Request for Partnership Proposals/Letters of Interest for the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program FY 2025

NOTE:

This is a call-for preproposals for projects who would like to partner with the California State Coastal Conservancy to apply for US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program funding. This is NOT the official NCWCG call for applications. Projects hoping to receive NCWCG funding are NOT required to apply through the Coastal Conservancy. As stated below, there are six other state agencies who are also designated to apply for these funds for the projects in California. However, should you wish to work with the Coastal Conservancy to manage and administer a potential future grant, please read the following announcement.

 

If you feel your project fits the NCWCG criteria, please submit a brief (~2-4 page) letter of interest via email to bryce.keyes@scc.ca.gov by 11:59 PM on Monday, April 15th, 2024.

 

The California State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) seeks partners for joint applications to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 round of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program for coastal wetlands acquisition and/or restoration projects on the California coast or along the San Francisco Bay shoreline.

Grant Award Amount: The NCWCG program provides grants of up to $1,000,000 for the protection and/or restoration of coastal wetlands. Grants are for project implementation, although it is permissible to request up to 30% of the grant, combined, for biological surveys, monitoring, planning, and permitting if those activities are closely tied to implementation.

Eligible Project Activities:

  1. Acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners for long-term conservation
  2. Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems
  3. A combination of acquisition, restoration, and management

Ineligible Project Activities:

  1. Projects that primarily benefit navigation, irrigation, flood control, or mariculture
  2. Acquisition, restoration, enhancement or management of lands required as the result of a regulatory or decision-making process to mitigate habitat losses
  3. Creation of wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist
  4. Enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and regulations, except when necessary for the accomplishment of approved project purposes
  5. Research
  6. Planning as a primary project focus
  7. Operations and maintenance, including long-term invasive species management
  8. Acquisition and/or restoration of upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetlands ecosystem are not significant and direct
  9. Projects providing less than 20 years of conservation benefits

Important Dates: Projects should be ready for implementation in Summer 2025 or 2026. Project timeline can span as much as 5 years. Grant funding for approved awards will generally be available by Spring 2025.

Match: The NCWCG program requires a non-federal match of at least 25% of the total project cost, consisting of either cash or in-kind contributions, and additional points are awarded for match of up to 33% of the total project cost. The Conservancy may be able to provide some or all of the required match, but project partners providing their own match will increase the Conservancy’s capacity to carry out additional projects. The NCWCG program also prioritizes projects that involve multiple partners providing a cash or in-kind contribution. Some pre-award costs may be considered as match.

Eligibility: Only seven designated state agencies, including the Conservancy, are eligible to apply for NCWCG in California. However, the Conservancy can work in partnership with state and local agencies, tribes, and certain non-profits to develop and submit NCWCG proposals. The Conservancy can pass through NCWCG funds to its partners, as subrecipients, to implement projects. Partners for NCWCG must be non-federal public agencies, tribes, and certain nonprofit organizations. To be eligible, a nonprofit organization must qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. While federal agencies can’t receive NCWCG funds, NCWCG-funded projects can be implemented on federal lands by a subrecipient.

Project Selection Process: If your project is selected by the Conservancy during this initial proposal phase, the Conservancy will work with you to prepare a NCWCG proposal, which may or may not be awarded funding by the USFWS. The USFWS selects proposals for award through a merit-based, national competitive review and ranking process. The deadline for the Conservancy to submit NCWCG proposals to the USFWS for FY 2025 will be June 21, 2024. Selected projects are generally awarded 6-8 months after the application is submitted. If projects are awarded a NCWCG, funding should be available in late Spring of 2025. USFWS will need to review and meet all project-related environmental compliance requirements before making funding available.

 

Letter of Interest: To indicate your interest in partnering with the Conservancy on a NCWCG proposal, please submit a brief (~2-4 page) letter of interest via email to Mrs. Bryce Keyes at Bryce.Keyes@scc.ca.gov. Letters of Interest must be received by 11:59 PM on Monday, April 15th, 2024.

A full description of the NCWCG program can be found on Grants.gov, linked here, or you can search the funding opportunity number on Grants.gov (F25AS00004). If you are interested in submitting a letter of interest to the Conservancy, it is recommended that you review the Criteria in NCWCG’s Full Announcement to ensure that your project is a good fit.

The letter should include the following information:

  1. 1-2 sentence summary of proposed project
  2. Location of the project and its relevance to NCWCG’s goal to restore, enhance, or manage coastal wetlands ecosystems
  3. Description of the need for the project
  4. Description of the proposed project activities and how it addresses the need
  5. Estimated project cost and description of potential match
  6. Approximate timeline for project implementation (include information of the status of project design and environmental review for restoration projects)
  7. Indicate whether you have a willing seller for acquisition projects
  8. List of potential project partners and their roles in the project
  9. List the approximate acreage of the project area and the acreage of coastal wetlands within the project area
  10. Attach a map showing the project area

Questions? Questions about potential projects and the application process may be directed to Bryce Keyes, External Grants Manager: bryce.keyes@scc.ca.gov.

Job Posting: Contracts & Procurement Analyst (Staff Services Analyst)

THIS IS A REPOST. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR THIS JOB VACANCY, YOUR APPLICATION IS STILL BEING CONSIDERED. YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESUBMIT AN APPLICATION.

“Love the California Coast, the environment, and working with contracts and grant agreements?  This might be the job for you!” The State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) Contracts & Procurement Unit is seeking a highly motivated individual to work as a Contracts & Procurement Analyst.”

Under the general supervision of the Contracts and Procurement Manager, the incumbent is responsible for all phases of the Contract and Grant Agreement document preparation process. Duties are technical and analytical in nature and carried out with a high degree of independence. Please click on the Duty Statement link below to review the specifics of the Staff Service Analyst (SSA) position.

Telework Information: The position reports to SCC Headquarters office located in Oakland, CA, and is eligible for telework 3 days a week, in accordance with SCC’s Telework Policy, and will be required to report to the office as needed/required. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • If you’re new to the state application process, please visit 3 Steps to a State Job to learn more about the process.
  • Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with any state agency. To obtain eligibility for this position, please see the “Special Requirements and Additional Information” sections below for more information.
  • If the classification/position you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts (unofficial or official) or degree/diploma will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.
  • The required items for this application package are: (please see the “Special Requirements and Additional Information” sections below for more detail information)
    • State Application (STD 678) – Please fill out all sections of the application, your resume will not be reviewed.
    • Copy of diploma and/or transcripts (official/unofficial) – Please ensure transcripts are readable and clear.
    • A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included.

Salary information: CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

 

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

 

Working Conditions

  • Office setting; Monday through Friday; prolonged periods of sitting.
  • This position is required to work in-office three days per work week due to HR Operational needs.
  • The Conservancy has a telework policy for Headquarter (HQ) employees, that allows staff to telework up to 3 days per week. A computer for teleworking can be provided if needed. All Headquarters employees are currently required to be in the office twice a week. Employees may be required to work in-office more than 3 days for business needs.
  • Work on a computer up to 8 hours a day on occasions.
  • Ability to lift 15 pounds.
  • Work is Indoor, although it may be necessary occasionally to go outdoors.
  • May require an employee to work in stressful or time-pressured situations.
  • Multitask, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities in a cooperative manner.
  • Travel by car or plane, with overnight stays, necessary on occasion.

