New Vast Sanctuary in California Now for Approval is First Tribally Nominated, Led in Mainland US

Soon, a section of California's coast will become the first vast sanctuary in Mainland US that is tribally nominated and led.

Upcoming Vast Sanctuary in California

The Chumash people, other regional tribal organizations, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will co-manage a 156-mile section of coastline in central California that will become a national marine sanctuary.

The sanctuary would cover an area six times larger than the area of Yosemite, with 7,670 square miles of ocean and 156 miles of shoreline. According to The Guardian, all of this territory is gravely threatened by the consequences of pollution and climate change.

At double the pace of the rest of the ocean, the water off the California coast is becoming more acidic, and the region has already had oil spills from pipelines and gas tanks, urban stormwater runoffs, and agricultural runoffs, as well as offshore oil drilling, that which is still permitted in the state.

Sanctuaries

Professor of marine sciences at Stanford University, Stephen Palumbi, described how the sanctuary will contribute to the preservation of the local marine ecosystem.

He outlined the three main functions of sanctuaries, including acting as a great hub for bringing together the interests of many parties, including local landowners, state fish and wildlife authorities, and fishermen. Additionally, because they are a part of the federal government, they have access to funding and research resources. They can also combine administrative skills with local understanding to create a potent mix.

The sanctuary would most critically halt any offshore oil drilling because it is one of the activities that are technically prohibited in sanctuaries, along with dumping garbage, changing the seabed, and causing harm to cultural resources.

First Tribally Nominaned and Led Sanctuary in Mainland US

Since the Chumash officially requested in 2015, the sanctuary has been in preparation and might be proclaimed as early as 2024. If authorized, it will be the first refuge on the US mainland that was nominated and run by a tribe.

According to Yahoo News, Palumbi noted that all the components are present.

The Chumash are taking cues from the Hawaiian effort Mai Ka P Mai, which brings together Indigenous people and federal agencies to govern the land across the north-western Hawaiian islands. Although there have been some attempts to co-manage tribally sacred land, this new sanctuary could be the pioneer to be nominated by a tribal body. Optimistically, putting an end to conflicts between US government agencies and Indigenous management for millennia, The Guardian reports.

President Biden advocated for the creation of the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary on March 24 of this year. This intended sanctuary has to be completed as soon as possible. It also serves as a reminder that further protected areas are being considered, such as the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Monument, Environment America reports.

15 senators and congressional representatives have so far signed a letter supporting its ratification.