[{ "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle CC01 - 300x250", "id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250", "class": "inlineCenter", "insertPoint": "8", "component": "2963441", "requiredCountToDisplay": "12" },{ "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC01 - 300x250", "id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250", "class": "inlineCenter", "insertPoint": "18", "component": "2963441", "requiredCountToDisplay": "22" },{ "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC09 - 300x250", "id": "AdMediumRectangleLC09300x250", "class": "inlineCenter", "insertPoint": "28", "component": "3252660", "requiredCountToDisplay": "32" }]
We've all heard that expression, "Don't throw out the baby with the bath water!" There is nowhere this might better be applied than to the issue of the designation of a marine sanctuary off our Central California Coast. Many support the designation as is; all well and good. These folks are just pleased as punch with the bathwater. It's perfect in every way, leaving nary a question or concern in their minds (and they're quite happy with the political and pro-wind farm direction the nominators are taking it in).
Then there are those of us that just ain't too happy with the murky appearance and questionable contents of the "bathwater"—there are really concerning issues to be seriously taken into consideration for the health of the "baby."
As spokesperson for the COAST Alliance, I announce that we have recently disassociated ourselves from the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, Violet Sage Walker, and the sanctuary group of which COAST was a founding member, because of significant issues with the recent direction the decision-makers are taking the project.
Our priority is, and always will be, the health of the oceans. We still support a marine sanctuary on the Central Coast with the same size and basic protections it would provide—sanctions from industrial damage in its various forms such as seismic testing, oil and natural gas exploration and production, mineral exploration, and the potential to oppose an offshore wind farm if it isn't presented in an environmentally non-damaging form. A marine sanctuary could benefit us all from a scientific research and economic standpoint as well.
So, we as an alliance are prepared to support the sanctuary by requesting some changes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and you as an individual or an organization can do the same. NOAA will likely be opening the last public comment period within the next 60 days. Now is your opportunity to voice exactly what you would want in an established sanctuary, be it absolute assurances of no regulation of fisheries, a name change, an inclusion or exclusion of overall protected acreage, specific preferences in a management modality, or any other changes you would like to see.
For its part, COAST will be asking for these changes and additions:
1. A name change to better include all local indigenous entities;
2. An administrative board that would not be co-managed by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, but would be heavily weighted toward local indigenous input (six or seven seats on the board), as well as local stakeholders from various industries, non-governmental agencies, and city and county governments;
3. A very clearly stated intention that the sanctuary not be involved in fishing regulatory practices and recommendations;
4. That any federally recommended industrial projects that are adjacent to the sanctuary meet the standard of the sanctuary itself in non-disturbance of the marine ecosystem, as damages close to the sanctuary boundaries will negatively impact the sanctuary itself.
We have a voice in this matter! Most of us would love to see our coastline and oceans be protected for future generations, so don't summarily negate something just because you don't like one aspect of it. Ask for change and be part of the process.
And please: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!
You have a choice.
You have a voice.
Mandy Davis
COAST Alliance