Difference between revisions of "Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)"

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California's Central Coast is one of the state's most intensive agricultural regions, with the Salinas Valley being the nation's top vegetable producer. The agricultural activity and rapid urban growth associated with the industry pose a significant threat to adjacent aquatic habitats and therefore the MBNMS, into which they drain. Several studies in the region have shown that water and sediment samples from numerous drainage channels, rivers, and estuaries (such as [[Elkhorn Slough]]) contain toxic contaminants at high concentrations. <ref> Hunt JW, Anderson BS, Phillips BM, Nicely PN, Tjeerdema RS, Puckett HM, Stephenson M, Worcester K and Vlaming V. 2003. Ambient toxicity due to chloropyrifos and diazinon in a Central California coastal watershed. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2003(82):83-100. </ref> In addition to impacting water and sediment quality, human activity in this area has also resulted in negative impacts to habitat quality and abundance. Inputs of nutrients and contaminants such as fecal bacteria, pesticides, oil, grease, metals, and detergents<ref>[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/water-pro.html]</ref> contribute to an increase in the frequency of hypoxia, [[eutrophication]], and algal bloom events, which are harmful to the many sensitive species that inhabit the watershed, coastline, nearshore, and offshore environments. <ref> Monterey Bay 2015 Condition Report Update [[https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/condition/monterey-bay-2015/abstract.html]] </ref> Other environmental issues of concern that stem from terrestrial impacts include toxoplasmosis in Southern sea otters due to [[Urban Discharges to Areas of Special Biological Significance on Monterey Peninsula|improper waste disposal]],<ref> [https://www.kqed.org/quest/20/discuss-the-whats-killing-the-sea-otters-tv-segment What's Killing the Sea Otters?] February 6, 2007</ref> [[Coastal Retreat in California's Central Coast Region|coastal retreat]], and increased concentrations of microplastics.
 
California's Central Coast is one of the state's most intensive agricultural regions, with the Salinas Valley being the nation's top vegetable producer. The agricultural activity and rapid urban growth associated with the industry pose a significant threat to adjacent aquatic habitats and therefore the MBNMS, into which they drain. Several studies in the region have shown that water and sediment samples from numerous drainage channels, rivers, and estuaries (such as [[Elkhorn Slough]]) contain toxic contaminants at high concentrations. <ref> Hunt JW, Anderson BS, Phillips BM, Nicely PN, Tjeerdema RS, Puckett HM, Stephenson M, Worcester K and Vlaming V. 2003. Ambient toxicity due to chloropyrifos and diazinon in a Central California coastal watershed. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2003(82):83-100. </ref> In addition to impacting water and sediment quality, human activity in this area has also resulted in negative impacts to habitat quality and abundance. Inputs of nutrients and contaminants such as fecal bacteria, pesticides, oil, grease, metals, and detergents<ref>[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/water-pro.html]</ref> contribute to an increase in the frequency of hypoxia, [[eutrophication]], and algal bloom events, which are harmful to the many sensitive species that inhabit the watershed, coastline, nearshore, and offshore environments. <ref> Monterey Bay 2015 Condition Report Update [[https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/condition/monterey-bay-2015/abstract.html]] </ref> Other environmental issues of concern that stem from terrestrial impacts include toxoplasmosis in Southern sea otters due to [[Urban Discharges to Areas of Special Biological Significance on Monterey Peninsula|improper waste disposal]],<ref> [https://www.kqed.org/quest/20/discuss-the-whats-killing-the-sea-otters-tv-segment What's Killing the Sea Otters?] February 6, 2007</ref> [[Coastal Retreat in California's Central Coast Region|coastal retreat]], and increased concentrations of microplastics.
  
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== Water Quality Programs ==
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== Water Quality Protection Program and Action Plans==
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In order to address the many environmental vulnerabilities of the MBNMS due to issues originating in the region's watersheds,  a consortium of eight federal, state, and local agencies collaborated on a [[Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP)]].  The [https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/comm.html WQPP] works to protect the MBNMS using programs like the following:
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In order to address the many environmental vulnerabilities of the MBNMS due to issues originating in the region's watersheds,  a consortium of eight federal, state, and local agencies collaborated on a [[Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP)]].  The [https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/comm.html WQPP] committee works to protect the MBNMS using the following action plans that specifically target terrestrial issues.
  
