopingamonitoring&observation(M&O)systemoptimizedtodeliverdecision-relevantinformation.

• ElementsoftheM&OframeworkthatarecriticalformakingpolicyandmanagementdecisionsinCaliforniaarereceivingsustainedsupport.

• InformationdeliveredbytheM&Oframeworkisopenlyavailableonthewebandcanbemanipulatedanddisplayedgraphicallywithuser-friendlydecision-supporttoolsthatmeettheneedsofkeyaudiencesandusers.

• ImprovedunderstandingofpotentialimpactsofOAinteractingwithotherenvironmentalchangesonecosystemsandfoodwebsisinformingstateresourcemanagementdecisions.

#2–ActivateResponsibleElementsofStateGovernment

• AllrelevantstateagenciesaresuccessfullyintegratingthebestavailablescientificinformationaboutOAintodecisionsandpoliciesthathavethepotentialtocontributetoortoslowOAalongtheCaliforniacoastorthatdealwithbiologicalresources,industries,orcommunitieslikelytobeaffectedbyOA.

• StategovernmentisdoingasmuchasitcantominimizeharmtoCalifornia’sinterestsfromOAandtoanticipateandadapttothoseharmfulimpactsthatcannotbereduced.

• ThestateinteragencyOAworkinggroupisconvenedregularly,withhighparticipationbyallrelevantagenciesandprograms,andishighlyeffective.

• Allrelevantagencies–whosedecisionsaffectorwillbeaffectedbyOA–haveadoptedthestateOAguidance,integratedrelevantelementsoftheOAActionPlanintotheiroperations,andaremakingrelateddecisionsinformedbythebestavailableOAscience.

• StategovernmentisactivelyworkingtoreducetheglobalandlocalcausesofOA.

• StategovernmentactivelysupportingadaptationtoOAinthe

managementofcoastalandoceanbiologicalresourcesandamongaffectedindustriesandcommunities.

• Policy-makersandleadersinstategovernmentandtheLegislatureunderstandthesignificanceofOAandarepromotingstepstoreducethecausesandimproveresilience.

• California’sexperienceactivatingstategovernmenttoaddressOAishelpingtoinformapproachesadoptedbyotherstatesandnations.

• AttentiontocoastalandoceansystemsandtoOAissystematicallyaddressedandelevatedinCalifornia’sGHGreductionefforts.

• Near-termoptionsforreducinglocalsourcesofacidifyingpollutants(voluntary,incentive-based,permitting)havebeenidentifiedandarefullyemployed.

• Thestatehasthetechnicaltoolsitneeds–includingscientificallyrobustwaterqualityindicatorsandthresholdsandappropriatemodelsforassessingcontributionsoflocalandglobalCO2inputs–tomeasureandevaluateOA-relatedchangesoccurringalongtheCaliforniacoast,toselectwaterqualitygoals,andtoinitiatemanagementorregulatoryactiontoslowtheserates,iffeasibleandappropriate.

• OpportunitiestoreduceGHGemissionsthroughcoastalandocean-basedactivities,industries,andinfrastructurehavebeensystematicallyexamined,andfeasibleoptionshavebeeninitiated.

• FundingdecisionsbytheGreenhouseGasReductionFundissupportcarbonsequestrationincoastalandoceansystems,considerOAimpacts,andadvanceresilienceofcommunitiesandindustriesvulnerabletoOA.

• ImpactsofCO2emissionsonOAandresultingenvironmentalandsocietalimpactsarewidelyunderstoodandacknowledgedinstateemissionsreductionefforts.

• AsignificantincreasehasoccurredinvoluntaryorincentivizedeffortstocurtailnutrientandorganiccarbonpollutionincoastalbaysandestuariesathighriskorOA.

• ThestatehasthetechnicaltoolsitneedforformeasuringandevaluatingacidificationchangesalongtheCAcoastandfordevelopingOA-relatedwaterqualitygoalsandstandards.

• Thestatehasidentifiedprioritylocationswhereinterventionsareneededtoreducesourcesofnutrientandorganiccarbonpollutionandistakingstepstoreducethesesourcesthroughregulatoryandnon-regulatorymeans.

