You can help make the Chumash Marine Sanctuary a reality. Here’s how | Opinion
We write to express our wholehearted support for the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Central California.
As former U.S. Representatives and as co-founder and a member of the National Marine Sanctuary Caucus in Congress, we understand the importance of safeguarding our nation’s coastal and marine environments for future generations.
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is a vital step toward preserving the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of California’s coastline. This area is home to a remarkable diversity of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sea otters and countless species of fish and seabirds. These waters also hold immense cultural significance for the Chumash people, whose ancestral connections to the ocean stretch back millennia.
One of the most significant pieces of legislation that underscores the importance of marine sanctuaries is the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. This landmark legislation, passed in the wake of the devastating Santa Barbara oil spill, aimed to bring attention to and safeguard our precious marine ecosystems. It served as a turning point in our nation’s commitment to preserving the marine environment by allowing the creation of national marine sanctuaries to protect areas of the ocean with special national significance such as coral reefs, historical and cultural sites and unique habitats, all of which are present within the proposed sanctuary
Working side-by-side in Congress, our bipartisan caucus worked tirelessly to support the designation and expansion of marine sanctuaries across the United States. We firmly believe that protecting these vital ecosystems is a shared responsibility, one that extends beyond party lines and political affiliations.
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary represents an opportunity to continue this legacy of environmental stewardship. The sanctuary would provide essential permanent protections for marine life, strengthen the resilience of coastal communities and support education programs, sustainable recreation and tourism. Furthermore, it would honor the Chumash Tribe’s cultural heritage and their deep connection to these waters. By protecting this area now, we will know that our children and all future generations will be able to experience the many special elements within the sanctuary, from the largest animal on earth, the blue whale, to the cute and furry sea otters that inhabit our coastal waters and delight us with their antics.
We encourage all members of our community to join us in supporting the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and urge the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to adopt the Initial Boundary Alternative and the Gaviota Coast Extension as the sanctuary boundaries. This alternative is the only option that would connect the two existing National Marine Sanctuaries in Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands, providing contiguous protection for whales and other species that migrate along the Central Coast.
The public comment period is open until Oct. 25 and your voice matters. Email www.regulations.gov/commenton/NOAA-NOS-2021-0080-1228
We urge everyone who values the unique beauty and significance of our coastal waters to submit their comments to NOAA in favor of this sanctuary.
As members of Congress, we were honored to represent many hundreds of miles of the California Coast, including those areas currently up for sanctuary consideration. Let us continue to work together to protect and conserve our oceans for current and future generations. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is an important step forward in this ongoing effort, and we stand united in our support
Congresswoman Lois Capps represented the Central Coast from 1997 to 2017. Congressman Sam Farr served from 1993 to 2013.
