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A Battle for the Sea: Chumash Heritage vs. Wind Power

By Sustainability Awakening February 1, 2026 

Green vs. Green? Usually, it's Environmentalists vs. Oil. But off the California coast, a different battle emerged: Clean Energy vs. Sacred Heritage.

The Western Gate For the Chumash People, these waters are the "Western Gate"—the path where souls travel to the afterlife. They fought for 40 years to protect it.

The Energy Hungry Giant To fight climate change, California plans to build massive Floating Wind Farms off Morro Bay. They need cables to cross the exact waters the Chumash wanted to protect.

The Wind Industry needed an "industrial corridor" for cables. The Tribe wanted a contiguous sanctuary. If the sanctuary blocked the cables, California's clean energy goals would fail.

The Impossible Choice Do we destroy a sacred site to save the planet from climate change? "We shouldn't have to choose between our history and our future."

In a landmark agreement, the Tribe and Industry agreed to a "Phased Approach." A specific corridor was left out of the sanctuary for cables—for now.

In November 2024, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary became reality. Protecting 4,543 square miles of ocean forever.

First of Its Kind This is the first Marine Sanctuary in the US nominated and co-stewarded by Indigenous people. Impact: A new model for conservation.

Phase 2 is Coming The fight isn't over. The Tribe plans to expand the sanctuary later to close the gap once the wind farms are built.