2020 – California State Coastal Conservancy

San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Implementation Meeting #35 – December 11, 2020

AGENDA

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location – VIRTUAL MEETING

Please click this URL to join Zoom webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/96517077363?pwd=N1NVR0NUQklvSUJEUXErSElVNmdPdz09
Passcode: 869321

Or join by phone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 965 1707 7363
Passcode: 869321

Desired Outcomes of Meeting:

Attendees are informed of Water Trail-related activities, progress, and accomplishments.
Attendees informed of Point Pinole ADA Access Grant Proposal.
After receiving Advisory Committee guidance, Project Management Team makes a consensus-based decision on trailhead designation of Crane Cove Park, San Francisco.

Time – Agenda Items

10:00 – Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Review, and Meeting Ground Rules / Zoom Logistics

10:10 – Updates and Announcements from Water Trail Staff, Project Management Team, and Advisory Committee Members

10:30 – Water Trail Program Update and 2021 Priorities Discussion

11:00 – Point Pinole ADA Water Access Project – Water Trail Grant

Presentation and grant application overview
Discussion with Advisory Committee
Public comments
Project Management Team discussion on grant authorization

11:20 – BREAK

11:30 – Trailhead Designation Consideration: Crane Cove Park, San Francisco

• Presentation and Site Description review
• Discussion with Advisory Committee
• Public comments
• Advisory Committee consensus guidance to Project Management Team on trailhead designation
• Project Management Team discussion and decision on conditional designation

12:15– Public Comments

12:30 – Adjourn

Agenda items may be taken out of sequence at the discretion of the Project Management Team; times are approximate.

Questions regarding this meeting may be addressed to Avra Heller, Coastal Conservancy Project Manager, at avra.heller@scc.ca.gov.

Coastal Conservancy Awards $7 Million for SF Bay and Coastal Restoration, Preservation, and Public Access

21 Explore the Coast Grants Awarded to Fund Coastal Programming for Communities Facing Barriers to Access

Oakland, CA – Today, the Board of the California State Coastal Conservancy awarded over $7 million to 15 projects to protect and restore the California coast and San Francisco Bay, and increase public access to these natural resources.

Included in the awards were 21 Explore the Coast grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Now in its seventh round, the Conservancy’s Explore the Coast grant program funds programs that give unique coastal experiences to communities that face barriers to access.

City Surf Project. Photo: Avra Heller

Staff estimates that the 21 projects funded in the 2020-2021 Explore the Coast grant program will engage over 8,000 people through fieldtrip projects. Of these 8,000, project partners estimate that the program will serve over 7,500 low-income Californians, 6,800 people of color, approximately 3,000 people for whom English is not their first language, and at least 400 people with disabilities. All programs will follow COVID-19 safety precautions.

The Board also approved $3 million in funding for the Terminal Four Wharf Project in Richmond, which consists of demolition of derelict pilings, decking, and two buildings, construction of enhanced rock slope protection, and monitoring. The City of Richmond has been planning the removal of the creosote-treated piles and deteriorated decking at the Terminal Four site for a number of years in order to increase the ecological health of San Francisco Bay, improve spawning and development success of Pacific herring, maintain the existing degree of shoreline protection, and to protect and enhance the existing eelgrass beds and other biological resources. In addition, the project will help to increase climate resiliency by cleaning up this area of the shoreline and strengthening the natural eelgrass and oyster habitats, which act as green infrastructure that provides nature-based adaptation to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and shoreline erosion.

The projects approved at the November Board meeting were:

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

A grant of up to $3,000,000 to the City of Richmond for final design and implementation of the Terminal Four Wharf Removal Project near Point San Pablo, Contra Costa County; and adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
A grant of up to $271,357 to the City of Albany for preparation of plans, designs and environmental review documents for Phase V of the Codornices Creek Restoration Project.
A grant of up to $125,000 to the Napa Valley Transportation Authority for the design and construction of 2.9 miles of Bay Area Ridge Trail/Napa Valley Vine Trail in Napa County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Recommendation to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission that five resource protection and public access projects be included in the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program.
A grant of up to $1,000,000 to California Wildlife Foundation for final ecotone and revegetation construction documents to support implementation of the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Projectin Santa Clara County.

