Comment to Protect Ocean Treasure Until June 15

From Environment America (https://environmentamerica.org/):

If you’ve been to the coast, you probably remember the first time you saw the ocean. There’s nothing more magical than hopping through tide pools hand in hand with your family, or building towering sandcastles together in the fresh sea breeze. At the shore, families create incredible memories.

The proposed site of the Chumash ocean sanctuary is a 140-mile long stretch of Californian coastal waters, home to wonders that have inspired generations — but it’s all at risk of destruction by offshore drilling.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is deciding whether this exceptional area should be protected from drilling right now.¹ The agency is only taking public comments until June 15, so send your message to save this special place today at https://environmentamerica.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=38520.

If offshore drilling is allowed into this special place, the sparkling steel-blue waters could someday be choked with tarry black oil. The endless view of the horizon would be interrupted by the sharp, angular forms of offshore drilling platforms.

The single best way to ensure that these waters 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.²

Don’t miss the June 15 deadline: Submit your comment to protect this ocean wonder today.

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.³ 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 pristine coasts — so that our grandchildren and their children have the opportunity to create memories like we did.

You can do your part to earn the Chumash ocean sanctuary the protection it deserves by adding your name today.

1. Peter Johnson, “NOAA reevaluates Chumash marine sanctuary proposal,” New Times, May 14, 2020.
2. Joan Meiners, “Ten years later, BP oil spill continues to harm wildlife — especially dolphins,” National Geographic, April 17, 2020.
3. Nick Wilson, “Environmentalists, fishermen clash over proposed Chumash marine sanctuary,” The Tribune, November 28, 2015.