California State Coastal Conservancy
The California State Coastal Conservancy, established in 1976, is a state agency that uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore - working in partnership with local governments, other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. To date, the Conservancy has undertaken more than 1,800 projects along the 1,100 mile California coastline and around San Francisco Bay.
California's SB 1066 went into effect in January 2013, which establishes clear authority for the Conservancy to address climate change through projects and grants to public agencies and non-profits. The legislation provides express authority for the agency to undertake projects and award grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address extreme weather events, sea level rise, storm surge, beach and bluff erosion, salt water intrusion, flooding, and other coastal hazards that threaten coastal communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. The Conservancy is directed to maximize public benefits, including, but not limited to, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, reducing hazards to harbors and ports, preserving and enhancing coastal wetlands and natural lands, conserving biodiversity, assisting agricultural adaptation, and providing recreational opportunities.
On December 6, 2012, the Coastal Conservancy adopted a new Strategic Plan to guide the agency for 2013 through 2018. The Plan addresses how they work, describes past accomplishments, and presents their view of the future of the California coast over the next five years - including the steps needed to respond to climate change. The Plan also provides a policy reference, an overview of priorities, a delineation of coastal issues by region, and a summary of the Conservancy's financial status and needs.
The Coastal Conservancy provides funding for 'Climate Ready' projects. Climate Ready grants can support a wide range of activities including vulnerability assessments, development and implementation of adaptation strategies, science-based scenario planning, and demonstration projects that help inform others about successful and cost-effective adaptation strategies. The funded projects are expected to maximize public benefits to the coast while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing hazards that threaten coastal communities or public infrastructure, preserving and enhancing coastal wetlands and other natural lands, conserving biodiversity and providing recreational opportunities that support greenhouse gas reduction goals.
For access to additional related projects and reports, a page of climate change resources and web links is available on the Conservancy's website.
Phone: (510) 286-4182
Sectors:
Related Organizations:
- State of California
Related Resources:
- Ocean Beach, California Master Plan
- California State Coastal Conservancy Strategic Plan 2013 - 2018
- California Coastal Conservancy Climate Change Policy and Project Selection Criteria
- Surfer's Point Managed Shoreline Retreat Project
- Guidance for Addressing Climate Change in California Coastal Conservancy Projects
- Conserving California’s Coastal Habitats - A Legacy and a Future with Sea Level Rise
- San Bruno Creek and Colma Creek Resiliency Study - San Francisco International Airport
- CA SB 1066 - Climate Ready California Coastal Conservancy
- California Coastal Conservancy Climate Ready Grant Program
- CA AB 3012 State Coastal Conservancy: grants: climate change projects
- California “Sea the Future” Tool
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