Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Seal Beach – April 23
Meeting Notice
Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš (Public Member), Vice Chair
Joy Sterling (Public Member)
Jeremiah Hallisey (Public Member)
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash and Jenn Eckerle (Designated)
Meagan Harmon Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)
Joe Stephenshaw, Director, Department of Finance; Michele Perrault (Designated)
Senate Representatives
Benjamin Allen (District 26)
Josh Becker (District 13)
John Laird (District 17)
Assembly Representatives
Gregg Hart (District 37)
Christopher Ward (District 78)
Tina McKinnor (District 61)
Amy Hutzel, Executive Officer
Ryan Berghoff, Senior Staff Counsel
AGENDA
Update 4/15/2026 8:12 AM, Item 3D was corrected to include the word “authorization”.
Update 4/21/2026 10:16 AN, Item 3D link was corrected.
Hybrid Meeting
DATE: April 23, 2026
TIME: 10:00 A.M
LOCATION: City of Seal Beach City Hall
211 8th Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740
*Live Spanish interpretation is provided during our Board Meetings on the Zoom teleconference.
*Se proporciona interpretación en español en vivo durante nuestras reuniones de la Junta en la teleconferencia de Zoom.
Members of the public can choose to watch the webcast of the meeting or participate in the meeting via Zoom, by telephone, or in person at the location listed above.
Webcast (Watch Only): To watch the meeting and not provide verbal comments, please view the webcast at this site: https://cal-span.org. If you do not wish to provide verbal comments, we strongly recommend watching the webcast as this will free up space on the webinar for those who are providing verbal comments. If you intend to make verbal comments, please do not view the webcast, and then switch over to the Zoom webinar or phone to comment, as the webcast will have a time delay and you may miss the opportunity to comment.
Zoom (To Make Comments): In addition to in-person participation, remote participation is available to members of the public via Zoom webinar. To participate via Zoom, you must register for the Zoom Webinar at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Jx9h7j1lRqK_e4Kd0AQNTQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Telephone (To Make Comments): Members of the public can offer verbal comments on agenda items by calling in via telephone. Zoom registration is required. Register for the Zoom Webinar at the link above and you will receive an email with a phone number to dial in by telephone. When the agenda item you want to speak on is being presented, press *9 to “raise your hand” and indicate your interest in making a comment. You will be called upon (using your phone number to identify you) and will be unmuted at the appropriate time.
More information on how to participate and comment verbally on an agenda item or during open public comment can be found here.
1. ROLL CALL
a. Vote on Remote Participation (as needed)
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s February 19, 2026, public meeting.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $500,000 to the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to augment the previously authorized Pedro Point Headlands Wildfire Resilience Program to expand: 1) the project scope to include implementation of additional wildfire fuels reduction activities, and 2) the project area to include the adjacent Highway 1 evacuation corridor in Pacifica, San Mateo County.
B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $400,000 to augment the Conservancy’s previously authorized contract for technical assistance with the environmental documentation, permit applications, and project planning to support wildfire resilience project development across the Conservancy’s Jurisdiction.
C. Consideration and possible disbursement of up to $20,000 to Orange County Coastkeeper to manage the Conservancy’s public access easement at Portofino Cove in Huntington Harbor in the City of Huntington Beach, Orange County.
D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $350,000 to the County of Santa Cruz to undertake the Shark Fin Cove Coastal Access Planning Project, consisting of technical studies, preliminary design, and environmental review for a paved coastal access parking lot with accessible pedestrian pathways at Shark Fin Cove in Santa Cruz County
E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $459,500 to Russian Riverkeeper to augment the Conservancy grant authorized on June 1, 2023, to implement the Healdsburg Arundo Removal Project, which consists of removing invasive Arundo donax along 5 miles of the Russian River to reduce fire risk to Fitch Mountain and Healdsburg in Sonoma County.
F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,543,000 to the Maritime Museum Association of San Diego to augment an existing Conservancy grant to prepare design and engineering, environmental compliance documents, and permit applications for the Maritime Museum of San Diego entry building in San Diego County.
G. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $3,767,913 from a grant awarded to the Conservancy as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FY24 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Competition to the Tijuana Estuary Foundation to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $30,000,000 and to reduce the project size of Phase I of the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II, from restoration of 85 acres to restoration of 35 acres of wetlands and associated habitats, and enhancing public access, at the Tijuana River estuary in San Diego County. [Postponed]
H. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,200,000 to the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council to conduct planning necessary to facilitate opening 30 miles of Bay Area Ridge Trail, including preparing studies, designs and environmental review documents; and to conduct public engagement with underrepresented communities.
I. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,000,000 to the Petaluma River Park Foundation to augment Conservancy grants totaling $3,050,200 to expand the scope of the Petaluma River Park Advanced Planning Project (formerly the Petaluma River Park Planning Project), consisting of advanced park planning and designs, environmental review, permit applications, and Coastal Stories interpretive material designs associated with development of Petaluma River Park in Petaluma, Sonoma County.
J. Consideration and possible adoption of 2026 Rulemaking Calendar for Pedro Point Headlands in San Mateo County.
K. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,600,000 to the Watershed Conservation Authority for the West Coyote Hills Acquisition, which consists of acquiring approximately 483 acres of West Coyote Hills for protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural and cultural resources and public access compatible with those purposes in Orange County, and to conduct tribal outreach regarding the acquisition.
