The U.S. has added a marine sanctuary in California, and it will be managed in a new way.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced the designation of the new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the 17th in the nation and the third largest so far. Stretching along 116 miles of California’s central coast and encompassing more than 4,500 square miles of coastal and offshore waters, the site includes important natural resources, including kelp forests, reefs, beaches, and underwater mountains.

It also contains sites of spiritual significance to the Chumash People and other area indigenous groups, along with submerged artifacts from the more than 10,000 years in which they’ve lived in the area. This is one of the reasons why the Chumash have been pushing for the designation since 2015 and why they – along with other area tribal communities – will be helping manage the sanctuary.

Violet Sage Walker is the Northern Chumash Tribal Council chair and daughter of Chief Fred Collins, who was the leader behind the nomination effort in 2015. She says, "This recognition is a crucial moment for our community. It will not only raise awareness of the Chumash People around the world, but also honor the legacy of my late father and affirm our commitment to the stewardship of our land. I hope we will be remembered for our dedication to actively protecting and nurturing Mother Earth and Grandmother Ocean.”

According to the NOAA, the sanctuary will be managed with respect for indigenous values, knowledge, and traditions. It will also be protected from oil and gas drilling and undersea mining, while it will receive more monitoring for impacts of climate change. Other industry, including fishing, will be allowed.

NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad says, “The sanctuary designation will support and conserve the area’s rich biodiversity, create new opportunities for research and economic development, including recreation and tourism, and co-exist with renewable energy, fisheries and other sustainable ocean uses.”

The NOAA notes that this designation is part of President Biden’s America the Beautiful Initiative, which sets a goal of protecting at least 30% of our nation’s lands and waters by 2030. So far, his administration has conserved more than 45 million acres.