December Events & Meetings | | 2025 Annual Luncheon Event Recap | | |
On Friday, December 12, Bay Planning Coalition welcomed members and colleagues to our 2025 Annual Event Luncheon at The City Club of San Francisco. With a sold-out room and representation from across the Bay Area, the luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome many new participants to the BPC community.
The event offered a moment to step away from day-to-day work, connect across sectors, and reflect on the collaboration that continues to move our region forward.
We were honored to hear from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who shared thoughtful remarks on the City’s leadership, recent progress, and opportunities ahead. His perspective sparked meaningful reflection and underscored the importance of continued regional partnership.
The luncheon also provided an opportunity to recognize Arielle O. Harris as BPC’s 2025 Member of the Year. Arielle’s consistent engagement, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to BPC’s mission have made a lasting impact, and we were proud to celebrate her contributions with our members.
Thank you to our event sponsors and to everyone who joined us. Your support and participation are what make these gatherings possible, and we are grateful to work alongside such a dedicated community. We look forward to staying connected and continuing this work together in the year ahead.
| | Implementing Resilience Briefing Series: Session 1 | | |
Bay Planning Coalition recently launched a new briefing series hosted by our Resilient Shorelines Committee, focused on the challenges and opportunities of implementing shoreline adaptation projects and plans such as BCDC’s Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP).
The first session focused on engagement in planning, with an emphasis on business and industry, and was held in a hybrid format at Moffatt & Nichols’ Walnut Creek office and online. Representatives from BCDC and Civic Edge Consulting shared an overview of RSAP development and offered practical guidance on how shoreline stakeholders can engage in upcoming phases of the plan.
The series will continue with future sessions on topics including project financing, nature-based solutions, permitting, and innovative projects from other coasts and countries. Have a topic you’d like to see covered? Contact BPC staff with your ideas.
| | Regional Advocacy: Permitting Efficiency | | |
For the last several months, BPC has been engaged in BCDC’s effort to modernize its own permitting regulations. BPC attended public hearings and provided feedback on the draft regulations, sharing insights from the regulated community’s perspective.
The proposed rulemaking is a significant step toward streamlining the regionwide permit program, reducing permitting burdens for routine activities, and clarifying rules to make the process more efficient and transparent.
As part of our 2025 advocacy, BPC will continue to monitor the rulemaking and engage with BCDC to ensure that the proposed changes support both environmental protection and efficient project delivery across the Bay.
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Through our advocacy, BPC secured major wins in Sacramento, including critical funding increases and the prevention of unnecessary regulations.
We supported SB 762 (Arreguín), which advanced through the budget process and secured $500,000 in one-time funding and $55,000 in ongoing funds to launch a modern digital regulatory management system at BCDC, improving permitting, tracking, and enforcement.
BPC opposed SB 601 (Allen), which would have created duplicative “nexus waters” regulations and undermined an ongoing State Water Board study. The bill was held in Appropriations and deferred to 2026.
Working with partners, we also helped increase Proposition 4 climate bond funding in the final budget from $2.7 billion to $3.27 billion, with significant gains for coastal resilience. Funding for the State Coastal Conservancy doubled to $62 million, and support for the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority doubled to $40 million.
We remain committed to advancing policies that protect the Bay, strengthen resilience, and support the region’s economy.
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In 2025, BPC advocated for key federal programs that support the San Francisco Bay and climate resilience. Working with Bay Area partners, we successfully defended the EPA’s San Francisco Bay Program, keeping its funding at $54.5 million in the Senate and now advocating for $24 million in the House. This program supports restoration, water quality, flood protection, and pollution reduction.
We also pushed for full FY2026 funding for the National Estuary Program, which strengthens estuaries, improves water quality, and boosts coastal resilience. The Senate maintained funding, and we are watching the House’s next move.
Finally, BPC joined the Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Forecasting Coalition, advocating for a $15 million investment to improve short- to medium-term climate and weather predictions. These forecasts give communities and agencies crucial lead time for flood planning, water management, and other resilience efforts.
| | Connecting Members Across the Bay | | 2025 Events and Committee Highlights | | |
Our events were a major highlight of the year, made possible by the continued support of our sponsors, members, and partners. Nearly all were sold out, and feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
BPC kicked off 2025 with our annual Spring Summit, which focused on shifting priorities amid federal change and featured an excellent lineup of speakers.
In the fall, we hosted three workshops on dredging and beneficial reuse, water resources, and CEQA & regulatory updates. Each program offered timely insights to support the region and our members.
We concluded the year by bringing back BPC's Annual Luncheon, another sold-out gathering held at the City Club of San Francisco. The event featured remarks from City and County of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and brought together industry and regulatory leaders for a festive end to 2025.
Equally important were our committee meetings. Over the course of the year, we held ten meetings that provided members with opportunities to hear from outstanding speakers. These sessions not only offered timely insights but also informed and strengthened our advocacy work. From workshops to luncheons, our 2025 events and committee programs united members in ways that informed, inspired, and strengthened our regional community.
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If your organization is a member, we welcome you to participate in our committees, which offer valuable information and networking potential. Click the button below to sign up for email notifications for committees based on your interests.
If you are not a paid member and are interested in joining a committee, please fill out the New Member Interest Form below.
| | If your organization is not a Coalition member, we encourage you to connect with BPC staff to learn more about our work and benefits of membership. With a driven team and commitment to the economic viability and sustainability of the region, Bay Planning Coalition’s advocacy efforts, committees, and events are developed to promote regional industries. | | If you are already a member and would like to meet with BPC Staff, please fill out the form below. | | |
NOTE: Additional BPC engagements (committee meetings, workshops, networking events) will be announced once confirmed.
To ensure you receive our announcements, please complete the sign-up form or bookmark BPC's events calendar. Both resources are linked below.
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Bay Planning Coalition
bpcstaff@bayplanningcoalition.org
bayplanningcoalition.org
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