Tell State Parks: Parks are for People, not Pipelines!

Parks are for People, not Pipelines!

Dear State Parks Director Quintero, We are extremely concerned to see that on May 9th you granted a CEQA exemption to Sable Offshore to repair the stretch of their failed pipeline that goes through State Parks land — the very same pipeline that 10 years ago ruptured and spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude oil on Santa Barbara's beaches, killing hundreds of marine mammals and birds alongside untold numbers of other marine organisms. State Parks are for people, not pipelines; especially pipelines with a demonstrated history of disaster, run by a company that is blatantly disregarding state laws and running roughshod over California regulations — regulations that are in place to protect our coast, communities, wildlife and environment from these very projects. Sable was recently fined a record and maximum $18 million by the California Coastal Commission for damage caused by unpermitted work. A company with a demonstrated history of acting with impunity should be subjected to the highest regulatory standards — not exempted from them. As the 10 year anniversary of the spill approaches on May 19th and we look back on that catastrophic moment, we expect the good people at State Parks to be defenders of our precious ecosystems, and require the highest level of regulatory oversight on all potentially risky projects — especially ones that have already spilled and killed. There is still time for State Parks to do the right thing and require an environmental impact report before you consider granting the easement Sable needs to begin drilling and spilling again. We urge you to prioritize people over polluting profiteers and ensure that Sable and its corroded “swiss cheese” pipeline are subject to the highest standards that Californians are so proud of. Please prioritize a full EIR for Sable and this dangerous pipeline.