It was a beautiful Central Coast day at the beach as Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and a host of marine supporters gathered for a press conference for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
The sanctuary proposes to protect a swath of coast from Santa Barbara and into northern San Luis Obispo County from fossil fuel exploitation—think drilling—and would encourage marine research.
As everyone applauded, sea kelp danced, and happy dolphins performed flips in approval, the gray cloud that is Andy Caldwell cast shade with a valid point. He told the Sun that the sanctuary would hurt the fishing industry more than it would benefit marine health. He said that in light of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary the coast has enough protection, and that fishermen already face enough red tape. What’s more, he said the waters are pristine enough as it is, because there are not much human activities because the water and waves are “treacherous.”
Caldwell’s point is an important one to consider. Ultimately, as I often do in these situations, I sided with nature.
I believe that nature left without interference has balance. Trees provide me with shade, and a place to perch (or escape danger). I can then safely eat my seeds, some of which I drop, encouraging the growth of new plants. Those plants create oxygen, which I—and you—need to breathe. If someone cuts those trees down … well they interrupt the cycle.
Let me admit that, yes, I like convenience and I like luxury items just as much as the next gal. However, we can’t just use resources to depletion.
Caldwell is concerned about a sanctuary hampering “what’s left” of the fishing industry, and I get that. People’s livelihoods depend on fishing. However, think of the effects drilling, pollution, and overfishing can have on the industry.
The sanctuary may not come to fruition. The Northern Tribal Chumash Council is spearheading the movement, but final say rests with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Administration, and approval may take years. Capps sent a letter to NOAA urging their approval, and I encourage their approval as well.
Speaking of Chumash people, the Santa Ynez Valley Band of Chumash just named a new Tribal Chairman. Kenneth Kahn will take the spot that Vincent Armenta held for years before embarking on a second career in the culinary industry. The 39-year-old Kahn was Armenta’s vice chairman and is well-versed in the tribe’s affairs, having been elected to its business committee at the age of 25.
Like everyone, I’m wondering what changes this will bring to the tribe, to the Chumash Casino and Resort, and to relations with the Santa Ynez Valley community. With Kahn having been through many of the meetings with city and county officials in regard to land use, business expansion, and other issues that have faced opposition, I don’t predict a big change in direction, and I expect Kahn is well-equipped to steer things along the path that the tribe had been following. Still, fresh leadership is always exciting. To a journalist it’s like opening up a blank notebook.
Forget being a fly on the wall, I love being a Canary in a tree. Contact the Canary at canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 5-12, 2016.