#4–DeployLivingSystemstoSlowOAandStoreCarbon

• RestorationofhealthyseagrassmeadowsacrossallofCalifornia’sestuariesnowstatepolicyandiswellunderwayandfinanced.

• Stateinvestmentsintoseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,and

• Targetedeffortsareunderway–guidedbymapsofcurrentandpotentialfuturehabitat–torestoreseagrassmeadowsacrossCalifornia’sestuaries.

• Scientificallyverifiedprinciplesandpracticesguideandenhancetheeffectivenessofstateinvestmentsintoseagrass

kelpforeststosecureOAameliorationandcarbonstoragebenefitsarestrategicandeffective.

• KelpandseagrassesarewellintegratedintoaquacultureproductionsystemstoreduceOAandenhanceshellfishproduction.

• Aquacultureproductionsystemshavebeentestedandadopted,asappropriate,thatintegratekelpandseagrassestoreduceOAandenhanceshellfishproductionandthatendeavortoenableco-locationofaquaculturewithsuccessfulseagrassconservation.

meadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforeststosecureOAandcarbonstoragebenefits.Theseprinciplesandpracticesareroutinelyupdatedtoincorporatenewinformation.

• EconomicallyviablemethodshavebeendevelopedthatintegrateseagrassesandkelpsintocommercialaquaculturetohelpmodulateOA.

• Methodstoenablethecoexistenceofaquaculturewithhealthyseagrassmeadowshavebeentestedandverifiedorrejected.

• OtherinnovativeoptionsforusinglivingsystemstoameliorateOAand/orstorecarbonwhiledeliveringotherbenefitsarebeingtested.

#5–BuildResilienceofAffectedCommunities,Industries,&Interests

• Californiahasawell-informed,well-functioningandhighlycollaborativeOAconstituencythatishelpingtoidentifyandadvanceinnovativeandeffectivestrategiesforsustainingcommunity,industry,andecosystemresilienceasOAintensifies.

• Drawingontheknowledgeandtalentsofpeoplefromindustry,publicagencies,tribes,andthescientificcommunity–aquacultureandfisheriesmanagementinCaliforniaisadaptingtoOAthroughimprovedunderstanding,technologies,andmanagementflexibility.

• TheconstituencyforCalifornia’scoastalandoceanecosystemsisadvancingtractableoptionsforsecuringecosystemresilienceastheoceansacidify.

• TherepresentativestatewideadvisorygrouphasbeenconvenedandcharteredandisadvisingthestateonOApriorities,improvingunderstandingamongkeyconstituencies,anddevelopingcollaborativestrategiesthatcrosssectorsandintereststoreduceandrespondtoOA.

• Thediversityofinterestsparticipatingintheadvisorygrouphasexpanded,reflectingbroadeningappreciationofOA’ssignificance,whowillbeaffected,andwhatcanbedonetoreducelocalratesandimpacts.

• ActiononOAisacceleratinginCalifornia.OAisnowaprominentelementofstate-sponsoredmeetingsandonlineresourcesdesignedtospeedinformationsharingaboutclimatechangeimpactsandresponseoptionsandoceanmanagement.

• GoodunderstandingaboutOAexistsacrosstheaquacultureandfisheriesindustries,andindustrymembersareactivelymonitoringOAanddevelopingapproachesforreducingOAimpactsthroughindustry,public,andscientificpartnerships.

• Awell-informedconstituencyforsustainingecosystemresiliencehascoalescedandispromotingpoliciestoachievethisoutcome.

#6–EngageBeyondState • RegionalcollaborationonOA-relatedpolicy,science,and • GovernmentsalongthewestcoastofNorthAmericaare

Boundaries communicationsacrosstheWestCoastissignificantlystrengthened,resultinginsubstantialimprovementstothespeed,efficiency,andeffectivenessofparticipatingmembers’OAefforts.

• Californiastateagenciesarepartneringcloselywithrelevantfederalagenciestoleverageinvestmentsandtoensureactionsinstateandfederalwatersarealignedandcoordinatedwhereneeded.

