The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently issued a press release announcing two scoping meetings on Aug. 10 and 11. The meetings are to help guide the environmental review of proposed marine protected areas (MPAs) along the central coast.

It's important for the public to understand the purpose of these meetings is to provide the Department ONLY with input on what should be studied during the environmental review. This is the first step in conducting a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed project. The complete meeting notice can be viewed at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/MLPA/pdfs/preferred0.pdf

Separate from these meetings, the California Fish and Game Commission will be holding a public meeting on Aug. 15 in Monterey to take public comment on the entire proposed network of MPAs along the central coast.

Due to the close proximity of these meetings, it will be important for the public to have a clear understanding of where their comments will be most relevant.

Therefore, to clarify:

?Ģ Aug. 10 in Morro Bay: CEQA scoping meeting, hosted by DFG. 2 to 4 p.m., Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Building, 209 Surf St., Morro Bay.

?Ģ Aug. 11 in Monterey: CEQA scoping meeting, hosted by DFG. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monterey Beach Resort, 2600 Sand Dunes Dr., Monterey.

?Ģ Aug. 15 in Monterey: Special MLPA meeting hosted by the California Fish and Game Commission. Agenda TBD, Monterey Beach Resort, 2600 Sand Dunes Dr., Monterey.

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) directs the state to design and manage a network of MPAs through a comprehensive program and management plan. Its primary goals are to protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage, as well as improve recreational educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems. Marine protected areas include state marine reserves, state marine parks and state marine conservation areas. For more information on MLPA visit DFG's Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/.