Shoring up the Blue Wall: Continued Protections of the California Coast

New Offshore Drilling Leases are Being Proposed Along the Coast of CA

1st Analysis and Proposal: 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program

How to Submit Comments:

The comment period on the 1st Analysis and Proposal will open on Nov. 24, 2025 for 60 days.

  1. Preferred Method: Regulations.gov (Docket ID: BOEM-2025-0483) to submit comments and view other comments. (Available Nov. 24).
  2. In writing and mailed in an envelope labeled “Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program.” Addressed to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD), 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216

The Proposed Plan:

BOEM's 5-year plan for drilling in U.S. federal waters (from 3 - 200 miles offshore) was released Nov. 20, 2025. 1st The Proposal includes: Alaska with 21 lease sales (leasing begins 2026), California with 6 lease sales (leasing begins 2027), Gulf of Mexico with 7 lease sales (2017).

 

What happens next? 

The program development process includes five main steps and BOEM is on the second step. 

Development of the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program:

  • Develop Proposed Schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales (April -June 2025)
  • Draft Proposed Program - 1st Analysis and Proposal (In Progress Now - Jan. 23 2026)
  • Proposed Program - 2nd Analysis and Proposal (90 comment period)
  • Proposed Final Program - 3rd and Final Analysis and Proposal (60-day waiting period for Presidential and Congressional Approval)
  • Approval

Save Our Shores is Reinvigorating the “Blue Wall” 

In response to the 5YP, Save Our Shores is accelerating efforts to modernize and expand the California “Blue Wall” - a network of local zoning protections that restrict or require voter approval for onshore infrastructure tied to offshore drilling.

This strategy, first developed in the 1980s, empowered coastal communities to prevent the onshore facilities that offshore oil operations require. Strengthening and updating these ordinances is an effective tool available to block new drilling proposals.

Current actions include: 

  • Partnering with cities and counties to update existing ordinances and incorporate protections against supporting infrastructure for both offshore oil and seabed mining.
  • Supporting statewide coordination through renewed local government efforts to oppose new federal offshore leasing.
  • Expanding the Blue Wall to regions that did not previously face offshore development pressure but are newly included in federal plans.
Map showing the onshore ordinances

Individual Action: What can you do today?  

Your voice matters and representatives need to hear from you.

  • See if your congressional representative has taken a stance on the issue. 
  • If they support offshore drilling - express your concern and opposition. 
  • If they oppose offshore drilling - express your appreciation for their strong stance and continued action to ensure protection of our environment and communities. Congressional bipartisan opposition remains our best chance at protecting our marine environment, shores and local communities
  • Reach out to the Governor’s office expressing your opposition to the proposed work.
  • Donate to support Save Our Shores’ advocacy efforts.
  • Watch for updates and action items via SOS newsletter and social media.
  • Spread the word, share information with your friends and family.

Local Offshore Oil Drilling Media Coverage:

ABC 7 News: Santa Cruz leaders speak out against federal plans for drilling off California coast

Santa Cruz Sentinel: Santa Cruz officials, ocean advocates unite to oppose offshore drilling

Lookout Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz County officials reviving a statewide coalition to block Trump's offshore oil drilling plans

CBS News Bay Area: Santa Cruz renews fight against offshore drilling plans 

KSBW: Santa Cruz leaders oppose Trump administration's offshore drilling plans



The Offshore Oil Drilling Issue:

What is at risk and Why do I care?

The federal proposal would open the California coast, including areas adjacent to existing marine sanctuaries, to new offshore oil and gas drilling and seabed mining for the first time in decades. Oil drilling can lead to significant risks, including:

  • Habitat Destruction: Clearing and drilling into underwater areas to build infrastructure, destroying habitats.
  • Disruption of Wildlife: Noise pollution and human/machine activity disrupt behaviors such as migration patterns, breeding and feeding. Oil spills poison and coat animals (birds cannot fly with oil on their feathers, seals cannot insulate themselves when coated with oil).
  • Water Contamination: Oil spills contaminate water and spilled oil can seep into ground water systems used for drinking water.
  • Impact on Local Communities: Expanding offshore drilling damages tourism, recreation, and fishing industries that generate enormous amounts of money for our local economy. Oil drilling releases greenhouse gases contaminating the air for local communities. The blight of drilling infrastructure leads to a drop in tourism. Toxic onshore processing facilities are disproportionately placed in communities of color.
  • Climate Change: The process of pulling crude oil from the earth, transporting it, processing it and burning it for fuel - is the largest contributor to carbon emissions globally. The petrochemicals produced from oil and gas to make plastics fuel the immense waste stream we continue to produce globally.

Presidential executive orders and legislation have also authorized seabed mining for rare earths and precious minerals, with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regulating it in US federal waters.

Dispelling Myths: 

  • New offshore drilling would not reduce gas prices (Dept. of Energy)
  • More drilling is not needed: U.S. is energy independent & net oil exporter
  • Oil industry is not limited: 1,800 unused leases
  • Offshore drilling is still causing oil spills and accidents on a regular basis
  • Renewable energy alternatives are scaling & economically competitive
  • Oil and gas is not the future: it threatens jobs and communities

 

How far out do we lose state jurisdiction?

There is a fixed boundary that extends 3 nautical miles off the entire length of the coast of California. Beyond that, Federal authorities (including BOEM) have decision making powers to roughly 200 nautical miles.

 

What is the OCS Local Government Coordination Program?

The OCS (Outer Continental Shelf) Local Government Coordination Program facilitates the local role in leasing proposals. Santa Cruz County Supervisor, Justin Cummings, has been working to engage California local governments in opposition to proposed offshore oil development and seabed mining.

 

We’ve been here before, We can do it again.

A History of Success:

Save Our Shores (SOS) was formed as a grassroots movement to prevent offshore oil drilling.

1985-1992 SOS’s campaign, advocating for the passage of local ordinances to effectively prevent offshore oil drilling, resulted in the adoption of 27 ordinances (Marin County added on in 2020), starting with the City of Santa Cruz’s Measure A, which directed the city to use its resources to fight offshore oil. 

Some communities were sued by the Western Oil and Gas Association to overturn these ordinances, but local governments prevailed. Today, the 27 ordinances form a blue wall, defending the ocean from destructive drilling. The blue wall is ready to stand strong once again.



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