New Bill Would Let Coastal Homeowners Make Improvements to Prevent Bluff Collapse

The legislation (SB 1090) presented by Sen. Patricia Bates, a Republican from Laguna Niguel, to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee in Sacramento would obligate public agencies and private owners of seafront property in San Diego and Orange Counties to mitigate coastal erosion.

SB 1090 would require the Coastal Commission to review and approve a public agency’s or homeowner’s application for erosion-mitigation efforts in regard to planting, drainage and seawall or other reinforcing structures. Approved applicants also would have to pay for the costs of sand replenishment and permit processing.

As California beaches reopen, seawall construction becomes legislative battleground

Homeowners fighting sea level rise say going to the Coastal Commission for any form of protection has increasingly become a non-starter. This new legislation (SB 1090), supporters say, would streamline a frustrating permitting process that could ultimately save lives. They point to the bluff collapse in Encinitas last summer that killed three women.

SB-1090 Coastal erosion: installation of shoreline protective devices: application process.(2019-2020)

CA bill will amend the application process for shoreline protection devices for Orange and San Diego Counties, to limit Sand Mitigation Fees to $25,000 per parcel or 1% of assessed value, and outlines an appeal process for denied applications. If passed, it is unclear if this bill will affect other Counties.

CCC pushes homes back from the ocean bluffs

In a recent decision the California 4th District Court of Appeal sided with the California Coastal Commission on the 60-foot mandate for set back of new home on coastal bluff in Encinitas, Southern California. The property owner will not be able to rely on any shoreline protection, and must build the new home 60 feet from the bluff’s edge to meet the 75 year projected coastal erosion. A couple, who recent bought this property for $1.8M had hopes of building a new home overlooking the cliffs and beaches with only a 30 – 40 foot set back. But now, they must move the structure farther inland with no views of the cliffs or ocean surf. This is what could happen to Santa Cruz Coastal Property owners, if the County does not get a revised Local Coastal Plan approved by the CCC.

California is suing a silicon valley billionaire for blocking public access to beach

CNN & LA Times have published an article about Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla, who purchased a large parcel of coastal property south of Half Moon Bay, two large pieces of land next to the popular Martin’s beach, which happened to contain the only viable public path to the shore. He has blocked the only public access path to the beach, and refuses to give access because the public leave their trash on the beach. He has been fighting these legal battles over access for over 20 years, and now the California Coastal Commission, and California State Lands Commission are suing him in the CA Supreme Court over public right of way.

Why CA may let rising seas knock out this building

Corocoran Lagoon Condominiums consisting of 12 condos, which are built on piers over Corcoran Lagoon may be “at risk” of damage with rising sea level and storm surges without reinforcement and shoreline protection devices. Since the condo structure is built on a natural lagoon and estuary, the CCC and Santa Cruz County may not permit the property owners to further protect the structure. This is a dilemma for these property owners, since the structure was permitted before the Coastal Act was passed and built shortly there after. In some years the lagoon migrates to drain to the east side of the lagoon, and in other years it flows directly below the condo building.

Without Urgent Action, State’s Sea Level Rise is a Threat to Housing & the Economy, Report Says

State of CA may need 100,000 new homes to mitigate the effects of lost Property Tax Revenue from coastal homes lost due to coastal erosion, to continue to fund local coastal governments and schools. However, the local coastal communities are not responding fast enough to prepare for the sea level rise and potential destruction to coastal properties (public & private).

Dire Consequences if Immediate Action isn’t Taken, State says

With sea level rise of 3 feet to 6 feet, “up to two-thirds of Southern California beaches may become completely eroded by the year 2100,” says the state report, citing research by the United States Geological Survey. The same research says that by 2100, 6 feet of sea level rise combined with storms “could impact over 480,000 California residents and $119 billion in property value in 2010 dollars,”the report says.