COASTAL CURRENTLY

Executive Director’s Report

Updates from Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge and staff:

• Federal Review: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration held three public hearings in August as part of the federal review of the California Coastal Management Program, a partnership that enables states to weigh in on federal projects. Since 1978, the Commission has reviewed more than 3,700 federal and federally regulated projects, approving or negotiating improvements so that 96 percent of these can move forward. The U.S. Department of Commerce has said the information gathered during this public comment period will be used “to determine next steps related to the certification of California’s program.”
  
• Public Support for the Coastal Commission: More than 80% of voters support the work of the Coastal Commission, according to a recent survey by Public Policy Institute of California. More than 90% of those surveyed said that the conditions of ocean and beaches are important to California’s economy and quality of life.
  
• Recognition for California’s Coastal Program: UC Santa Barbara’s Ocean and Coastal Policy Center recently recognized the California Coastal Management Program as “one of the world’s most successful examples of integrated coastal management.” The university published a policy brief that summarized the numerous successes of the program, from protecting nationally significant coastal habitats and landscapes to building one of the country’s strongest state and local coastal planning systems.
  
• Coastal Cleanup: The 42nd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single-day volunteer event in the world, clean up events will take place in all 58 counties across the state.

Whale Tail Grants

Coastal Programs Funded: The Coastal Commission approved more than $200,000 for ongoing educational, stewardship and public access programs. That includes the Kids’ Ocean Day School Program and Beach Fieldtrip, the California Association for Outdoor & Environmental Education’s California Environmental Educator Certification Program, as well as Adopt-A-Beach programs run by Save Our Shores, Heal the Bay and I Love A Clean San Diego.

Offshore Oil and Gas

Objecting to DCOR Fracking in Federal Waters: The Coastal Commission objected to a proposal to carry out hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on 16 existing wells off the coast of Ventura. The project area is surrounded by some of the most ecologically significant and protected ocean waters in the country, including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park, as well as several state and federal marine reserves and conservation areas. The region is also highly productive for commercial fishing. DCOR can appeal the commission’s objection to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Coastal Hazards and Resiliency

Protecting Public Access at Stinson Beach Park: The Coastal Commission concurred with a federal National Parks Service project to repair and upgrade three public beach parking lots and an entrance road to repair flood damage at Stinson Beach in the Golden Gate National Park Area in Marin County The project also includes restoration of native dune, floodplain and riparian habitat. 

Visitor Serving Accommodations

Hotel and Resort Approved in Sand City: The Coastal Commission approved the construction of a 100-room condominium-hotel and resort complex, which includes a 25 lower-cost tent cabins, dune restoration and removal of concrete debris along the beach. The project also includes a suite of public access improvements, such as beach access pathways and extensions of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and California Coastal Trail. 

Hotel Approved in Cambria: The Coastal Commission approved the conversion of an unused commercial building and surrounding parking lot to a 26-unit hotel complex, including six lower-cost rooms. Permit conditions include restrictions on water use, as the community has been impacted by supply shortages for decades.  

Short-Term Rental Rules Approved in Pacifica: The Coastal Commission approved the city’s proposed rules for short-term rentals with a few changes such as eliminating a requirement that operators maintain units as their primary residence. The commission also doubled the number of nights that unhosted rentals can be rented each year -- from 60 to 120 nights -- while approving the city’s overall limit for short-term rentals of 150 units. 

San Diego Mission Bay Transformation Approved: The Coastal Commission approved a $1 billion plan to restore wetlands, as well as expand low-cost camping and public recreation in the De Anza Cove area of Mission Bay. The blueprint envisions the creation of two channels to improve water quality by partially redirecting flows from Rose Creek, as well as an interpretive center for nature and cultural education.

Housing

No Permit Required: The Coastal Commission granted permit waivers for accessory dwelling units or backyard cottages in San Clemente, Imperial Beach, Solana Beach and San Diego.

Helping to Increase Housing Stock in Capitola: The Coastal Commission approved the city’s changes to housing regulations to comply with recent state laws. The changes will make it easier to build ADUs and allow for higher-density multifamily housing helping to expand Capitola’s housing opportunities while also protecting coastal resources.

Turning Retail into Housing in Hermosa Beach: The Coastal Commission approved the remodel of a vacant retail space into two residential units. The project also turned some retail parking spaces into nine new bicycle racks.

Transportation


Highway 101 Upgrades Approved in Del Norte: The Coastal Commission approved geotechnical tests to advance Caltrans' Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project, which is aimed at addressing frequent landslides that affect travel between Crescent City and Eureka.

*All Actions taken at the Coastal Commission’s public hearings in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, 2026. (video) 


**Banner photo by Leslie Abbott, submitted for the 2021 California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest.