Catherine Kuhlman June 28 OPC Meeting

Problem Statement There is a growing concern that nutrient inputs may be contributing to increasing frequency and toxicity of harmful algal blooms and potentially could locally effect the ocean’s acidity.

Proposal A partnership with UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability Coastal Center and Southern California Coastal Water Project Authority Requesting $375K of OPC funding Will leverage further funding and partnerships

Why is this Funding Important Now? Harmful algal blooms and acidification appear to be increasing Builds on existing models in the data rich southern California bight Will assist future Clean Water Act decisions that the SWRCB will need to make Will inform efforts of the OA & Hypoxia panel OPC can to demonstrate leadership

Proposal’s Two Major Outputs for Resource Managers Modeling results that identify the spatial and temporal scales at which current and future anthropogenic inputs have a significant effect on productivity, hypoxia and acidification Analyses quantifying the net change in hypoxia and acidification versus costs associated with different discharge management scenarios

Conclusion Asking the Council to approve $375k which will leverage partner resources to further our knowledge of ocean acidification and hypoxia to inform management decision-making