By Brady Bradshaw, Senior Oceans Campaigner
Center for Biological Diversity
While the Trump administration advances a 5-Year Plan for offshore oil and gas leasing, it is in parallel attacking the California Coastal Management Program that was approved under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.
California's CMP not only empowers the state to protect coastal resources and public access, it also provides the state with federal consistency review to ensure that federal government decisions are consistent with the enforceable policies of California's coastal management program. This has possibly major implications for not only offshore drilling and oil/gas construction at sea, but also for ship speed rules, SpaceX mayhem, and other industrialization.
Suspiciously, this hearing is scheduled two days before the Coastal Commission plans to vote on both a Cease-and-Desist Order for Sable Offshore Corp. on the use of its oil pipelines on the Gaviota Coast and to take action on a review of a proposal to frack on Platform Gilda off Ventura.
Hearing details:
Monday, August 10th, 2-6 pm
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites, Pacific Ballroom
1707 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
If you can make it, please sign up to speak ASAP by emailing czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov and indicating that you would like to speak during the hearing and asking for confirmation of your speaking slot.
Main points:
- The Trump administration’s heavy-handed attack on California’s legacy of coastal protection is unacceptable, and Californians will keep fighting for our beloved coast.
- California’s coastal management program is successful and necessary to protect wildlife that make California’s coast one of the most biodiverse, productive and beautiful natural places on the planet.
- Our coast, protected in this way, is aligned with long-term sustainable economic strength from tourism, recreation and fishing.
- California’s CMP should remain federally certified as a model state coastal management program that is fully compliant with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.
How to Submit Comments
In-Person Public Meeting
August 10, 2026 | 2–6 pm Pacific Ballroom, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel and Suites 1707 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Pre-registration deadline: August 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT — email czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov
- Walk-ins may register on-site but will be called after pre-registered speakers
- Each speaker: 3 minutes; time may not be yielded to another speaker
- Meeting will be recorded; transcript available via email request to czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov
- Livestream (observation only — comments not accepted via livestream): Register here
Virtual Public Meetings
August 11 & 12, 2026 | 2–5 pm each day (Adobe Connect)
- Registration deadline: August 10, 2026, 11:59 pm PT — Register here
- Attendance capped at 1,000 per session; please attend only one day
- Speakers called in order via Adobe Connect "raise hand" function
- Each speaker: 3 minutes; mic muted at time limit; time may not be yielded
- Meeting will be recorded; transcript available via email request to czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov
Written Comments (Email)
- Email czma.california-evaluation@noaa.gov
- Subject line: Comments on Performance Evaluation of the California Coastal Management Program
- Deadline: August 22, 2026, 11:59 pm