Public invited to share input on federal Coastal Management Program

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking comments on a plan that could lead to the dismantling of environmental protections for California’s coast. NOAA is reviewing the Coastal Management Program, which is implemented by the California Coastal Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

The agency is seeking public comments regarding spaceport infrastructure, offshore oil production, pipeline maintenance, desalination projects, and undersea cables.

“The Trump administration is trying to weaken local control and undermine the protections that safeguard California’s majestic coastline,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, whose district includes the Sonoma Coast. “We need to fight not just for our beautiful beaches — but also on behalf of coastal agriculture, multigenerational ranches, fishermen, and the working landscapes that make this place unique. Weakening those protections puts the character of the Sonoma Coast at risk and threatens our way of life. We can’t allow that to happen.”

NOAA will hold virtual public meetings on the Coastal Management Program on Aug. 11 and 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. The meetings are limited to 1,000 participants each, and registration is required using this link.

NOAA will consider all comments received by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 22. Email comments to czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov.

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Media Contact:
Matt Brown, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov
(707) 565-3040