Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) and the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF)

The Marine Vessel Speed Reduction Incentive Program, also known as the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program, is a voluntary environmental initiative administered through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The program incentivizes ocean-going vessel operators to transit at or below 10 knots in designated California coastal waters and the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone to reduce whale ship strike risks, underwater noise pollution, and air emissions including nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases. Funding of $973,863 has been allocated for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 to support program implementation, with performance measured by voluntary vessel compliance, quantified reductions in emissions and noise, and an average 48% annual reduction in ship strike risk since inception. The program’s success is tracked through cumulative metrics including over 2 million nautical miles traveled at reduced speeds, 7,394 tons of NOx减排, and approximately 260,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions since its launch. No regulatory enforcement is used; participation is entirely voluntary and supported by environmental performance outcomes. The initiative is categorically exempt from full environmental review under CEQA Guidelines 15307 and 15308, and the agreement is structured as a cooperative environmental funding arrangement, not a formal federal procurement contract. Performance occurs across coastal areas from Del Norte to San Diego counties, with oversight and administrative acceptance handled by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. The lead contact is Tyler S. Harris, Manager of the Planning, Rules, and Incentives Division, and all documentation is submitted in physical hard-copy form without electronic submission options or formal line-item pricing structures. There are no identified FAR clauses, contract types, inspection protocols, or procurement evaluation factors, as this is not a federally solicited contract but rather a state-level environmental incentive program.