DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE30TH SPACE WING (AFSPC)

Mr. John KirlinExecutive DirectorMarine Life Protection Act Initiativeclo California Resources Agency1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311Sacramento CA 95814

3 T~w ;).00 G:.

Col Franklin R. Wolf30 SWICV747 Nebraska Ave, Suite A-200Vandenberg AFB CA 93437-5000

Dear Mr. Kirlin

As you know, we have been an involved Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) InitiativeStakeholders Group member. While the Air Force supports the MLPA Initiative, we cannotsupport its implementation within Vandenberg Air Force Base's (VAFB's) military operatingarea. VAFB supports critical national defense military missions. Therefore, we find underCalifornia Public Resources Code, Section 36711, that any marine protected area (MPA)classifications within VAFB's military operating area would be inconsistent with mission criticalUnited States military activities.

We have attached a map depicting VAFB's operating area within the 3 mile limit of CaliforniaCoastal Waters. This map provides overlays of the Danger Zones and Restricted Areas thatimpact coastal waters. The military uses VAFB's operating area for critical spacelift, ballistic,aeronautical, and training operations.

We respect the MLPA Initiative and appreciate the great work you and your staff are doing.We look forward to continuing to work with you. Please don't hesitate to call us if you needmore information..

My point of contact for this effort is Mr. Walter Schobel, Airspace and Offshore ManagementFlight Chief at 805-606-3602.

Sincerely

FRANKLIN WWOLFColonel, USAFVice Commander

Attachment:

Vandenberg Operations Map

GUARDIANSOF THE HIGHFRONTIER

North base launchesresult inthe closure of some or all.ofdanger zones 1 - 5.

South baselaunches resultinthe clbsEJre'bfsOlTieor all ofdangerzones4 ...9.

All zones are affected byCEJrrentmissions. This trend isexpected to continue with fUturemission!requirements.

Vandenberg AFB

Restricted Airspace(USAF authority AP-1 )

Danger Zones(USAF authority 33 CFR 334.1130)

I 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 IMiles

California Marine Life Protection Act InitiativeBlue Ribbon Task Force

Phil Isenberg. ChairIsenberg/O'Haren, Government Relations

William AndersonWestrec Marina Management, Inc.

Meg CaldwellStanford Law School

Ann D'Amato

Los Angeles City Attorney's Office

Susan GoldingThe Golding Group, Inc.

Dr. Jane Pisano

Natural History Museum of LA. County

Cathy Reheis-BoydWestern States Petroleum Association

Douglas P. WheelerHogan & Harlson, LLP

John J. Kirlin. Executive Director

Califomia Resources Agency

1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311

Sacramento. CA 95814

916.653.5656 phone

916.653.8102 facsimile

www.dfg.ca.gov/mrdlmlpa

January 9,2006

Mike ChrismanSecretary, California Resources Agency1416 Ninth St., Suite 1311Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Secretary Chrisman:

I am attaching a faxed letter received January 4, 2006, from Colonel FranklinR. Wolf, Vice Commander, 30thSpace Wing, Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The letter finds that any marine protected areas within Vandenberg's militaryoperating areas would be inconsistent with mission critical United Statesmilitary activities, citing California Public Resources Code Section 36711.

Resolution of this issue appears to me to lie outside the competence of theMLPA Initiative and I ask you to refer it to the appropriate decision makerswithin the Resources Agency or elsewhere.

I will also take the letter to the Blue Ribbon Task Force at their next meeting,January 31-February, 2006. At that time, I anticipate recommending theyproceed to consider the proposals of networks of MPAs that are comingforward without consideration of this issue. The issue can then be addressedas a preferred alternative is developed by the Department of Fish and Gameand considered by the Fish and Game Commission.

I am personally hopeful that a mutually agreeable outcome is possible that willallow protection of marine resources as anticipated in the proposals beingdeveloped in the MLPA Initiative while the United States Air Force is well ableto fulfill its critical national defense responsibilities.

i;£-:-John J. Kirlin

Cc: Phil IsenbergColonel Wolf

5 TAT E 0 F CALIFORNIA ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor

MIKE CHRISMAN, Secretary

~ r'e S L)rLI reesA G E N c y

January 23, 2006

Colonel Franklin R. Wolf30 SWICV747 Nebraska Avenue, Suite A-200Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437-5000

Dear Colonel Wolf,

Dr. John Kirlin, the Executive Director of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative(MLPA Initiative), has provided me with a copy of your January 3,2006 letterraising concerns about the implementation of the MLPA Initiative within theoffshore operating area of the Vandenberg Air Force Base. I am interested inworking with the Air Force to identify an outcome that would allow the state tofulfill its mandates under the MLPA, while protecting the critical military mission ofthe United States Air Force. I believe that by working together we can come to asolution that would be mutually beneficial to both parties.

As you know, the state is committed to designing an effective network of marineprotected areas as mandated by MLPA. We believe that the designation ofmarine protected areas in state waters within your operating areas would notcompromise your mission. However,we recognize the significant challengesfaced by the military and would like to work with you to explore feasible solutions.

Per your suggestion, Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy, BrianBaird, will contact Walter Schobel, Airspace and Offshore Management FlightChief, to set up a meeting to discuss this issue in full detail. We look forward toworking with you and Mr. Schobel on this issue.

Sincerely,

~~Mike Chrisman

Secretary for Resources

cc: Congresswoman Louis CappsPhil Isenberg

vJohn Kirlin

1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311, Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph. 916.653.5656 Fax 916.653.8102 http://resources.ca.gov

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