Washington D.C.- In response to the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in California, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and California Environmental Voters (CEV) released the following statements:

“LCV celebrates the release of the final environmental review and the Biden-Harris administration’s intention to designate the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of central California,” said LCV Conservation Program Director, America Fitzpatrick. “Once designated, the sanctuary will protect irreplaceable coastal resources and ecosystems, as well as the cultural heritage of the Chumash people who, alongside other California Native Tribes and local community members, have advocated to protect this region for decades. We applaud the administration for following the lead of these Tribal groups and advancing protection of natural and cultural resources while expanding clean offshore wind energy. We urge President Biden and Secretary Haaland to continue taking historic steps to protect our public lands and oceans.”

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“We are thrilled to see the dream of the Northern Chumash Tribe and other local tribal communities finally realized after more than 40 years of community organizing, with the news that the  Biden-Harris Administration will be protecting over 5,000 square miles of marine habitat off the coast of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in Central California with the new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary designation,” said California Environmental Voters Federal Advocacy Coordinator, Aaron McCall. “This designation is an example of successful conservation and co-management with the US and tribal communities. Californians will continue to lead the way in advancing our 30×30 goals, protecting our oceans and wildlife, and ensuring access to culturally and historically significant sites for years to come; and we are excited to have the partnership of the Biden-Harris administration as we try to expand protections in Wildspaces across California through monument and sanctuary designation in collaboration with tribal communities.”

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