 

The pay range for this position is $$3,534.00 – $5,744.00 per Month.

The Final Filing Date is 3/18/24.

Steps to apply:

  1. If you’re new to the state application process, please visit 3 Steps to a State Job to learn more about the process.
  2. Create a CalCareers Account
  3. Visit the job announcement at:
  4. Review the Duty Statement (download).
  5. On the Job Control Listing, click Apply Now to launch the CA STD 678, which is the State of California’s official State Application for job vacancies.
  6. If any, answer questions/prompts on the CA STD 678 and upload all required documents before submitting the application:
    1. State Application STD 678 – make sure to fill out all sections (resume will not be reviewed/considered)
    2. If you’re new to the state application process, please visit 3 Steps to a State Job to learn more about the process.
    3. A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)
  7. Verify that the CA STD 678 and other required documents have been “Submitted” in your CalCareer account.
  8. Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with any state agency. To obtain eligibility for the Staff Service Analyst (SSA) position please see the “Special Requirements and Additional Information” sections to take the exam/obtain eligibility.

Other resources for applying for a job with the State:

Department of General Services: How to Apply for a State Job

CalPERS: How to Apply for a State Job

CalCareers: Help

State of CA Civil Service Pay Scale

Coastal Conservancy Awards Grants for Coastal Access, Restoration, and Climate Resilience

2/15/2024 – Today, the Board of the State Coastal Conservancy authorized a number of grants to restore, protect, and expand access to the California coast.  Grants approved included:

      • A grant of an amount not to exceed $35,000,000 to The Nature Conservancy to complete permitting and implement the first phase of the Ormond Beach Restoration Public Access Plan, which consists of restoration and public access improvements on approximately 230 acres at the eastern side of Ormond Beach and management of the wetlands.
      • Authorization to disburse up to $30,000,000 to the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to implement the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II, Phase I, consisting of restoring 85 acres of wetlands and associated habitats and enhancing public access at the Tijuana River estuary in San Diego County.
      • Authorization to disburse up to $16,000,000, including $10,000,000 in grant funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to implement the Rancho Cañada Floodplain Restoration Project, a multi-benefit floodplain restoration project along approximately 1-mile of the lower Carmel River in Monterey County.
      • Authorization to disburse up to $8,000,000 to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to acquire the 247-acre Beach Ranch property at the Pajaro River Estuary in Santa Cruz County for nature-based sea level rise adaptation, natural resource protection and restoration, compatible agricultural use, California Native American tribal access, and public access. The proposed acquisition will be a model for how coastal agricultural communities can proactively adapt to climate change.

A full list of the projects approved at today’s meeting is below.

Del Norte County

  • The Smith River Alliance Inc. was awarded up to $1,500,000 to implement cultural resource protections and construct 1.25 miles of the California Coastal Trail, new restrooms, interpretive signage, and other improvements to the main trailhead parking area at Point Saint Georgein Del Norte County.
  • The Smith River Alliance was awarded up to $1,300,000, of which $500,000 is to conduct pre-acquisition planning activities and minor clean-up actions for beach, dune, wetland, upland, and forested parcels within and in the vicinity of thePacific Shores Subdivision, adjacent to the Lake Earl Wildlife Area in Del Norte County, and $800,000 is to acquire those same parcels.

Humboldt County

  • The Mattole Restoration Council was awarded up to $800,000 to for the acquisition of the approximately 83-acre North Fork Mattole propertyon the North Fork of the Mattole River in Humboldt County, and preparation of baseline conditions and environmental assessment reports for the property. The property will be acquired for habitat conservation and restoration, California Native American tribal and public access and recreation, open space, and potentially a public-serving facility that will facilitate climate resilience, access to, and enjoyment of the natural resources of the property.
  • The Humboldt County Resource Conservation District was awarded up to $1,368,606, a portion of which was granted to the Coastal Conservancy by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to implement the Wadulh Lagoon Restoration Project, consisting of restoring 62.1 acres of coastal wetland and riparian habitat by lowering and removing dikes and excavating channels in Wadulh Lagoon on the Mad River Slough on Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County.
  • The City of Eureka was awarded up to $1,090,000 to prepare the City of Eureka Coastal Access and Resilience Planto protect and enhance existing and future use of the Eureka waterfront for ecological, recreational, and commercial purposes, and to prepare conceptual designs and environmental review for four sea level rise adaptation projects identified in the Plan.
  • The Wildlands Conservancy was awarded up to $315,150 to prepare a public access plan, preliminary designs, and environmental review for lower cost overnight accommodations and a new section of the California Coastal Trail on the Seawood Cape Preservein Humboldt County.

Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt Counties

  • The Conservancy authorized spending up to $2,963,050 of funds appropriated to the Conservancy for the Great Redwood Trailfor engineering and environmental services, planning and design, public outreach, organizational development, advancement of the railbanking process, technical support, interim staffing support for the Great Redwood Trail Agency, and other costs and services as may be required for the advancement of the trail in Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt Counties.

Mendocino County

  • The Mendocino Land Trust was awarded up to $41,000 to operate and maintain public access improvements at Moat Creek Beachand along the Moat Creek segment of the California Coastal Trail in Mendocino County.
  • The Noyo Center for Marine Science was awarded up to $400,000 for their Marine Ecosystem Resiliency Project, consisting of 1) conducting studies and preparing conceptual designs for sea level rise adaptation of their Marine Field Station building, dock, and associated infrastructure, 2) preparing 60% designs for retrofitting the Field Station building and replacing its dock, 3) preparing environmental review documents and permit applications for the dock replacement, and 4) implementing aquaculture programs to restore the nearshore kelp forest ecosystem at their Marine Field Station located at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County.
  • The Yurok Tribe was awarded up to $1,500,000 to construct 0.68 miles of the California Coastal Trail and replace culverts onLibby Creek, a tributary to Prairie Creek, as part of the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project, at the former 125-acre Orick Mill A site in Humboldt County.

Mendocino and Sonoma Counties

  • The Redwood Coast Land Conservancy was awarded up to $1,660,000 to prepare designs, environmental compliance documents, and permit applications for establishing 2.6 miles of new public access trails and related public access amenities, including 0.75 miles of the California Coastal Trail, and restoring 4 acres of upland habitat for the Mill Bend Preserveat the mouth of the Gualala River in Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

Sonoma County

  • The Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District was awarded up to $470,900 to construct upgrades to the potable water treatment facility and its water source for the Alliance Redwood Conference Grounds and the communities of Camp Meeker and Occidental and to reduce surface water diversions and increase dry season flows for salmonids in Dutch Bill Creekin Sonoma County, and the adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  • The Sonoma Land Trust was awarded up to $1,241,200 to plan for ecological restoration of 337 acres of baylands and alluvial fan in the Tolay Creek Baylandsin Sonoma County by conducting community engagement, preparing preliminary designs and environmental compliance documents, and developing a permitting strategy.
  • Sonoma County Regional Parks was awarded up to $600,000 to acquire approximately 20 acres of non-active railway corridor to complete acquisition of ownership of lands needed to enable future construction of the Sonoma Schellville Trail, Sonoma County.

