The September and October meeting reports are now live! Check them out on our Monthly Voting Reports page.

During the October 9-12 meeting in San Diego, the Coastal Commission took significant actions on a variety of issues. Notably, the Commission voted to send an urgent letter to the federal government, calling for an emergency declaration in response to ongoing pollution from the Tijuana River affecting Imperial Beach and the trans-boundary border region. The Commission also approved a coastal development permit for a beachfront residence in Dana Point, with strict conditions requiring future removal if sea level rise impacts public trust lands. In a separate vote, the Commission rejected SpaceX’s proposal to increase rocket launches at Vandenberg, highlighting environmental and public access concerns and requiring SpaceX to submit a Coastal Development Permit.

At the September 11-13 meeting in Monterey, the Commission reviewed updates to its Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance, integrating environmental justice as a priority alongside scientific rigor and accountability measures for local governments, as mandated by Senate Bill 272. A Local Government Working Group meeting followed, where environmental advocates raised concerns over a proposed “neighborhood-scale adaptation” concept, which could expand coastal armoring and risk environmental inequities by disproportionately benefiting wealthier areas. Emphasizing nature-based solutions, partners advocated for alternatives like dune restoration, beach resiliency planning, and infrastructure relocation to ensure California’s coast remains accessible and resilient for all.