Megan Cooper

The strategic plan outlines the Conservancy's long-term direction to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, enhance public access to the outdoors, and sustain local economies along California's coast and San Francisco Bay. Its vision is a beautiful, restored, and accessible coast for current and future generations. The plan identifies five core goals: prioritizing equity, enhancing public enjoyment of the coast, protecting and restoring coastal resources, becoming climate-ready, and achieving organizational excellence.

The recommendation includes authorization to disburse funds to the San Diego River Conservancy for the Grant Park segment of the San Diego River Trail and Discovery Center. The project involves extending the San Diego River Trail, creating a river-centric park, and establishing an education and community center. Phase I focuses on obtaining permits for the Discovery Center site and segment #16 of the San Diego River Trail. The Discovery Center will feature indoor space for meetings, research, classrooms, and interpretive areas. The project aims to provide opportunities for education and recreation, particularly for young people, and involves habitat restoration and protection.

The recommendation is to authorize the disbursement of funds to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the acquisition of the Lighthouse Ranch. The acquisition aims to enhance public access and open space protection. Following the acquisition, the Bureau of Land Management would manage the property for open space and public access, with plans to rehabilitate structures for use as a caretaker residence, maintenance facility, and visitor center. The project also addresses the need for a public agency presence to combat lawlessness and provide visitor information, aligning with the Humboldt Beach and Dunes Management Plan.

The Coastal Conservancy authorized the Executive Officer to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with the Great Redwood Trail Agency. This agreement focuses on developing a master plan and community engagement program, providing interim staffing services, and offering technical assistance to advance the Great Redwood Trail. The Conservancy also approved the disbursement of funds for engineering and environmental services, planning and design, public outreach, organizational development, railbanking process advancement, and interim staffing and other related services.

The meeting included discussions and resolutions regarding various projects. These included the Antonelli Pond project, which involves constructing an all-access trail and visitor amenities; the Tunitas Creek Beach project, focused on public access improvements; and the Sulphur Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project, involving revised designs and planning for bridge replacement. Also discussed were the Vernal Pool Properties on the Santa Rosa Plain, the East Palo Alto Rain Garden Project, the Weger Ranch, the Redwood National and State Park Visitor Center and Restoration Project, the Johnston Ranch, and the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project. The Conservancy also received information and advice from counsel regarding Pappas, et al. v. State Coastal Conservancy, et al., and authorized a settlement agreement regarding Brightview Landscape Development, Inc. v. From Lot to Spot, Inc., et al.