Local Politics · Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Voters Decide Measure D on Offshore Mining Infrastructure Nov. 3
On Nov. 3, Santa Cruz County voters will decide whether to prohibit new onshore facilities supporting offshore oil, gas, and seabed mining operations unless approved by a popular vote. Measure D updates the county's 1986 Measure A law, adding a seabed mining provision that would require voter consent for zoning and land-use changes needed to construct pipelines, processing plants, storage yards, or waste disposal sites associated with seabed extraction. The measure exempts existing facilities, power plants, and gas stations from new regulations and requires only a simple majority to pass. No organized local opposition has been filed against the measure on the ballot, and local election officials expect strong turnout.