CENTRAL COAST

A grant of up to $250,000 to the County of San Luis Obispo to construct public access improvements to an existing informal coastal park at Cave Landing, San Luis Obispo County.
A grant of up to $250,000 to the Port San Luis Harbor District to renovate the Avila pierin San Luis Obispo County.
A grant of up to $79,750 to Monterey Bay Aquarium to implement a project to aid in recovery of the southern sea otter, consisting of raising and releasing up to three stranded pups using captive female otters as surrogates, and analyzing and circulating best practices for sea otter surrogacy.
A grant of up to $100,000 to the County of Santa Barbara to prepare feasibility and technical studies, design plans, and a County permit pre-application package for a new coastal trail, coastal access parking, and beach accessway at Jalama BeachCounty Park.

SOUTH COAST

A grant of up to $250,000 to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to prepare plans, environmental documents, and permit applications for wetland restoration and public access facilities in the southern area of the Los Cerritos Wetlands in Seal Beach.

A grant of up to $445,990 to California Trout, Inc. to plan and prepare designs, technical analysis, and reports for a riparian habitat restoration project at Rose Valley Creekin Los Padres National Forest in unincorporated Ventura County.
A grant of up to $550,000 to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to construct public beach access improvements at Big Rock Beachin the City of Malibu.
A grant of up to $24,000 to Orange County Coastkeeper for management and maintenance of the public access easement at Portofino Cove in Huntington Harborin the City of Huntington Beach, Orange County
A grant of up to $48,210 of funds received from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to U.S. Geological Survey and Southern California Coastal Water Research Project to augment the previously authorized grant for marsh migration and estuary dynamics studiesas recommended by the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project.

STATEWIDE

A grant of up to $695,000 to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for 21 projects that facilitate and enhance the public’s opportunities to explore the California coast. Participants are drawn from throughout the State and will visit coastal locations from Del Norte County south to San Diego County.

The next Conservancy meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2021 and will be held via teleconference

Notes to Editors:

The Coastal Conservancy is a state agency, established in 1976, to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, to help people get to and enjoy the outdoors, and to sustain local economies along California’s coast. The Conservancy is a non-regulatory agency that supports projects to protect coastal resources and increase opportunities for the public to enjoy the coast.

Since its founding, the Conservancy has:

Funded 2,400 projects along the California coastline and in the San Francisco Bay.
Protected 390,000 acres of coastal lands through acquisition of fee title and conservation easements.
Restored 33,000 acres of habitat.
Built 200 new coastal accessway and 210 miles of new trails.
Put $1.3 billion to work for conservation projects, and leveraged far more from federal, local government, and private sources.

Coastal Conservancy Public Zoom Meeting – November 2020

Meeting Notice

Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair
Ann Notthoff (Public Member), Vice Chair
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš (Public Member)
Joseph Alioto Jr. (Public Member)
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash (Designated)
Stephen Padilla, Coastal Commission Chair; Susan Hansch (Designated)
Keely Bosler, Director, Department of Finance; Gayle Miller (Designated)

Senate Representatives
Benjamin Allen (District 26)
Bill Monning (District 17)
Jerry Hill (District 13)

Assembly Representatives
Mark Stone (District 29)
Lorena Gonzalez (District 80)
Monique Limón (District 37)

Sam Schuchat, Executive Officer
Amy Roach, Chief Counsel

AGENDA

Teleconference Meeting
DATE: November 19, 2020
TIME: 10:00 A.M

Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 17, 2020, certain provisions of the Bagley Keene Open Meeting Act are suspended due to a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with the Executive Order, this Conservancy meeting will be conducted by internet and teleconference, with no public physical location. Members of the public may join by internet with Zoom or dial into the teleconference with the following steps:

Join the meeting using Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99291814352?pwd=eEh6dGxqNnIvcFJIQndldU5wMUc5Zz09

Password: 077191

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16699006833,,99291814352#,,,,,,0#,,077191# or +12532158782,,99291814352#,,,,,,0#,,077191#

Or Telephone: US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 992 9181 4352
Password: 077191

Members of the public can make comments during the meeting by using the “Raise Hand” function in Zoom at the appropriate time(s) in the meeting, or if joining by teleconference by pressing *9 to “Raise Hand” to be called on. Public comment will be taken during each agenda item and near the end of the meeting on non-agenda items. Additional information on ways to provide public comments on agenda items, including in advance by email and voicemail, is available on the Conservancy’s website on the Meetings & Notices tab here: https://scc.ca.gov/2020/04/22/participating-in-conservancy-meeting/

1. ROLL CALL

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s September 03, 2020 public meeting.

