SEND YOUR COMMENT TO THE DOI: Protect our wild places from fossil fuel destruction!

The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would protect 4.4 MILLION acres of coastal waters if approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Chumash tribes are leading this effort to preserve cultural sites and safeguard wildlife. But as offshore oil drilling expands, the proposed sanctuary remains unprotected

Comments

To: The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

I am writing in support of the designation of all 156 miles of coastline proposed by the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in order to protect ocean biodiversity and habitats.

The waters off the Central Coast of California are some of the most biologically diverse and ecologically productive regions in the world. Fed by deepwater upwelling and ocean currents, the nutrient-rich waters off San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara Counties create an incredibly productive feeding ground that attracts a menagerie of marine wildlife. These diverse habitats are crucial for vulnerable species and constitute critical habitat for several culturally and ecologically important species. The proposed Chumash Heritage NMS would enhance and expand efforts to understand climate change, protect biodiversity, and build resilience along the West Coast and worldwide through the application of Tribal Ecological Knowledge.

In addition, the proposed boundaries of the Chumash Heritage NMS are consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration's complementary goals to tackle the climate crisis per Executive Order 14008. NOAA’s suggested boundaries exclude the area that overlaps with Morro Bay 399 Area, slated for offshore wind energy development. Swift transition to renewable energy can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Furthermore, the proposed sanctuary boundaries also exclude Morro Bay harbor and Port San Luis, hence conservation of priceless marine resources will not hinder the region’s economic activity.

In memory of the work of Tribal Chair Fred Collins, the original nominator, I support the naming of the sanctuary: the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Leaders and Members of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council have campaigned for over 40 years to establish the proposed Chumash Heritage NMS. Tribal Chair Fred Collins and his daughter, Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker, have worked hand in hand every day for the last 25 years to advance this designation through NOAA processes. To honor the legacy of Chair Fred Collins, we must name the proposed sanctuary Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Thank you for considering my opinion, and I look forward to seeing you declare the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Sincerely,  
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