We are delighted to share that NOAA announced the designation documents for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) are "under inspection" and will be published 10/16 on the NOAA website for the Chumash Heritage Sanctuary.

The designation will be formally announced on Monday, October 14 during an Indigenous Peoples Day event and press conference, and publication in the Federal Register on Wednesday, October 16.

The release comes on the heels of September's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Sanctuary, which drew praise from lawmakers, outside organizations, and most notably the Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) who have been leading efforts to create and designate the CHNMS. 

This marks the final stage of the Sanctuary designation process - the new sanctuary will become effective later this year, after a 45 day Congressional review period. 

How can you support and amplify this announcement?

• The Northern Chumash Tribal Council plans to release a statement for Monday's press conference. Please hold on making public statements until Monday at 11:30am PT.

• Please DO prepare a statement, quote, or press release for Monday after 11:30 am PT! Please send supportive statement to Vanessa@oceanprotectioncoalition.org so we can pull together a package to share with the White House.

• Please use this partner toolkit to celebrate this win for the ocean on social media and thank the White House, state and Congressional champions. This toolkit has been created in partnership with the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, which features message guidance, draft social post, and example statements from prior key moments. 

Thank you all for your hard work!

Best, Amy