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

4. CONSENT ITEMS

A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $24,000 to Orange County Coastkeeper for management and maintenance of the public access easement at Portofino Cove in Huntington Harbor in the City of Huntington Beach, Orange County

B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $125,000 to the Napa Valley Transportation Authority for the design and construction of 2.9 miles of Bay Area Ridge Trail/Napa Valley Vine Trail in Napa County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

C. Consideration and possible recommendation to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission that five resource protection and public access projects be included in the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program.

D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 to California Wildlife Foundation for final ecotone and revegetation construction documents to support implementation of the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project in Santa Clara County.

E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $79,750 to Monterey Bay Aquarium to implement a project to aid in recovery of the southern sea otter, consisting of raising and releasing up to three stranded pups using captive female otters as surrogates, and analyzing and circulating best practices for sea otter surrogacy.

F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $48,210 of funds received from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to U.S. Geological Survey and Southern California Coastal Water Research Project to augment the previously authorized grant for marsh migration and estuary dynamics studies as recommended by the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project.

G. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $100,000 to the County of Santa Barbara to prepare feasibility and technical studies, design plans, and a County permit pre-application package for a new coastal trail, coastal access parking, and beach accessway at Jalama Beach County Park.

5. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT

A. Update of Conservancy Project Selection Criteria.

B. Recognition of Oversight Members State Senators Bill Monning and Jerry Hill for their outstanding contributions benefitting the California Coast.

C. Consideration and possible approval of the 2021 Conservancy meeting schedule.

D. Report on the Regional Strategy for the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project.

SOUTH COAST

6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to prepare plans, environmental documents, and permit applications for wetland restoration and public access facilities in the southern area of the Los Cerritos Wetlands in Seal Beach.

Addendum: Los Cerritos Wetlands

7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $445,990 to California Trout, Inc. to plan and prepare designs, technical analysis, and reports for a riparian habitat restoration project at Rose Valley Creek in Los Padres National Forest in unincorporated Ventura County.

8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $550,000 to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to construct public beach access improvements at Big Rock Beach in the City of Malibu.

STATEWIDE

9. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $695,000 to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for 21 projects that facilitate and enhance the public’s opportunities to explore the California coast. Participants are drawn from throughout the State and will visit coastal locations from Del Norte County south to San Diego County.

CENTRAL COAST

10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to the County of San Luis Obispo to construct public access improvements to an existing informal coastal park at Cave Landing, San Luis Obispo County.

11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to the Port San Luis Harbor District to renovate the Avila pier in San Luis Obispo County.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,000,000 to the City of Richmond for final design and implementation of the Terminal Four Wharf Removal Project near Point San Pablo, Contra Costa County; and adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $271,357 to the City of Albany for preparation of plans, designs and environmental review documents for Phase V of the Codornices Creek Restoration Project.

14. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS

15. CLOSED SESSION

A. To confer regarding Bordessa v. Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma County Superior Court, Case No. SCV-256943. The session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

B. To confer regarding Defend Ballona Wetlands, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 20STCV29911. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

C. To confer regarding Pappas, et al. v. State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Case No. 1417388. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

D. To confer regarding Sonoma Land Trust v. Thompson, et al., Sonoma County Superior Court, Case No. SCV 258010. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(C).

E. To confer regarding Lebolt v. City and County of San Francisco, et al., San Francisco County Superior Court Case No. CGC-19-581761. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

F. To confer regarding City of Trinidad v. Tsurai Ancestral Society, et al., Humboldt County Superior Court Case No. DR180684. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

Please note: If a closed session is needed, the closed session of the meeting will be conducted on a separate conference line, after announcement of the convening of a closed session on the weblink identified above. The board will reconvene on the weblink provided above to make any reports, provide any documentation, and make any other disclosures required by Section 11125.2 of the Government Code.

16. ADJOURNMENT

Note: Agenda items may be taken out of sequence at the discretion of the Conservancy. At any time during the meeting, but prior to the adjournment of the open session of the meeting, the Conservancy may recess or adjourn to closed session to consider personnel matters, prices and terms of real estate transactions, and possible and pending litigation. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to attorney-client privilege and statutory authorization under Government Code Sections 11126(a), (c) (7), and (e).

