Parts of Big Sur could be sold, local marine sanctuaries under threat

KAZU | By Ngozi Cole,

Doug McKnight

Published June 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM PDT

The land along the Little Sur River is home to old-growth redwoods, California condors, California spotted owls, and California red-legged frog. — 16 million acres of public land in California, including parts of Big Sur, could be up for grabs under the Republican "Big Beautiful Bill".

In today's newscast, a Monterey County Supervisor says Big Sur is strongly protected in the face of a federal budget bill hoping to sell off over 200 million acres of national public lands. And, Congressman Jimmy Panetta says he will fight offshore drilling proposals in Monterey Bay as the Trump Administration plans to approve oil and gas projects in National Marine Sanctuaries.

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Ngozi Cole

Before joining KAZU, Ngozi covered health, business and economy stories for WYSO in southwest Ohio and The Ohio Newsroom. She’s also worked as a freelance reporter for Reveal, The New Humanitarian and other outlets.

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Doug McKnight

Doug joined KAZU in 2004 as Development Director overseeing fundraising, underwriting and grants. He was promoted to General Manager in 2009. In 2011 he retired as General Manager but continued to work part-time in fundraising, news and station projects.

See stories by Doug McKnight