Anonymous,
Picture a place where dolphins leap through sparkling waves and whales explore magnificent underwater canyons and mountains. Gulls dance in the breeze overhead, seals raise their pups on rocky beaches, and sea otters frolic through lush kelp forests that can grow as much as 10 inches in a day.[1]
This is the site of the proposed Chumash ocean sanctuary. This 140-mile long stretch of Californian coastal waters is home to wonderful wildlife above and below the waves -- but it's all at risk of destruction by offshore drilling.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is deciding whether this exceptional area and the animals that call it home should be protected from drilling right now.[2] The agency is only taking public comments until June 15, so send your message to save this special place today.
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If offshore drilling is allowed into this special place, the sea otters will be put at risk of drowning in tarry black oil. Whales and dolphins will be disturbed by the light and noise of offshore drilling platforms.
The single best way to ensure that these waters -- and the animals that call them home -- are protected forever from the devastation of offshore oil drilling is to designate the area as an official national marine sanctuary.
Offshore drilling is just too risky. We know that when we drill, we spill.
Ten years ago, the Deepwater Horizon disaster changed the Gulf of Mexico forever as 130 million gallons of crude oil gushed into the water over the course of 87 days. Even now, a decade later, the habitat is not fully recovered.[3]
Don't miss the June 15 deadline: Submit your comment to protect sea otters, whales, dolphins and more today.
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This area was first nominated for protection five years ago, in 2015 -- but NOAA dragged its feet, refusing to move the process forward into the phase where the sanctuary could be officially designated for protection.[4] Now, time is running out.
Right now, we need to convince NOAA to extend the nomination phase and keep protection for the Chumash ocean sanctuary on the table. If we can't, NOAA will scrap the sanctuary proposal -- and this irreplaceable corner of our ocean will remain at terrible risk.
With your voice, we can protect irreplaceable wildlife habitat and win a world in which otters, whales and amazing ocean wildlife of all kinds are safe to thrive.
You can do your part to earn the Chumash ocean sanctuary the protection it deserves by adding your name today.
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Thank you,
Hannah Collazo
State Director
P.S. Our work to defend the environment can't stop and won't stop in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. We'll keep advocating on your behalf -- at a safe social distance -- for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate.
1. "Area 3," Proposed Chumash Sanctuary, last accessed May 21, 2020.
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2. Peter Johnson, "NOAA reevaluates Chumash marine sanctuary proposal," New Times, May 14, 2020.
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3. Joan Meiners, "Ten years later, BP oil spill continues to harm wildlife -- especially dolphins," National Geographic, April 17, 2020.
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4. Nick Wilson, "Environmentalists, fishermen clash over proposed Chumash marine sanctuary," The Tribune, November 28, 2015.
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