On Monday, August 10, Surfrider Foundation staff and volunteers joined Congressional, Indigenous, and state leaders, business owners, and ocean advocates to protest the Trump Administration’s takeover of California’s coast. Gathering in Santa Monica ahead of the Trump Administration’s only public hearing for Californians to provide in-person comments on its review of the state’s Coastal Management Program, speakers warned that the unprecedented review threatens to weaken California’s ability to protect its coast, and could clear the way for expanded offshore oil drilling and other industrial development.
For decades, the Coastal Zone Management Act’s “federal consistency” provisions have given California a meaningful voice in federal activities affecting its coast, helping protect public access, coastal communities and businesses, wildlife, and natural resources. The review, ordered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and conducted by NOAA, duplicates a recent evaluation of California’s Coastal Management Program that concluded the state was meeting the requirements of the federal CZMA.
California leaders made the stakes clear: “The Trump administration is trying to strip California of its ability to protect our coast so it can expand offshore drilling and reward Big Oil. But let me be clear: California’s coast is not for sale,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “We will fight this reckless attempt to hand our coastline over to oil industry polluters every step of the way.”
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, called the review an attack on both coastal protections and states’ rights. “They are targeting California and working to remove states’ rights to have a say in what happens to our coast,” Crowfoot said. “It’s that simple. This represents the most alarming threat to our coast in decades.”
Business leaders also emphasized that weakening coastal protections threatens an economy built around clean, accessible beaches and a healthy ocean. “Offshore oil is BAD FOR BUSINESS, and this NOAA review of the CZMA is a thinly veiled attempt to wrest control away from Californians, putting our businesses, employees, and communities at great risk,” said Grant Bixby, a founding member of the Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast.
Grant Bixby with BAPPC speaks at the Santa Monica event. Photo: Michaela Coats
California’s 840-mile coastline supports millions of residents, thousands of businesses, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. For Surfrider, defending California’s Coastal Management Program means defending the public’s ability to shape decisions affecting our shared coastline. The Trump administration is accepting public comments on its review of California’s Coastal Management Program until August 22nd. Please complete our action alert to easily send your comment to NOAA!
With our partners, Surfrider will continue working to preserve California’s voice in coastal management and protect our ocean, waves, and beaches from expanded offshore drilling and other harmful development.
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The Public Comment Period Is Open: Here's How to Defend California's Coast