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=== Agriculture and Rural ===
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*Urban Runoff Action Plan<ref> Urban Runoff. National Ocean Service. [https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/urban.html]</ref>
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In order to maintain the pristine nature of the MBNMS and support the local agricultural industry, farmers and agencies have created the Agriculture Water Quality Alliance ([http://www.awqa.org/ AWQA]).  The AWQA promotes a voluntary stewardship-based approach as outlined in the "[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/reports/agactioniv_99/welcome.html Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan]."  Since their conception in 1999, the [[AWQA]] has strove to promote education, research, and technological advancement help reduce agricultural runoff.
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*Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan<ref> Agricultural and Rural Lands Action Plan. National Ocean Service. [https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/ag.html]</ref>
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*Wetlands and Riparian Corridors Action Plan<ref> Protecting Water Quality in Wetlands and Riparian Corridors. National Ocean Service. [https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/wetlands_plan.html]</ref>
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=== Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network ===
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*Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network Action Plan<ref> Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network. National Ocean Service. [https://montereybay.noaa.gov/monitoringnetwork/welcome.html] </ref>
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The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network (The Network) is a group of citizen science monitoring groups that study the health of the watersheds entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  The Network organizes a series of monitoring events throughout the year.<ref>
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''National Ocean Service''
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[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/monitoringnetwork/welcome.html Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network]
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December 9, 2019
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</ref>
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==== Snapshot Day ====
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Snapshot day takes place annually on the first Saturday in May.  Trained volunteers from nearby counties collect a "snapshot" of watershed health by collecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity field data and collect water samples to be analyzed for nutrient and bacteria levels in a laboratory. <ref>
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''National Ocean Service''
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[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/getinvolved/volunteer/snapshotday.html Snapshot Day]
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December 9, 2019
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</ref>
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==== Urban Watch ====
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The Urban Watch Program takes place during the dry summer months.  The goal is to help inform cities so they can understand sources of pollution into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  Volunteers collect field measurements of pH, temperature, and conductivity and collect samples that are checked for ammonia, phosphate, chlorine, and detergents.<ref name=>
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''National Ocean Service''
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[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/getinvolved/volunteer/urbanwatch.html Urban Watch]
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December 9, 2019
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</ref>
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==== First Flush ====
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First Flush occurs annually during the first "significant" rain of the water year (typically in the fall).  The goal of First Flush is to understand the storm water that flows into the MBNMS by monitoring storm drain outfalls.  Field data is collected for temperature, conductivity, transparency, and pH. Lab samples are checked for bacterial content, metals, nutrients, and suspended solids. <ref>
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''National Ocean Service''
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[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/getinvolved/volunteer/firstflush.html First Flush]
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December 9, 2019
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</ref>
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=== Urban Runoff ===
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Urban runoff includes non-point source pollution which requires a more comprehensive management approach.  To address Urban Runoff, the MBNMS has outlined "Action Plan I" to address urban runoff.<ref>
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''National Ocean Service''
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[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/urban.html Urban Runoff]
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December 9, 2019
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</ref>
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===Wetlands and Riparian Corridors ===
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In collaboration with the Central Coast Wetlands Group ([https://www.mlml.calstate.edu/ccwg/ CCWG]), the Wetlands and Riparian Corridors Action Plan collects goals and strategies to protect and monitor the Central Coast's wetlands.  Other involved groups are the Integrated Watershed Restoration Program (IWRP), The [[Elkhorn Slough Foundation|Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)]], and [[The Watershed Institute]].<ref>
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''National Ocean Service''
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[https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/wetlands_plan.html Wetlands and Riparian Corridors]
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December 9, 2019
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</ref>
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== References ==
 
== References ==

Revision as of 15:15, 8 April 2020

A map of the boundaries of the MBNMS https://montereybay.noaa.gov

An environmental summary created by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

This page is an introduction to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) with specific emphasis on the relationship between the MBNMS and the coastal and terrestrial environment.

