Marine Sanctuary Proposed for Tribe

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has put forth a proposal for the designation of a 5,617-square-mile region off the coasts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in central California as the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. This designation would serve to safeguard the marine life, ecosystems, archaeological and cultural sites in the area.

This nomination is particularly significant as it marks the first time an Indigenous group has led the nomination process for a national marine sanctuary.

“We are excited to see the designation of the Chumash Heritage Sanctuary moving forward,” said Violet Sage Walker, sanctuary nominator and Northern Chumash Tribal Council chairwoman, in a press release. “We know the importance of protecting this vital stretch of ocean, for our marine life, our fishing and our cultural heritage. Sanctuaries uplift local participation in ocean management, and this sanctuary will put Indigenous communities in partnership with NOAA. The collective knowledge of the Central Coast’s First Peoples, as well as other local stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers, will create a strong foundation to have a thriving coast for generations to come.”

According to California Senate Bill 18 regulations, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council is set up as a non-profit company.

The designation would enhance the America the Beautiful mission of the Biden-Harris administration, which supports locally led conservation activities across the nation with the aim of conserving and restoring 30% of American lands and waters by 2030.

“The proposed sanctuary is rich in marine life and includes kelp forests, rocky shores, sandy beaches, a globally-significant ecological transition zone and important offshore features that have been important to Chumash and other Indigenous communities for more than 10,000 years,” said John Armor, director, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. “The sanctuary would also enhance conservation of numerous rare and endangered species that depend on this area, including snowy plovers, black abalone, southern sea otters, blue whales and leatherback sea turtles.”

The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would cover an area directly south of Dos Pueblos Canyon, the location of one of the largest historical Chumash communities along the Gaviota Coast, and extend along 134 miles of shoreline from Hazard Canyon Reef, south of Morro Bay. The holy Chumash location Lisamu’, commonly known as Morro Rock, is situated in the northern part of the country.

The NOAA stated that they will keep requesting assistance from and comments from nearby tribes and Indigenous people during the designation process. According to the proposal, the sanctuary’s advisory council, working groups of the advisory council, a new Intergovernmental Policy Council, and joint project agreements would all provide opportunities for tribal and Indigenous community members to participate in decision-making processes and cultural programming.

According to a 2014 assessment, the sanctuary off the central coast may also produce $23 million in economic activity and 600 new employment.

When former chairman Fred Collins collaborated with neighborhood environmentalists to draft a sanctuary nomination ten years ago, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council started the process of establishing the sanctuary. It was developed from an earlier plan from state and local officials from the 1980s, but the current concept called for integrating Indigenous knowledge with NOAA’s typical sanctuary management structure.

In July 2015, the final nomination was made, and it was renewed in 2020. The NOAA subsequently declared that the designation request would be taken into consideration in November 2021. Collins died on October 1. His daughter Violet Sage Walker, who is currently in charge of the tribal council and sanctuary campaign, collaborated closely on the project as well.

For 60 days, through October 25, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be receiving public comments.