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Sonoma Coast ocean sanctuary clears Senate hurdle

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 21, 2009 at 8:13 am

From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

A national marine sanctuary bill from California’s two Democratic senators that would permanently ban off-shore oil drilling along the 76-mile Sonoma County coast and part of the Mendocino coast cleared a key committee Wednesday.

The bill from Sens. Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein would expand existing sanctuaries near the Gulf of the Farallones and the Cordell Bank by taking in an additional 2,100 square miles from Bodega Bay north to Point Arena.

It passed the Senate Commerce Committee despite Republican opposition and will go to the full Senate, where last year it was blocked by critics who said it would increase the country’s dependence on foreign oil. A companion bill from Rep. Lynn Woolsey was approved in the House last year and is now back in a House subcommittee for reconsideration.

“We stand a much better chance of passing a sanctuaries bill this year because the Senate is more Democratic and we have an administration that cares about preserving the health of our oceans,” said Michael Gravitz, a lobbyist for Environment America, who has been urging the legislation for more than two years.

Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat by clicking here.

May 21, 2009 · Filed Under Other Oceans & Beaches Stories

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