Any person who has a disability and requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this public meeting should contact Taylor Samuelson no later than five days prior to meeting.
Questions about the meeting or agenda can be directed to Taylor Samuelson at
(510) 286-4182 or Taylor.Samuelson@scc.ca.gov or at the Conservancy:
1550 Clay Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612

Coastal Conservancy Adopts Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Guidelines; Awards $7.8 Million for Coastal Restoration, Preservation and Public Access

Oakland, CA – This week, the Board of the California State Coastal Conservancy unanimously adopted guidelines for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and awarded $7.8 million to 13 projects to protect and restore the California coast and San Francisco Bay, and increase public access to these natural resources.

The JEDI Guidelines will steer the approach the Conservancy takes to addressing injustices and inequities, and how we will prioritize this in our work going forward.

“These guidelines, which were developed over the course of a year with input from many community based stakeholders, center equity and inclusion within the work of the Conservancy.” said Amy Hutzel, Deputy Executive Officer, “We know there is still much work to be done to create equitable access to the environmental, social, and economic benefits of California’s coast and coastal watersheds. The JEDI guidelines are the framework for us to put these values into action.”

The projects approved at the September Board meeting were:

NORTH COAST

A grant of $979,000 to the City of Eureka to augment the Conservancy’s prior authorizations of $1,377,000 for implementation of theElk River Estuary Restoration Project, a tidal wetland restoration project in Humboldt County.
Adoption of the Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; approval of the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project, which includes the Prairie Creek Restoration Project; and authorization to disburse up to $1,239,800 to Save the Redwoods League to construct elements of the Prairie Creek Restoration Project, including a 2-acre pond, and approximately 3 acres of upland habitat.
A grant of $84,250 to Audubon Canyon Ranch to restore native coastal prairie habitat and mitigate fire risk on the Martin Griffin Preserve, in Marin County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Authorization to substitute Friends of the Dunes as the interim fee owner of the 356-acre Samoa Dunes and Wetland Complexand disburse up to $30,000 to Friends of the Dunes to provide interim management of the 356-acre Samoa Dunes and Wetlands Complex in Humboldt County, CA.
Authorization to revise the project scope for the Indian Creek Habitat Connectivity and Restoration Project, previously authorized for Conservancy funding on September 29, 2016, to prepare final designs and restore approximately 3,000 linear feet of salmonid habitat between the upper and lower reaches of Indian Creek,a tributary to the Trinity River in Trinity County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

A grant of $875,591 for scientific studies to evaluate impacts fromsand mining in San Francisco Bay and Suisun Bay.
A grant of $1,000,000 for the Rumrill Complete Green Streets Project, which will reduce water pollution from stormwater runoff, encourage active transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide carbon storage along the Rumrill Boulevard corridor in the City of San Pablo, Contra Costa County.
A grant of $75,000 to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancyfor planning to facilitate completion of two trail segments identified as regional priorities, and adoption of findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

CENTRAL COAST

Authorization to transfer fee title to five Conservancy-owned parcels adjacent to Hidden Beach County Parkto the County of Santa Cruz and approval of the disposition plan for the property transfer; and authorization to disburse up to $35,000 to the County of Santa Cruz to prepare plans, environmental review documents, and permit applications for a new restroom at Hidden Beach County Park.
A grant of $600,000 to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County for the acquisition of a conservation easement on the 717-acre Nicholson Ranchin northern San Luis Obispo County.
A grant of $50,000 to the City of Santa Barbara to conduct community outreach and prepare conceptual designs to redevelop Ambassador Parkinto a park that celebrates the cultural heritage of the Chumash native people in Santa Barbara County.

SOUTH COAST

A grant of $2,460,000 to acquire the 44-acre Newland Marshproperty in Huntington Beach from the California Department of Transportation, and to transfer the property to the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy.
A grant of $346,000 to the County of San Diego to prepare a feasibility plan for a California Coastal Trail crossing of the Tijuana River in Tijuana River Valley Regional Park in San Diego County.
Authorization to disburse up to $86,500 to the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to augment the prior grant to develop studies, designs, and engineering, and to expand the scope of the project to include final designs and permitting for the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Projectin the County of San Diego. This authorization will augment the Conservancy’s previously authorized funding of $313,953 for the Project.

