MONTEREY – Local organizations are joining in a forum at 6 p.m. Friday to express opposition to a federal draft proposal for new offshore oil drilling.
In November, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a draft proposal for six oil and gas drilling lease sales in federal waters off the entire state over the next five years. It can be viewed at boem.gov/oil-gas-energy/national-program/national-ocs-oil-and-gas-leasing-program
The draft proposal is currently in the second stage. During this time, there is a 60-day comment period for the public to voice their opinions, which ends Jan. 23.
The federal government has yet to schedule hearings for public comment on the proposed plan, so communities across California’s coastal regions have taken matters into their own hands with People’s Hearings. These hearings aim to engage the public by inviting them to provide testimony and written comments to the federal government’s official written comment process.
Monterey Bay will hold its own People’s Hearing on Friday, “Stand Up, Save Our Coast,” hosted by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceana, Save Our Shores and Surfrider Monterey – all organizations with a passion for protecting the ocean and raising awareness.
Elected officials from Monterey and Santa Cruz are scheduled to speak, along with other community leaders. Speakers include:
• Emmanuel Garcia, district director, Office of Rep. Jimmy Panetta
• John Laird, state senator
• Tyller Williamson, Monterey mayor
• Wendy Root Askew, Kate Daniels, Monterey County supervisors
• Justin Cummings, Santa Cruz County supervisor
• Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, Seaside city councilmember
• Aimee David, vice president, U.S. & California Ocean Conservation at Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Melissa Mahoney, executive director, Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust
The event will be held at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey (2 Portola Plaza) in the Bonsai Ballroom. The event is free, but registration ahead of time is encouraged due to room capacity limitations. Register online at secure.qgiv.com/for/voevent/event/standupsaveourcoast/
More information on the environmental impact of oil drilling along the coast, the proposed plan and how to get involved in opposition to it is available at saveourshores.org/drilling/?blm_aid=38077
