Barbara Boxer: “today, with my friend and colleague from California, Dianne Feinstein, I introduce the ``California Ocean and Coastal…”

“today, with my friend and colleague from California, Dianne Feinstein, I introduce the ``California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act.'' This bill will permanently protect California's coast from the dangers of new offshore drilling. In California, there is strong and enduring public support for the protection of our oceans and coastlines. Many years ago, my State decided that the potential benefits that might be derived from future offshore oil and gas development were not worth the risk of destroying our priceless coastal treasures. Regular chronic leakage associated with normal oil and gas operations, as well as catastrophic spills such as the horrific Santa Barbara rig blowout in 1969, irreparably contaminate our ocean, beaches, and wetlands. The beauty of California's coast is so important that California passed legislation permanently prohibiting oil and gas exploration in State waters in 1994. This protection is limited, however, to California's territorial waters--only three nautical miles out from shore. The Federal waters off the coast of California, which extend beyond State waters to 200 nautical miles out, are increasingly at risk of drilling. Despite years of bipartisan support for the moratoria on new offshore drilling in Federal waters, recent efforts are threatening our coasts. Some recent proposals would immediately lift the moratoria and allow for drilling within 20 miles off our coasts.…”