Tell NOAA to approve the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary! >>

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save a critical ecosystem from fossil fuel greed. But the window is closing fast, which is why I need you to help us out right now.

The Chumash Tribe has been building to this moment for generations – and your support will help make their demands a reality. The important cultural sites, sea turtles, snowy egrets, and dolphins that will be protected need your help.

Take just 30 seconds right now to send our petition to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration. If they hear from enough environmentalists like you before this final comment period closes, we can protect our oceans and their history.

Comments

Paul Michel, Regional Policy Coordinator

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

99 Pacific Street, Suite 100F

Monterey, CA 93940

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 who 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 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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