The next Conservancy meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2020 and will be held via teleconference

San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Implementation Meeting #34 – September 18, 2020

AGENDA

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location – VIRTUAL MEETING

Please click this URL to join Zoom webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/92189490950?pwd=WGdYQ0RZeHlwZEZuMitweWJtWmZqZz09

Passcode: 870128

Or join by phone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 669 900 6833 or;
+1 253 215 8782 or;
+1 346 248 7799

Webinar ID: 921 8949 0950
Passcode: 870128

Desired Outcomes of Meeting:

Attendees are informed of Water Trail-related activities, progress, and accomplishments.
Attendees informed of Burlingame Shoreline Park design and status.
After receiving Advisory Committee guidance, Project Management Team makes consensus-based decisions on trailhead designations of Belden’s Landing Boat Launch.

Time – Agenda Items

10:00 – Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Review, and Meeting Ground Rules / Zoom Logistics

10:10 – Updates and Announcements from Water Trail Staff, Project Management Team, and Advisory Committee Members

10:40 – Water Trail Safety Update

10:50 – Sausalito Community Boating Center – Water Trail Grant

Presentation and grant application overview
Discussion with Advisory Committee
Public comments

11:10 – Burlingame Shoreline Park Presentation and Discussion

11:30 – BREAK

11:40 – Trailhead Designation Consideration: Belden’s Landing Boat Launch, Suisun

12:15– Public Comments

12:30 – Adjourn

Agenda items may be taken out of sequence at the discretion of the Project Management Team; times are approximate.

Questions regarding this meeting may be addressed to Avra Heller, Coastal Conservancy Project Manager, at avra.heller@scc.ca.gov.

Proposition 68, Tijuana River Border Pollution Control RFP, due October 15, 2020

The Coastal Conservancy is a state agency, established in 1976, to work proactively with local communities to implement multi-benefit projects that protect and enhance coastal resources. The Conservancy’s enabling legislation is Division 21 of the Public Resources Code, which can be found here. Division 21 authorizes the Conservancy to undertake projects and award grants to achieve the goals set forth in Division 21. The Conservancy works along the entire length of California’s coast, within the watersheds of rivers and streams that extend inland from the coast, and throughout the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (“Prop 68”) was approved by voters in June 2018. Prop 68 is codified as Division 45 of the Public Resources Code, Chapters 1-13, Sections 80000-80173. The purposes of Prop 68 include creating parks, enhancing river parkways, and protecting coastal forests and wetlands. Prop 68 also provides funding for outdoor access, lower cost coastal accommodations and climate adaptation. The Conservancy approved Proposition 68 Grant Guidelines in December 2018 and they can be found on our website here. These approved grant guidelines explain the funding priorities, project requirements, and project selection criteria for all Proposition 68 funds managed by the Conservancy, including the current solicitation.

Through Proposition 68, the Conservancy announces the availability of grant funds for the planning, design, permitting, and/or construction of projects in the Tijuana River Watershed that support the Tijuana River Border Pollution Control Project.

Conservancy staff are now soliciting pre-proposals for projects to be recommended for funding with the Proposition 68 appropriation for the Tijuana River Valley. For the current solicitation, the Conservancy has a total of $12,000,000 available: $8,813,000 for projects located in or benefiting Severely Disadvantaged Communities and $3,187,000 available for all other projects. Severely Disadvantaged Communities are defined as communities with a median household income less than 60% of the statewide average – see the Conservancy Proposition 68 Guidelines for more information.

Pre-proposals are due by midnight on Thursday, October 15, 2020. A recording of the Sept 2 webinar on this grant round is here.

More information and grant application materials can be found below:

Coastal Conservancy Public Zoom Meeting – September 03

Meeting Notice

Senate Representatives
Benjamin Allen (District 26)
Bill Monning (District 17)
Jerry Hill (District 13)

Assembly Representatives
Mark Stone (District 29)
Lorena Gonzalez (District 80)
Monique Limón (District 37)

Sam Schuchat, Executive Officer
Amy Roach, Chief Counsel

AGENDA

Teleconference Meeting
DATE: September 03, 2020
TIME: 10:00 A.M

Join the meeting using Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94083540782?pwd=aFBrWm5HYmttZy9WUXNqU1ZHcDIrQT09

Password: 077191

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16699006833,,94083540782#,,1#,077191# or +12532158782,,94083540782#,,1#,077191#

Or Telephone:
US: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 940 8354 0782
Password: 077191

1. ROLL CALL

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s June 18, 2020 public meeting.