Solano County

  • The Solano Resource Conservation District was awarded up to $1,143,500 to restore 19 acres of upland habitat and install a half-acre demonstration garden, 670-foot long trail, outdoor education area, two kiosks, and interpretive signs at Lake Solano Parkin Solano County; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Solano and Napa Counties

  • The Conservancy (1) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for cost sharing the incremental cost of placing dredged sediment from the Petaluma River at Cullinan Ranch; and (2) authorized disbursing up to $313,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the non-federal share of the incremental cost of placing dredged sediment from the Petaluma River at Cullinan Ranchwithin the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Solano and Napa Counties.

Alameda County

  • The East Bay Regional Park District was awarded up to $120,000 to prepare designs and environmental review documents for park improvements on an approximately three-acre upland area located between Powell Street and San Francisco Bay, east of Emeryville Fire Station No. 34, within McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, in the City of Emeryville, Alameda County.

Contra Costa County

  • The John Muir Land Trust was awarded up to $1,230,000 to acquire the approximately 100-acre Kenneth Gerlack Preserve Propertyin Contra Costa County for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural and scenic resources and wildlife corridors; and, to the extent compatible with the aforementioned purposes: public access, including a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and California Native American tribal cultural uses.

San Francisco County

  • San Francisco Recreation and Park Department was awarded up to $5,500,000 to implement the India Basin Waterfront Park Phase 3: Shoreline Park Redevelopment project, consisting of the redevelopment of the India Basin Shoreline Park into a mixed-use community park with improved public access and recreation amenities, enhanced habitat, and climate resiliency in the City and County of San Francisco, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

San Mateo County

  • The Coastside Land Trust was awarded up to $3,377,389 to construct priority components of Phase 2 of the Wavecrest Coastal Access Project, which are: at least 1 mile of Coastal Trail, a trailhead with a parking lot and restroom, and a beach stairway at the Wavecrest property in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Santa Clara County

  • Valley Water was awarded up to $5,000,000 dollars for the restoration of 40 acres of mudflat and shallow water habitat in Pond A4to benefit shorebirds, enhance recreation, and facilitate future tidal wetland restoration along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay in Santa Clara County.

Santa Cruz County

  • Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission was awarded up to $600,000 for the North Coast Rail Trail – Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Segment 5 project, consisting of construction of 7.5 miles of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian trail and associated amenities between Wilder Ranch State Park and Davenport on the north coast of Santa Cruz County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  • The City of Santa Cruz was awarded up to $6,893,700 to construct improvements in the East Parking Lot and wave crash zone areas of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharfin the City of Santa Cruz and to further the planning for future improvements for increased resiliency to the effects of climate change and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  • The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County was awarded up to $8,000,000 to acquire the 247-acre Beach Ranch property at the Pajaro River Estuaryin Santa Cruz County for nature-based sea level rise adaptation, natural resource protection and restoration, compatible agricultural use, California Native American tribal access, and public access.

Monterey County

  • The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District was awarded up to $16,000,000, including $10,000,000 in grant funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to implement the Rancho Cañada Floodplain Restoration Project, a multi-benefit floodplain restoration project along approximately 1-mile of the lower Carmel Riverin Monterey County.
  • The City of Sand City was awarded $473,500 to prepare trail alignment and restoration plans, designs, permit applications, and environmental documentation for a 0.7-mile segment of the Coastal Trail in Sand City, County of Monterey.

San Luis Obispo County

  • The Conservancy authorized disbursing up to $5,000,000 for consultant services including resource assessments, planning, public outreach, and other services as may be required related to planning for the conservation of the 12,000-acre Diablo Canyon Lands.
  • The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County was awarded up to $2,500,000 to acquire a conservation easement over the 27,512-acre Camatta Ranchin eastern San Luis Obispo County to protect water quality and water supply, natural resources, wildlife habitat, scenic open space, and agriculture including cattle grazing compatible with such uses.

Ventura County

  • The County of Ventura was awarded up to $4,600,000 to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $358,000 for pre-construction activities associated with the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Projectby adding additional tasks to support and inform environmental compliance and programmatic design planning, and to conduct community engagement in Ventura County.
  • The County of Ventura was awarded up to $3,200,000 to (1) augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $379,350 to conduct planning and to develop design criteria, preliminary design plans, and alternatives refinement for improvements to the Robles Diversion and Fish Passage Facility, and (2)was authorized to conduct additional studies and modeling, develop 10% design plans for two alternatives, and provide funding directly to the Casitas Municipal Water District to work on this project, in Ventura County.
  • The Conservancy authorized 1) an amount not to exceed $1,270,551 to augment a contract for preliminary design, including preparation of more detailed designs, engineering, and permitting for the Ormond Beach Restoration and Public Access Project (OBRAP), and 2) a grant of an amount not to exceed $35,000,000 to The Nature Conservancy to complete permitting and implement the first phase of the OBPRAP, which consists of restoration and public access improvements on approximately 280 acres at the eastern side of Ormond Beachand management of the wetlands.

Los Angeles County

  • The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains was awarded up to $646,100 to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $1,629,550 for planning for theTopanga Lagoon Restoration Project at Topanga State Park and Topanga Beach in Los Angeles County.
  • The Conservancy approved a land swap involving the transfer of a five-acre parcel owned byLos Cerritos Wetlands Authority to Los Cerritos Wetlands, LLC in exchange for a 150-acre parcel for purposes of natural resource and wetland protection and restoration, open space, and public access that is compatible with those purposes, in the City of Long Beach, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Orange County

  • The City of Santa Ana was awarded up to $2,807,000 to enhance and restore the 2.66-acre Santiago Park Main Street entranceby constructing site amenities such as lighting, Santiago Creek viewing decks, and landscape improvements, and separating the pedestrian walkway and bike trails to allow for safe recreation.

San Bernardino County

  • The County of San Bernardino was awarded up to $6,800,000 to prepare final designs, acquire rights-of-way, and construct a 3.9-mile segment of the Santa Ana River Trailin San Bernardino County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

San Diego County

  • The Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation was awarded up to $850,000 dollars to develop feasible strategies, concepts, and preliminary engineering designs of nature-based solutions to build resiliency to sea level rise and coastal hazards for a 0.6-mile section of Torrey Pines State Beach, including the Torrey Pines South Beach Parking Lot, and the adjacent public parking along Highway 101 in San Diego County.
  • The Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association was awarded up to $30,000,000 to implement the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II, Phase I, consisting of restoring 85 acres of wetlands and associated habitats and enhancing public access at the Tijuana River estuary in San Diego County.

