Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – With California’s governance of its coastal zones under scrutiny of federal authorities, Marin County Supervisor Dennis Rodoni voiced strong support for the coalition of management agencies during a key meeting August 10 in Santa Monica.
Rodoni, the District 4 Supervisor who represents Marin’s Pacific coast communities, spoke on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and praised the California Coastal Commission for its efforts to uphold local and state protections of the coast and oppose the federal government’s plans for offshore drilling and mining. The remarks came at a hearing hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is conducting an off-cycle review of the state’s Coastal Management Program overseen by the Coastal Commission, the California Coastal Conservancy, and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.
At the hearing, Rodoni highlighted that the Coastal Zone Management Act was built on a partnership between the federal government and coastal states. He shared the County’s concern that launching an extraordinary review focused on a narrow set of federally prioritized issues raises serious concerns about state and local autonomy and whether this process is being used to weaken California's longstanding coastal protections.
“The waters off Marin County support globally significant marine ecosystems, productive commercial and recreational fisheries, and a thriving visitor economy that depends on a healthy coastline,” Rodoni said. “Decisions affecting California's coast must be based on sound science, existing law, and meaningful conversation with the communities that will bear the consequences.”
NOAA is continuing the conversation with virtual public meetings August 11 and 12, both starting at 2 PM. NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management also is collecting feedback by email through August 22.
Marin County has approximately 110 miles of Pacific shoreline, bays, and tidal areas along its southern and western edges. Much of the scenic coast is part of the Point Reyes National Seashore, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and recreational destinations such as Rodeo Beach, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, and Dillon Beach.
Most Pacific waters off Marin’s shoreline are protected as part of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The waters south of Stinson Beach and north of Point Bonita in the Marin Headlands are part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Miles further out, beyond the Farallones sanctuary area, the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary includes the waters from the Point Reyes Lighthouse up to the Sonoma County border.
The Supervisors’ 2026 Legislative Platform, approved in December 2025, included opposition to all oil and gas development or deep-sea mining plus any actions that would weaken marine protections or adjust the size of the offshore marine sanctuaries. Earlier support of offshore drilling and mining bans are cited in the May 19 staff report. The County has also submitted comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in opposition to numerous draft plans that include the inclusion of waters off of the California coast.
Marin is known nationally as a champion of the preservation of nature and its promotion of environmental causes. Adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are some of the Supervisors’ highest priorities. The County remains committed to sustainable practices and is implementing its Climate Action Plan, part of which is devoted to the electrification of its vehicle fleet to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The County is also pursuing Senate Bill (SB) 1 funding to develop regional sea-level rise adaptation plans for both its bayside and coastal communities.