3. CONSENT ITEMS

A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $75,000 to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for planning to facilitate completion of two trail segments identified as regional priorities, and adoption of findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $84,250 to Audubon Canyon Ranch to restore native coastal prairie habitat and mitigate fire risk on the Martin Griffin Preserve, in Marin County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

C. Authorization to disburse up to $86,500 to the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to augment the prior grant to develop studies, designs, and engineering, and to expand the scope of the project to include final designs and permitting for the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project in the County of San Diego. This authorization will augment the Conservancy’s previously authorized funding of $313,953 for the Project.

Addendum: San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project

D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to prepare plans, CEQA documentation, and permit applications for wetland restoration and public access facilities in the southern area of the Los Cerritos Wetlands in Seal Beach.

E. Consideration and possible authorization to revise the project scope for the Indian Creek Habitat Connectivity and Restoration Project, previously authorized for Conservancy funding on September 29, 2016, to prepare final designs and restore approximately 3,000 linear feet of salmonid habitat between the upper and lower reaches of Indian Creek, a tributary to the Trinity River in Trinity County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $50,000 to the City of Santa Barbara to conduct community outreach and prepare conceptual designs to redevelop Ambassador Park into a park that celebrates the cultural heritage of the Chumash native people in Santa Barbara County.

G. Consideration and possible authorization to substitute Friends of the Dunes as the interim fee owner of the 356-acre Samoa Dunes and Wetland Complex and disburse up to $30,000 to Friends of the Dunes to provide interim management of the 356-acre Samoa Dunes and Wetlands Complex in Humboldt County, CA.

4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT

A. Consideration and possible authorization of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Guidelines for the State Coastal Conservancy.

B. Legislative Report

C. Annual Financial Report

D. Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to amend the Conservancy’s revenue sharing agreement with The Conservation Fund (TCF) related to the Garcia River Forest (formerly known as Coastal Forestlands), Mendocino County.

NORTH COAST

5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $979,000 to the City of Eureka to augment the Conservancy’s prior authorizations of $1,377,000 for implementation of the Elk River Estuary Restoration Project, a tidal wetland restoration project in Humboldt County.

6. Consideration and adoption of the Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; approval of the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project, which includes the Prairie Creek Restoration Project; and authorization to disburse up to $1,239,800 to Save the Redwoods League to construct elements of the Prairie Creek Restoration Project, including a 2-acre pond, and approximately 3 acres of upland habitat.

CENTRAL COAST

7. Consideration and possible authorization to transfer fee title to five Conservancy-owned parcels adjacent to Hidden Beach County Park to the County of Santa Cruz and approval of the disposition plan for the property transfer; and authorization to disburse up to $35,000 to the County of Santa Cruz to prepare plans, environmental review documents, and permit applications for a new restroom at Hidden Beach County Park.

8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $600,000 to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County for the acquisition of a conservation easement on the 717-acre Nicholson Ranch in northern San Luis Obispo County.

SOUTH COAST

9. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,460,000 to acquire the 44-acre Newland Marsh property in Huntington Beach from the California Department of Transportation, and to transfer the property to the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy.

10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $346,000 to the County of San Diego to prepare a feasibility plan for a California Coastal Trail crossing of the Tijuana River in Tijuana River Valley Regional Park in San Diego County.

Addendum: California Coastal Trail Crossing of the Tijuana River Additional Support Letter

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $875,591 for scientific studies to evaluate impacts from sand mining in San Francisco Bay and Suisun Bay.

12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 for the Rumrill Complete Green Streets Project, which will reduce water pollution from stormwater runoff, encourage active transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide carbon storage along the Rumrill Boulevard corridor in the City of San Pablo, Contra Costa County.

13. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS

14. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

15. CLOSED SESSION

A. To confer regarding Defend Ballona Wetlands, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 20STCV29911. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

B. To confer regarding Hollister Ranch Owners’ Association v. Becerra, et al., U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:20-cv-00453. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

E. To confer regarding Bordessa v. Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma County Superior Court, Case No. SCV-256943. The session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

F. To confer regarding Lebolt v. City and County of San Francisco, et al., San Francisco County Superior Court Case No. CGC-19-581761. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

G. To confer regarding City of Trinidad v. Tsurai Ancestral Society, et al., Humboldt County Superior Court Case No. DR180684. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

Please Note: If a closed session is needed, the closed session of the meeting will be conducted on a separate conference line, after announcement of the convening of a closed session on the weblink identified above. The board will reconvene on the weblink provided above to make any reports, provide any documentation, and make any other disclosures required by Section 11125.2 of the Government Code.

