Central Coast District Office
Dan Carl, Deputy Director

725 Front Street, Suite 300
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4508

Dear Commissioners,

    We are writing to you because we have several concerns of the high energy seismic survey process that is being proposed on California's Central Coast. Several of our concerns with this process and the negative impact it will have upon our marine relatives, our submerged Sacred Sites whether documented or not, our cultural and traditional take for medicinal uses within the waters of our traditional territories, also the contribution to generational trauma that 3D Geophysical Seismic Testing would participate in as it severs our spiritual connection to the animals and waters.

    After reading reports of data that had been collected by other agencies after the 3D Geophysical Survey was done in other areas the conclusion was that the devastation to the Marine Ecosystem was ten times worse than that of commercial fishing industry that was done previously without enforcement of Marine Protected Areas. With that said we ask you not to permit seismic testing off of the Coast of California. Cultural Resource Village Sites, Sacred Sites, and Burial Grounds that have submerged or have fallen into the ocean due to erosion are irreplaceable and the Ecosystem of the California Coast is not back to their fullest abundance. The 3D Geophysical Survey Using Air guns, hydrophones, & geophones will set back the marine environment to what it was when the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative had begun.

     The Chumash Peoples has requested from the National Science Foundation and Pacific Gas and Electric to have meaningful consultation several times to resolve these concerns that we have. They have not yet done so. This goes against our rights to defend our Culture, our Ancestors, and our Marine relatives that are guaranteed under federal and state laws as well as the United Nations Declarations on the Right of Indigenous Peoples, including our Freedom of Religion.

                                                                                            Sincerely

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