The finish line is in sight on the biggest environmental win for the Central Coast in this century. As we go to press, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is preparing to release for public review the Environmental Assessment and draft management documents for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
A 60-day public comment period will ensue, followed by an internal review, which will be followed by the designation of the sanctuary. This will be the last chance for the public to weigh in with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the proposed sanctuary's draft designation documents. This will determine the final boundaries, permitted activities, and general regulations of the marine sanctuary.
More than 30,000 people, including hundreds of Central Coast residents, elected officials, more than 30 regional businesses, and eight conservation organizations with local Central Coast chapters expressed support for the marine sanctuary during NOAA’s initial designation scoping process in January 2022.
It will bridge the gap between the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. These waters include internationally significant undersea features, wildlife habitat, and submerged Chumash sites dating back more than 9,000 years. Unique to this region, the proposed marine sanctuary encompasses the western slope of the underwater Santa Lucia Bank at the base of the continental shelf, a 3,000-meter-deep submarine canyon, three major nutrient upwellings, spawning areas and rookeries, and feeding areas and migration lanes for 13 species of whales and dolphins.
It has been estimated that a national marine sanctuary off the Central Coast will generate at least $23 million in economic activity and create 600 new jobs.
Sierra Club members in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura Counties are about to get a postcard with a QR code you can scan with your phone and add your name to our support petition to NOAA. We ask all other readers to go to https://chumashsanctuary.org/ and check back in the days to come as we review the NOAA documents. And check your email for the latest alerts. You can also submit you own comments by mail. Write to:
Paul Michel, NOAA Sanctuaries
West Coast Regional Office
99 Pacific Street, Building 100F
Monterey, CA 93940
Documents
Comments (Due October 25, 2023)
Draft Management Plan
Also on Aug 24, California law makers Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Alex Padilla, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) applauded the release by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the draft designation for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the central coast of California: “The Central Coast has pursued this sanctuary designation for decades, and as our oceans and our communities are facing unprecedented challenges from a changing marine environment, this draft comes at a critical time for our region,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I look forward to working with NOAA, the Commerce Department, and all local stakeholders for making the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary official by the end of this Congress.”
“The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would protect one of the largest remaining kelp forests, helping to combat climate change while preserving sacred Chumash cultural sites. It’s wonderful news that NOAA is moving forward on this designation,” Senator Feinstein said.
“The waters off the Central Coast hold sacred Chumash history and play host to a vibrant ecosystem of endangered species and diverse habitats,” said Senator Padilla. “Designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would strengthen marine research, education, and conservation along the coast while incorporating the values and traditions of surrounding Indigenous communities. I am committed to working with NOAA officials, other legislators, Tribal leaders, and local stakeholders to secure crucial protections for this vital marine ecosystem.”
“Preserving the beauty of the central coast of California means that we have a shared responsibility to create certain safeguards for our oceans and coastal resources,” said Rep. Panetta. Closer to this ambitious goal as he has helped to conserve 567,290 land acres plus 777,000 square miles (equivalent to 497,280,000 acres of land) of the Pacific Ocean. This is truly a time for celebration.