The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary has reached an important milestone on its path to designation.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary reaches historic milestone
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Monday, September 9, 2024
Northern Chumash Tribal member Violet Sage Walker (left) has fought for decades for a federal marine sanctuary designation. Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])
The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary has reached an important milestone on its path to designation. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement ([link removed]) for the proposed sanctuary. The agency’s preferred alternative would include 4,543 square miles of coastal and offshore waters along 116 miles of California’s central coast. It would become the third largest sanctuary in the National Marine Sanctuary System and the first Indigenous-proposed sanctuary in the country.
Members of the Northern Chumash Tribe have advocated for protecting the area as a marine sanctuary for decades. “This is a huge moment for the Chumash People and all who have tirelessly supported our campaign over the years,” said Violet Sage Walker ([link removed]) , chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council.
NOAA received more than 110,000 comments ([link removed]) from the public during a 60-day public comment period that ended October 2023, with over 99 percent supporting the sanctuary designation. After 30 days the final management plan and regulations can be released, with the official sanctuary designation expected later this year.
“We would not be celebrating this important milestone today were it not for the decades of leadership from the Northern Chumash Tribe and other California Indigenous people and community members who have worked tirelessly to establish the nation’s first Indigenous-proposed marine sanctuary,” said Lauren Bogard ([link removed]) , Director of Campaigns and Special Projects at the Center for Western Priorities. “Thank you, President Biden, for listening to the Tribal and community leaders who have been leading this effort for the past 40 years.”
** Quick hits
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Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary reaches historic milestone
Sierra Sun Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Monterey Herald ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | KCLU ([link removed]) | Center for Western Priorities
([link removed]) [press release] | NOAA ([link removed]) [press release]
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Denver Post ([link removed])
Editorial: Utah’s latest land-grab lawsuit has no legal leg to stand on
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E&E News ([link removed])
Interior lacks staff to track unpaid oil royalties, GAO finds
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Opinion: Why hunters and conservationists support the administration’s public lands rules
Nevada Independent ([link removed])
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Forest Service issues draft decision to resume mining at Idaho’s Stibnite Gold Mine
Idaho Capital Sun ([link removed]) | Forbes ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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Utah always has been, and always will be, a public lands state. Utah officials should stop repeatedly picking new fights with our federal government, which only demonstrates to agency administrators and to members of Congress that we are not a good negotiating partner.”
—Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
Prairie sunflowers and dunes in warm early morning light in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The contrast between these vibrant blooms and the dunes is magical during this wet summer.
Have a great weekend! 🌻
Photo by Patrick Myers / @greatsanddunesnps ([link removed])
#greatsanddunes ([link removed]) #sunflowers ([link removed]) #wildflowers ([link removed]) #usinterior ([link removed])
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