Public Counter Update

Please note that public counter hours for all Commission offices are currently suspended due to the pandemic. However, the Commission remains open for business and staff is available by phone, email, and regular mail (see staff contact information at www.coastal.ca.gov/contact). Please make sure to send a copy of all correspondence or other documents electronically by email to the relevant Commission staff, in addition to the regular means required by regulations or statute. If you are not sure who the correct staff member is, please consult the District and Programs Contact list at www.coastal.ca.gov/contact. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through this public health crisis.

Our Mission
Protecting & Enhancing California's Coast

The Commission is committed to protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally-sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination.

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Story Map for Understanding the Public Trust Doctrine

In partnership with staff of the California State Lands Commission, the Commission’s Statewide Planning Program recently developed a story map called “Who owns the beach?” that explains the Public Trust Doctrine. The modern Public Trust Doctrine refers to the principle that the State of California holds certain lands for the benefit of the public. While there is private property ownership along some beaches and bluffs, the state owns most tidelands, in trust for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public. Presently, uses that may be considered consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine on these Public Trust lands include maritime commerce, navigation, fishing, boating, water-oriented recreation, public access, and environmental preservation and restoration. .

CCC Staff September 1, 2022

WHALE TAIL^® Grants

WHALE TAIL^® Grants are open for applications until November 4. These grants support experiential education and stewardship of the California coast and its watersheds, and can engage youth or adults anywhere in California. Approximately $2 million will be distributed in grants of up to $50,000. Learn more.

CCC Staff August 30, 2022

California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest

Enter your photos by September 19. Visit mycoastalphoto.com.

CCC Staff August 30, 2022

Announcing the release of the Coastal Commission Public Data Portal

Announcing the release of the Coastal Commission Public Data Portal providing online access to our Coastal Data Management System and information related to the Commission’s local coastal planning, development permitting, and other related activities along California’s coast.

CCC Staff May 31, 2022

Climate Video Challenge

The 2022 Climate Video Challenge asked middle and high school students to respond to the question, “What is your vision for a thriving future?” View the winning videos.

CCC Staff May 3, 2022

Coastal Art & Poetry Contest

Announcing the winners of the 2022 California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest for k-12 students. Ten winners and 43 honorable mentions were selected from nearly 1,600 entries. See them here.

CCC Staff April 1, 2022

NOAA 'Coastal County Snapshots' Offer New Tools for Climate Resilience Planning

In early 2022 NOAA updated their Coastal County Snapshots, an online tool used to inform planning and decision-making in coastal communities. Each coastal county level snapshot turns complex data into charts, graphics, and information on climate change resilience topics related to flooding, sea level rise, and economics. Local communities can use this tool to easily create printable handouts that help articulate their community resilience messages.

CCC Staff March 21, 2022

Storymap of Coastal Commission and Caltrans Interagency Partnership Fostering Resilient Transportation Infrastructure

The Coastal Commission partnered with Caltrans, NOAA, and FHWA, to create a Resilient Coastal Roads Storymap that showcases emerging transportation adaptation efforts in California. Using examples along the coast from the Commission’s work with Caltrans, the storymap highlights forward-thinking responses to increasing flooding and erosion due to rising seas and changing precipitation patterns. Insights highlighted in the storymap can help move coastal transportation plans and projects beyond an asset and repair focus towards longer term, proactive, and holistic corridor management strategies.

See: NOAA Press Release; Resilient Coastal Roads Storymap

CCC Staff March 16, 2022

The Coastal Commission awarded almost $3.2 million dollars to 91 WHALE TAIL® Grants

The Coastal Commission awarded almost $3.2 million dollars to 91 WHALE TAIL® Grants on February 9, 2022. WHALE TAIL® Grants connect people to the California Coast and its watersheds through experiential education, stewardship, and outdoor experiences, and emphasize projects that engage communities that have historically had few such opportunities. This grants round will support projects from the Smith River in Del Norte County to Tijuana Slough, and in many inland locations. Click here for more information including a list of the funded projects.