4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
A. Coastal Stories: Public Art Honors Trues Origins of Surf Culture
SOUTH COAST
5. Consideration and possible disbursement of up to $2,925,000 to the City of Santa Ana to implement the Santiago Park Trail and Habitat Improvements Project. This project will consist of constructing site improvements in a 5-acre area on the eastern end of Santiago Park, including an accessible pedestrian walkway, native landscaping, lighting and a pedestrian bridge across Santiago Creek in Orange County.
6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,000,000 to the City of San Clemente for the San Clemente North Beach Sand Retention Planning Project, consisting of preparing technical studies, an alternatives analysis, and preliminary designs, and conducting community engagement for a sand retention project to address coastal erosion along the San Clemente shoreline, in Orange County.
7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $6,000,000 to the City of Riverside to implement improvements at Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park in Riverside County and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
8. Consideration and possible Authorization to disburse up to $1,472,000 to the City of Orange to undertake the OC River Walk – Upland Habitat Restoration Design Project, consisting of preparing design documents for a 7.3-acre habitat restoration and riverbank improvements project on the eastern bank of the Santa Ana River in Orange County.
9. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,000,000 to Coastal Quest to undertake the Coastal Resilience Solutions for San Diego State Parks project, consisting of conducting community engagement, preparing feasibility studies and design documents, and obtaining permits for protecting and increasing resilience of public access improvements at San Elijo State Beach and Cardiff State Beach in San Diego County.
NORTH COAST
10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $6,000,000 to the Great Redwood Trail Agency for: (1) Great Redwood Trail Agency operations; and (2) trail and restoration planning, design, construction, and implementation in the counties of Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt.
11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 to Save the Redwoods League to undertake a portion of the third phase of the Redwoods Rising Project consisting of thinning 100-150 acres of forest to improve forest health and fish and wildlife habitat in Del Norte County.
12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $997,900 to the Mid Klamath Watershed Council to undertake the Red Cap Creek Floodplain Restoration Project, consisting of construction of off-channel ponds, reconnection of historic floodplain channels, addition of large wood structures, and restoration of riparian floodplain forest to a 1.5 mile segment of Red Cap Creek, in Humboldt County.
13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse $2,457,427 of funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to Northcoast Regional Land Trust to undertake the Wood Creek Restoration Phase III: Felt Ranch Habitat Restoration Implementation project, consisting of restoring tidal and habitat connectivity of Wood Creek, creating anadromous salmonid habitat, restoring wetlands, and conducting monitoring on Felt Ranch and the Freshwater Farms Preserve in Humboldt County.
14. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,500,000 to Trust for Public Land to undertake the Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ Acquisition, consisting of acquiring the 672-acre Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ property for the preservation of open space; protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural resources and habitat for fish and wildlife; protection of cultural resources; and California Native American tribal access consistent with such purposes; and to develop a management plan, in Branscomb, Mendocino County.
15. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,447,100 to The Nature Conservancy for the Navarro River-Flume Gulch Confluence Restoration Project, consisting of enhancements to restore overwintering and spring out-migration habitat for juvenile coho salmon within the mainstem Navarro River and Flume Gulch, including installation of five engineered log structures and floodplain alcoves, excavation of floodplain alcoves and banks, and placement of large wood in the Navarro River watershed, in Mendocino County.
Addendum: Navarro River-Flume Gulch Confluence Restoration Revised Staff Recommendation, 4/23/2026
CENTRAL COAST
16. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 to the Homeless Garden Project to undertake the Natural Bridges Farm Acquisition, consisting of the acquisition of approximately 4 acres of working agricultural land to be permanently dedicated to public benefit purposes, including the protection of working agricultural land and open space, in Santa Cruz County.
17. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $4,000,000 to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to construct the Community Harvest at Watsonville Slough Farm Project Phase 1, which will establish a trailhead, approximately 5 miles of trails, U-pick gardens, and a variety of public access amenities at Watsonville Slough Farm in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
18. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $312,200 to Grassroots Ecology to undertake the Restoring the Shoreline for People and Wildlife Project, consisting of community engagement, workforce development training, a vegetation survey and ecological report, and restoration and maintenance of 2 acres of upland transition zone habitat and 5.3 acres of grassland habitat at Shoreline Regional Park in Santa Clara County.
Please note: If a closed session is needed, the Conservancy will reconvene in person and on the webcast and zoom webinar to make any reports required by Section 11125.2 of the Government Code.
19. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS
20. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
21. CLOSED SESSION
A. 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).
B. 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).
22. ADJOURNMENT
CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION:
On Wednesday, April 22, the Conservancy will tour the sites listed below, as close as possible to the identified time, which might be affected by traffic. Members of the public are welcome to join the tour but must provide their own transportation. The tour will conclude by 5:00pm. Whether a site has facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities is noted below.
2:00pm – 2:30pm Colorado Lagoon – Open Channel Project
Colorado Lagoon Playground, Long Beach, CA
(Latitude: 33.770122, Longitude: -118.133424)
This site has street parking with accessible pathways for the site tour. A portion of the site is currently under construction.
2:30 – 2:45pm Transit to Upper Los Cerritos Wetlands Mitigation Bank
2nd Street & Shopkeeper Road, Long Beach, CA
(Latitude: 33.759030, Longitude -118.108366)
2:45pm – 3:30pm Upper Los Cerritos Wetlands Mitigation Bank
This site is currently under construction. The site is accessible on dirt paths by vehicle. Parking and presentations will occur in a flat, dirt area.
3:30 – 3:45pm Transit to Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands
1st Street & Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, CA
(Latitude: 33.749905, Longitude: -118.105337)
3:45pm – 4:40pm Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project
This site is currently under construction. Accommodation can be made for accessible parking. The site has an accessible pathway for the site tour.
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:
1515 Clay Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612