Posted on September 16, 2024
AGENDA and VIDEO. From the Ocean Protection Council meeting on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024. Agenda Action Item: #6 ~ Consideration and Approval of Disbursement of Funds for Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program
Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Safeguard Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Communities in the Face of Climate Change; Objective 1.1: Build Resiliency to Sea-Level Rise, Coastal Storms, Erosion and Flooding.
Executive Summary
Staff recommends that the Ocean Protection Council approve the disbursement of up to $5,421,250 to fund three projects submitted by local and regional governments that successfully met the requirements of the Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program (SB 1 Grant Program) and will result in sea level rise (SLR) adaptation planning or implementation projects. In August of 2023, OPC approved the disbursement of up to $95.9 million for the SB 1 Grant Program to fund SLR adaptation planning or implementation projects.
The overall goal of the SB 1 Grant Program is to provide funding for coastal communities to develop consistent SLR adaptation plans and projects to build resilience to SLR along the entire coast of California and San Francisco Bay.
To achieve this goal, the SB 1 Grant Program offers two tracks of funding: one for pre-planning and planning phases (Track One), and one for the project and implementation phase (Track Two). Track One (projects in the Pre-Planning, Data Collection, and Planning Phases) officially opened for proposal submission in December of 2023, and accepts proposals on a non-competitive, rolling, quarterly basis, provided the proposals satisfy the program requirements. Track Two proposals (Implementation Project Phase) will be accepted through a competitive process starting in mid-2025, subject to availability of funding.
This delay from the originally planned mid-late 2024 opening is due to adjustments in the SB 1 Grant Program’s funding allocation, with $36.8 million delayed until 2026, reducing the immediate funds available for Track Two. However, recognizing the importance of funding timely implementation projects, OPC is accepting the submission of Track Two Letters of Intent (LOI) before the acceptance of Track Two proposals to advance urgent projects that address near-term SLR threats.
The total amount requested across all three projects is $5,421,250. These projects cover a variety of critical areas, including pre-planning, data collection, detailed adaptation planning, and an urgent implementation project that addresses near-term SLR threats. All proposals and LOIs were reviewed by OPC staff, in collaboration with either California Coastal Commission (CCC) or San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) staff, depending on the project area location. Proposals were reviewed for their adherence to the SLR Adaptation Criteria and the evaluation criteria set forth within the solicitation.
This resulted in the second set of projects recommended for funding under this program to meet the foundational purpose of equipping California’s coastal communities with robust, consistent, and comprehensive SLR adaptation plans to build resilience against the impacts of SLR and ensure that both local and regional efforts are well-coordinated and uniformly advanced statewide.
Track 2 (Urgent Implementation) Project Summary
San Mateo County Harbor District (SMCHD) is requesting support under OPC’s SB 1 Grant Program,
Track 2 Implementation Project category to assist with construction costs to complete the proposed Surfers Beach Pilot Restoration Project. This multijurisdictional project has been in the planning phase since 2017 and is being led by SMCHD. The project area is located inside the breakwaters of, and adjacent to, Pillar Point Harbor in San Mateo County. The goal is to address and reduce the accelerated and extreme coastal erosion rates that have occurred on the beaches adjacent to the Harbor due to effects created by the construction of the outer breakwaters, and eliminate the excessive shoaling caused by sand being trapped inside the Harbor. By reducing coastal erosion, the project is also expected to enhance the resilience of Highway 1, which has been previously threatened by the encroaching shoreline.
The Project Involves
1) Dredging and recovery of up to 100,000-cubic yards of clean sand within the Harbor along the East Breakwater and near the Boat Launch Ramp area and
2) Using the recovered sand to restore a previously existing beach through construction of an elevated berm along approximately 1,400-foot-long section of shoreline at Surfers Beach.
3) The overarching project will also mitigate current and future damages to eelgrass by creating new eelgrass habitat and relocating threatened eelgrass within the harbor to improve conditions for fish and wildlife species.
Equity and Environmental Justice Benefits
For decades, Surfers Beach has been a vital site for low-cost recreational activities such as surfing,
fishing, and beachgoing. The project aims to restore safe and accessible beach areas, enhancing these recreational opportunities while addressing SLR and coastal erosion. Throughout the project’s development, community engagement and inclusivity were prioritized, ensuring that local residents, including those from EJ communities, had a voice in the project’s design. SMCHD has facilitated extensive public participation through regular meetings, workshops, and consultations, allowing for diverse input.
As the project advances, SMCHD will continue to prioritize outreach, education, and community engagement, with a focus on EJ communities. This will include targeted efforts to engage those who are currently involved in local planning efforts and identify additional EJ communities within the planning area. SMCHD also plans to conduct meaningful consultation with California Native American tribes, ensuring that the project respects and integrates their cultural values and traditional knowledge. Through these efforts, SMCHD aims to create a project that not only restores the natural environment but also fosters inclusivity, accessibility, and community involvement.
About the Grantee
The San Mateo County Harbor District manages Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina on the
San Mateo County coast. Established in 1933, SMCHD’s mission is to provide fiscally and environmentally responsible stewardship of its maritime resources, emergency response, and public access. Since 2017, SMCHD has been leading the planning and development of the Surfers.
Beach Pilot Restoration Project. To support this effort, SMCHD has engaged experienced coastal
management professionals, including Brad Damitz, who has over 25 years of expertise in coastal
resilience and nature-based solutions. The project has involved extensive coordination with
federal, state, and local agencies, reflecting SMCHD’s commitment to collaborative,
environmentally responsible management of coastal resources.
Project Timeline
This project will be completed over one year.
Project Financing
Staff recommends that OPC authorize disbursement of up to $2,956,250 to the San Mateo County
Harbor District for the Surfers Beach Pilot Restoration Project. This project includes leveraged nonstate funds of *$4,700,000 for a project total of $6,500,000.
NOTE * Harbor District General Manager, Jim Pruett, said the $4.7M will come from District funds.
Inner harbor boat ramp shoaling. Dredge the harbor!