CCC Staff February 15, 2022

Coastal Commission is pleased to announce the availability grant

LCP Grant Program Funding Available.

The Coastal Commission is pleased to announce the availability of grant funding to support local government coastal resiliency efforts. Funding is provided by the Budget Act of 2021, which appropriates $31 million to the Coastal Commission to support its LCP Local Assistance Grant Program. The grant program is intended to provide assistance to local governments responsible for developing and amending Local Coastal Programs. Funds may be used for projects that are designed to assist local governments in planning for coastal resiliency, including adapting to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, and which contain an LCP planning component. More information, including an application form for the non-competitive grants, can be found on the Commission’s LCP Grants website

CCC Staff February 8, 2022

2021 Year In Review

The 21st year of the 21st Century was extraordinary in the extreme, ushered in by a violent insurrection in our Nation’s Capital, and concluding with the new Omicron variant reminding us all that pandemic-life will be continuing into the New Year, regardless of vaccine status. In California, the 2021 culture wars crystallized in the form of a spectacularly failed bid to recall Governor Newsom; the Commission saw an unprecedented number of bills seeking to eliminate its authority over specified types of projects; and an October oil spill off of Newport Beach slicked the waters and fouled the beaches from Ventura to San Diego.

CCC Staff January 31, 2022

Announcing the release of three new slide shows about the pivotal California Coastal Act of 1976!

Coastal Act Overview describes the coastal protection goals and core regulatory functions of this law.

Coastal Zone Overview illustrates the legislatively-defined geographical area of the coast where the Coastal Act applies.

Coastal Act Chapter 3 details the coastal resource protection and management policies contained in Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act.

CCC Staff January 25, 2022

Guidance Memorandum Regarding Implementation of New SB 9 Housing Laws in Sea Level Rise Vulnerable Areas.

As of January 1, 2022, SB 9 (Atkins) changed the way that local governments can regulate new residential development and lot splits in single-family residential zones within designated urban areas, with the goal of increasing housing density in those areas.

Updated Memorandum Regarding the Implementation of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Laws in the Coastal Zone.

Commission staff have developed an updated memo that will supersede and replace three previously circulated memos regarding ADU implementation.

CCC Staff January 21, 2022

CDP Application Guidance for Aquaculture and Marine Restoration

As required by Senate Bill 262 (McGuire), Commission staff have developed guidance for CDP applicants proposing marine aquaculture or restoration projects. The guidance provides applicants with information needed to effectively navigate the CDP application process and complete a CDP application. We also hope the guidance provides partner agencies and other stakeholders a better understanding of the Commission’s CDP process and opportunities for coordination.

CCC Staff January 7, 2022

Sea Level Rise Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Adopted by Commission

At its November hearing, the California Coastal Commission adopted a guidance document for critical infrastructure adaptation planning, titled: Critical Infrastructure at Risk: Sea Level Rise Planning Guidance for California’s Coastal Zone. With a focus on water and transportation infrastructure, the goal of the Guidance is to promote resilient coastal infrastructure and protection of coastal resources y providing local governments, asset managers, and other stakeholders with policy and planning information to help inform sea level rise adaptation decisions that are consistent with the Coastal Act.

CCC Staff December 13, 2021

King Tides Project

King tides are the highest tides of the year and they arrive in California on December 4- 5 and January 1-3. Learn how you can help with an easy community science project to photograph the king tides.

CCC Staff December 3, 2021

Protecting Public Trust Shoreline Resources in the Face of Sea Level Rise

As part of an interagency coordination effort between California Coastal Commission staff and California State Lands Commission staff, a new report by Dr. Charles Lester entitled “Protecting Public Trust Shoreline Resources in the Face of Sea Level Rise” has been released outlining various actions and research priorities the two commissions can consider to advance protection of the public trust from the impacts of sea level rise. A briefing on this report has been included on the November 2021 Commission meeting agenda.

