Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

Tell NOAA You Support the Chumash Heritage Sanctuary

NOAA want’s YOUR input! The final public comment period for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is open for 60 days until October 25, 2023 8:59pm PT/11:59pm ET.
"How to Support" Text written out
Click each button for more details 
Text with navy blue and turquoise background reads "1 Sign our petition"Text with navy blue and turquoise background reads "2 write a personal letter"Text with navy blue and turquoise background reads "3 Speak at a NOAA meeting"

Submit a Written Comment

It's fast & easy – Do it online or by mail

Looking for suggestions on what to say? Sample Letter HERE
Be sure to personalize your letter!
Submit a Comment
If you have any trouble submitting go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NOS-2021-0080-1228 and click the blue "Comment" button. Or search "NOAA-NOS-2021-0080-1228" at www.regulations.gov and Click the silver "Comment" button

Sign up to Speak

Public meeting 1:
Monday, Sept 25, 2023; 5 pm PST

Location: County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
Address: 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Public meeting 2:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023; 5 pm PST

Location: Dick DeWees Community Center
Address: 1120 West Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436

Virtual public meeting 3:
Thursday, October 12, 2023; 1 pm PST

 

REGISTER IN ADVANCE

NCTC's Messaging Suggestions

Want help crafting your comment? Look no further! We've read through the draft documents and here's our suggested language

NCTC's Messaging Guide

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]

Have Questions About the Draft Documents?

Learn more about NOAA's Draft Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
NOAA has released their suggestions for the Chumash Sanctuary as well as alternative options.

NOAA's Website
NOAA's FAQ Page HERE
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council's suggested talking points for the final public comment period

NCTC's Messaging Guidance

You can read NOAA's Chumash Sanctuary Draft Plan

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