Bass Demands Feds Preserve CA's Coastal Authority Amid Offshore Drilling Fight

LOS ANGELES, CA — Mayor Karen Bass is urging federal officials to preserve California's authority to review projects that could affect its coastline, including offshore oil and gas development.

Bass on Wednesday said she submitted a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration opposing any effort to revoke federal approval of the California Coastal Management Program.

The program gives California a role in reviewing certain federal activities that could affect coastal resources under the Coastal Zone Management Act.

"As mayor of the largest coastal city in California, I write to comment on NOAA's performance evaluation of the California Coastal Management Program," Bass wrote. "I demand that the protections and principles of the Coastal Zone Management Act are upheld."

NOAA is evaluating California's coastal program amid a broader dispute between state officials and the Trump administration over the state's handling of federal projects along the coast.

The administration has accused California of maintaining obstructionist policies that delay infrastructure projects in the name of what it called "environmental extremism."

California officials have rejected that characterization, pointing to the state's record of agreeing with 96% of more than 3,700 federal and federally regulated actions reviewed through the coastal program since the 1970s.

Bass cited the same figure in her letter, arguing that California's record demonstrates cooperation rather than obstruction.

"It is imperative that the state of California retain the right to review projects that might impact these core resources, including the installation of offshore oil and gas infrastructure, undersea cables, pipelines, and large-scale desalination plants," Bass wrote.

The mayor said Los Angeles beaches and coastal communities support billions of dollars in economic activity while providing jobs, public recreation and environmental benefits.

She also argued that coastal protections have become increasingly important as California faces sea-level rise, extreme weather and damage to marine ecosystems.

"Protecting these resources is fundamental to the long-term prosperity of our city," Bass wrote.

The dispute has drawn opposition from other California officials and lawmakers.

Earlier this month, state and local leaders, environmental advocates and coastal residents gathered in Santa Monica to oppose changes that they warned could reduce California's influence over federal projects along its coast.

California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot called NOAA's evaluation "deeply troubling," while Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and members of Congress spoke against expanded offshore drilling and other projects they said could threaten coastal communities.

Eleven California lawmakers also sent a letter to NOAA this month criticizing the review and defending the state's coastal program.

Bass warned that revoking California's authority under the Coastal Zone Management Act could have consequences beyond the state.

"This would not only change the status of California, but of every coastal state in the nation," she wrote.

Bass said Los Angeles remains willing to work with state and federal agencies on coastal management while maintaining protections for California's shoreline.

"We stand ready to work with our federal and state partners to advance meaningful solutions that will preserve California's extraordinary coastline," she wrote.