Notice of Federal Consistency Appeal by DCOR LLC

Federal Consistency Appeal by DCOR, LLC

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Notice of Appeal

On October 14, 2026, the Secretary received a "Notice of Appeal" filed by DCOR pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., and implementing regulations found at 15 CFR part 930, subpart H. DCOR is appealing an objection by the California Coastal Commission to DCOR's CZMA Federal consistency certification for a proposed supplement to DCOR's Development and Production Plan for Platform Gilda, an offshore platform on the outer continental shelf in Federal waters of the Santa Barbara Channel, which would authorize hydraulic fracturing well stimulation techniques at 16 wells over the course of five years. This matter constitutes an appeal of an "energy project" within the meaning of the CZMA regulations. 15 CFR 930.123(c).

Under the CZMA, the Secretary may override the California Coastal Commission's objection on grounds that the project is consistent with the objectives or purposes of the CZMA, or is necessary in the interest of national security. To make the determination that the proposed activity is "consistent with the objectives or purposes of the CZMA," the Secretary must find that: (1) the proposed activity furthers the national interest as articulated in sections 302 or 303 of the CZMA, in a significant or substantial manner; (2) the national interest furthered by the proposed activity outweighs the activity's adverse coastal effects, when those effects are considered separately or cumulatively; and (3) no reasonable alternative is available that would permit the proposed activity to be conducted in a manner consistent with the enforceable policies of the applicable coastal management program. 15 CFR 930.121. To make the determination that the proposed activity is "necessary in the interest of national security," the Secretary must find that a national defense or other national security interest would be significantly impaired if the proposed activity is not permitted to go forward as proposed. 15 CFR 930.122.

II. Public Availability of Appeal Documents

NOAA intends to provide access to publicly available materials and related documents comprising the appeal record electronically, at https://www.regulations.gov, under docket number NOAA-NOS-2026-3235.

(Authority Citation: 15 CFR 930.128(a))