Anti Offshore Oil Drilling Comment Period Ends Jan. 23
Surfrider is urging the Trump admin and Congress to stop new offshore drilling while taking legal action to protect our coasts.
For readers wanting to take action opposing the offshore drilling in our region, submit public comment to BOEM to tell them to stop the Trump Administration’s effort to expand offshore oil and gas drilling by opening up leases off the coast of California by Friday, January 23.
Submit your comment online: regulations.gov/commenton/BOEM-2025-0483-0001
Or by mail:
Comments for 11th OCS Oil & Gas Lease Program
BOEM (VAM-LD) & Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
45600 Woodland Road
Sterling, VA 20166-9216
“In total. the Trump administration’s proposal covers 1.27 billion acres, putting coastal ecosystems, communities, and businesses at serious risk,” according to Surfrider. “Specifically, the proposal threatens coastal tourism and recreation industries that sustain local communities and power regional economies. If you’ve never signed a Surfrider action alert before, now is the time Surfrider calls on all members of the public to register official opposition during the public comment period.
“The Department of the Interior is proposing a new 5-Year Offshore Drilling Plan that includes California, the Gulf of Mexico, including the previously protected waters off of Florida, and Alaska, including the pristine High Arctic, where drilling has never been attempted before because of the hazards.”
Free Fraud Seminars, Jan. 30
Fraudsters and scammers are ever present, and the District Attorney’s Office is putting on free seminars to help citizens identify and combat such scoundrels.
“District Attorney Dan Dow invites you to attend a free seminar about how to identify, prevent, and respond to fraud schemes,” reads a news release announcing the seminars. “Separate presentations are tailored for three audiences: the general public, real estate professionals, and small businesses. The event will be held Friday, Jan. 30 at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center in downtown San Luis Obispo.”
With fraud at top of mind across the nation, including most recently scams targeting government programs, the threat from these crooks is growing.
“Locally there has been a dramatic rise in AI scams,” the release said, “vacant property real estate fraud, and targeted attacks against small businesses.”
The seminars are 2-hours each and deal with different victim types. The schedule is:
• Session 1 for the general public is from 9-11 a.m. This will be open to the public and will expose current fraud schemes aimed at local residents.
• Session 2 for real estate is from noon-2 p.m. and is tailored for real estate professionals to help them identify fraud schemes targeting property sales.
• Session 3 for small business is from 3-5 p.m. The final presentation is aimed at helping small business owners learn how to protect their assets from targeted schemes.
All three will be held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers ground floor of the Katcho Achadjian Government Center, 1055 Monterey St., in Downtown San Luis Obispo.
County Behavioral Health Input Needed by Jan. 21
Community input is wanted to help identify local priorities, uncover opportunities for system improvement, and strengthen local Behavioral Health services.
The County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department has released a draft Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Three Year Integrated Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2029. The draft plan is available now through January 21, for a for public comment and review. Members of the public are encouraged to read and submit feedback by completing the form online at www.slocounty.gov/IP.
“It is vital that community members have a chance to read this plan and provide their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on our local system of behavioral health care,” says SLO Behavioral Health Division Manager Christina Rajlal, PhD, MBA. “Anyone with lived experience as a consumer, family member, advocate, or provider can offer a unique and valuable perspective. This input ensures our services meet the needs of all residents, especially vulnerable populations that may need more critical behavioral health care.”
Once the public comment period ends, a hearing for the draft Integrated Plan will be held at the Behavioral Health Board (BHB) meeting on January 21. The BHB will review the draft plan and recommend revisions. The Behavioral Health Department will then submit the draft Integrated Plan to the County Board of Supervisors in February, and request approval from the Chief Executive Officer and Behavioral Health Director prior to submitting the final draft to the Department of Health Care Services in March.
Community members may visit www.slocounty.gov/IP for more information on the drafted 2026-2029 Integrated Plan and complete the online feedback survey.
Send your news, community, and business briefs to EditorEBN@gmail.com. Be sure to include the who, what, why, where and when information along with a contact person.
