Santa Cruz County Formally Opposes New Offshore Drilling Plan
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has formally submitted comments opposing a proposed federal plan that could open new offshore oil and gas leasing off the California coast.
The comments were sent to the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in response to a draft proposal that would allow new oil and gas leases in federal waters. The county is urging federal officials to exclude waters adjacent to California and to extend the current public comment period, which is scheduled to close on January 23, 2026.
In its submission, the county cited concerns about potential threats to coastal economies, marine ecosystems, fisheries, and conflicts with existing National Marine Sanctuaries. Supervisors also raised concerns about what they described as insufficient opportunities for meaningful public participation, calling for additional public hearings in coastal communities that could be affected.
“Santa Cruz County’s coast is fundamental to our economy, our environment, and our quality of life,” Supervisor Justin Cummings said. “Opening the door to new offshore drilling places our fisheries, tourism industry, and coastal communities at unnecessary risk. We are calling on the Department of the Interior to listen directly to coastal communities before advancing a plan that could have irreversible consequences.”
BOEM, the federal agency responsible for managing offshore energy development, oversees oil and gas leasing in federal waters. While offshore drilling has been highly restricted off California for decades, new leasing proposals periodically emerge at the federal level, prompting opposition from coastal communities concerned about oil spills, industrialization of the coastline, and impacts to tourism and fishing industries.
Santa Cruz County officials are encouraging residents, nonprofits, businesses, tribes, and public agencies to submit their own comments before the January 23 deadline. Public comments may be submitted through the federal rulemaking portal or through SaveMyCoast.org, which provides background information on the proposal and tools to participate in the process. Residents can also sign up for updates through the Save My Coast mailing list.
Santa Cruz County’s action is part of a broader statewide effort. Led by Cummings and longtime California coastal advocate Richard Charter, 11 of California’s 15 coastal counties have voted to oppose new offshore oil and gas exploration and have joined the Save My Coast coalition, along with the City of Santa Cruz.
As part of that effort, Cummings is scheduled to participate in a public event Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. with California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot titled “Not on Our Watch: Stopping More Oil Drilling on California’s Coast.”
