Meeting Overview
At the September hearing, the Coastal Commission reviewed updates to its Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance, integrating environmental justice as a priority alongside science updates and accountability measures for local governments, as mandated by Senate Bill 272. A Local Government Working Group meeting followed, where commissioners and environmental advocates discussed the proposed “neighborhood-scale adaptation” concept, which could expand coastal armoring and risk environmental inequities by disproportionately benefiting wealthier areas. Emphasizing nature-based solutions, ActCoastal partners advocated for alternatives like dune restoration, beach resiliency planning, and infrastructure relocation to ensure California’s coast remains accessible and resilient for all.
Issues voted on at this meeting:
Other Discussions
Sea Level Rise Guidance Updates
On Wednesday, the Commission reviewed recent and pending updates to its Sea Level Rise (SLR) Policy Guidance, centering environmental justice (EJ) as a core priority alongside science updates. With new mandates from Senate Bill 272 and the latest SLR science, the revised guidance calls for local governments to focus on safeguarding frontline communities that face the worst impacts of rising seas.
This update prioritizes a phased adaptation approach that holds jurisdictions accountable while expanding access to vital funding. By integrating EJ directly into LCPs, the Commission will help ensure equitable resilience planning and coastal access. Enhanced recommendations require comprehensive vulnerability assessments, protections for public infrastructure, and actionable strategies to support all Californians’ rights to enjoy and access coastal resources.
This guidance empowers local governments to confront the realities of climate change head-on and helps ensure that the California Coast remains accessible to all.
Highlights from the Neighborhood-Scale Adaptation Workshop
On September 11, the Commission held its Local Government Working Group meeting, focusing on how to advance community-centered coastal resilience in response to accelerating sea level rise. This workshop included commissioners and local government representatives discussing a "neighborhood-scale adaptation" approach—a concept designed to streamline Local Coastal Program (LCP) updates that may result in large-scale coastal armoring projects. While some commissioners voiced concern that this approach could risk increasing coastal armoring statewide and furthering environmental inequities, they seemed to stop short from discouraging further development of the concept.
ActCoastal partners, environmental organizations and community members, expressed opposition to the concept of large, neighborhood-scale seawalls given the disastrous impacts to public beaches, coastal erosion, and their disproportionate benefits for wealthier neighborhoods. This approach runs contrary to the state law, the California Coastal Act, which only allows armoring in narrow circumstances. It also contradicts efforts to protect public trust, coastal resources, equitable access and natural coastal processes. The working group should refocus on sustainable alternatives, such as dune restoration and living shorelines, relocating infrastructure out of harm's way and enhancing public access and natural resources, rather than relying on beach destrying shoreline armoring.
Commissioner Katie Rice seemed to agree with these sentiments, stating, “The Coastal Act got it right and saw that nature would have impacts and accounted for it without having to armor.” Commissioner Linda Escalante also agreed that, “Anybody who wants to profit from beaches should take some responsibility to protect them.” Commission Chair Caryl hart pointed out that, “We don’t want to get in a position where we allow armoring and only rely on mitigation. We need to look at a regional approach with costs versus benefits and identify places where we can retreat.”
The conversation also emphasized nature-based solutions over hard armoring, with presenter Dr. Charles Lester referring to a Beach Resiliency Plan underway that would center sustainable and adaptive measures to protect California's coastlines. Additionally, upcoming funding opportunities from climate bond measures were discussed, presenting a crucial chance to implement proactive, nature-first strategies that serve the long-term health of California's coastlines and communities.
ActCoastal will continue to monitor and advocate for sea level rise planning that serves the public good, protects California's beaches, and ensures environmental justice and equitable access remain the Commission’s highest priorities.
Check out ActCoastal partner comments at the workshop on our YouTube channel.