Statewide

  • Public Media Group of Southern California was awarded up to $100,000 to develop multimedia content documenting the Coastal Stories Grant Program, produce and host a webpage, and conduct outreach to reach a broad audience.

 

 

 

 

Coastal Stories 2024 RFP now open!

The Coastal Stories 2024 grant program is now open!

This grant program aims to support inclusivity of outdoor spaces for all Californians.

The primary goal of the Coastal Stories Grant Program is to promote the representation of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, immigrant communities, low-income communities, and other historically excluded groups through storytelling.

Stories must be publicly accessible in outdoor spaces within the Conservancy’s jurisdiction, which includes the Coastal draining watersheds, 9 Bay Area counties, and the Santa Ana River. The program seeks to support projects that develop and implement storytelling installations or materials, such as murals, signage, monuments, or guides, that authentically convey historically excluded communities’ perspectives and relationships to the outdoors. Emphasis is placed on encouraging proposals for community-led initiatives demonstrating robust partnerships between communities and landowners, utilizing innovative approaches to historical, ecological, and cultural storytelling.

 The Conservancy held an informational webinar on February 22.  to walk through the Coastal Stories Grant Program and address common questions regarding the application. A recording of the webinar can be found here.

If you would like a 30-minute consultation with a staff member, please email coastalstories [AT] scc.ca.gov with your project idea and location(s).

Pre-applications are due March 31st, 2024. Applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal or asked to provide further information within two months.

 

*please save a copy of the Google Doc file, fill it out, re-save it as a Word Doc or PDF and email it back to us.

Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Newport Beach – February 15

Meeting Notice

Updated 2/5/2024 1:49 PM, address correction.

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)
Caryl Hart, 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 2/9/2024, Item 3F exhibit 3 has been posted and Item 8 exhibit 3 has been posted.

Agenda Updated 2/14/2024. Addendums to Items B, 7, 8, 9 and 12 have been added.

Hybrid Meeting
DATE: February 15, 2024
TIME: 9:30 A.M
LOCATION: Civic Community Room
100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660

*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. 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.
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_V_ISwvpFTzS0vs87rMz9_Q

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 November 30, 2023 public meeting.

3. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $646,100 to the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $1,629,550 for planning for the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project at Topanga State Park and Topanga Beach in Los Angeles County.

B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,300,000 to the Smith River Alliance, of which $500,000 is to conduct pre-acquisition planning activities and minor clean-up actions for beach, dune, wetland, upland, and forested parcels within and in the vicinity of the Pacific Shores Subdivision, adjacent to the Lake Earl Wildlife Area in Del Norte County, and $800,000 is to acquire those same parcels.

C. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $120,000 to East Bay Regional Park District to prepare designs and environmental review documents for park improvements on an approximately three-acre upland area located between Powell Street and San Francisco Bay, east of Emeryville Fire Station No. 34, within McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, in the City of Emeryville, Alameda County.

D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,500,000 to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to acquire a conservation easement over the 27,512-acre Camatta Ranch in eastern San Luis Obispo County to protect water quality and water supply, natural resources, wildlife habitat, scenic open space, and agriculture including cattle grazing compatible with such uses.

E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $470,900 to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District to construct upgrades to the potable water treatment facility and its water source for the Alliance Redwood Conference Grounds and the communities of Camp Meeker and Occidental and to reduce surface water diversions and increase dry season flows for salmonids in Dutch Bill Creek in Sonoma County, and the adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,807,000 to the City of Santa Ana to enhance and restore the 2.66-acre Santiago Park Main Street entrance by constructing site amenities such as lighting, Santiago Creek viewing decks, and landscape improvements, and separating the pedestrian walkway and bike trails to allow for safe recreation.

G. Consideration and possible authorization up to $473,500 to the City of Sand City to prepare trail alignment and restoration plans, designs, permit applications, and environmental documentation for a 0.7-mile segment of the Coastal Trail in Sand City, County of Monterey.

H. Consideration and possible authorization to (1) enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for cost sharing the incremental cost of placing dredged sediment from the Petaluma River at Cullinan Ranch; and (2) disburse up to $313,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the non-federal share of the incremental cost of placing dredged sediment from the Petaluma River at Cullinan Ranch within the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Solano and Napa Counties.

I. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,660,000 to the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy to prepare designs, environmental compliance documents, and permit applications for establishing 2.6 miles of new public access trails and related public access amenities, including 0.75 miles of the California Coastal Trail, and restoring 4 acres of upland habitat for the Mill Bend Preserve at the mouth of the Gualala River in Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

J. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,500,000 to the Yurok Tribe to construct 0.68 miles of the California Coastal Trail and replace culverts on Libby Creek, a tributary to Prairie Creek, as part of the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project, at the former 125-acre Orick Mill A site in Humboldt County.

K. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $41,000 to the Mendocino Land Trust to operate and maintain public access improvements at Moat Creek Beach and along the Moat Creek segment of the California Coastal Trail in Mendocino County.

L. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $315,150 to the Wildlands Conservancy to prepare a public access plan, preliminary designs, and environmental review for lower cost overnight accommodations and a new section of the California Coastal Trail on the Seawood Cape Preserve in Humboldt County.

M. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $400,000 to the Noyo Center for Marine Science for their Marine Ecosystem Resiliency Project, consisting of 1) conducting studies and preparing conceptual designs for sea level rise adaptation of their Marine Field Station building, dock, and associated infrastructure, 2) preparing 60% designs for retrofitting the Field Station building and replacing its dock, 3) preparing environmental review documents and permit applications for the dock replacement, and 4) implementing aquaculture programs to restore the nearshore kelp forest ecosystem at their Marine Field Station located at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County.

N. Consideration and possible authorization to spend up to $2,963,050 of funds appropriated to the Conservancy for the Great Redwood Trail for engineering and environmental services, planning and design, public outreach, organizational development, advancement of the railbanking process, technical support, interim staffing support for the Great Redwood Trail Agency, and other costs and services as may be required for the advancement of the trail in Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt Counties.

O. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $4,600,000 to the County of Ventura to augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $358,000 for pre-construction activities associated with the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project by adding additional tasks to support and inform environmental compliance and programmatic design planning, and to conduct community engagement in Ventura County.

P. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,200,000 to the County of Ventura to (1) augment a previously authorized Conservancy grant of $379,350 to conduct planning and to develop design criteria, preliminary design plans, and alternatives refinement for improvements to the Robles Diversion and Fish Passage Facility, and (2) conduct additional studies and modeling, develop 10% design plans for two alternatives, and provide funding directly to the Casitas Municipal Water District to work on this project, in Ventura County.

