California Coastal Commission

Coronavirus Disease Update

Please note that public counter hours for all Commission offices are currently suspended in light of the coronavirus. However, in order to provide the public with continuity of service while protecting both you and our employees, the Commission remains open for business, and you can contact staff by phone, email, and regular mail (see staff contact information at www.coastal.ca.gov/contact). In addition to the regular means required by the regulations or statute, please make sure that you also send a copy of all correspondence or other documents electronically, to the email for the relevant Commission staff person. 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 and understanding as we all work through this public health crisis.

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The April 2020 Coastal Commission Meeting is Cancelled

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the April 2020 Coastal Commission meeting is cancelled. We understand this may be an inconvenience and burden and we truly regret the disruption. For the May Commission meeting, we are currently working to develop the structure and procedures for a remote or “virtual” meeting in order to assure the health and safety of the public, commissioners and staff. Unfortunately, these new measures will not be in place in time for the April hearing. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. Our virtual offices remain open.

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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.

Learn More

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

Sea Level Rise and Rising Groundwater

On September 8, 2021, the Coastal Commission heard an informational briefing by a team of scientists from USGS and the University of Arkansas on a new statewide model that shows how sea level rise could cause coastal groundwater tables to rise. In addition to reviewing this new climate science, the briefing discussed the implications rising groundwater could have for sea level rise adaptation planning. Click here to view a video of the briefing and here to view the slide presentation. The model can be accessed at www.ourcoastourfuture.org, and a video demonstration of how to use this website can be viewed to view the slide presentation and here.

CCC Staff September 20, 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

Draft Critical Infrastructure Sea Level Rise Planning Guidance Available for Comment

California Coastal Commission staff have released the Public Review Draft of 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 draft guidance is to promote resilient coastal infrastructure and protection of coastal resources by 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. Comments are due by September 24, 2021 and can be sent to StatewidePlanning@coastal.ca.gov. Read the press release about the document here.

CCC Staff August 16, 2021

California Ocean and Coastal Amateur Photography Contest

Announcing the winners of the 22nd annual contest!

CCC Staff August 4, 2021

Coastal Access Film Wins Emmy Award

A PBS Special about coastal access in California, titled “California Coast: Within Sight, Scent and Sound of the Ocean” by Rigler Creative, won an LA Area Emmy Award! It can be viewed on the CCC Education Program’s YouTube page. This one-hour documentary is the culmination of a project funded by the Whale Tail® License Plate Grant program, which includes a series of short videos on coastal access themes, and the California Coastal Trail video series.

CCC Staff June 26, 2021

Students Across California Send Giant Ocean Protection Message through Art for World Ocean Day

The 27th Annual Kids Ocean Day program reached 4,503 students virtually this year and culminated in a collective art project communicating participants’ shared commitment to the ocean. Students were encouraged to create artwork illustrating what they love about the ocean to submit to the Kid’s Ocean Day art contest. Each art entry became part of a giant online mosaic, with the statewide first-place winning artwork as the main mosaic image. Check out the 2021 Kid’s Ocean Day Picture Mosaic and animation video.

CCC Staff June 8, 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

Consistency Determination No. CD-0006-21

On April 16, 2021 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a consistency determination for the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge: South Farallon Islands Invasive House Mouse Eradication Project. The California Coastal Commission intends to consider the project at a public hearing later this year. Additional information about the project, including its Final Environmental Impact Statement, can be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service webpage here.

CCC Staff May 3, 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

Coastal Art & Poetry Contest Winners

Announcing the winners of our 2021 student Coastal Art & Poetry Contest!

CCC Staff March 11, 2021

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

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 December 8, 2020

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

Proposed Water Supply for Trinidad Rancheria Hotel
As a condition of its August 2019 concurrence for a proposed hotel on the Trinidad Rancheria, the Commission required the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to provide evidence that hotel water would be provided from the City of Trinidad or another water supply that is acceptable to the Executive Director, accompanied by an analysis of effects to coastal resources.
On September 11, 2020 the BIA submitted this letter to satisfy this condition requirement. It states that water will primarily be provided by two wells on the Trinidad Rancheria, and that some trucking of water or a third well may also be needed. It references further information about this proposal available in the project’s final Environmental Assessment (which starts on page 275 of this linked document) and an appendix to the final project EA. Following the review of this information and comments received during a 30-day public comment period, the Executive Director provided this response to the BIA.

CCC Staff September 18, 2020

Coastal Commission adopts Statewide Principles to address Sea Level Rise
On May 13, 2020, the Coastal Commission adopted “Making California’s Coast Resilient to Sea Level Rise: Principles for Aligned State Action”. These principles were co-developed by 17 state agencies with coastal and climate change responsibilities to guide unified, effective action towards sea level rise resilience for California’s coastal communities, ecosystems, and economies. More information on this effort and the full principles can be found here.

CCC Staff May 26, 2020

The Protect Our Coast and Ocean fund
The Protect Our Coast and Ocean fund on the California tax form supports coastal access, beach cleanups, pollution prevention, habitat restoration, public awareness, and more. Make a donation when you file your state taxes and join the nation’s first youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman in supporting the California coast. Learn more at CheckTheCoast.org.

CCC Staff March 6, 2020

Coastal Access – New Video Series
Announcing a new series of 5 minute videos that explore broad themes and topics related to coastal access in California. Produced by Rigler Creative with funding from a Coastal Commission Whale Tail Grant, the five titles are:

40 Years of the California Coastal Act

Public Access for all on the California Coast

Kids Belong at the Beach

Sea Level Rise and the California Coast

Activism and the California Coast

The new series complements the California Coastal Trail video series, which highlight different segments of the trail.

CCC Staff March 2, 2020

Martin’s Beach Lawsuit
On January 6, 2020, the California Coastal Commission and California State Lands Commission jointly filed a lawsuit to ensure full public access to Martin’s Beach for all future generations. The lawsuit contends that the public’s historic use of Martin’s Beach as a public beach since at least the early 1900s has established permanent rights for the public to access and recreate at Martin’s Beach. Click here to read the joint press release and click here for a copy of the complaint. The Commission is interested to hear more about your experiences at Martin’s Beach. If you or your family has a history of use of Martin’s Beach, please take a moment to fill out the Commission’s Survey, which you can access by clicking here. You can send in the survey, written statements of your story, and any photographs you have by email to MartinsBeachPRS@coastal.ca.gov or in writing to the address on the survey.

Press Release January 6, 2020

FAQ: The Coastal Commission and Sea Level Rise
Wondering what the Coastal Commission is doing about sea level rise? Click here

CCC Staff December 3, 2019

Property Owners

© Josh Edelson

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

Local Governments

© Kesma Rauf

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

Informed Citizens

© US Army Corps of Engineers

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

YourCoast

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

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

© De-Bug Beach Wheelchair

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

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© 2019 State of California

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.

California Opposes Trump Oil Leasing Plan

Coastal Commission Chair's Letter on the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Pacific Coast Governors Condemn Federal Decision to Expand Offshore Drilling

Senate Resolution 73 Relative to a new 5-year National Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program on the Outer Continental Shelf

Resolution of the California Ocean Protection Council on Offshore Oil and Gas Development

Notice of Availability of the 2019–2024 Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

State Lands Commission Letter on National Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program

Over 200 State Legislators Stand United Against Offshore Oil Drilling

Coastal Commission Staff’s Letter on the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Coastal Commission Staff’s EIS Scoping Letter on the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing Program