Californians Fight NOAA Review of 96% Coastal Approvals as Trump Pushes Offshore Drilling
Updated
Updated · KABC-TV · Aug 11
Californians Fight NOAA Review of 96% Coastal Approvals as Trump Pushes Offshore Drilling
3 articles · Updated · KABC-TV · Aug 11
Summary
Dozens of residents, activists and lawmakers packed a Santa Monica NOAA hearing Monday to oppose a federal review they say could strip California of power to block projects in federal waters.
The challenge centers on the Coastal Zone Management Act, which lets states review offshore proposals; the Trump administration ordered an immediate review of California's practices, calling them "environmental extremism."
California officials and environmental groups cast the move as a political bid to weaken coastal protections and open the door to new offshore oil drilling, warning of risks to beach access, biodiversity and a coastal economy worth billions.
Opponents noted the California Coastal Commission has approved 96% of thousands of federal actions over more than 50 years, undercutting claims that it routinely blocks development.
NOAA had completed a favorable review last year that was never finalized; a new 45-day comment period is now underway, with two more virtual meetings before the agency issues its findings.