Q. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,377,389 to the Coastside Land Trust to construct priority components of Phase 2 of the Wavecrest Coastal Access Project, which are: at least 1 mile of Coastal Trail, a trailhead with a parking lot and restroom, and a beach stairway at the Wavecrest property in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

R. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $600,000 to Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission for the North Coast Rail Trail – Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Segment 5 project, consisting of construction of 7.5 miles of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian trail and associated amenities between Wilder Ranch State Park and Davenport on the north coast of Santa Cruz County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

S. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $100,000 to Public Media Group of Southern California to develop multimedia content documenting the Coastal Stories Grant Program, produce and host a webpage, and conduct outreach to reach a broad audience.

4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
A. Recognition of North Coast Regional Manager Karyn Gear upon her Retirement
B. Potential Changes to 2024 Conservancy Board Meeting Locations and Schedule

SOUTH COAST
5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $6,800,000 to the County of San Bernardino to prepare final designs, acquire rights-of-way, and construct a 3.9-mile segment of the Santa Ana River Trail in San Bernardino County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $850,000 dollars to the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation to develop feasible strategies, concepts, and preliminary engineering designs of nature-based solutions to build resiliency to sea level rise and coastal hazards for a 0.6-mile section of Torrey Pines State Beach, including the Torrey Pines South Beach Parking Lot, and the adjacent public parking along Highway 101 in San Diego County.

7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $30,000,000 to the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to implement the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II, Phase I, consisting of restoring 85 acres of wetlands and associated habitats and enhancing public access at the Tijuana River estuary in San Diego County.

8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse: 1) an amount not to exceed $1,270,551 to augment a contract for preliminary design, including preparation of more detailed designs, engineering, and permitting for the Ormond Beach Restoration and Public Access Project (OBRAP), and 2) a grant of an amount not to exceed $35,000,000 to The Nature Conservancy to complete permitting and implement the first phase of the OBPRAP, which consists of restoration and public access improvements on approximately 280 acres at the eastern side of Ormond Beach and management of the wetlands.

  • Addendum: Exhibit 3: Ormond Beach Restoration and Public Access Plan was added to the Staff Recommendation on 2/8/2024 at 4:56 PM.
  • Addendum: Additional Project Letter added to Staff Recommendation on 2/14/2024 at 9:42 am

9. Consideration and possible authorization to approve a land swap involving the transfer of a five-acre parcel owned by Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to Los Cerritos Wetlands, LLC in exchange for a 150-acre parcel for purposes of natural resource and wetland protection and restoration, open space, and public access that is compatible with those purposes, in the City of Long Beach, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

NORTH COAST
10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $800,000 to the Mattole Restoration Council for the acquisition of the approximately 83-acre North Fork Mattole property on the North Fork of the Mattole River in Humboldt County, and preparation of baseline conditions and environmental assessment reports for the property. The property will be acquired for habitat conservation and restoration, California Native American tribal and public access and recreation, open space, and potentially a public-serving facility that will facilitate climate resilience, access to, and enjoyment of the natural resources of the property.

11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,368,606, a portion of which was granted to the Coastal Conservancy by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District to implement the Wadulh Lagoon Restoration Project, consisting of restoring 62.1 acres of coastal wetland and riparian habitat by lowering and removing dikes and excavating channels in Wadulh Lagoon on the Mad River Slough on Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County.

12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,090,000 to the City of Eureka in Humboldt County to prepare the City of Eureka Coastal Access and Resilience Plan to protect and enhance existing and future use of the Eureka waterfront for ecological, recreational, and commercial purposes, and to prepare conceptual designs and environmental review for four sea level rise adaptation projects identified in the Plan.

13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,500,000 to the Smith River Alliance Inc. to implement cultural resource protections and construct 1.25 miles of the California Coastal Trail, new restrooms, interpretive signage, and other improvements to the main trailhead parking area at Point Saint George in Del Norte County.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
14. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,230,000 to John Muir Land Trust to acquire the approximately 100-acre Kenneth Gerlack Preserve Property in Contra Costa County for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural and scenic resources and wildlife corridors; and, to the extent compatible with the aforementioned purposes: public access, including a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and California Native American tribal cultural uses.

15. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,500,000 to San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to implement the India Basin Waterfront Park Phase 3: Shoreline Park Redevelopment project, consisting of the redevelopment of the India Basin Shoreline Park into a mixed-use community park with improved public access and recreation amenities, enhanced habitat, and climate resiliency in the City and County of San Francisco, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

16. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,241,200 to Sonoma Land Trust to plan for ecological restoration of 337 acres of baylands and alluvial fan in the Tolay Creek Baylands in Sonoma County by conducting community engagement, preparing preliminary designs and environmental compliance documents, and developing a permitting strategy.

17. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $600,000 to Sonoma County Regional Parks to acquire approximately 20 acres of non-active railway corridor to complete acquisition of ownership of lands needed to enable future construction of the Sonoma Schellville Trail, Sonoma County.

18. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,143,500 to the Solano Resource Conservation District to restore 19 acres of upland habitat and install a half-acre demonstration garden, 670-foot long trail, outdoor education area, two kiosks, and interpretive signs at Lake Solano Park in Solano County; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

19. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,000,000 dollars to Valley Water for the restoration of 40 acres of mudflat and shallow water habitat in Pond A4 to benefit shorebirds, enhance recreation, and facilitate future tidal wetland restoration along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay in Santa Clara County.

CENTRAL COAST
20. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,000,000 for consultant services including resource assessments, planning, public outreach, and other services as may be required related to planning for the conservation of the 12,000-acre Diablo Canyon Lands.

21. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $16,000,000, including $10,000,000 in grant funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to implement the Rancho Cañada Floodplain Restoration Project, a multi-benefit floodplain restoration project along approximately 1-mile of the lower Carmel River in Monterey County.

22. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $6,893,700 to the City of Santa Cruz to construct improvements in the East Parking Lot and wave crash zone areas of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf in the City of Santa Cruz and to further the planning for future improvements for increased resiliency to the effects of climate change and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

23. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $8,000,000 to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to acquire the 247-acre Beach Ranch property at the Pajaro River Estuary in Santa Cruz County for nature-based sea level rise adaptation, natural resource protection and restoration, compatible agricultural use, California Native American tribal access, and public access.

24. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS

25. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

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.

26. 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 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).
D. 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).

27. ADJOURNMENT

CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION

On Wednesday, February 14, the Conservancy will tour the site 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 at 4:30pm.

3:00pm – Meet at Crystal Cove Cottages – 35 Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, CA 92657

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

Diablo Canyon Lands RFQ

The California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) is seeking qualifications for contractors to assist SCC and its state and local agency partners, tribes, and community groups to plan for future land conservation and public and tribal uses of the roughly 12,000-acre Diablo Canyon Lands surrounding the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County. The total amount of funds disbursed under this contract shall not exceed $5,000,000 (five million dollars). Execution of the contract is contingent on SCC board approval that is expected to occur at its next meeting on February 15, 2024. The staff report can be found here.

 

The lands are currently owned by PG&E, or one of its subsidiaries, but are expected to transfer into other ownership as part of the long-term power plant decommissioning.

