An Bold Preservation Plan Might Defend the Chumash’s Historic Coastal Land

Lately, information of California’s shoreline has typically concerned conditions from the inconvenient to the catastrophic — together with landslides and stretches of freeway collapsing. All of which makes a marketing campaign that might quickly attain fruition that rather more encouraging, as it will have the impact of preserving a big stretch of the state’s shoreline whereas additionally redressing a historic injustice.

Writing at The Washington Publish, Silvia Foster-Frau has particulars on the efforts to determine the Chumash Heritage Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, which might cowl 156 miles of shoreline and would embody 7,000 sq. miles in whole. Presently, the undertaking is awaiting approval from the federal authorities, although the NOAA introduced its assist for the undertaking in late 2021.

That doesn’t imply that there aren’t some areas of disagreement — as Foster-Frau reviews, one Chumash group is supportive of a wind farm that may be positioned within the northern stretch of the sanctuary, whereas one other opposes it.

In a press release issued to coincide with the NOAA’s request for public touch upon the marine sanctuary, U.S. Inside Secretary Deb Haaland addressed the significance of the undertaking. “Native voices, Indigenous information, and collaborative stewardship shall be integral to our efforts to bolster group resilience, shield our pure assets, and construct a clear vitality financial system,” stated Haaland.

The method of building the marine sanctuary isn’t but accomplished — however the thought of preserving the setting whereas additionally elevating the profile of the Chumash and their historical past in what’s now the western U.S. is a crucial undertaking for causes each environmental and historic. And for now, the ready continues.