CCC Staff November 1, 2021

Sea Level Rise and Rising Groundwater

On September 28, the Ocean Protection Council, in partnership with the Coastal Commission and other state agencies, launched a Sea Level Rise Awareness Campaign called “The Ocean Is Moving In.” The statewide campaign raises awareness about the urgent threat that sea level rise poses to coastal and inland communities. It features light-hearted videos (which have been posted on OPC’s YouTube page) and posters of various sea creatures taking up residence in people's homes, with the goal of inspiring people to visit the state’s new sea level rise website, www.sealevelriseca.org, where they can learn more about sea level rise and how to take action. A media kit has been distributed among state agencies so that they can share the videos, website, and other social media content.

CCC Staff October 5, 2021

Offshore Wind in California

On September 9, 2021, the Coastal Commission (Commission) heard an informational briefing on the leasing process for offshore wind development in federal waters off California’s north and central coasts. The briefing included presentations from the California Energy Commission, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Commission staff. The briefing covered the potential role of offshore wind energy in meeting California’s energy and climate goals, the Federal process for designating and leasing offshore wind areas in Federal waters, and the Commission’s role in reviewing offshore wind development, the scope and timing of upcoming Federal consistency review, and current outreach efforts. Want to learn more? Click here to view the slide presentation and here to view a video of the briefing.

CCC Staff September 15, 2021

Apply for a WHALE TAIL^® Grant

Applications are now open for projects that connect children and the general public to the California Coast and its watersheds through experiential education, stewardship, and outdoor experiences. Application deadline is November 5, 2021.

CCC Staff August 25, 2021

First California Coastal Trail Map Will Help Complete the 1,230-Mile-Long Trail

SAN FRANCISCO - The Coastal Commission and Coastal Conservancy released a digital map that for the first time shows the existing sections of the California Coastal Trail, a three-year project that will be critical to completing the rest of the trail.

“What a milestone,” said Coastal Commission Executive Director Jack Ainsworth. “There are currently 875 miles of trail and now we can finally see exactly where they are, so we can eventually bridge those gaps and finish the trail.”

CCC Staff May 13, 2021

Climate Video Challenge

Watch the winners of the 2021 Climate Video Challenge for middle and high school students.

CCC Staff April 27, 2021

Environmental Justice and Local Coastal Program Survey

The California Coastal Commission is seeking your input on how to integrate environmental justice considerations into Local Coastal Programs, which are planning documents that guide allowable development along the coast. For more information on the Commission, Local Coastal Programs and why we are developing guidance on environmental justice, click here

This survey will remain open until April 30, 2021. Please email environmentaljustice@coastal.ca.gov if you have any questions.

CCC Staff April 9, 2021

Public Notice of Draft 309 Assessment and Strategy Document

Final 309 Assessment and Strategy for 2021 – 2025 Approved by NOAA

The Coastal Commission’s Final Section 309 Assessment and Strategy for 2021 – 2025, required by Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) for the agency to receive federal grant funds, is now available. The Strategy is based on priority needs and information gaps identified in the Assessment and proposes activities for the 5-year period so that federal funds can be used to carry-out actions in the Strategic Plan.

CCC Staff March 5, 2021

Environmental Justice Resources for Educators and Students

Learn about the concept and history of environmental justice, and access classroom lessons and videos for middle and high school students.

CCC Staff March 3, 2021

Coastal Commission Adopts Joint Statement on Adaptation Planning

On November 4, 2020 the Coastal Commission adopted a Joint Statement on Adaptation Planning. This Statement was developed by the Local Government Working Group, which includes members from the California State Association of Counties, the League of Cities, and the Coastal Commission. The Statement includes a set of shared principles for how the Coastal Commission and local governments can move forward to address sea level rise through LCP policy development, adaptation planning, and project decision making.

CCC Staff January 26, 2021

Adopted Strategic Plan

The Commission adopted the 2021-2025 California Coastal Commission Strategic Plan at its November 6, 2020 virtual hearing.

