The Foundation is engaged in a partnership with The Nature
Conservancy and the Central Coast Natural History Association to
organize and promote land aquisition activities in the San Luis Obispo
County area. Common Ground is currently developing a long range plan
for the Irish Hills and coastal plains that extend from the southern
boundary of Montana de Oro State Park to the Indian Knob area in the
south. The Bay Foundation is the lead organization in implementing this
planning effort, with funding provided by the California State Coastal
Conservancy.
The Foundation and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality
Control Board coauthored the Governor of California's Nomination of
Morro Bay to the USEPA National Estuary Program. The Foundation,
working in partnership with the Regional Board, receives federal
funding for support of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program(MBNEP).
The Morro Bay Program was the first in the nation to receive the
majority of its USEPA funding through a private non-profit foundation.
The Program is entering the implementation phase of its Comprehensive
Conservation Management Plan for the Morro Bay Estuary. The
implementation phase will shift the focus of the MBNEP from developing
plans for "what to do" to actually doing things to restore, enhance,
and protect the bay. In addition to its role as primary grant
recipient, the Foundation is represented on the MBNEP's Policy
Committee, Executive Committee, and Watershed Committee, and also
provides technical assistance to the program.
The Morro Bay Restoration and
Enhancement Fund
In 1997, an agreement between the United States Department of
Justice, the California State Attorney's Office, the State Water
Resources Control Board, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality
Control Board, the USEPA, and the Federal Court resulted in the
Foundation becoming trustee for $3,660,000 dollars, for the purpose of
restoring, conserving, and enhancing the Morro Bay Estuary. As of this
date (April 2000) the principal balance in this fund is approximately
$4,600,000. The Foundation works with the Morro Bay National Estuary
Program and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board to
apply these funds in the most effective ways. The fund's use is
restricted to implementation efforts only. By mutual consent, use of
the fund for administrative support of these organizations is strictly
prohibited.
The US Army Corps of Engineers Habitat
Restoration Project
The Foundation, working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
the City of Morro Bay and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program,
initiated a Reconnaisance Study of Morro Bay National Estuary habitat
restoration projects to be conducted by the Corps. The first phase of
this project was funded by the Corps and is now complete. The City of
Morro Bay acted as local sponsor for the initial study. The City and
the Policy Committee of the Morro Bay National Estuary program have
passed responsibilities for local sponsorship to the Foundation. Two
phases remain in this project: the Feasibility Study phase and the
implementation phase. The Feasibility Study phase requires a 50% local
cost share. The Implementation Phase requires a 35% local cost share
for actual project construction. Initial funding for the Feasibility
Study has been authorized by the Policy Committee of the Morro Bay
National Estuary Program. Program Staff will act as local project
management during the Feasibility Study Phase of the program.
Common Ground Plan
Development