Regulations

Each national marine sanctuary has its own set of regulations to protect important cultural and natural resources, while still allowing people to enjoy and responsibly use these areas. Regulations for Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary are generally similar to other national marine sanctuaries along the U.S. West Coast.

Within the final rule published in October 2024 for designation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, sanctuary regulations are presented in the last section as specific amendments to Part 922, Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations, in Subpart V.

The following activities are prohibited within Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary:

  • New offshore oil and gas exploration, development, and production (with exceptions for activities at pre-existing leases)
  • Unauthorized take or possession of marine mammals, sea turtles, or birds
  • Disturbing sanctuary submerged lands (exceptions include anchoring, lawful fishing, harbor channel maintenance, and repair of docks, piers, jetties, and breakwaters)
  • Discharges or deposits into the sanctuary (with several exceptions for normal clean boating operations)
  • Cruise ship effluent and waste discharges
  • Disturbing, moving, or removing historical resources (exceptions for accidental disturbance from lawful fishing)
  • Attracting a white shark
  • Deserting a vessel
  • Introducing or releasing into the sanctuary an introduced (non-native) species (except striped bass (Morone saxatilis) during catch and release fishing)
  • Disturbing, moving, removing, or possessing resources from Rodriguez Seamount (below 1,500 feet, except per lawful fishing)
  • Interfering with an enforcement investigation or action

Note: The above list is summarized and should not substitute for understanding the final regulatory details, which can be found in the final rule published in October 2024 for designation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

A pier, or elevated walkway, out into nearshore ocean waters with surfers in the water below

Sanctuary Permits

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has the authority to issue permits to allow some types of activities that are otherwise prohibited by sanctuary regulations. Visit this permit page for more information on permits specific to Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

photo of Ocean, cliffs, rocks and sky

Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Permits

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has the authority to issue permits to allow some types of activities that are otherwise prohibited by sanctuary regulations. Guidance on how to apply for a sanctuary permit can be found on this Office of National Marine Sanctuaries permits page.

rocks protrude above the water’s surface

EIS Volume II, Appendix A

Volume II, Appendix A of the final environmental impact statement includes NOAA’s responses to many regulation-related public comments during the sanctuary designation process. In particular, see the regulations and permitting section, and comments throughout individual issue areas.