Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Healdsburg – September 14
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)
Donne Brownsey, Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)
Keely Bosler, Director, Department of Finance; Gayle Miller (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
Amy Roach, General Counsel
AGENDA
Agenda updated 9/8/2023 2:15 PM, Item 9 has been postponed. Agenda updated 9/11/2023 8:22 AM, Item 14 exhibit 3 has been posted and public comments have been added.
Agenda updated 9/01/2023 (after mailing hardcopy and posting online) as follows: Item 3L & Item 16 were revised to correct the recommended grant amounts.
Hybrid Meeting
DATE: September 14, 2023
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: Healdsburg City Council Chambers
401 Grove St
Healdsburg, CA 95448
*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.
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid virtual/in-person format. To maximize public safety while maintaining transparency, 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. People attending in person will be required to adhere to the site’s health guidelines, which could include wearing masks, health screening, and social distancing.
Members of the public may watch an online webcast of the meeting or join the meeting by internet with Zoom or by telephone with the following steps:
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_L8eBfSrES_SAeQG94jEg1w 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
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s June 01, 2023 public meeting.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $500,000 to augment the Conservancy funding previously authorized on May 5, 2022, for the purpose of contracting for services to prepare environmental review documents, a cultural and tribal resource survey, and a property appraisal for the Hollister Ranch Coastal Access Program, in Santa Barbara County.
Addendum: Public Comment
B. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $200,000 to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to protect Chumash cultural resources and restore 2.25 acres of native habitat at Hammond’s Meadow County Open Space in southern Santa Barbara County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
C. Approve amendments to the State Coastal Conservancy’s conflict-of-interest code to reflect current agency job classifications and make other technical changes.
D. Consideration and possible authorization to enter into a Feasibility Cost Share Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Santa Clara Valley Water District for a federal feasibility study for the Santa Clara County shoreline from Mountain View Slough/Permanente Creek in the City of Mountain View to Guadalupe River in the City of San Jose.
E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $354,000 to augment the Conservancy grant of $2,087,500 previously authorized to the City of Riverside for (1) the acquisition of four acres at 5200 Tequesquite Avenue in the City of Riverside in Riverside County, and (2) the preparation of designs, engineering, and environmental documentation for nine projects along 4.7 miles of the Santa Ana River Parkway in the City of Riverside in Riverside County.
F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $82,700 to Mendocino Land Trust to conduct environmental studies and prepare designs and permit applications for establishing 0.4 miles of new Coastal Trail across Saunders Landing, south of the City of Point Arena in Mendocino County.
G. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $180,000 to Kai Poma to conduct cultural and archeological resource studies and environmental surveys and to prepare a resource management plan for the Blues Beach property located in the community of Westport in Mendocino County.
H. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $500,000 to the City of Santa Cruz to assess the feasibility of using living shorelines, sand management techniques, and other nature-based solutions to address coastal hazards and advance climate adaptation planning along 3.2 miles of the Santa Cruz coastline, and to develop conceptual designs for one to three projects identified in the feasibility study.
I. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $168,256 to the Redwood Parks Conservancy to construct the Sue-Meg State Park Rim Trail Project, consisting of a 262-foot trail realignment and the replacement of a temporary bridge with a 33-foot footbridge to reestablish California Coastal Trail continuity and increase accessibility in Sue-Meg State Park in Humboldt County.
J. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $400,000 to Sonoma County on behalf of its Public Infrastructure Department to prepare designs, an environmental review document, and permit applications for the Geyserville Community Plaza Project, which consists of enhancing the 1.17-acre Park and Ride property in Geyserville, in Sonoma County.
K. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $308,200 to three nonprofit organizations and the University of California, Santa Barbara for four community-based natural resource restoration and enhancement projects on approximately 24 acres in coastal wetlands and along stream corridors in the Southern and Central California region as part of the 2023 Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
L. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $400,000 to augment the Conservancy grant previously authorized on May 27, 2021, up to a total of $460,000, to the California Department of Parks and Recreation to prepare plans, environmental review documents, and permit applications for two new restrooms in Garrapata State Park in Big Sur, Monterey County.
M. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,100,000 to TOGETHER Bay Area to support conservation planning in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz by updating the Conservation Lands Network planning tool, including expanded partner engagement and data updates to support regional biodiversity and habitat resilience.
N. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $400,000 to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy to acquire a 44.38-acre property that includes the Riverview trailhead and parking area to permanently protect and restore habitat and natural resources, preserve open space, and provide public access to the Ventura River Preserve, in unincorporated Ventura County.
O. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $469,100 to Sonoma Land Trust to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health through thinning, pile burning, and removing vegetation to prepare for prescribed burns at three preserves in Sonoma County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
A. Consideration and possible approval of the 2024 Conservancy meeting schedule.
NORTH COAST
5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,950,000 to The Wildlands Conservancy to acquire approximately 8,085 acres of the Lone Pine Ranch property at the confluence of the Eel River mainstem and Kekawaka Creek in Trinity County for the purposes of preserving and restoring fish and wildlife habitat, providing public access and recreation, and protecting open space and natural resources.
6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,552,800 to Redwood Community Action Agency to restore 350 acres of coastal dune habitat along 4.5 miles of shoreline to increase sea level rise resiliency on the north spit of Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, and adoption findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,100,000 to the City and County of San Francisco, Recreation and Park Department, to construct the India Basin Waterfront Park Phase 2: 900 Innes Redevelopment project, consisting of the redevelopment of the 900 Innes property to be included in the India Basin Waterfront Park located in the City and County of San Francisco; and adoption of findings under CEQA.
8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,781,600 to Literacy for Environmental Justice to implement the Heron’s Head Park Climate Resilience Project consisting of enhancing 9 acres of wetland adjacent upland habitat, providing job training to 40-60 local young adults, and hosting 15-20 stewardship days annually at Heron’s Head Park in the City and County of San Francisco.
9. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,375,000 for the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to acquire 56.8 acres of historic tidal marshland within the lower tidal reach of the Napa River in Napa County for purposes of protection and restoration of natural resources, including wildlife corridors and habitat, and wetland and water resources; and providing open space, public access, and recreational use compatible with natural resource protection. [POSTPONED]
10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $8,990,000 to the City of Berkeley to implement Berkeley Marina improvements consisting of 1) maintenance dredging of the Berkeley Marina harbor and entrances; and 2) replacement of two failing dock systems (Docks D and E) in the City of Berkeley, Alameda County.
11. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $4,351,500 to San Francisco State University to plan and design two, and implement one, sea level rise adaptation project, develop a workforce training program in nature-based climate resiliency, and develop a consortium of experts to advance nature-based adaptation projects in various Bay Area counties, including Marin, San Francisco, Solano, Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.
12. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $1,188,000 to Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to prepare a draft master plan, and conduct community engagement to inform the draft master plan, for approximately 1,550 acres of conserved lands in Coyote Valley, Santa Clara County.
13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,428,460 to Ducks Unlimited to conduct outreach and planning and to prepare engineering designs and environmental compliance documentation for landscape-scale ecological restoration, flood protection, and public access on 6,000 acres in the Sonoma Creek Baylands in Sonoma County.
14. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,233,315 to the City of Oakland to complete planning and design for the approximately 0.6-mile off-street multi-use trail known as the 66th Ave BART to Bay Trail Project in Oakland, Alameda County.
CENTRAL COAST
15. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $1,773,250 to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) for tribal and community engagement and outreach, planning and design of coastal access improvements, removal of legacy oil infrastructure, and restoration of coastal habitats at the Ellwood Marine Terminal site on the UCSB campus in Santa Barbara County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
16. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,110,000 to the Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District to prepare plans, permit applications, and environmental review documents for increased flooding resilience along lower Chorro Creek in the Morro Bay watershed in San Luis Obispo County.
17. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,000,000 to the California Department of Parks and Recreation to restore 5 acres of habitat in and around the Villa Creek Estuary, San Luis Obispo County.
18. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,570,000 to the California Rangeland Trust to acquire a conservation easement over the 1,014-acre Wong Asuncion Ranch in unincorporated Atascadero for natural resource conservation, habitat connectivity, protection of the Toro Creek watershed, and, to the extent compatible with resource conservation, sustainable grazing.
19. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $889,225 to the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation to establish the Monterey Bay Living Shorelines Program, which consists of developing a project prioritization framework, preparing three priority conceptual level plans, completing three ongoing living shoreline projects, developing a tool to monitor and assess effectiveness of living shoreline projects, conducting robust community engagement, and coordinating with State Parks to produce effective pathways for State Parks to integrate living shorelines into its resource management approaches in the Monterey Bay region.
SOUTH COAST
20. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,141,205 to the City of Imperial Beach to conduct outreach and planning and to prepare designs, environmental compliance documents, and permit applications needed to retrofit a 1.2-mile segment of the Bayshore Bikeway into a multi-benefit community flood protection and ecosystem resilience corridor as part of the Bayshore Bikeway Resiliency Project in Imperial Beach, San Diego County.
21. Consideration and possible authorization to 1) disburse up to $31,852,000 to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority for the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands Restoration Project, which consists of planning and permitting for restoration and for providing public access to 103.5 acres of wetlands in Seal Beach, construction of an initial phase of the restoration and public access improvements on a portion of the Project site, and management of the wetlands, and 2) adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
STATEWIDE
22. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $968,900 to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for 16 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.
