Harbor at Morro Bay; Photo by Robert Schwemmer
On November 10, NOAA began a 60-day comment period (ends January 10, 2022) for the public to tell NOAA what they think about the proposed designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. As NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad stated in a video announcement:
Some of the earliest documented human occupations of North America are found along California’s Central Coast. This is where multiple bands of Chumash and other indigenous peoples thrived and served as the first stewards of the rich waters, and abundant wildlife for thousands of years.
In 2015, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council nominated The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. It was added to the Sanctuary Inventory in October 2015 and renewed for another five years in September 2020.
The proposed sanctuary has extensive kelp forests, vast sandy beaches, and coastal dunes. Its wetlands are nursery grounds for numerous commercial and recreational fish species as well as important habitat for many threatened and endangered species such as blue whales, southern sea otter, black abalone, snowy plovers, and leatherback sea turtles.
The proposed area is approximately 7,600 acres and includes 156 miles of coastline. It extends offshore to include Santa Lucia Bank, Rodriguez Seamount, and Arguello Canyon.
Map of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
The coastal communities in the proposed sanctuary footprint are economic centers of activity. The area is a historically important transportation corridor. More than 200 shipwrecks, two of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, rest on the ocean floor.
“This special section of coast supports a way of life for many communities that rely on commercial fishing and enjoy recreational fishing, kayaking, surfing, diving, and wildlife watching. NOAA heard strong support from tribal leaders, a diverse set of groups, state officials, and several members of the California congressional delegation for moving forward with this proposed national marine sanctuary,” said Spinrad in a news release.
How to comment
Jalama Beach; Photo by Robert Schwemmer
To submit written comments, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal. The process is as easy as clicking on the “Comment” icon, completing the required fields, and entering or attaching your comments.
NOAA is looking for specific feedback including:
- Sanctuary name
- Sanctuary boundary
- Compatible uses
- Threats a new sanctuary would address
- How best to promote marine science and education initiatives
There will be three virtual meetings for public comments. You must register in advance of the meeting using the registration links below each date.
Virtual public meeting 1:
Date and Time: Dec 8, 2021 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
Registration
Virtual public meeting 2:
Date and Time: Dec 13, 2021 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST
Registration
Virtual public meeting 3:
Date and Time: Jan 6, 2021 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST
Registration
Timeline to designation
This action by NOAA’s Office of Marine Sanctuaries is a step forward in a process that takes time. Following the public comment period, NOAA will draft a proposal (likely available to the public late 2022) which will have its own comment period. If NOAA decides to proceed with the nomination, it will prepare the final documents (likely available to the public in the fall of 2023) and review them with State of California’s officials and the U.S. Congress. Official designation action will take place after that review.
The Network will follow the progress of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and provide updates as actions warrant.
I thorough approve of and applaud the protection of a new national marine sanctuary off the central California coast and its designation as the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. This habitat has inestimable inherent value and provides ecosystem services of incalculable importance.