Part 2 in this Effort started Jan 27

Details of Part 1 now here

Update Jan 28, 2026

GOOD NEWS – 270,223 Comments received before the Jan 23rd deadline – well done everyone!!

BAD NEWS – Unfortunately, as of Monday, January 26, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management BOEM) has now invited “nominations” (usually requested later in the process from oil companies about where they want to drill) for the Southern and Central California Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Planning Areas and initiated a 30 day comment period.  The petroleum industry, based on prior seabed surveys  “nominates” tracts where they want to lease.  

The two new maps showing defined lease areas

The heavily shaded area in these maps are the National Marine Sanctuaries. Whether the drill sites are inside or outside the sanctuaries the westerly winds will put oil spills in the deep sea, the kelpforests and on our beaches. (Ed)

The state, localities, and the public are invited, at the same time, to identify any and all offshore geographic areas where conflicts of various kinds would make offshore drilling inadvisable, and these expressions are called “negative nominations”.

As we continue to build our record of opposition, it is important that localities and community members submit comments and use the phrase “negative nominations” in identifying their new set of comments.  In solidarity with communities in Southern California, it would also be helpful to submit comments separately for BOTH the Southern and Central OCS Planning Areas, since offshore drilling impacts are obviously regionwide and even statewide.

Comments for Central California leases can be submitted HERE and comments for Southern California can be submitted HERE.  The comment period closes at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Feb. 26, 2026.

Here is a sample letter:

Drilling off the coast of California warrants extreme negative nomination for all tracts. The inevitable oil spills will cause damage in the deep ocean, the kelp forests and along our beaches, impacting coastal economies, fishing, wildlife etc. The marine sanctuaries have legal protections from oil/gas exploration and drilling. There is no credible justification for offshore drilling since the US currently exports oil. We also need to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels to minimize further heating of the planet with all the consequences that we are already experiencing – and paying for! Think increased insurance premiums, health care costs, food prices, repairs of and rebuilding damaged homes, etc.
Please do not proceed with these leases.

Experts recommend using the phrase “I/we wish to submit negative nominations for all tracts” and then copying your earlier letter used for part 1 ending jan 23, 2026 or copying and pasting the sample letter above.

For more information and updates visit https://saveourshores.org/drilling/ and savemycoast.org 

Note If we don’t stop this completely the next step by the oil companies will be surveying with seismic air guns which was last done around 60 years ago. The newer methods of surveying are even more dangerous to fish and marine mammals – and has a grave impact on our fisheries! More info here.

Please spread the word and get everybody in your circles to speak up as well. By doing so, we are building and strengthening our case, as this matter will most likely come before the courts.

City council agenda item for 11/18/25

Approval of County of Santa Cruz Memorandum of Understanding and Save Our Shores Professional Services Agreement to Coordinate on Strengthening Opposition to Offshore Drilling and Seabed Mining (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
 Motion to: 1) Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Santa Cruz specifying the City of Santa Cruz’ contribution in the amount of $29,000 and the activities for coordinating funding and administration of the Offshore Oil Coalition Coordination Effort (OOCCE); and 2) Authorize City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Save Our Shores in a form approved by the City Attorney in the amount of $25,000 to update and strengthen the City of Santa Cruz’s ordinances and related policies opposing offshore oil and gas development and onshore facilities for seabed mining, and to coordinate regional collaboration on coastal protection and policy consistency.