• CaliforniaishelpingtoleadaninternationalcoalitionthatisspurringworldwideactiononOAandimprovingattentiontooceansininternationalclimatenegotiations.

implementingaregionalsystemforintegratedOAmonitoringandobservation.Thesegovernmentsaremakingtargetedinvestmentstobuildthesystem.

• WestcoaststatesspeakwithaneffectiveunifiedvoiceinidentifyingOAprioritiesandpartneringwiththeFederalgovernment.

• Effectiveregional,national,andinternationalmechanismsandvenuesareinplacethatspeedsharingofOAinformation,technicaladvances,andpolicyinsights.TheStatehasestablishedcapacitiesandmechanismsforcontributingtoandbenefitingfromtheseprocesses.

• StateandfederalactionsaffectingorrespondingtoOAinoceanwatersoffofCaliforniaarealignedandcoordinated,whereappropriate.

• InternationalprogressonOA,asmeasuredbygrowthoftheinternationalcoalitionanddevelopmentofOAactionplans,isaccelerating.

Appendix4:Keyscience/technologyandcommunicationneedsidentifiedintheplanrequiredtoenableorimplementOApolicyormanagement

Strategy

Science/TechnologyNeeds

CommunicationNeeds

F#1–PreparefortheFullRangeofOARisksandImpacts

• Assesscurrentandfutureriskstospeciesofhighecologicalandeconomicvaluetothestate.

• Assesscurrentandfutureriskstoocean-dependentindustries–includingaquaculture,fisheries,andcoastaltourism.

• Conductsocialandeconomicresearchtoevaluatepotentialpublicpolicyinterventionsforbolsteringvulnerablecommunities’resilienceandadaptivecapacity.

• Finalizeasystemformonitoringinstate,federal,andcoast-widewatersthatwillassistthestateinunderstandingandprojectingfutureOApatternsandimpactsonbiologicalresources,communitiesandeconomies.

• ExpandandenhancecoupledenvironmentalandbiologicalmonitoringatthestatewideMPAnetworktoprovidethebaselineinformationessentialforunderstandingOAecosystemimpacts.

• Developweb-basedmappingtoolsthatshowcurrentandprojectedfuturescenariosofOAalongtheCAcoast.

• InvestindevelopingthescientificfoundationforunderstandingandprojectingthepotentialfutureecosystemimpactsofOAinteractingwithotherchangeprocessesandwhetheralleviatingotherstressorsandmarineprotectedareasmightsupportecologicaladaptationtoOA.

• Translateandcommunicateinformationaboutrisksvulnerabilities,andpotentialinterventionstoassistpolicy-makersandaffectedcommunitiesandindustriesinprioritizingandundertakingactionsforimprovingsocietaladaptivecapacity.

#2–FullyMobilizeStateGovernment

• Tosupporttheday-todaypolicyandmanagementdecisionsandactionsonOAbymemberagenciesandprogramsoftheworkinggroup,theOPCworkingincollaborationwiththeOAHScienceTaskForcewilloverseeproductionofascience

• ImproveunderstandingofOAanditssignificanceamongpolicy-makersandleadersinCalifornia’slegislatureandpublicagencies.

• Sharewithpolicy-makersoutsideofCalifornia

synthesisthattranslatescurrentOAscience(e.g.,OApatternsandprojections,causes,interactionswithotherenvironmentaldriversandchanges,impacts,anduncertainties)intoactionableknowledgeformthatisusefulforagencyandprogramdecision-making.

(domesticallyandinternationallylessonsandinsightsfromCalifornia’sexperienceelevatingattentiontoOAintothestate’spolicyframeworksforclimatechange(mitigation,adaptation),oceanstewardship(fisheries,wildlife,marineprotectedareas),andcoastalwaterquality.

• Evaluatethepotentialforandtheenvironmental,economic,andsocialcostsandbenefitsofincentivizingconsumptionoflocallysourcedseafood.

• AssesswhetherlocalsourcesofacidifyingairborneemissionsareaffectingOAratesinselectregionsofthecoast.

• Developandbiologicallysignificantindicatorsandvalues(thresholds)thatcanaidinmeasuring,evaluating,andcommunicatingpHchangesoccurringalongtheCAcoastandserveaswaterqualitygoalsandtriggersformanagementorregulatoryaction.

• BuildoninitialeffortstoadvanceandvalidatespatiallyexplicitmodelsandanalyticaltoolsthataidinaccountingforandprojectingtherelativecontributionsofdifferentsourcestoongoingandfuturepHchangesalongtheCaliforniacoast.

• DevelopandamplifyclearmessagesthatidentifyOAasamajorimpactofglobalCO2emissionsandreductionofOAasamajorbenefitofthestate’sGHGreductionefforts.

• TargetcommunicationstowardskeyaudiencesinvolvedinwatershedandlandmanagementdemonstratingthepotentiallinkagesbetweenupstreammanagementanddownstreamOA.

#4–DeployLivingSystemstoSlowOAandStoreCarbon

• Mapcurrentandprojectedfuturehabitatforseagrasses,saltmarshes,andkelpsalongtheCaliforniacoast.

• Usethegrowingnetworkofstateinvestmentsinplace-basedconservationandrestorationofseagrassmeadows,saltmarshes,andkelpforestsasasystemfor“learningbydoing”toidentifywhether,where,andhoweffectivelythesenaturalsystemscanameliorateOAandsequestercarbonovernear-andlonger-termtimelines.Translatefindingsintoprescriptiveguidance.

• InventorytheOA&sequestrationbenefitsofseagrasses,saltmarshes,andkelpsinthestatewideMPAnetwork.

• Developimprovedandcost-effectivemethodsforrestoringandrelocatingseagrasses.

• Develop&testtechnologies&managementpracticesthat

• Shareinnovativeaquacultureproductionmethodsthroughtechnicaltrainingandextension.

mighenhancethecompatibilityofaquaculturewithseagrassconservation.

• Develop&testcoupledaquacultureproductionsystemsthatintegrateseagrassesorkelpwithshellfishtoreducelocalOA.

• IdentifyandtestthepotentialofotherlivingsystemstoameiliorateOAand/orstorecarbonwhiledeliveringotherbenefits.

#5–BuildResilienceofAffectedCommunities,Industries&Interests

• Support/facilitatepublic/private/scientificpartnershipstofullyunderstandOAimplicationsfortheaquacultureindustryandtosolvepracticalproblems.

• BuildOAmonitoringcapacitiesatCalifornia’shatcherylocations.

• Developscience-basedpracticesforintegratingOAintoadaptivefisheriesmanagement.

• Supportsciencetounderstandanddevelopscenario-basedprojectionsoftheeffectsofOAactinginconcertwithotherenvironmentalchangesonCalifornia’sfisheryfoodwebsandproductivity.

• Establisharepresentativestatewideadvisorygrouptoengageinsharedlearningandidentifyingneededactions.

• LeverageCalifornia’sconveningandknowledge-sharingprocessesforclimatechangeadaptationtoshareandaccelerateinnovationandlearningaboutOA.

• DevelopacampaigntoraisepublicawarenessaboutOAcauses,impactsandsolutions.

• Establishextension-typetechnicalsupporttospeedintegrationofOAintoplanning&operationsofpotentiallyaffectedindustries.

• Advancecapacitiesinthefishingindustrytoidentifyandrespondtoshiftingrelativeabundancesoffishedspecies.

• Communicatefindingsoftheworkinggrouponecosystemresiliencetopublicandprivatesectorleaders.

#6–EngageBeyondStateBoundaries

• Developintegratedregionalmonitoringandobservationscapacities.

• Support,lead,andengageinregionalvenuesforrapidlysharingimprovedscientificunderstandingandpolicy&technicalinnovationsandinsights.

• SeizeopportunitiesforleveragingCalifornia’sOAActionPlanandOAaccomplishmentstosupportnationalOAefforts.

• AmplifyandsharetheCAmodelforelevatingattentiontoOAinclimatechangemitigation&adaptationandoceanstewardshippoliciesandactions.

• ImportlessonsfromothergeographiestospeedandimproveCalifornia’sOAefforts.

Appendix5:ASciencePlantoSupportImplementationoftheActionPlan

[AvailableOctober2018aspartofthefinalactionplan]

California Ocean Acidification Action Plan

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