Proposed legislation on undersea cables would undermine public input on usage of public resources
Silver Spring, Md. – January 23, 2025 – The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation opposes Congressional legislation that would bypass community involvement in national marine sanctuaries in any form; specifically, removing permitting requirements for new and existing undersea cables through sanctuary waters.
Joel R. Johnson, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, released the following statement:
“For over 50 years, national marine sanctuaries have centered around community needs, participation, and input. The National Marine Sanctuaries Act ensures scientific integrity and community voice are integral parts of decision making in nationally significant public waters as iconic as our national parks. In doing so, it provides a tested and successful framework for exploring potential activity, like cabling, to balance economic activity with protecting our ecological and maritime heritage, including sacred cultural sites that tell the story of our nation – from WWII shipwrecks to iconic coral reefs. Sanctuary users, such as local dive operators, commercial and recreational fishermen, must continue to have a say in how these public resources are treated.
“We oppose any effort, including H.R. 261, that would circumvent the rights granted to communities by the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. As the Trump Administration stated in its Executive Order about unleashing American energy, the administration is committed to guaranteeing the opportunity for public comment on decisions that impact Americans. Together, we must ensure that the American people and coastal communities that rely on sanctuaries for their livelihoods continue to have a voice in their waters rather than be silenced by special interest groups.
“This proposed legislation is attempting to allow big tech industries to circumvent paying permit fees for using public resources that have been deemed important to conserve for the American people by our government. These fees are critical to the management and protection of our nation’s marine resources, safeguarded by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and are the standard process for industries using public resources on public lands and waters.
“The maritime heritage protected within sanctuary boundaries include relics of every military conflict from the American Revolution to World War II, many yet to be identified, properly mapped, and characterized; some are even graveyards for deceased American soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Other sites protect the cultural heritage of native peoples with sovereign rights. The sanctity of these precious sites should not be disregarded but balanced with national security concerns.
“The National Marine Sanctuaries Act addresses national security, jointly among NOAA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security, upholding the promise that the American people will be at the table to assess potential impacts to their communities, and to put into place monitoring safeguards and accountability with transparency. We urge Congress to maintain the ability of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to provide the public with the tools needed to maintain the healthy balance between protection and commercial uses.”
###
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Learn more at marinesanctuary.org.
Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Director of Strategic Communications
301-754-6134
chip@marinesanctuary.org