The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a March 11 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asking for public and corporate comments on ways the Trump Administration could “streamline” the all-important federal consistency process under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), thus weakening long-held state’s rights with respect to virtually all facets of federal offshore oil and gas drilling, seismic airgun petroleum exploration, and renewable energy projects. Public comments on this Federal Register Notice are due on April 25, 2019.

We love the coast, so let’s make sure it isn’t covered in oil. EAC is working to oppose federal plans for offshore oil drilling and fracking with a statewide coalition which has been incredibly successful. As we look back on 2018, we can point to many victories. 50+ local resolutions were passed throughout the state opposing offshore oil drilling, including Marin’s Resolution in January. Two bills (SB 834 and AB 1775) were signed by Governor Brown to oppose offshore drilling. The Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast (BAPPC) was formed and includes many local businesses. Visit BAPPC if you know a business that would like to join!

A recent survey published by the Public Policy Institute of California confirms what many of us already know, Californians love our coast! Nine in ten #PPICSurvey respondents want to maintain marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect fish and wildlife. Two in three Californians oppose drilling off our coast. Solid majorities across all age, education, income, and racial/ethnic groups are opposed. 

May 30th, California's Assembly and Senate passed Assembly Bill 1775 and Senate Bill 834 respectively. The bills create new measures that will prevent offshore drilling by prohibiting the State Lands Commission from issuing new leases for oil-related infrastructure in California's coastal waters and preventing current leases from being modified to support new oil drilling. This is a major step towards preventing new offshore oil drilling infrastructure development, as oil industries interested in drilling offshore will need to transport their oil through Canada or Mexico. The legislature is expected to finalize and pass the bills in August.

EAC and our members took to the streets on February 8th to rally against offshore oil drilling. Along with hundreds of environmental advocates and students, EAC was proud to be joined by two other West Marin non-profits, Turtle Island Restoration Network and Ocean Conservation Research.

The Marin County groups, along with other environmental organizations, rallied at the capitol building, then marched their way to the Sacramento public library where a federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hearing was held.

EAC was one of the many organizations advocating in support of this resolution at yesterday's Board of Supervisors' meeting. The meeting opened up with Supervisor Dennis Rodoni reading the draft resolution requested by Supervisor Kate Sears and Supervisor Rodoni. 

EAC's Conservation Director, Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, testified at the meeting in strong support of the resolution. Ashley highlighted the "priceless biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystems of the northern California coast" and their unique vulnerability to the impacts of an oil spill or fracking.