1) The marine community in the inter- and subtidal is extremely diverse, and incorporates southern species not found at Bodega Bay. The algal, invertebrate and fish assemblages are all well known for their richness and diversity.

2) The lab has a stairway and easy access to the subtidal for diving work, though rough seas make scheduling difficult from October through May. We could easily retrofit some areas for dive lockers. The subtidal has lots of vertical relief, visibility is excellent, and the flora and fauna are spectacular.

3) The 4.5 acre site will be subject to native plant restoration after removal of exotics and grading for the cleanup. The area could be of interest for plant succession or coastal vegetation studies.

4) The existing staff produce at least five or six publications per year, and there is an active ETox program here that is self-funded from relatively secure sources.

5) This is an ideal site for marine mammal and bird studies. NMFS uses the site to monitor the gray whale migration, there is a large pinniped colony on the Soberanes rocks in view of the lab a half-mile to the north, and otters can be seen from the cliff every day. A number of bird species feed and nest on the rocks and cliff below the lab.

6) The site is close to other UC field stations, including agriculture research stations in Salinas and near Watsonville. We are currently doing a lot of agriculture related toxicology work, and collaboration among field stations would be relatively easy and likely productive.