 

The scope of this contract is to:

1) Obtain and review existing conditions data and information and prepare a variety of studies and analyses needed to inventory, characterize, and map the locations of the property’s significant natural, biological, cultural, and tribal resources; topography; geology; hazards; and other relevant property attributes;

2) assist SCC in conducting an extensive tribal partnership program;

3) conduct a robust community engagement program;

4) assist SCC as needed to facilitate the long-term ownership, management, and public access to the DCL including identification of potential trail routes, trailheads, parking, restrooms, and camping areas;

5) work in collaboration with SCC to prepare easements for conservation, cultural resource protection, and public access;  and

6) provide other technical assistance as needed.

 

The information gathered through the technical studies, tribal partnerships and community engagement will inform the subsequent preparation of one or more conservation, cultural resource protection, and public access easements by the selected contractor in close coordination with SCC, its local and state agency partners, the local community and tribes.  The contract will require the development and implementation of robust programs for tribal partnership and community engagement.

 

The contract duration is expected to be three (3) years but could extend up to five (5) years.

 

SCC’s process of selection for this proposal will follow SCC’s environmental services contracting process, in which SCC solicits a list of contractors referenced by area of specialization, evaluates applications, and then makes a final decision based on demonstrated competence and qualifications. SCC will negotiate and manage this contract.

 

The SCC is a non-regulatory state agency that works to preserve, improve, and restore the natural resources, agricultural lands, watersheds, urban waterfronts, public access and recreation along the Pacific coast and the San Francisco Bay shoreline and its adjacent counties.

 

The RFQ documents can be found here. 

A webinar on the RFQ was held on 2/20/2024. A recording can be found here.

Q&A on the RFP are at the bottom of this page.

 

Respondents to this Request for Qualifications must submit the information requested below electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format to tim.duff@scc.ca.gov on or before 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2024

Q&A

  1. Do you require bidders to demonstrate a good faith effort to include DVBEs in their submission?

We do not require that bidders demonstrate a good faith effort to include DVBEs.  However, if they are a DVBE or have a DVBE subcontractor doing  3% or more of the work, we will grant them a preference in the evaluation process.

Press Release: State Coastal Conservancy Announces Awards for Coastal Resilience, Public Access, Restoration, and Storytelling

San Luis Obispo – This week, the California State Coastal Conservancy announced more than $39 million in funding for projects to improve public access, climate resilience, habitat values, and inclusion at the coast.

 

“The Coastal Conservancy’s vision is of a beautiful, restored, and accessible coast for current and future Californians. To achieve this, we fund projects that support the coast’s natural resources, projects that prepare the coast for the challenges of a changing climate, and projects that help more people enjoy the coast.” said Amy Hutzel, Executive Officer of the Coastal Conservancy.

 

Among the awards were several projects that will expand the Californians’ ability to access and enjoy the coast:

  • $1,104,736 was awarded to eight non-profit organizations for Coastal Stories projectsthat will create storytelling installations, murals, or interpretive materials that represent diverse communities’ perspectives that historically have been excluded from narratives of California’s coast and publicly accessible lands. This is the second round of funding through the Conservancy’s Coastal Stories grant program.

 

  • The Big Sur Land Trust was awarded $2,750,000 to acquire the 84-acre Hiss Parcelin the City of Monterey for natural resource conservation, California Native American tribal cultural resource conservation, habitat connectivity, California Native American tribal access, and public access.

 

  • Orange County Coastkeeper was awarded $250,000 for the Beach and Coast Accessibility Program to provide grants to nonprofits, public entities, and tribes for beach wheelchairs and other equipment to increase accessibility to California’s beaches and coast in coastal counties statewide.

 

The awarded projects are as follows:

 

Del Norte County

  • The Family Resource Center of the Redwoods was awarded $260,100 to construct a direct-to-consumer fish processing and sales facility, consisting of a filet station, restroom, and storefront, at the Crescent City Harborin Del Norte County.
  • The Elk Valley Rancheria was awarded $725,000 to for the acquisition of the 9.19-acre Bush parcel on Crescent Beach, south of Crescent City, in Del Norte County, for preparation of a plan for that property for wildlife habitat enhancement and public access, and for removal of invasive species on the property.  The property will be acquired for protecting open space, protecting public and tribal access, protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat, and sea level rise adaptation measures, including measures to protect nearby roads and highways, consistent with open space and habitat protection.

Humboldt County

  • The County of Humboldt was awarded $693,700 to develop a coastal resilience planning framework, conduct community and tribal engagement, complete a sea level rise and flood vulnerability assessment and an adaptation feasibility analysis, and prepare conceptual designs and preliminary engineering plans for sea level rise adaptation projects for the communities of King Salmon and Fields Landing.
  • The Mattole Salmon Group was awarded $2,250,000 to reconnect Lower Bear Creek to the middle slough of the Mattole River Estuary, in part by elevating road infrastructure, to address critical habitat needs for endangered salmonids and improve resilience to climate change and sea level rise in Humboldt County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Mendocino County

  • The City of Willits was awarded $3,813,000 to implement the Willits Rail with Trail Project, consisting of construction of a 1.6-mile trail between East Hill Road and East Commercial Street in the City of Willits, Mendocino County that will eventually become part of the Great Redwood Trail, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  • CalWild was awarded $250,000 for preparation of a community plan and conceptual project designs to ameliorate changes resulting from the potential decommissioning and removal of the Potter Valley Projecthydroelectric facility.
  • The City of Point Arena was awarded $485,000 to prepare the Arena Cove Harbor Access and Resilience Plan, which will include plans, designs, and environmental review for a variety of improvements to protect and enhance existing and future use of the Point Arena Pier, Harbor, and Cove for commercial and recreational purposes.

Marin County

  • The Marin County Open Space District was awarded $1,504,990 of Coastal Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service funds to implement the Bolinas Lagoon Wye Resiliency Project, which will reduce localized flooding and increase resilience to sea level rise and which consists of restoring 20 acres of tidal and riparian wetlands and returning Lewis Gulch Creek to its historic floodplain by, in part, removing and elevating roads at the northern end of Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Napa County

San Francisco County

  • The San Francisco Estuary Institute was awarded $446,400 to for the Mapping Yelamu’s Historical Landscape project, consisting of conducting an ecological and ethnographic study of San Francisco in partnership with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone and development of cultural and ecological landscape maps that can be used for interpretive programs and capital project planning.

 

  • The Port of San Francisco was awarded $7,800,000 to for the Southern Embarcadero Resilience and Enhancement Project, consisting of developing plans and engineering designs to adapt shoreline infrastructure to sea level rise, improve public access amenities, and include green-gray infrastructure opportunities, for a 0.6-mile stretch of the southern Embarcadero waterfront in San Francisco.

San Mateo County

  • The San Mateo Resource Conservation District was awarded $813,500 to conduct community outreach and prepare technical studies, preliminary design plans, and environmental review and permit documents for the relocation of public sewer infrastructure away from an eroding coastal bluff in the Montara community.

