The MLPA Initiative was established to help the State of California implement the MLPA. From 2004 to 2012, the MLPA Initiative (a public-private partnership between CDFW, the California Natural Resources Agency, and Resources Legacy Fund Foundation) directed and informed four regional, science-guided and stakeholder-driven MPA design and siting processes. This was accomplished by using the best readily-available science and the advice and assistance of scientists, resource managers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public.
In the first phase of the MLPA Initiative, a master plan framework was created to help guide the planning process within individual geographic areas, called study (or planning) regions. After the framework was created, regional MPA planning processes began.