California Legislative Analysis Office Report – Preparing for Sea Level Rise
According to CA LAO Report, local coastal communities must start now to plan for the effects of potential sea level rise and address Residential Adaptation – Managed Retreat. The report sites a USGA study indicating sea level is expected to rise by 6-7 inches in 10 years by 2030, 2 feet by 2050, and as much as 7 feet by 2100. Read this 48 page report for more information.
Pajaro Dunes HOA letter to the Board of Supervisors
We believe Santa Cruz County
has more leverage with the CCC than you might appreciate right now. Much of the foundation for this LCP has never
been tested either practically or legally, thus putting Santa Cruz County in a position to be subject to historic, ongoing
litigation. As the Coastal Commission says in its letter of Monday, December 9, the county’s first‐to‐go status will provide
a template “that can also serve as a model statewide for other cities and counties to emulate in addressing complicated
sea level rise adaption issues.” In other words, both the county and its coastal citizens/property owners would be the
legal guinea pigs for testing how far many of the terms of the Coastal Act can be stretched. In that regard, the
commission needs you to be a successful example as much as you are dependent upon them to approve your LCP. That
provides the opening for you to continue to push for common sense, practical, workable and environmentally
considerate solutions for guiding future response to sea level rise. We know the planning staff has been trying to thread
that needle and believe strongly that you should continue to press your opportunity.
County Board Memo & Staff Report re final LCP Safety Element Update and Ordinance Code Amendments
Under Review by CPOA, scheduled for presentation and approval by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on 12/10/19
County final LCP – Public Safety Element Amendments – Coastal Bluffs and Beaches
Under review by CPOA, scheduled for presentation and approval by Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on 12/10/19
County Ordinance Amending Chapter 16.10- Geological Coastal Hazards
Under review by CPOA, schedule for presentation and approval to Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on 12/10/19
Government Abuses Power to Extort Public Beach Access Across Private Property to Grant a Coastal Permit
Pacific Legal Foundation comes to the aid of the Wall Family, who own 14,500 acre lot along the coastline in Santa Barbara, when the Coastal Commission withholds a Coastal building permit to force the property owners to provide a public access easement across their property to the beach, which is more that 1,500 yards from their planned structure.
The Truth About Sea Level Rise – Professor Gary Griggs
Professor Gary Griggs gave a presentation at the CPOA-SC Annual Meeting on 9/15/19. According to Professor Griggs the local sea level (San Francisco & Monterey tide gauge) has only risen about 1.6 inches in the last 20 years, and is expected to rise 0.6 to 1.4 feet by 2050, and 3.5 – 4.4 feet by 2100, based on moderately conservative forecasting models. However, the Coastal Commission is requesting coastal communities plan for a 10 foot rise in the sea level, which exceeds most forecasting models.
First Phase of Management Plan for West Cliff Drive Underway
There are roughly 6 sea caves at different parts of W. Cliff Dr. that experts say could collapse at any given time. While they have been there for decades, we’re told many still don’t know about them. Sea level rise will speed up the erosion of the coastal cliffs, and will result in the collapse of these sea caves placing public safety, the paths, and road along West Cliff Drive at risk. The City’s first step is to obtain public input through small work groups.
Delayed vote on LCP by County Supervisors until 10/8/19
The reason given for the initial delay by the County was to allow additional time to refine the proposed policy amendments to address concerns of Coastal Commission staff and local property owners. However, this has not happened. Planning Department staff have met several times with Coastal Commission staff over the summer, but has not met with the Coastal Property Owners Association to address their concerns regarding the proposed LCP. On 9/24/19 Board of Supervisor’s meeting Consent item to delay the vote on the LCP, Steve Forer, CPOA President will ask the Board of Supervisors to direct Planning Committee staff to meet with CPOA to discuss requested changes to the proposed LCP, and any additional changes requested by CCC, before it is presented to the Board of Supervisors on 10/8/19.