Thursday, 6 August 2026, 16:40
Governor Gavin Newsom and state agencies are pushing back against a new federal review of California's Coastal Management Program. State officials warn the review is a thinly veiled attempt to force offshore oil drilling and other risky development on the California coast. Now Newsom is asking residents to make their voices heard through public comments.
In May 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate California's federally approved coastal program. The review covers offshore oil production, pipeline maintenance, deep seabed mining, desalination projects, undersea cables and other federal priorities.
The California Natural Resources Agency submitted formal comments warning that the review is politically motivated and could clear the way for new offshore drilling and pipeline restarts. California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot said the state will not stand by while the federal government sidelines the people who rely on and care for California's coast.
The Trump administration will hold an in-person meeting on Aug. 10 in Santa Monica and two virtual meetings on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. Written comments will be accepted through Aug. 22.
Dee Dee Myers, director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, said protecting the coast is smart economic policy. Strong protections give businesses confidence to invest, communities certainty to plan and industries stability to grow, she said.
California's coastal economy is worth $51 billion. The state's Coastal Management Program, established 48 years ago, is carried out by the California Coastal Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. The program has been federally approved since 1978.
Santa Monica residents and others along the coast face the most direct effects of any new offshore drilling. The in-person hearing in Santa Monica gives coastal communities a chance to speak directly against the federal plan.
The federal review follows a letter from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticizing California for protecting its coastal economy, communities and environment. NOAA typically evaluates state coastal programs every five to 10 years. California's program was extensively reviewed in 2024, and NOAA completed a draft report in June 2025 finding the state had successfully implemented its approved program. A final report was never issued.
The review is part of a broader pattern of federal actions targeting California's coast, including attempts to restart a shuttered oil pipeline through emergency powers and proposals to open new federal waters to leasing.
The public comment period ends Aug. 22. State officials are urging Californians to submit comments and attend the hearings in Santa Monica or online. The outcome could shape the future of the state's coastline, coastal economy and marine ecosystems.
