Commerce Committee Passes Boxer-Feinstein Marine Sanctuaries Bill
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today passed the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act, legislation introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) to expand sanctuaries off the California coast.
The legislation, which passed the House in March, would permanently protect the coastal waters and estuaries of Sonoma County and portions of Mendocino County by extending the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.
Boxer said, "Expanding the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries will protect one of the world's most productive ecosystems from pollution and preserve California's vital coastal economy. This legislation will also help maintain the pristine natural beauty of the Sonoma and Mendocino Coast for future generations."
Senator Feinstein said, "The Commerce Committee today approved a bill to extend the Marine Sanctuaries of the Gulf of Farallones and the Cordell Bank to cover virtually all of the coastal waters off of Northern California. This would provide lasting protection for one of the world's most remarkable marine habitats. So, this is an important step forward, and I thank Senator Boxer for her leadership in this effort."
The Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act would expand the boundaries of the two existing National Marine Sanctuaries to protect the entire coastline in Sonoma County and as far north as Point Arena in Mendocino County. Senators Boxer and Feinstein introduced similar legislation in the 109th Congress. This year's bill includes even larger boundaries than originally proposed, adding a total of 2,100 square nautical miles to the sanctuaries. The new boundaries would protect the Russian and Gualala River estuaries and the nutrient-rich Bodega Canyon from off-shore oil drilling and pollution. The bill does not impose any additional regulations on fishing, which is under the jurisdiction of the State of California and the Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
The Sonoma and Mendocino coasts are one of the planet's most biologically productive marine environments. These areas support many species of marine mammals, birds and fishes, including endangered blue and humpback whales.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.