A view of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary near Montana de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County, California.  (Image credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA)  Download Image

August 10, 2024 - SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) issued the following statement in response the California Coastal Commission's approval of the submitted maps for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary this week:

"Thank you to the California Coastal Commission for unanimously approving the proposed maps for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. As California's coast experiences the worsening impacts of climate change on our communities and habitats, we must protect our oceans and their biodiversity now and for generations to come. We are now one step closer to establishing the first tribally nominated sanctuary in the nation."

Earlier this year, the California Central Coast Legislative Caucus, which is chaired by Assemblymember Addis, submitted a letter in support of the phased approach to the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Formed in 2023, the Central Coast Legislative Caucus includes representation from the following counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. The caucus identifies and prioritizes issues important to the region for caucus advocacy before the state and federal government, including in the state budget process

Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.
Source: Assemblymember Dawn Addis