CCC Staff November 23, 2020

Property Owners

Property owners can apply for a Coastal Development Permit to legally develop their property within the California Coastal Zone

Local Governments

Many local governments are empowered to issue Coastal Development Permits through Local Coastal Plans

Informed Citizens

Everyone can learn about our coast & how to protect it. Join a beach cleanup, get teacher resources & grants, help out & have fun

Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park - YourCoast

California Coastal Trail

Find inspiration in the stories that shaped the iconic California Coastal Trail.

California Coastal Access Guide

The fully revised 7^th Edition has information on more than 1,150 public access areas.

Whale Tail^® License Plate

Help protect & restore the priceless resources of California's coast & ocean

Beach Wheelchair

Access the coast with ease in a free beach wheelchair, available throughout California

Check the Coast

Donate to the Protect Our Coast & Oceans Fund on your California Tax Form

John "Jack" Ainsworth, 58, came to the Coastal Commission from the private sector in 1989 as a Coastal Program Analyst. Over the past 27 years, he has shouldered a variety of responsibilities including overseeing the South Central and South Coast (LA County) district offices and as the agency's Senior Deputy Director beginning in May 2015. He was appointed Acting Executive Director in March 2016. Ainsworth has a BA in Environmental Studies & Geography and an MSc in Geography from the University of California, Riverside.

Public Counter Update

The April 2020 Coastal Commission Meeting is Cancelled

Here

Our Mission Protecting & Enhancing California's Coast

California Governor

Gavin Newsom

Commissioners

& Alternates

Executive Director

John Ainsworth

Highlights

Stay up to date on all the work being done by the Commission to protect & enhance the California Coast

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Story Map for Understanding the Public Trust Doctrine

WHALE TAIL® Grants

California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest

Announcing the release of the Coastal Commission Public Data Portal

Climate Video Challenge

Coastal Art & Poetry Contest

NOAA 'Coastal County Snapshots' Offer New Tools for Climate Resilience Planning

Storymap of Coastal Commission and Caltrans Interagency Partnership Fostering Resilient Transportation Infrastructure

The Coastal Commission awarded almost $3.2 million dollars to 91 WHALE TAIL® Grants

LCP Grant Program Funding Available.

2021 Year In Review

Announcing the release of three new slide shows about the pivotal California Coastal Act of 1976!

Guidance Memorandum Regarding Implementation of New SB 9 Housing Laws in Sea Level Rise Vulnerable Areas.

Updated Memorandum Regarding the Implementation of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Laws in the Coastal Zone.

CDP Application Guidance for Aquaculture and Marine Restoration

Sea Level Rise Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Adopted by Commission

King Tides Project

Protecting Public Trust Shoreline Resources in the Face of Sea Level Rise

Sea Level Rise and Rising Groundwater

Offshore Wind in California

Apply for a WHALE TAIL® Grant

First California Coastal Trail Map Will Help Complete the 1,230-Mile-Long Trail

Climate Video Challenge

Environmental Justice and Local Coastal Program Survey

Take Survey

Final 309 Assessment and Strategy for 2021 – 2025 Approved by NOAA

Environmental Justice Resources for Educators and Students

Coastal Commission Adopts Joint Statement on Adaptation Planning

Adopted Strategic Plan

2021 Strategic Plan

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Property Owners

Apply

Appeal

Local Governments

Resources

Grants

Informed Citizens

Learn

Participate

YourCoast

Explore thousands of California Coastal Access locations with the YourCoast Web app

California Coastal Trail

Explore the California Coastal Trail

California Coastal Access Guide

Buy the California Coastal Access Guide

Whale Tail® License Plate

Buy a Whale Tail ® License Plate

Beach Wheelchair

Borrow a Beach Wheelchair

Check the Coast

Learn More

California Opposes Trump Oil Leasing Plan

Our Mission
Protecting & Enhancing California's Coast

WHALE TAIL^® Grants

Apply for a WHALE TAIL^® Grant

Whale Tail^® License Plate

Buy a Whale Tail ^® License Plate