Pelosi Praises Expansion of Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published the final rule in the Federal Register expanding the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries off the northern California Coast:

"Our nation's oceans and coasts are among our greatest ecological treasures. The expansion of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries will more than double the size of each sanctuary and ensure new protection of more than 2,000 square nautical miles of biologically productive, nutrient-rich waters in a globally significant coastal upwelling zone.

"Today's success is the culmination of more than a decade of effort led by my former colleague Lynn Woolsey as well as our Senator, Barbara Boxer. Our nation is honored to have public servants like Lynn Woolsey, who fight so passionately and persistently to protect the health of our oceans.

"Together, we will continue to act to secure God's beautiful creation for generations to come."