San Mateo County Supervisors Warn Federal Review Could Weaken State Coastal Protections

San Mateo County Supervisors Ray Mueller and Jackie Speier are urging federal officials to preserve California's authority to protect its coastline as the federal government conducts a review that could affect the state's role in decisions involving oil drilling and other coastal projects.

Mueller testified in Santa Monica during a recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration performance evaluation of California's Coastal Management Program.

"I traveled here today to express support for the California Coastal Management Program and express our County's unequivocal opposition to the issuance of any offshore oil drilling leases and permits off our coast," Mueller told federal officials.

"The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors recently passed a unanimous resolution opposing these leases and permits. Introducing offshore oil drilling threatens decades of conservation and puts our irreplaceable environment and economy at catastrophic risk," he said.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in January to oppose the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's proposed 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which identifies waters off San Mateo County for potential future leasing.

Supervisor Jackie Speier said, "Our coast is one of California's most valuable assets that defines the character of our state. It's an economic engine generating billions of dollars from tourism, recreation and maritime industries. We refuse to let the Trump administration dictate how California will use its iconic coastline. San Mateo County firmly rejects polluting offshore drilling rigs."

California's Coastal Management Program gives the state a role in reviewing activities that may affect coastal resources. These include offshore oil and gas development, pipeline maintenance, desalination projects, undersea cables and other coastal activities.

NOAA's review comes amid federal consideration of new offshore oil and gas leasing in California. The review has drawn statewide attention amid concerns it could affect California's ability to weigh in on projects affecting its coast.

San Mateo County's coastline lies within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and supports fisheries, wildlife and coastal communities throughout the region.

"Our coastline is not a resource to be extracted and discarded; it's our home, our economy and our enduring legacy," said Mueller, whose District 3 includes the majority of the county's coastline. "We depend on the California Coastal Management Program to protect us."

NOAA said the review is intended to evaluate how California is implementing its Coastal Management Program and addressing coastal uses and resources. The agency is accepting written comments until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2026.

Instructions for submitting comments are available in the Federal Register notice NOAA issued on June 26, 2026, at this link.

Marisol Escalera
Office of Supervisor Ray Mueller
650-363-4569
[email protected]

Katrina Rill
Office of Supervisor Jackie Speier
[email protected]