California Senate Bill No. 272: Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation
Senate Bill 272, Sea Level Rise: Planning and Adaptation, was approved by California Governor Newsom on October 7, 2023 and requires local governments in coastal zones in California to develop a sea level rise plan. The local sea level rise plans are to be integrated with other local or regional planning efforts overseen by either the California Coastal Commission or the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), depending on where in the state the local government is located. BCDC is a regional agency responsible for overseeing land use, environmental conservation, and public access along the Bay shoreline, and for coordinating Bay Area regional efforts to address sea level rise and climate change.
The sea level rise plans required by the bill must be part of either a local coastal program subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission, or part of a subregional shoreline resiliency plan subject to approval by BCDC. The sea level rise plans must include:
- “The use of the best available science.
- A vulnerability assessment that includes efforts to ensure equity for at-risk communities.
- Sea level rise adaptation strategies and recommended projects.
- Identification of lead planning and implementation agencies.
- A timeline for updates, as needed…”
The California Coastal Commission and BCDC are separately required by the bill to publish guidelines by December 31, 2024 for local governments to follow when developing their sea level rise plans. These guidelines are to be developed in coordination with the Ocean Protection Council and the California Sea Level Rise State and Regional Support Collaborative (and in the case of BCDC’s guidelines, with the Coastal Commission as well). The Coastal Commission published its draft guidelines as part of a 2024 update to its Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance, while BCDC published its guidelines for Bay Area coastal jurisdictions as part of its Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan, which coordinates adaptation strategies across multiple jurisdictions.
The bill is codified within the Public Resources Code of California. Approved plans will be prioritized for state funding, contingent on legislative appropriation. The bill includes provisions for state reimbursement to local agencies for certain state-mandated costs.
Publication Date: October 9, 2023
Related Organizations:
- State of California
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- Laws
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