WILDFIRE RESILIENCE PROGRAM
23. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $1,057,650 to the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County and the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council for two additional wildfire resilience projects under the Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program 2023-2024.
24. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS
25. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
Addendum: Public Comment
26. CLOSED SESSION
A. To confer regarding Ballona Wetlands Land Trust v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, et al. (Environmental Science Associates, Real Party in Interest), Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 22STCP03307. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
B. 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).
C. To confer regarding Grassroots Coalition, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCP02237. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
D. 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).
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 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.
27. ADJOURNMENT
CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION
On Wednesday, September 13, the Conservancy will tour the sites listed below, as close as possible to the identified times, 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 at 3:45pm.
10:15 AM: Meet at Coleman Valley Rd parking area to commence the tour of Carrington Ranch. We will be joined by the Sonoma County Parks staff for a tour of the coastal trail and the campground area that is currently being planned. The parking area is located at [https://goo.gl/maps/h5njNPFVVuMq6qrm9].
11:30 AM: Drive 5 minutes to Gleason Beach, where we will have the opportunity to tour the site with the Sonoma County Parks staff. This site showcases a managed retreat area where Highway 1 was relocated significantly inland, and public access to the beach has been maintained. We will meet at the pullout on the south end of the construction area south of Scotty Creek. You can find the location here: [https://goo.gl/maps/whwpZuUQAHWzUFJ39].
12:45 PM: Lunch at Gleason Beach. Members of the public should bring their own lunch.
2:15 PM: Our next destination is Monte Rio, CA, where we will meet with the Sonoma County Parks staff to tour the shaded fuel break project and the Dutch Bill Greenway Acquisition. You can find the location here: [https://goo.gl/maps/MxheUebJ9iCUymgM8].
3:45 PM: Conclusion of 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
Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Sacramento – June 01
Meeting Notice
Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair
Joy Sterling (Public Member)
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš (Public Member)
Joseph Alioto Jr. (Public Member)
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash and Jenn Eckerle (Designated)
Donne Brownsey, Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)
Keely Bosler, Director, Department of Finance; Gayle Miller (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
Amy Roach, General Counsel
AGENDA
Agenda updated 5/18/2023 4:11 PM, after mailing of hardcopy, to add Item 24. On 5/22/23 Item 7 was revised to correct a typo in the grant amount.
Hybrid Meeting
DATE: June 01, 2023
TIME: 10:00 A.M
LOCATION: California Natural Resource Agency
715 P Street, Room 2-221 A-C
Sacramento, CA 95814
*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.
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid virtual/in-person format in accordance with Government Code Section 11133. To maximize public safety while maintaining transparency, 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. People attending in person will be required to adhere to the site’s health guidelines, which could include wearing masks, health screening, and social distancing.
Members of the public may watch an online webcast of the meeting or join the meeting by internet with Zoom or by telephone with the following steps:
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_x3pYh8EHQ7WsnkYGeRCn4w
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
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s April 6, 2023 public meeting.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $711,000 for preparation of final designs, obtaining permits, and conducting project management support as an augmentation and expansion of the Conservancy’s grant, previously authorized on June 18, 2020, for planning and permitting for the restoration and enhancement of floodplain habitat on the Carmel River at the Rancho Cañada unit of the Palo Corona Regional Park in Monterey County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,000,000 to the County of Monterey to augment the Conservancy’s grant, previously authorized on February 3, 2022, to construct the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement Project in Monterey County.
C. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $426,017 to Ducks Unlimited to augment the Conservancy’s grant, previously authorized on March 25, 2021, for construction of the Ocean Ranch Restoration Project for project modifications including installing a new culvert and access road, conducting storm damage repair and increasing project resilience to future storms, installing new fencing and gates to manage public access, and preparing and installing interpretive signage and materials at the Ocean Ranch Unit of the Eel River Wildlife Area near Loleta in Humboldt County.
D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $60,000 to the Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Inc. to conduct a geologic study of the Point Arena Bluff underlying the Point Arena Lighthouse to assess the site’s resilience to future storms and the overall safety of the Point Arena Lighthouse, in Mendocino County.
Addendum: Point Arena Lighthouse
E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $406,900 to the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County to replace a concrete ford with a bridge spanning Cachagua Creek to improve fish passage in the upper Carmel River watershed, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse $1,347,257 received by the Conservancy from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Save the Redwoods League to augment the Conservancy’s grant, authorized on March 24, 2022, of $6,602,136 to the Yurok Tribe and California Trout, Inc. to restore approximately 11.5 acres of riparian habitat on lower Prairie Creek as part of the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project at the former Orick Mill A site in Humboldt County, as follows: $1,097,257 to the Yurok Tribe and $250,000 to California Trout, Inc.
