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California's Coastal Authority at Risk: Scroll Down to Send a Comment!

Under the Coastal Zone Management Act, states and the federal government enter a voluntary partnership to manage coastal areas. In California, this has resulted in our Coastal Management Program, which gives our coastal agencies—the Coastal Commission, Coastal Conservancy, and San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission—the ability to review federal projects that could impact our coast, ensuring they comply with laws like the Coastal Act. This important oversight authority helps protect California’s coastal resources and public access, ensuring we have a voice when federal actions could impact us. This authority is also increasingly critical amid federal attempts to open our coastal waters to offshore drilling and rollbacks of national environmental laws.

Unfortunately, the federal administration is intent on getting rid of our seat at the table, criticizing how the environmental laws and review that keep our coastline and communities safe are “obstructionist” as they “delay” offshore oil production, spaceport development, undersea cables, and other projects that could severely harm our coast.

Under the federal administration’s direction, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has begun a review of California’s Coastal Management Program. Many are worried that this is a clear attempt to remove our oversight authority and bypass our “objections to developing coastal waters for oil and gas.”

We can’t afford to lose California’s coastal authority. Let NOAA know our Coastal Zone Management Program is important to protecting the health and economic vitality of coastal communities, who depend on healthy ecosystems to thrive!

Take Action

Submit written comments using the form below. The more personalized, the better! You can also send comments directly to NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management ([email protected]). Use the subject line “Comments on Performance Evaluation of the California Coastal Management Program” and submit by 11:59 p.m. PT on August 22, 2026.
Attend a Virtual Meeting
August 11 & 12, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT
Register Here *Due to limited capacity, NOAA requests that individuals attend only one virtual meeting
Attend the In Person Meeting in Santa Monica
August 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. PT
Pacific Ballroom, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel and Suites, 1707 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Register for public comment by sending an email to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. PT on August 8, 2026. You must be physically present to comment.
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NOAA's Office for Coastal Management

Subject: Comments on Performance Evaluation of the California Coastal Management Program

Message:

I am writing in support of California's Coastal Management Program, which works efficiently and successfully to bolster California’s marine economy, providing over $40,000,000,000 in gross domestic product (GDP) annually. NOAA’s 2024 Marine Economy report shows that California’s marine economy has provided increased businesses, jobs, wages, and GDP over the last decade. This is a sign of a flourishing economy—not one that is being obstructed. Tourism and recreation employ the largest sector of marine economy workers and produce almost half its GDP. People flock to California because of its plentiful coastal access points and healthy environment, which are all maintained and improved through California’s Coastal Management Program (CCMP). Importantly, the CCMP has concurred with the majority of federal projects it reviews—including spaceport infrastructure and undersea cables. And, even during the few instances where the state disagrees, the federal government has the ability to override that decision and proceed with its project regardless. The federal-state partnership fostered by the Coastal Zone Management Act allows crucial state expertise to improve projects that could have harmful unintended consequences for California’s valuable coastal resources and economy. The CCMP has provided the opportunity for federal projects to be modified to mitigate negative impacts to working waterfronts, commercial fishing, coastal habitats, water quality, and more. This has ensured California’s vital coastal economy functions effectively, not only for the benefit of Californians, but for the entire country and its national priorities. NOAA’s 2025 draft review of the CCMP found that it was working efficiently and as intended. This program places California, and the United States, on the world stage of coastal conservation and economic development. Federal resources and staff time should be used to continue support for this important federal-state partnership rather than on a premature, unnecessary review. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.

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California's Coastal Authority at Risk: Scroll Down to Send a Comment!

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Thank you for supporting coastal protections!