Protect the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary! >>

The Chumash Tribe has been fighting to permanently protect California’s central coast for generations. We have a real shot to help them achieve that goal, but the fight isn’t over yet.

The ancient cultural sites, threatened Southern Sea otters, and vulnerable sea turtles are currently unprotected. That means greedy oil and gas developers could come in to drill away at any moment. This fragile ecosystem is depending on you.

The good news is that we’re so close to permanently banning new fossil fuel development, but we need you to help us get over the finish line. Sign now to help us reach our goal of at least 4,293 more signatures by midnight tonight.

Comments

Paul Michel, Regional Policy Coordinator
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
99 Pacific Street, Suite 100F
Monterey, CA 93940
 
RE: Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary designation (NOAA-NOS-2021-0080)

Dear Mr. Michel,

I am writing to support the swift designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. The designation of the CHNMS should include the largest possible contiguous boundaries, the Initial Boundary Alternative with the Gaviota Coast Extension (Sub-Alt 5b), because it would provide the most protection to this important area. We do not support NOAA’s Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 because they would not protect a critical area of coastline that contains important Chumash cultural sites, marine habitat, and local communities.

First, please support the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary name. It is meant to recognize people that have lived on this coast for over 10,000 years; protect the heritage of the Chumash, an ocean-going band among the First People of the Pacific Coast; and provide a timely and appropriate reminder of the cultural origins. We support equitable inclusion of all Central Coast Tribes, both federally and non-federally recognized Tribes, in collaborative management. All sanctuary stakeholders will benefit from Indigenous input.

It is vital that Sanctuary education and community outreach should partner with area schools to share information about sanctuary species and habitats and Chumash history and culture. Outreach should be multilingual, culturally relevant, and should focus on underserved communities.

In addition, regulations to protect Rodriguez Seamount should move forward. The seamount provides critical habitat for an extremely diverse and abundant array of marine life and deserves to be granted strong and permanent protection. The seamount has special national significance that warrants special protections through sanctuary designation. Once damaged, fragile seamount ecosystems may not recover in our lifetime.

The proposed CHNMS will protect our beloved ocean now that Offshore Wind (OSW) farms are being established off the Central California Coast. Sanctuary designation is needed before OSW and other environmental impacts affect the habitat, wildlife, and water quality. California’s first offshore wind projects must reflect leasing, siting, and permitting decisions that are guided by planning and comprehensive scientific research on the potential impacts to sensitive marine areas and species and coastal resources, including cumulative impacts.

I support the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. I urge the Administration to designate the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to allow current and future generations to enjoy, protect, and benefit from our ocean’s many treasures.

Sincerely,
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