G. Consideration and possible authorization to amend the Conservancy’s revenue sharing agreement with The Conservation Fund for the Big River/Salmon Creek Forests in Mendocino County.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
4. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,960,900 to the City of Berkeley to conduct technical studies, prepared preliminary engineering, and prepare a draft environmental review document for the Berkeley Pier and Water Transportation Project in Alameda County.
5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $10,940,911 to Ducks Unlimited, which includes $3,940,911 in funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to restore tidal marsh and enhance managed ponds as part of Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Addendum: Phase 2 of The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,500,000 to Sonoma Land Trust to acquire the 654-acre McCormick Ranch Property for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural and scenic resources, including wildlife corridors and habitat, wetland and water resources, and landscape resilience related to climate change; and providing open space, public access, recreational use, and Tribal and indigenous cultural uses compatible with natural resource protection in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma and Napa Counties.
NORTH COAST
7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,500,000 to California Trout, Inc. for the acquisition of the 175-acre Prior Ranch and development of restoration designs, CEQA materials and permit applications for the Elk River Habitat Restoration Project in Humboldt County.
Addendum: Support Letter
Addendum: Support Letter
Addendum: Support Letter
Addendum: Support Letter
8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $4,500,000 to the Hoopa Valley Tribe to acquire approximately 10,300 acres of real property known as the Pine Creek Tract, in the Klamath River watershed, to protect and restore water quality, anadromous fish habitat, wildlife habitat, wildlife connectivity, and forest health, and for tribal and public access compatible with natural resource protection.
9. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $6,961,872 of funds from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and up to $3,711,683 of Conservancy funds as follows: up to $8,025,640 to the Yurok Tribe and up to $2,177,555 to California Trout, Inc. to restore approximately 15.9 acres of riparian habitat on lower Prairie Creek as part of the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project at the former Orick Mill A site in Humboldt County, and $470,360 to the Yurok Tribe to plan for the continuation of similar restoration activities upstream in Prairie Creek and its tributaries.
CENTRAL COAST
10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,261,472, including $696,600 in Conservancy funds and $564,872 awarded to the Conservancy by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program, to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to restore approximately 45 acres of coastal wetland and dune scrub habitat at the Black Lake Ecological Area in San Luis Obispo County.
11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,000,000 to the Wildlands Conservancy to acquire 11,692 acres of the Rana Creek Ranch in upper Carmel Valley to protect water quality, natural resources, wildlife habitat, scenic open space, and compatible agriculture including cattle grazing, and for public and tribal access compatible with such uses.
12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $910,000 to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to acquire a conservation easement over the 736-acre Warren Ranch located in the upper San Simeon and Santa Rosa Creek watersheds to protect natural resources, water quality, anadromous fish habitat, wildlife habitat, scenic open space, and compatible agriculture including cattle grazing within these coastal watersheds
13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,680,000 to the City of Santa Barbara to prepare technical studies and feasibility reports and to conduct community outreach for adapting waterfront areas at-risk to sea level rise; and to prepare conceptual designs and environmental review documents for relocation of wastewater and water system infrastructure in the City of Santa Barbara.
14. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,090,000, including $970,000 of grant funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation to conduct pre-acquisition activities, coordinate with landowners and key stakeholders, acquire a conservation easement over 24 acres of agricultural land, and prepare conceptual designs for floodplain restoration and coastal access along Tembladero Slough, between Castroville and Salinas River State Beach.
15. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $864,000 to the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County to lead the Scotts Creek Technical Advisory Committee and provide technical assistance to Caltrans on preparation of environmental review and permit applications for the Scott Creek Coastal Resiliency project, consisting of restoration of approximately 25 acres of Scott Creek Lagoon and marsh and replacement of the Highway 1 bridge at Scott Creek Lagoon in Santa Cruz County
SOUTH COAST
16. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $575,000 to the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy to prepare designs, permit applications, and environmental review for restoring 44.8 acres of degraded wetlands at Newland Marsh in Huntington Beach, Orange County.
17. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $16,200,000 to the City of San Buenaventura (Ventura) to construct Phase 2 of the Surfers Point Managed Retreat Project, a sea level rise adaptation project that relocates existing infrastructure landward and restores beach dune habitat, in Ventura.
18. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $3,192,500 to the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to develop final design plans, to conduct pre-restoration monitoring, and to apply for permits for the first phase of the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II in San Diego County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
WILDFIRE RESILIENCE PROGRAM
19. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $4,983,994 to a Tribe, four nonprofit organizations, three resource conservation districts, and the Regents of the University of California for nine wildfire resilience projects.
Addendum: Support Letter
20. Consideration and potential authorization to disburse up to $449,900 to the Wildlands Conservancy for fuel reduction, vegetation management, and installation of grazing infrastructure on 796 acres on Jenner Headlands Preserve, Jenner, Sonoma County.