16. ADJOURNMENT

Note: Agenda items may be taken out of sequence at the discretion of the Conservancy. At any time during the meeting, but prior to the adjournment of the open session of the meeting, the Conservancy may recess or adjourn to closed session to consider personnel matters, prices and terms of real estate transactions, and possible and pending litigation. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to attorney-client privilege and statutory authorization under Government Code Sections 11126(a), (c) (7), and (e).

RFPQ: Fall 2020 Research to Understand Impacts of Bay Sand Mining on Sand Supply and Transport in SF Bay and Outer Coast

*** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 19***

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Fall 2020 Research to Understand Impacts of Bay Sand Mining on Sand Supply and Transport in San Francisco Bay and Outer Coast

The California State Coastal Conservancy is seeking qualifications of potential environmental services contractors and scientific study proposals to further develop the region’s understanding of the effects of sand mining on San Francisco Bay and associated outer coast, sand budget and transport mechanisms, as well as stratigraphy of the sand beds. This work will inform a broader effort led by the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and others to study the physical effects of mining sand on San Francisco Bay and Outer Coast of California. SCC is releasing this Request for Proposals and Qualifications to find a qualified contractor (or contractors) to provide these services, as described more fully below. SCC will negotiate and manage the contract(s) on behalf of BCDC.

The selected contractor(s) will provide one or up to three of three services: 1) review and summarize existing sand-transport and related geophysical literature and bathymetric data for the sand mining lease areas and surrounding areas in Central San Francisco Bay and within Suisun Channel, and update and refine an existing draft sand budget and database for the San Francisco Bay and adjacent outer coast, 2) conduct stratigraphic sampling in multiple sand mining lease areas covering approximately 2,061 acres of Central Bay and 1,303 acres of Suisun Bay in order to characterize the depth and quality of the sand in these lease areas, and 3) assess sand transport in San Francisco Bay and the adjacent outer coast.

The Full RFPQ and Detailed scopes of work are available upon request to Marilyn Latta at Marilyn.latta@scc.ca.gov. Applicants may provide qualifications and proposals for one or all of the Scopes outlined.

Proposals are due electronically to marilyn.latta@scc.ca.gov by 5pm ~~August 21, 2020~~ October 19, 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Marilyn Latta

Project Manager

State Coastal Conservancy

marilyn.latta@scc.ca.gov

www.scc.ca.gov

Sea Otter Recovery Grants: Grant Applications Due September 1, 2020

Photo of Sea Otter and Pup

Photo: Mike Baird

The State Coastal Conservancy is now accepting applications for its 2021 Sea Otter Recovery Grants.

The grants will be funded by the California Sea Otter Fund, which is one of the state’s voluntary tax check-off funds that allows taxpayers to contribute additional money for use towards the recovery of California sea otter populations.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the grants. Eligible projects include research, science, protection, projects or programs related to the Federal Sea Otter Recovery Plan or improving the nearshore ocean ecosystem, including, but not limited to, program activities to reduce sea otter mortality. Each year, the Conservancy solicits proposals for the annual appropriation from the fund. This year the Conservancy has approximately $165,000 available for projects that meet the fund’s objectives. Applications are due September 1, 2020.

The application and more information is provided in the Sea Otter Recovery Proposal Solicitation.

For any further questions, please contact Hilary Walecka, Central Coast Project Manager, at hilary.walecka@scc.ca.gov.

Coastal Conservancy Awards Nearly $18 Million for Coastal Restoration, Preservation and Public Access

Board approves funding for land acquisitions, accessways, wharf repairs

Oakland, CA – Today, the Board of the California State Coastal Conservancy awarded $17.9 million to 18 projects to protect and restore the California coast and San Francisco Bay, and increase public access to these natural resources.

Among these grants was $5 million to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to acquire the 235-acre Sobrato South property for protection of open space and wildlife habitat in the Coyote Valley of San Jose. The Board also authorized nearly $3 million to the Riverside County Regional Parks and Open Space District for construction of a multiuse trail segment as part of the Hamner Avenue Bridge construction project in the City of Norco, and nearly $2 million to the City of Capitola to renovate and expand the Capitola wharf. Over $250,000 was awarded to the Environmental Health Coalition to fund the Barrio Logan Climate Resiliency Community project, a planning project consisting of preparation of two plans that address climate change impacts and bolster adaptation planning efforts in Barrio Logan, a severely disadvantaged community in San Diego.

