CMANC
is a consortium of California harbors, ports and marine interest
groups. The mission of CMANC is to optimize California maritime
benefits by providing advocacy for the maintenance and improvement
of California harbors, ports and navigation projects. CMANC
works with the California legislature and congressional delegation
to make sure that California maritime interests are supported
by the federal and state government to the greatest extent possible.
ORIGIN/DEVELOPMENT
The Marine Affairs
and Navigation Conference originated in San Francisco in the
1950's as a regional committee concerned with navigational civil
works. It provided a common means and mechanism for regional
ports, counties, and development agencies and others interested
in navigational improvements, to join in seeking favorable public
decisions and support of their projects. Such was the need for
a statewide approach and coordination, to represent all interest,
that Governor Edmond "Pat" Brown asked C-MANC to expand
to take on that assignment. The result was testimony for the
first time in 1959 for federal funding on a multiple-port basis.
TODAY'S C-MANC
Current membership
embraces a wide variety of public members, joined in common
interests in support of commercial deep draft and recreational
navigation projects, together with related undertakings, such
as beach erosion, dredging impact, and taxing policies on navigation,
seeking regulatory reforms, and to assure adequate recognition
of the importance of commercial navigation, fisheries and water-related
recreation. Membership does not restrict nor inhibit any member,
public or industry, from exercising fullest right to present
views, testimony or to take other actions, independently of
or in opposition to those pursued by C-MANC.
The Conference assures
the fullest coordination and maximum support of its recommendations
and testimony to the Congress, Corps of Engineers, Office of
Management and Budget, State of California and to other Federal,
State and local agencies as may be involved in navigation and
related public works.
By voluntary participation
of public and private agencies and organizations, the Conference
offers maximum input of planning, expertise and analyses toward
meeting the needs of navigation, fisheries and water-related
recreation, through efficient utilization of harbors, channels,
waterways and coastal resources. Through its public membership
and by liaison with other official bodies, the Conference endeavors
to assure that the projects and programs that it supports best
serve the general welfare of the State and the Nation.
CMANC reviews proposals,
legislation and administrative actions by government agencies
which - if found to be without adequate consideration of all
the elements involved in meeting the needs for navigation, fishing
industry, coastal resources and recreation - or lacking appreciation
of the impact of efficient, waterborne transportation and its
security aspects - are modified or are opposed.
Fullest Cooperation
is provided to public and private agencies to maximize total
ecological evaluation in all projects, and to incorporate environmental
enhancement as a major criterion - with inclusion of economic
well-being as part of such analyses.
PROGRAMS AND
ACTIVITIES
Membership meetings
are scheduled by CMANC, with full sessions regularly held in
the fall (in Northern California) and winter (in Southern California).
They include business sessions, Board and committee meetings,
hospitality and social events, spouse program and usually a
tour or other organized inspection/orientation- of a project
or activity meaningful to the membership.
In addition to these
regular, semi-annual meetings, there are other events providing
opportunity to meet similarly interested and concerned members,
port officials and others involved in C-MANC's objectives and
activities. Each June, a special membership seminar is held
in Sacramento, designed to increase the knowledge and effectiveness
of members on behalf of their projects and interests, dealing
with such subjects as project funding, regulatory and environmental
issues, state legislative developments, disaster planning and
the like.
An annual highlight
is "California Week on Capitol Hill" usually in April,
scheduled by CMANC to carry out its role as the State of California-designated
body to present coordinated formal testimony on behalf of port,
harbor, coastal engineering and related federal projects. Coordinated
events include the Waterways Roundtable Luncheon, group calls
on key federal agencies and congressional members and their
staff to exchange views and information, briefing sessions and
an opening CMANC-sponsored reception. There is also a Caucus
breakfast immediately preceding the calls on key federal agencies
and congressional members and their staff.
Since its inception
in 1959, the C-MANC sponsored annual Golden State Reception
during "California Week" has evolved into a social
and gourmet highlight on Capitol Hill. With more than 500 guests
in attendance, the foods, beverages and products of California
are presented in a buffet format. A well-experienced team of CMANC member volunteers
put the event together greeting guests and extending "California
hospitality" wherever possible.
Highly acclaimed
and warmly appreciated, the Reception has become known for its
opportunity to maximize contacts and meet people as well as
renew acquaintanceships. It provides an ideal forum and format
for displaying the variety of resources of the Golden State
and demonstrating the appreciation through CMANC of the key
role the Corps of Engineers, the Congress and the federal government
in general, have played in the State's development.
