Letter to Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget - Expanding the Boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries

Letter

Dear Director Donovan:

We write seeking your assistance in quickly finalizing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) final rule to expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries off the coast of California. We also support Leader Pelosi's letter sent to you on February 10th, 2015 on this topic. This rule is the result of tireless work over many years by groups and citizens on the ground and is strongly supported by local, regional, and federal elected officials.

We are increasingly concerned that the implementation of the final rule to accomplish crucial ocean protections has been delayed due to an exemption request from the United States Coast Guard (USCG). While we recognize and very much appreciate the unique and vital role the USCG plays in protecting the health of our marine sanctuaries, we do not agree that this requires a specific exemption to be added to the final rule at the eleventh hour.

The completion of the boundary expansion will benefit small rural communities up and down the coast that depend on a healthy ocean and income generated from tourism. We urge you to allow the final rule for the expansion to move forward in a timely manner.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

JARED HUFFMAN SAM FARR

Member of Congress Member of Congress

LOIS CAPPS JACKIE SPEIER

Member of Congress Member of Congress

MIKE THOMPSON

Member of Congress