General Information

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) was designated on September 18, 1992 by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration under the auspices of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act for its diverse biological and cultural qualities. The MBNMS includes 276 miles of shoreline from Rocky Point in Marin County southward to Cambria in San Luis Obispo County, extending an average of 30 miles offshore. Roughly the size of the state of Connecticut, it covers 6,094 square miles of ocean - its deepest point at the Davidson Seamount (3,884 meters in depth). The MBNMS hosts 36 different species of mammals, over 180 species of seabird and shorebirds, at least 525 species of fish, four species of marine turtles, 31 different phyla of invertebrates, and over 450 species of marine algae. [1]

Central Coast Watersheds and Sub-Watersheds that drain into MBNMS

The MBNMS is fed by several watersheds in the California's Central Coast Region, many of which are affected by heavy urban and agricultural activity [2] that can ultimately affect many biotic and abiotic factors in the bay. Below is a non-exhaustive list of watersheds that drain into MBNMS (listed from north to south):

Major coastal watersheds that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Map produced by NOAA. [3]

Santa Cruz County

Monterey County

Terrestrial impacts

California's Central Coast is one of the state's most intensive agricultural regions, with the Salinas Valley being the nation's top vegetable producer. The agricultural activity and rapid urban growth associated with the industry pose a significant threat to adjacent aquatic habitats and therefore the MBNMS, into which they drain. Several studies in the region have shown that water and sediment samples from numerous drainage channels, rivers, and estuaries (such as Elkhorn Slough) contain toxic contaminants at high concentrations. [4] In addition to impacting water and sediment quality, human activity in this area has also resulted in negative impacts to habitat quality and abundance. Inputs of nutrients and contaminants such as fecal bacteria, pesticides, oil, grease, metals, and detergents[5] contribute to an increase in the frequency of hypoxia, eutrophication, and algal bloom events, which are harmful to the many sensitive species that inhabit the watershed, coastline, nearshore, and offshore environments. [6] Other environmental issues of concern that stem from terrestrial impacts include toxoplasmosis in Southern sea otters due to improper waste disposal,[7] coastal retreat, and increased concentrations of microplastics.

Water Quality Protection Program and Action Plans

In order to address the many environmental vulnerabilities of the MBNMS due to issues originating in the region's watersheds, a consortium of eight federal, state, and local agencies collaborated on a Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP). The WQPP committee works to protect the MBNMS using the following action plans that specifically target terrestrial issues.

  • Urban Runoff Action Plan[8]
  • Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan[9]
  • Wetlands and Riparian Corridors Action Plan[10]
  • Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network Action Plan[11]

References

  1. ↑ National Ocean Service Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Overview December 09, 2019
  2. ↑ CSUMB Class ENVS 660: Caudillo A, Gennaro M, Klein J, Kortman S, Kwan-Davis R, Wandke J, Olson J. 2019. Quantfifying microplastics in urban and agricultural watersheds in the Monterey Peninsula. Watershed Institute, California State University Monterey Bay, Publication No. WI-2019-09.
  3. ↑ Available from: [1]
  4. ↑ Hunt JW, Anderson BS, Phillips BM, Nicely PN, Tjeerdema RS, Puckett HM, Stephenson M, Worcester K and Vlaming V. 2003. Ambient toxicity due to chloropyrifos and diazinon in a Central California coastal watershed. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2003(82):83-100.
  5. ↑ [2]
  6. ↑ Monterey Bay 2015 Condition Report Update [[3]]
  7. ↑ What's Killing the Sea Otters? February 6, 2007
  8. ↑ Urban Runoff. National Ocean Service. [4]
  9. ↑ Agricultural and Rural Lands Action Plan. National Ocean Service. [5]
  10. ↑ Protecting Water Quality in Wetlands and Riparian Corridors. National Ocean Service. [6]
  11. ↑ Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network. National Ocean Service. [7]

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.

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