Sample Letter

Please personalize this letter template to make it specific to you!

Dear Paul Michel,

My name is [Your Name or Organization Name] and I support the swift designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary with the Initial Boundary Alternative and Gaviota Coast Extension to cover about 7,600 square miles of ocean proposed to protect biodiversity and habitats.

I live in [City, State] and to me, the ocean is [describe your relationship to the ocean/coast].

Sample Descriptions of Relationship to the Ocean (Please restate so it’s specific to you):

• When I go to the coast, I (take my kids, kayak, fish, wade in the surf, explore the beach, watch the wildlife, etc.).
• The ocean is personally important to me. We depend on the ocean for recreation, our spiritual well-being, our community connections, and our economic health.
• I want to protect this stretch of ocean so my community can continue to connect with and benefit from a clean, safe, and healthy ocean.
• The ocean is beautiful and mysterious. There is so much we’ve learned from it and much more to be learned. A sanctuary will be an important part of ocean research and education for present and future generations.

I support the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. I ask that this sanctuary includes: [share what you want to see in the sanctuary designation, using the messaging guidance below]

• Biggest Possible Boundary: The Initial Boundary Alternative with Gaviota Coast Extension
• Sanctuary Name: The name “Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary”
• Tribal Collaborative Management: An equitable approach to include all Tribes in Collaborative Management.
• Outreach & Education: Outreach, education and research programs that elevate both Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and access for local underserved communities
• Rodriguez Seamount: The protection of Rodriguez Seamount is essential to protect biodiversity
• Ban Oil & Gas: A prohibition on new oil and Gas development within sanctuary boundaries

I support the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. I urge the Administration to designate the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to allow current and future generations to enjoy, protect, and benefit from our ocean’s many treasures.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]