21. Consideration and potential authorization to disburse up to $989,300 to Russian Riverkeeper 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.
22.Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $515,200 to the Pepperwood Foundation to reconstruct fire-damaged grazing infrastructure and conduct vegetation management, including forest thinning, prescribed burns, and grazing to reduce wildfire risk at the Pepperwood Preserve in Sonoma County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
23.Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,150,000 to remove dead and dying trees along a ten-mile stretch of road that is also a fuel break and processing the wood into a charcoal product at the San Vicente Redwoods Preserve in Santa Cruz 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.
24. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
25. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS
26. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Addendum: Public Comments
Addendum: Public Comments
Addendum: Public Comments
Addendum: Public Comments
27. CLOSED SESSION
A. To confer regarding Ballona Wetlands Land Trust v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, et al. (Environmental Science Associates, Real Party in Interest), Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 22STCP03307. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
B. 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).
C. To confer regarding Grassroots Coalition, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCP02237. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
D. 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).
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).
28. 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:
1515 Clay Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in San Rafael – April 06
Meeting Notice
Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair
Joy Sterling (Public Member)
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš (Public Member)
Joseph Alioto Jr. (Public Member)
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash (Designated)
Donne Brownsey, Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)
Keely Bosler, Director, Department of Finance; Gayle Miller (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
Amy Roach, General Counsel
AGENDA
Hybrid Meeting
DATE: April 06, 2023
TIME: 10:00 A.M
LOCATION: Marin Civic Center Annex
20 Avenue Of The Flags,
San Rafael, CA 94903
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid virtual/in-person format in accordance with Government Code Section 11133. To maximize public safety while maintaining transparency, 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. People attending in person will be required to adhere to the site’s health guidelines, which could include wearing masks, health screening, and social distancing.
Members of the public may watch an online webcast of the meeting or join the meeting by internet with Zoom or by telephone with the following steps:
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/j/81712892522?pwd=WmZFVmtPZVdWN25lK1lONG9FWllVUT09
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.
* Spanish interpretation will be provided for the April 06, 2023 meeting if you join by zoom.
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s February 2, 2023 public meeting.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $41,200 to the Mattole Restoration Council to complete preacquisition activities for 52 acres of wetland, riparian, grassland, and forested habitat on the North Fork Mattole River in Humboldt County.
B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,000,000 to augment the Conservancy grant of $1,200,000 previously authorized to Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District to prepare plans, designs, and environmental documentation for the 3.4-mile segment of the Santa Ana River Trail known as the Rincon to Prado Spillway segment in the County of Riverside.
C. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $200,000 to the City of Riverside to complete a feasibility study to assess the viability of establishing the Riverside River District along the Santa Ana River in the City of Riverside, Riverside County.
D. Information Report to correct an error regarding the prior grant amount in the May 27, 2021 staff recommendation for the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Planning Project at Topanga State Park and Topanga Beach in Los Angeles County.
E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $400,000 to the Solano Land Trust to augment the Conservancy’s previously authorized grant for construction of a staging area and other public amenities at Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park (formerly Rockville Trails Preserve).
F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $100,000 to the Mendocino Land trust, Inc. to prepare designs, environmental review documents and permit applications for the Arena Cove Coastal Trail in Arena Cove, Point Arena, Mendocino County.
4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
A. Resolution in Honor of Ann Notthoff
B. Delegation of Additional Authority to Conservancy’s Executive Officer
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $7,000,000 to the Land Trust of Napa County to acquire 465 acres of the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch Property for habitat preservation, biodiversity protection, climate resilience, improving wildlife corridors, and public access and tribal cultural uses compatible with natural resource protection in the Capell Valley of Napa County, California.
6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,500,000 to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to complete environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act and to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, and prepare permit applications for beneficial reuse of excavated tunnel material from VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II tunneling project in Santa Clara County at wetland restoration projects in the South San Francisco Bay.
7. Consideration and Possible authorization to disburse up to $3,049,000 to the City of Berkeley to design, obtain permits for, and construct Berkeley Waterfront improvements in Alameda County consisting of 1) renovating the existing South Cove West parking lot, and 2) repairing the existing Cesar Chavez Park perimeter trail; and adoption of findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
- Addendum: Letter of Support
- Addendum: Public Comment
NORTH COAST
8. Consideration and potential authorization to disburse up to $1,377,000 to the Crescent City Harbor District to prepare plans and designs, environmental review documents, and permit applications for the reconstruction of Citizens’ Dock and to construct a new restroom serving South Beach in the Crescent City Harbor in Del Norte County.
