Nomination
On behalf of a broad community consortium, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council submitted a sanctuary nomination in July 2015.
Scoping
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries issued a notice of intent to begin the designation process for the proposed sanctuary in November 2021. During an 83-day scoping period from November 2021 to January 2022, NOAA hosted three virtual public meetings to solicit public comments that informed initial development of draft designation documents, including boundary alternatives to consider potential impacts and regulations, and the scope and substance of the action plans for a draft management plan. Public scoping comments are summarized in Appendix B of the final environmental impact statement (Volume II), and original submissions are posted on regulations.gov.
Draft Designation Documents
On August 25th, 2023, NOAA published a notice of availability of the draft environmental impact statement, proposed rule, and draft management plan, and received over 110,000 public comments during a 60-day public comment period extending through October 25th, 2023. Public comments on these draft documents are summarized and responded to by NOAA in Appendix A of the final environmental impact statement (Volume II), and original submissions are posted on regulations.gov. These comments were given careful consideration before NOAA finalized the designation documents, along with NOAA’s consultations with federal agencies, government-to-government consultation with the federally recognized Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, engagement with other interested Tribal and Indigenous groups, and consideration of state and federal conservation and renewable energy goals.
Final Designation Documents
NOAA published the final environmental impact statement (Volume I and Volume II) on September 6th, 2024.
NOAA published the final rule, final management plan, and record of decision on October 11, 2024.
Sanctuary Designation Completion
Per the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, following publication of the final rule for sanctuary designation 45 days of continuous congressional session are provided for potential congressional review and for a final review opportunity for the governor of affected state waters. On November 30, 2024, following 45 days of continuous congressional session after NOAA published the final rule, Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary became effective. This Federal Register notice provides more information.