Monterey County

  • The Big Sur Land Trust was awarded $2,750,000 to acquire the 84-acre Hiss Parcelin the City of Monterey for natural resource conservation, California Native American tribal cultural resource conservation, habitat connectivity, California Native American tribal access, and public access.

San Luis Obispo County

  • The Cayucos Land Conservancy was awarded $1,500,000 to acquire and transfer to San Luis Obispo County 748 acres of land for addition to Toro Creek County Parklocated between Morro Bay and Cayucos.

Los Angeles County

  • The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy was awarded $5,000,000 to for habitat restoration and conservationconsisting of restoration of 342 acres through the removal of 325 acres of invasive plant species and planting of 17 acres of native butterfly habitat, creation of a native seed bank, and reconstruction of a butterfly rearing facility, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Riverside County

  • The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District was awarded $1,300,000 to augment the Conservancy’s existing grant of $2,300,000 for preparation of design, engineering, and other documentation needed for environmental review for a 1.5-mile Santa Ana River Trailsegment that is adjacent to the Green River Golf Course and connects to the Orange County line in the County of Riverside.

Orange County

 

  • Orange County Coastkeeper was awarded $250,000 for the Beach and Coast Accessibility Program to provide grants to nonprofits, public entities, and tribes for beach wheelchairs and other equipment to increase accessibility to California’s beaches and coast in coastal counties statewide.

San Diego County

  • The City of Encinitas was awarded $300,000 for the Connected Coastlines Encinitas project, consisting of installing a 4G private mesh network to increase communications capabilities for fire and marine safety personnel across 3.5 miles of Encinitas coastline.
  • The City of San Diego was awarded $325,000 to conduct a feasibility study for the repair of the beach access stairway and potential improvements to the scenic overlook and parking area located adjacent to 5990 West Camino De La Costain the La Jolla neighborhood in the City of San Diego.
  • The City of San Diego was awarded $1,072,000 to conduct community and tribal engagement and prepare engineering and design plans for nature-based solutions to sea level rise at three locations in the city of San Diego, in connection with preparing the City’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan.
  • The Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation was awarded $2,268,100 to conduct outreach and prepare engineering designs and permit applications to relocate parking facilities to preserve public access to North Torrey Pines State Beachin San Diego County.

Statewide

###

Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in San Luis Obispo – November 30

 

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 11/22/2023 at 8:29 AM, Item 3F exhibit 3 has been updated to include an additional support letter.

Hybrid Meeting

DATE: November 30, 2023

TIME: 10:00 A.M

LOCATION: SLO City Council Chambers

990 Palm Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

 

*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_V2yLHA8cRg2LTZxypGgbnw

 

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 September 14, 2023 public meeting.

3. CONSENT ITEMS

A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to CalWild for preparation of a community plan and conceptual project designs to ameliorate changes resulting from the potential decommissioning and removal of the Potter Valley Project hydroelectric facility in Lake and Mendocino counties.

B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $485,000 to the City of Point Arena in Mendocino County to prepare the Arena Cove Harbor Access and Resilience Plan, which will include plans, designs, and environmental review for a variety of improvements to protect and enhance existing and future use of the Point Arena Pier, Harbor, and Cove for commercial and recreational purposes.

C. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,575,409, including $969,818 awarded to the Conservancy by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, to the Newport Bay Conservancy to restore 14.3 acres of coastal wetlands and associated uplands in Upper Newport Bay within the 60-acre Big Canyon Nature Park in the City of Newport Beach, Orange County.

D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $446,400 to the San Francisco Estuary Institute for the Mapping Yelamu’s Historical Landscape project, consisting of conducting an ecological and ethnographic study of San Francisco in partnership with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone and development of cultural and ecological landscape maps that can be used for interpretive programs and capital project planning.

E. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $270,300 to augment the Conservancy’s existing grant of $620,000 to Sustainable Conservation to advance adoption of, and conduct outreach to facilitate the use of, programmatic permits for aquatic habitat restoration and water quality improvement projects.

F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $300,000 to the City of Encinitas for the Connected Coastlines Encinitas project, consisting of installing a 4G private mesh network to increase communications capabilities for fire and marine safety personnel across 3.5 miles of Encinitas coastline.

G. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $260,100 to the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods to construct a direct-to-consumer fish processing and sales facility, consisting of a filet station, restroom, and storefront, at the Crescent City Harbor in Del Norte County.

H. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,300,000 to augment the Conservancy’s existing grant of $2,300,000 to the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District for preparation of design, engineering, and other documentation needed for environmental review for a 1.5-mile Santa Ana River Trail segment that is adjacent to the Green River Golf Course and connects to the Orange County line in the County of Riverside.

I. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $325,000 to the City of San Diego to conduct a feasibility study for the repair of the beach access stairway and potential improvements to the scenic overlook and parking area located adjacent to 5990 West Camino De La Costa in the La Jolla neighborhood in the City of San Diego.

J. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to Orange County Coastkeeper for the Beach and Coast Accessibility Program to provide grants to nonprofits, public entities, and tribes for beach wheelchairs and other equipment to increase accessibility to California’s beaches and coast in coastal counties statewide.

K. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $174,400 to Defenders of Wildlife and Sea Otter Savvy to implement two separate projects to aid in the recovery of the southern sea otter.

4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT

A. Legislative report

B. Annual Financial Report

C. Diablo Canyon Project

D. San Francisco Bay Sea Level Rise Coordination

CENTRAL COAST 

5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,500,000 to the Cayucos Land Conservancy to acquire and transfer to San Luis Obispo County 748 acres of land for addition to Toro Creek County Park located between Morro Bay and Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County.

6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $813,500 to the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to conduct community outreach and prepare technical studies, preliminary design plans, and environmental review and permit documents for the relocation of public sewer infrastructure away from an eroding coastal bluff in the Montara community of San Mateo County.

7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,750,000 to the Big Sur Land Trust to acquire the 84-acre Hiss Parcel in the City of Monterey for natural resource conservation, California Native American tribal cultural resource conservation, habitat connectivity, California Native American tribal access, and public access.

SOUTH COAST

8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $5,000,000 to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for habitat restoration and conservation consisting of restoration of 342 acres through the removal of 325 acres of invasive plant species and planting of 17 acres of native butterfly habitat, creation of a native seed bank, and reconstruction of a butterfly rearing facility, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

9. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,072,000 to the City of San Diego to conduct community and tribal engagement and prepare engineering and design plans for nature-based solutions to sea level rise at three locations in the city of San Diego, in connection with preparing the City’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan.

10. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,268,100 to the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon Foundation to conduct outreach and prepare engineering designs and permit applications to relocate parking facilities to preserve public access to North Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego County.

NORTH COAST

11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $693,700 to the County of Humboldt to develop a coastal resilience planning framework, conduct community and tribal engagement, complete a sea level rise and flood vulnerability assessment and an adaptation feasibility analysis, and prepare conceptual designs and preliminary engineering plans for sea level rise adaptation projects for the communities of King Salmon and Fields Landing in Humboldt County.