9. Consideration and potential authorization to disburse up to $309,650 to the Smith River Alliance to prepare final designs, permit applications, and plans for interpretive elements for the Point Saint George Coastal Trail Project, which consists of construction of approximately 1.25 miles of coastal trail, resource protection, interpretive content, and improvements to the main trailhead parking area at Point Saint George in Del Norte County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
- Addendum: Letter of Support
10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $750,000 to the County of Humboldt to implement the Humboldt Bay Living Shoreline Planning Project, which consists of completing preliminary designs, conducting CEQA review and technical analysis, and preparing 65% design plans and permit applications for phased salt marsh restoration as a sea level rise adaptation measure along the Eureka-Arcata Highway 101 and Humboldt Bay Trail corridor in Humboldt County.
STATEWIDE
11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $995,500 to Zero Foodprint to implement 15-25 agricultural soil carbon sequestration projects, and to sustainably increase soil carbon sequestration in California by developing ongoing regional funding mechanisms, and by helping establish and advance relevant local ordinances and policies.
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.
12. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS
13. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
- Addendum: Public Comments
- Addendum: Public Comments
14. CLOSED SESSION
A. To confer regarding Ballona Wetlands Land Trust v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, et al. (Environmental Science Associates, Real Party in Interest), Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 22STCP03307. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
B. 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).
C. To confer regarding Grassroots Coalition, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCP02237. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
D. 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).
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).
15. ADJOURNMENT
CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION:
On Wednesday, April 5, the Conservancy will tour the following sites, as close as possible to the identified times, which might be affected by traffic:
- 11-12:30pm: Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park (project site for item 3E on this Agenda), Fairfield
- 1:45-2:30: Dotson Family Marsh/Giant Marsh Living Shorelines at Pt Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond (lunch break at Giant Marsh from 1:15-1:45)
- 3:30-4:30pm Hamilton Wetlands including Native Plant Nursery and Bel Marin Keys Unit V Restoration, Novato
Members of the Public are welcome to join the tour but must provide their own transportation. The tour will conclude at 4:30pm.
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
Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Imperial Beach – February 02
Meeting Notice
Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair
Ann Notthoff (Public Member), Vice Chair
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudi?š (Public Member)
Joseph Alioto Jr. (Public Member)
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash (Designated)
Donne Brownsey, Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)
Keely Bosler, Director, Department of Finance; Gayle Miller (Designated)
Senate Representatives
Benjamin Allen (District 26)
Josh Becker (District 13)
John Laird (District 17)
Assembly Representatives
Mark Stone (District 29)
Robert Rivas (District 30)
Christopher Ward (District 78)
Amy Hutzel, Executive Officer
Amy Roach, General Counsel
AGENDA
Hybrid Meeting
DATE: February 02, 2023
TIME: 9:30 A.M*
LOCATION: YMCA Camp Surf
560 Silver Strand Blvd.,
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
*On Thursday, February 2, the Conservancy will tour the YMCA Camp Surf facility. The tour will begin at 9:00am at the YMCA Camp Surf, 560 Silver Strand Blvd., Imperial Beach, CA 91932. Members of the public are welcome to join the tour, during which participants will walk the facility. The tour will conclude at 9:30am.
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid virtual/in-person format in accordance with Government Code Section 11133. To maximize public safety while maintaining transparency, 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. People attending in person will be required to adhere to the site’s health guidelines, which could include wearing masks, health screening, and social distancing.
Members of the public may watch an online webcast of the meeting or join the meeting by internet with Zoom or by telephone with the following steps:
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_GkDpSqYBT4eCptTMX1GZfg. 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.
* Spanish interpretation will be provided for the February 02, 2023 meeting if you join by zoom.
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s September 22, 2022andDecember 01, 2022 public meetings.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $50,000 to the Morro Coast Audubon Society to restore coastal dune habitat in its Sweet Springs Nature Preserve property on the south Morro Bay shoreline, San Luis Obispo County.
B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $33,300 to Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center (JCFNC) to remove a minimum of 95 high-fire-risk invasive Monterey Pine trees, plant 30 Redwood trees and shrubs, and install interpretative signage on the JCFNC property located in the community of Caspar, Mendocino County.
C. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $143,120 to Orange County Coastkeeper to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $35,780 to conduct monitoring and outreach to protect endangered bird species and associated habitat located near the Santa Ana River Mouth in Orange County.
4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
B. Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation
SOUTH COAST
5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $275,000 to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for fire fuel reduction and habitat restoration consisting of enhancement of 46.8 acres of habitat through removal of invasive plants and planting of native plants to increase wildfire resilience and benefit federally protected butterflies and other native species within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $358,000 to the County of Ventura to conduct pre-construction activities associated with the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project, including hydraulic and sediment modeling, environmental compliance and design planning in Ventura County.
