The federal government has reopened the public comment period on a controversial review of the status of some national marine sanctuaries, including one in our region.
The comment window for Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary had technically closed Wednesday, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration extended the deadline to mid-August. Democratic Congressman Salud Carbajal was one of the leaders of an effort involving 20 legislators seeking an extension so more people can show their opposition to potential changes.
The Channel Islands sanctuary is one of those impacted by a Trump Administration executive order calling for review of its status, as part of the President’s efforts to open more areas for oil and gas exploration. The areas potentially impacted off the Ventura and Santa Barbara County coastlines make up less than two percent of the total monument’s size.
Environmentalists are opposed to any potential reductions in the monument, and say the small areas under review don’t have any known oil or gas deposits.
