(Reuters) – The Biden administration on Friday introduced the creation of the Chumash Heritage Nationwide Marine Sanctuary alongside California’s central coast, a victory for the Chumash tribe that pursued the designation for a decade.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
The newly fashioned sanctuary is a part of U.S. President Joe Biden’s objective to guard 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
CONTEXT
The sanctuary excludes areas the place transmission cables and different infrastructure to help deliberate offshore wind amenities may very well be put in, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mentioned in an announcement. The company, a division of the Division of Commerce, mentioned it is going to contemplate increasing the sanctuary after the cables have been laid.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Chumash Heritage Nationwide Marine Sanctuary comprised of 4,543 sq. miles of coastal waters alongside 116 miles between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. It’s the fifth marine sanctuary to be designated in California and the third largest in america.
KEY QUOTE
“Generations of U.S. land and water insurance policies have positioned Native Individuals at an important drawback all through our historical past,” mentioned Kenneth Kahn, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “Right now’s announcement is an indication that issues are altering. The Chumash tribal authorities by no means relinquished its aboriginal proper to handle our conventional homelands. We’re grateful that NOAA acknowledges this inherent sovereignty and welcomed us as a co-steward of the sanctuary that bears our identify.”