7.Consideration and authorization to disburse up to four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) to the City of Santa Ana to prepare designs and perform initial environmental review for restoration of 4.28 acres of pedestrian hiking trail and riparian habitat in Santiago Park within the City of Santa Ana, Orange County.
8. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to three hundred and eight thousand, seven hundred dollars ($308,700) to the Discovery Cube of Orange County to produce a conceptual design and feasibility study for an outdoor science park along Santiago Creek in the City of Santa Ana in Orange County.
9. Consideration and potential authorization to disburse up to $685,546 to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to develop a Tribal Access and Engagement Plan and update environmental assessments for the Frank and Joan Randall Preserve/Genga (formerly known as Banning Ranch) property in Newport Beach and unincorporated Orange County.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
10.Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $7,000,000 to East Bay Regional Park District to acquire the 768-acre Finley Road Ranch Property in Contra Costa County for purposes of protecting, restoring, and enhancing natural and scenic resources, including wildlife corridors and habitat; improving landscape resilience related to climate change; preserving open space; providing public access and recreational use compatible with the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural and scenic resources; and providing a public entry staging area for parks on the southern side of Mount Diablo.
11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,400,000, including a $400,000 grant from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, to the California Invasive Plant Council for the planning, management, treatment, monitoring, and restoration activities of the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project from 2023-2024.
CENTRAL COAST
12. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $525,000 to the City of Santa Barbara to reduce wildland vegetation fuels on approximately 283 acres in up to seven high fire hazard areas in Santa Barbara, purchase equipment needed for the project, prepare planning and biological resource documents, conduct community outreach and education activities, and build capacity to implement their Community Wildfire Protection Plan through hiring additional staff; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
13. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $752,510 to the Santa Lucia Conservancy to develop and implement a wildfire mitigation training program that will train a wildfire workforce and reduce fuels on 675 acres of coastal habitat and to plan four prescribed burn projects, on the Santa Lucia Preserve in Monterey County.
14. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS
15. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
- Addendum: Public Comment
- Addendum: Public Comment
16. 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 Grassroots Coalition, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCP02237. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
C. 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).
D. 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).
E. 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).
F. To confer regarding Ballona Wetlands Land Trust v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, et al. (Environmental Science Associates, Real Party in Interest), Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 22STCP03307. 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 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.
17. ADJOURNMENT
CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION:
On Wednesday, February 1, the Conservancy will tour sites within the Tijuana River Valley. The tour will begin at 1:00 pm at the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR)’s Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. The tour will stop at the following sites throughout the Tijuana River Valley:
- Monument Mesa
- Smuggler’s Gulch
- Tijuana River Valley Campground
- Coastal Trail Connection Points
- Oneonta Slough
Members of the public are welcome to join the tour but must provide their own transportation to the Visitor Center. During the tour, all tour participants must ride in vans provided by TRNERR; no private cars will be permitted on the tour. The tour will conclude at 4:45 pm at the Visitor Center.
For any questions regarding the tour, please contact Megan Cooper at Megan.Cooper@scc.ca.gov.
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
This meeting notice and agenda may be accessed at http://scc.ca.gov/public-meetings/
Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Pacific Grove – December 01
Meeting Notice
Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair
Ann Notthoff (Public Member), Vice Chair
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudi?š (Public Member)
Joseph Alioto Jr. (Public Member)
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash (Designated)
Donne Brownsey, Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)
Keely Bosler, Director, Department of Finance; Gayle Miller (Designated)
Senate Representatives
Benjamin Allen (District 26)
Josh Becker (District 13)
John Laird (District 17)
Assembly Representatives
Mark Stone (District 29)
Robert Rivas (District 30)
Christopher Ward (District 78)
Amy Hutzel, Executive Officer
Amy Roach, General Counsel
AGENDA
Hybrid Meeting
DATE:December 01, 2022
TIME:9:00 A.M
LOCATION:Pacific Grove City Hall
300 Forest Avenue,
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid virtual/in-person format in accordance with Government Code Section 11133. To maximize public safety while maintaining transparency, 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. People attending in person will be required to adhere to the site’s health guidelines, which could include wearing masks, health screening, and social distancing.
Members of the public may watch an online webcast of the meeting or join the meeting by internet with Zoom or by telephone with the following steps:
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_1Q5-0ksjRJa6B_OHDK5_9Q. 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.
* Spanish interpretation will be provided for the December 01, 2022 meeting if you join by zoom. *
**Agenda PDF**
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s September 22, 2022 public meeting.
3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $226,300 of Coastal Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetland Conservation grant funds to the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District to prepare designs, environmental analyses, and permit applications for the restoration of tidal wetlands in Wadulh Lagoon on the Mad River Slough on Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County.
B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $272,540 to Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, and University of California at Santa Cruz to implement three separate projects to aid in recovery of the southern sea otter.
C. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $482,423 of San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority funding to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to augment the Conservancy’s previously authorized grant for operation of the Bay Restoration Regulatory Integration Team to enable operation through September 2024.
D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $22,000 received from the California Department of Water Resources to augment the Conservancy’s previously authorized grant of $598,000 to Sustainable Conservation for advancing the adoption of programmatic permits to expand the project to include increased outreach to facilitate the use of recently adopted programmatic permits for aquatic habitat restoration and water quality improvement projects throughout California.
E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $50,000 to the Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment to prepare a study of governance and financing options for integrating regional sediment management into sea level rise adaptation planning in California.
4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
A. Consideration and possible adoption of the State Coastal Conservancy’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
CENTRAL COAST
5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $300,000 to the Ventana Wildlife Society to prepare plans, environmental review documents, and permit applications for a group campground and support facilities for outdoor programming within Andrew Molera State Park in Monterey County.
6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 to the California Department of Parks and Recreation to improve the California Coastal Trail by renovating several trailheads and trails, installing new signage and drainage/erosion protection improvements, and removing informal trails, in Garrapata State Park in Big Sur, Monterey County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
7. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $824,900 to the Cachuma Resource Conservation District and to the Santa Barbara Fire Safe Council for two additional wildfire resilience projects under the Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program – 2022-2023, in Santa Barbara County.
8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $483,600 to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to use a mobile kiln to sequester carbon by converting non-native invasive tree logs to charcoal at Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County.
- Addendum: Public Comment
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
9. Authorization to disburse up to $3,500,000 to the San Francisco Estuary Institute, Marin and Golden Gate Audubon Societies, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, San Francisco State University, and additional contractors and grantees for monitoring of existing living shoreline projects, development of regional design and constructability guidance, preparation of permit applications, and preparation of preliminary site designs as part of the Regionally Advancing Living Shorelines in San Francisco Bay Project at ten locations in the Central Bay in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin counties.
10. Authorization to disburse up to $500,000 to the City of Oakland to conduct technical feasibility studies and prepare designs for nature-based shoreline enhancement and resilience features to be incorporated into the plans for the Oakland Estuary Park Renovation Project on the Oakland Estuary in the City of Oakland, Alameda County.
11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,150,000 to Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Inc. to steward approximately 177 acres of restored wetlands through engaging the local community to maintain and enhance the wetlands and to implement minor property improvements by repairing and maintaining public access amenities in the Novato Baylands in Marin County.
12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $787,500 to Sonoma Land Trust to acquire the 174-acre Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools Property in Sonoma County for habitat preservation; biodiversity protection; climate resilience; improving wildlife corridors; and public access and tribal cultural uses compatible with natural resource protection.
13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,395,800 to the Petaluma River Park Foundation for community engagement, park plan development, specific project designs, and environmental review associated with development of Petaluma River Park in Petaluma, Sonoma County.
- Addendum: Public Comment
NORTH COAST
14. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $350,000 to Friends of the Dunes to restore 80 acres of dune habitat to increase sea-level rise resiliency on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wadulh Unit on the north spit of Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
SOUTH COAST
15. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to nonprofit organizations for three community-based restoration projects in coastal wetlands and along coastal stream corridors in the Southern California region, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
16. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $530,000 to California Trout Inc. to implement the Santa Margarita River Bridge Replacement and Fish Passage Barrier Removal Project, consisting of removing a box culvert river crossing and replacing it with a bridge that allows fish passage at Sandia Creek Drive in San Diego County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
17. 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 Grassroots Coalition, et al. v. California State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCP02237. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).
C. 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).
D. 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).
E. 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).
F. To confer regarding Ballona Wetlands Land Trust v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, et al. (Environmental Science Associates, Real Party in Interest), Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 22STCP03307. 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 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.
18. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS
19. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
- Addendum: Public Comment
- Addendum: Public Comment
- Addendum: Public Comment
20. ADJOURNMENT
CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION:
On Wednesday, November 30, the Conservancy will tour the Elkhorn Slough Biomass Demonstration Project, which is on this agenda as Item 8; a potential floodplain enhancement project for future Conservancy consideration known as Castroville to the Coast; and several previously approved Conservancy projects. The tour will begin at 11 am at the Elkhorn Highlands Reserve, 103 Desmond Rd, Salinas 93907. The tour will include additional stops at Hester Marsh in Elkhorn Slough, the Castroville to the Coast project (stop will be on Watsonville Road, Moss Landing, coordinates: 36.783544, -121.767082), Carr Lake, and the Pacific Grove Coastal Trail. Members of the public are welcome to join the tour but must provide their own transportation. For any questions regarding the tour, please contact Trish Chapman at trish.chapman@scc.ca.gov.
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
This meeting notice and agenda may be accessed at http://scc.ca.gov/public-meetings/
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