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PRESS RELEASE San Luis Obispo, California – Over 98,000 comments were submitted in support of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (Chumash Sanctuary), according to an independent analysis of the publicly available comments submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The 60-day comment period, which was the last public comment period in […]

NOAA seeks public comment on Chumash Heritage sanctuary draft proposal, which if designated would be nation's 16th national marine sanctuary

San Luis Obispo, CA – El viernes pasado, 25 de agosto, comenzó la última oportunidad para que el público opine sobre la propuesta de Santuario Marino Nacional del Patrimonio Chumash de la costa central de California. Durante los próximos 60 días, la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA )aceptará comentarios públicos sobre el borrador del plan de gestión del santuario propuesto y Declaración de Impacto Ambiental, la cual determinará los límites finales, actividades permitidas y reglamentos generales del santuario marino.

San Luis Obispo, CA – Tomorrow begins the final opportunity for the public to weigh in on the California Central Coast’s proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. For the next 60 days, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will accept public comments on the proposed sanctuary's draft management plan and Environmental Impact Statement, which […]

A dramatic new mural depicting Chumash tribal history and the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is brightening up a corner of San Luis Obispo County.

The vivid artwork by Chumash artist John Khus covers a large outdoor wall on the U.S. Postal Service building at 4100 Bridge St., in Cambria, near Center Street.

Travelers flock to California’s Central Coast to kayak, camp, surf, fish, walk on the beach and otherwise take advantage of the area’s rugged natural beauty. But, since time immemorial, the Chumash people have called this region home. The Central Coast encompasses numerous sacred sites, where the Chumash still go to hold ceremonies and pray.

For more than decade, members of the Chumash tribe have led a campaign to create a new marine sanctuary on the central California coast. It could include waters off Point Conception, a sacred site for the Chumash people.

Violet Sage Walker, Chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council and nominator of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, was one of only 18 members appointed to the federal Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP).

Stay tuned: We anticipate the final and defining public comment period for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be coming very soon.

The date is to be determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

PRESS RELEASE AVILA BEACH/TPAXTU, Calif. — When Violet Sage Walker stares out at the calm waters butting against the shoreline of her hometown, she sees what was once the largest northern village of the Chumash people, who fished from traditional canoes in the open water, viewed sea creatures as their ancestors and believed in a […]