12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,813,000 to the City of Willits to implement the Willits Rail with Trail Project, consisting of construction of a 1.6-mile trail between East Hill Road and East Commercial Street in the City of Willits, Mendocino County that will eventually become part of the Great Redwood Trail, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $725,000 to the Elk Valley Rancheria for the acquisition of the 9.19-acre Bush parcel on Crescent Beach, south of Crescent City, in Del Norte County, for preparation of a plan for that property for wildlife habitat enhancement and public access, and for removal of invasive species on the property.  The property will be acquired for protecting open space, protecting public and tribal access, protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat, and sea level rise adaptation measures, including measures to protect nearby roads and highways, consistent with open space and habitat protection.

14. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,250,000 to the Mattole Salmon Group to reconnect Lower Bear Creek to the middle slough of the Mattole River Estuary, in part by elevating road infrastructure, to address critical habitat needs for endangered salmonids and improve resilience to climate change and sea level rise in Humboldt County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

15. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,504,990 of Coastal Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service funds to the Marin County Open Space District to implement the Bolinas Lagoon Wye Resiliency Project, which will reduce localized flooding and increase resilience to sea level rise and which consists of restoring 20 acres of tidal and riparian wetlands and returning Lewis Gulch Creek to its historic floodplain by, in part, removing and elevating roads at the northern end of Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 

16. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $7,800,000 to the Port of San Francisco for the Southern Embarcadero Resilience and Enhancement Project, consisting of developing plans and engineering designs to adapt shoreline infrastructure to sea level rise, improve public access amenities, and include green-gray infrastructure opportunities, for a 0.6-mile stretch of the southern Embarcadero waterfront in San Francisco.

17. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $2,512,500 for the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to acquire approximately 57 acres of historic tidal marshland within the lower tidal reach of the Napa River in Napa County for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural and scenic resources, including wetlands and open space; and, to the extent compatible with the aforementioned purposes: public access, passive recreation, and California Native American tribal cultural uses.

STATEWIDE

18. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,104,736 to eight non-profit organizations for Coastal Stories projects that will create storytelling installations, murals, or interpretive materials that represent diverse communities’ perspectives that historically have been excluded from narratives of California’s coast and publicly accessible lands.

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 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 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).

D. 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, November 29, 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 4:30pm.

1:15-1:45 – Meet at Del Mar Park in Morro Bay. Update on Toro Creek County Park Project (related to Item 5 on this agenda) and Morro Bay to Cayucos Coastal Trail

1:45-2:00 drive to Chorro Creek (near this point)

2:00-2:15 – Overview of Chorro Creek Coastal Resilience project

2:15-2:45 pm travel to Pt. Buchon trail head (bathroom available)

3:00-4:30  Hike Point Buchon trail to see portion of North Ranch of Diablo Canyon Lands. In order to hike the trail, everyone must sign-in with PG&E. During the hike there will be presentations on Diablo Canyon Lands Vision and Conservancy involvement.

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

 

The passing of Senator Feinstein

We are saddened by the loss of Senator Feinstein. She was an amazing woman and had a long history of advocacy for California’s natural resources, including San Francisco Bay. Senator Feinstein will be missed and we thank her for the legacy she has left behind. Her work improved the health of San Francisco Bay for future generations.

She personally negotiated the south bay salt pond acquisition from Cargill twenty years ago. We have been able to restore thousands of acres of former salt ponds to wetlands, create miles of Bay Trail, and provide sea level rise resilience in the South San Francisco Bay thanks to her active involvement in the land acquisition and subsequent long-term support for federal funding for planning and restoration.

Senator Feinstein also played a role in the placement of Measure AA on the ballot in 2016 and its subsequent passage by over 70% of Bay Area voters. Her support for the measure and her active involvement in the measure was critical to its passage. We have been able to put $25 million per year towards restoration of San Francisco Bay habitats thanks to Measure AA.

She worked with others in the Bay Area Congressional delegation to authorize the San Francisco Bay geographic program within US EPA. While many other estuaries and water bodies across the nation had geographic programs (such as Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound, and the Great Lakes), San Francisco Bay did not. Thanks to the Congressional authorization in late 2022, the US EPA has had a tenfold increase in federal funds for projects that improve the health of San Francisco Bay.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

– Amy Hutzel, Executive Officer

Press Release: State Coastal Conservancy Awards $84 Million for Climate Resilience, Public Access, Habitat Restoration, and Wildfire Resilience

Last week, the Board of the State Coastal Conservancy authorized funding totaling $84 million for projects to protect and restore coastal lands, increase coastal resilience to climate change, improve public access to the coast, and reduce the impact of wildfire on coastal lands.

Grants awarded include:

 

####

Notes to Editors:

 

The projects approved at the meeting were:

  1. A grant of 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.
  2. A grant of 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 propertylocated in the community of Westport in Mendocino County.
  3. A grant of 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.
  4. A grant of 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.
  5. A grant of up to $469,100 to Sonoma Land Trust to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest healththrough 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.
  6. A grant of up to $3,950,000 to The Wildlands Conservancy to acquire approximately 8,085 acres of the Lone Pine Ranch propertyat 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.
  7. A grant of up to $5,552,800 to Redwood Community Action Agency to restore 350 acres of coastal dune habitat along 4.5 miles of shorelineto increase sea level rise resiliency on the north spit of Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, and adoption findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  8. A grant of 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.
  9. A grant of 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.
  10. A grant of up to $1,781,600 to Literacy for Environmental Justice to implement the Heron’s Head Park Climate Resilience Projectconsisting 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.
  11. A grant of up to $8,990,000 to the City of Berkeley to implement Berkeley Marina improvementsconsisting 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.
  12. A grant of 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.
  13. A grant of 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.
  14. A grant of 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 Baylandsin Sonoma County.
  15. A grant of 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 Projectin Oakland, Alameda County.
  16. A grant of 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.
  17. A grant of 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 Spacein southern Santa Barbara County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  18. A grant of 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.
  19. A grant of 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.
  20. A grant of 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 Parkin Big Sur, Monterey County.
  21. A grant of 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.
  22. A grant of 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 siteon the UCSB campus in Santa Barbara County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act.
  23. A grant of 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 Creekin the Morro Bay watershed in San Luis Obispo County.
  24. A grant of 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.
  25. A grant of up to $1,570,000 to the California Rangeland Trust to acquire a conservation easement over the 1,014-acre Wong AsuncionRanch 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.
  26. A grant of 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.
  27. A grant of 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 Parkwayin the City of Riverside in Riverside County.
  28. A grant of 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 Projectin Imperial Beach, San Diego County.
  29. 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.
  30. Funding of 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.
  31. A grant of 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.

 

 

The State 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:

  • Completed over 4,000 projects along the California coastline and in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Conserved over 390,000 acres of coastal lands.
  • Restored over 33,000 acres of habitat.
  • Installed over 200 new coastal accessways.
  • Built 210 miles of new trails.
  • Put over $1.8 billion to work for conservation projects.

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