California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging residents to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's ongoing review of the state's Coastal Management Program, which he characterizes as a direct threat to California's $51 billion coastal economy and vast ecosystems through forced offshore oil drilling. The state has already submitted formal comments against the federal review, asserting it undermines California's ability to protect its coast.
The Trump administration's actions, including proposals to open new federal waters to leasing and attempts to restart a shuttered pipeline using "emergency" powers, are seen by the Governor as part of a broader agenda to advance offshore oil production and other resource extraction. "Trump is threatening California’s coast in pursuit of reckless offshore oil and gas extraction to pad the wallets of his corrupt oil cronies," Governor Newsom said. "We won't stand by while Trump sidelines the people who rely on and care for California's coast. Now is the time to make our voices heard. Give the Trump administration an earful."
The California Natural Resources Agency has formally pushed back, warning that the federal review is a "thinly veiled attempt" to facilitate new offshore oil drilling and pipeline restarts. California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot emphasized the state's long-standing bipartisan commitment to coastal protection. "California's coast belongs to all Californians – full stop," Crowfoot said, adding that the Trump administration is "singling out California and threatening unprecedented action in pursuit of dangerous new offshore oil drilling."
Public input is currently being sought by the Trump administration, with an in-person meeting scheduled for August 10 in Santa Monica, and two virtual meetings on August 11 and 12. Written comments will be accepted until August 22. This review follows a previous evaluation in 2024-2025 that found California's program successful, yet the Department of Commerce directed an additional evaluation focusing on major coastal development issues.
The federal review is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration targeting California's coast, including proposals to expand offshore oil and gas leasing and efforts to restart the Sable pipeline, which has been offline since the 2015 Refugio oil spill. California, along with Oregon and Washington, has consistently opposed new offshore drilling for decades due to significant economic, environmental, and community risks.