The projects approved at the June Board meeting were:

NORTH COAST

A grant of up to $640,000 to California Trout, Inc. to restore fish passage and enhance habitat on Cochran Creek, a tributary to Fay Slough on Humboldt Bay, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
A grant of up to $500,000 to the Sonoma County Regional Parks to acquire approximately 515 acres in the Dutch Bill Creekwatershed, a tributary to the Russian River, to protect open space, habitat, natural floodplain and water quality, and to provide an opportunity to develop a future regional parkway with recreational trails.
A grant of up to $196,123 to California Trout, Inc. to conduct studies and prepare engineering designs for the Sulphur Creek Fish Passage Improvement Projectto remove a fish passage barrier on Sulphur Creek, in St Helena, Napa County.
A grant of up to $96,000 to the County of Del Norte to assess the feasibility of expanding camping opportunities and develop a park improvement plan for Clifford Kamph Memorial Park, the northern gateway to the California Coastal Trail, in Del Norte County.
A grant of up to $94,371 to the Moat Creek Managing Agency to design, permit, and construct accessibility improvements at the Moat Creek Beach public accesswayand to maintain the accessway for three years, at Moat Creek in Mendocino County.
A grant of up to $150,000 to the City of Crescent City to construct a new section of the California Coastal Trailconnecting the Crescent City Harbor with Crescent City’s Beachfront Park in Del Norte County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

A grant of up to $5,000,000 to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to acquire the approximately 235-acre Sobrato South property for protection of open space, natural floodplain, wildlife habitat, biological resources, and agriculture; natural resource restoration; and compatible public access, as part of a larger Coyote Valley open space acquisitioneffort in the City of San Jose in Santa Clara County.
A grant of up to $83,000 to the City of San José to prepare a plan and environmental review documents for a 1.4 mile segment of the Five Wounds Trail, which is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, within Santa Clara County.
A grant of up to $800,000 to the California Invasive Plant Council to implement the planning, management, treatment, monitoring, and restoration activities of the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project.

CENTRAL COAST

A grant of up to $1,900,000 to the City of Capitola to renovate and expand the Capitola Wharfin Santa Cruz County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
A grant of up to $1 million of funds granted to the Conservancy by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to prepare a habitat restoration and enhancement plan, environmental impact analyses, and permit applications for the restoration and enhancement of floodplain habitat on the Carmel River at the Rancho Cañada unitof the Palo Corona Regional Park in Monterey County.
A grant of up to $100,000 to the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County to plan, design, conduct environmental analyses, and prepare grant and permit applications to remove a fish passage barrier on Cachagua Creekby replacing a concrete ford with a bridge at the Weston-Champagne Property.

SOUTH COAST

A grant of up to $2,965,000 to the Riverside County Regional Parks and Open Space District for construction of a segment of trail and two access ramps for the Santa Ana River Trail as part of the Hamner Avenue Bridgeconstruction project in the City of Norco in Riverside County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
A grant of up to $544,000 to the City of Santa Ana for final design and restoration of the Santa Ana River Parkway Triangle Parkalong the Santa Ana River Trail in the City of Santa Ana, Orange County.
A grant of up to $254,530 to the Environmental Health Coalition for a project that increases climate resiliency in the Barrio Logan community by developing a proposed Barrio Logan Community Plan Update and preparing a preliminary plan for the Boston Linear Park in San Diego, CA.
A grant of up to $500,000 to the City of Imperial Beach to prepare a Sediment Management Work Plan and Monitoring Program for the Tijuana River Valleyin San Diego County.
A grant of up to $250,000 to the California Department of Parks and Recreation to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $250,000 to prepare a restoration plan and conduct environmental review for the Nelson Sloan Quarry Restoration Projectin the Tijuana River Valley region of San Diego County.
A grant of up to $2,900,000, provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation, to augment the Conservancy grant of $2,000,000 authorized on February 6, 2020, to the Crystal Cove Conservancy to restore 17 historic cottages on North Beach of the Crystal Cove Historic Districtat Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County.

Notes to Editors:

Since its founding, the Conservancy has:

Funded 2,400 projects along the California coastline and in the San Francisco Bay.
Protected 390,000 acres of coastal lands through acquisition of fee title and conservation easements.
Restored 33,000 acres of habitat.
Built 200 new coastal accessway and 210 miles of new trails.
Put $1.3 billion to work for conservation projects, and leveraged far more from federal, local government, and private sources.