Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Fort Bragg – September 17

Coastal Conservancy Public Meeting in Fort Bragg – September 17

Meeting Notice

Douglas Bosco (Public Member), Chair

Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš (Public Member), Vice Chair

Joy Sterling (Public Member)

William Shafroth (Public Member)

Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources; Bryan Cash and Jenn Eckerle (Designated)

Meagan Harmon Coastal Commission Chair; Madeline Cavalieri (Designated)

Joe Stephenshaw, Director, Department of Finance; Michele Perrault (Designated)

Senate Representatives                                Assembly Representatives

Benjamin Allen (District 26)                         Gregg Hart (District 37)

Josh Becker (District 13)                                Christopher Ward (District 78)

John Laird (District 17)                                  Tina McKinnor (District 61)

Amy Hutzel, Executive Officer

Amy Roach, General Counsel

AGENDA

Hybrid Meeting

DATE:   September 17, 2026

TIME:    10:00 A.M

LOCATION:   Fort Bragg Town Hall

363 N Main St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

*Live Spanish interpretation is provided during our Board Meetings on the Zoom teleconference.

*Se proporciona interpretación en español en vivo durante nuestras reuniones de la Junta en la teleconferencia de Zoom.

Members of the public can choose to watch the webcast of the meeting or participate in the meeting via Zoom, by telephone, or in person at the location listed above.

Webcast (Watch Only): To watch the meeting and not provide verbal comments, please view the webcast at this site: https://cal-span.org.  If you do not wish to provide verbal comments, we strongly recommend watching the webcast as this will free up space on the webinar for those who are providing verbal comments. If you intend to make verbal comments, please do not view the webcast, and then switch over to the Zoom webinar or phone to comment, as the webcast will have a time delay and you may miss the opportunity to comment.

Zoom (To Make Comments): In addition to in-person participation, remote participation is available to members of the public via Zoom webinar. To participate via Zoom, you must register for the Zoom Webinar at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_grKaOKX_S_GTk4ivrNX-LA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Telephone (To Make Comments): Members of the public can offer verbal comments on agenda items by calling in via telephone. Zoom registration is required. Register for the Zoom Webinar at the link above and you will receive an email with a phone number to dial in by telephone. When the agenda item you want to speak on is being presented, press *9 to “raise your hand” and indicate your interest in making a comment. You will be called upon (using your phone number to identify you) and will be unmuted at the appropriate time.

More information on how to participate and comment verbally on an agenda item or during open public comment can be found here.

1.  ROLL CALL

a. Vote on Remote Participation (as needed)

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the Conservancy’s June 18, 2026, public meeting.

3. CONSENT ITEMS

A. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $2,500,000 to Point Reyes Bird Observatory to augment two previous Conservancy grants to provide an additional two years of adaptive management of approximately 177 acres of restored wetlands by engaging the local community, maintaining and enhancing the wetlands, and implementing property improvements of public access amenities and other infrastructure in the Novato Baylands in Marin County. (Sara Haugen)

B. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $100,000 to the East Bay Regional Park District (Park District) to augment the grant of $2,075,000 authorized by the Conservancy on September 5, 2024 for wildfire resilience fuel reduction treatments, shaded fuel break development, and equipment purchases, and to expand the project to include developing a wildfire treatment prioritization framework and related management tools for all Park District land and to conduct a prioritization planning workshop for local public entities and nonprofit organizations. (Kostoula Vallianos)

C. Consideration and possible authorization to amend the scope of the Conservancy grant to Sonoma Ecology Center for the Cradle Basket Project, authorized by the Conservancy on November 21, 2024 to install an art installation comprised of five hand-carved boulders, produce accompanying audio/visual content, and create programming for tours that share stories of five tribes along a pathway to a future Indigenous Environmental and Cultural Learning Center along the Napa River, to reduce the number of hand-carved boulders that will be installed at Oxbow Commons from five to two. (Vanessa Aczon)

D. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to nine hundred thirty five thousand dollars ($935,000) to the City of Willits (“the grantee”) to augment the Conservancy grant authorized on November 30, 2023 to implement the Willits Rail with Trail Project, consisting of construction of a 1.6-mile trail between East Hill Road and East Commercial Street in the City of Willits that will eventually become part of the Great Redwood Trail in Mendocino County. (Christine Aralia)

E. Consideration and potential authorization to disburse up to $329,800 to Conservation Works to undertake the Designing Water Resilience on Public and Working Lands Project, consisting of conducting studies and community engagement and preparing designs for improving water systems for purposes of supporting enhanced public access and wetland and other habitat at six state and county parks in Sonoma County.(Joel Gerwein)

F. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $10,055,692 to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., which includes $6,976,691 in funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to augment Conservancy funding previously authorized for the restoration of tidal marsh and enhancement of managed ponds at the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, $50,000 to the Aquatic Science Center for website management, and $50,000 to the California Wildlife Foundation to conduct outreach, all as part of Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project in Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. (Laura Cholodenko)

4. EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT

A. Adoption of 2027 Conservancy Board Meeting Calendar

B. Wildfire Resilience Grant Program Status Review and State Update

1. Lilly Allen, Conservancy North Coast Project Manager
2. Patrick Wright, Director of California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force

C. Report on status of Great Redwood Trail

1. Hannah Bartee, Conservancy North Coast Project Manager
2. Joel Gerwein, Conservancy North Coast Regional Program Manager

D. Resolution to honor Tim Duff, Conservancy Central Coast Project Manager

E. Resolution to honor Jeremiah Hallisey, former Conservancy board member

NORTH COAST

5. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,218,390 to the Wildlands Conservancy to undertake the Seawood Cape Preserve Overnight Accommodation Implementation Project, consisting of 1) developing final designs and completing the permitting process, and 2) constructing a campground, a new section of the California Coastal Trail, and other public access improvements and amenities at the Seawood Cape Preserve just north of the City of Trinidad in Humboldt County. (Peter Jarausch)

6. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $825,000 to Blue Lake Rancheria to acquire and develop a management plan for the 54-acre Crannell Pasture on lower Little River near Westhaven, Humboldt County to preserve open space; protect and restore natural resources and wildlife habitat; protect cultural resources; and provide opportunities for compatible public access and California Native American tribal access and cultural use. (Michael Bowen)

7. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse a total up to $4,200,000 to the Round Valley Indian Tribes, Sonoma Land Trust, and Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department to carry out implementation projects that will improve forest health and wildfire resiliency in Mendocino, Sonoma and Santa Clara Counties; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Lilly Allen)

SOUTH COAST

8. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $3,305,000 to Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District to undertake the Santa Ana River Trail Rincon to Prado Spillway Phase 2 Segment – Construction project, consisting of the construction of a 0.65-mile segment of the Santa Ana River Trail in Riverside County; and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act. (Rodrigo Garcia)

9. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $1,500,143 to the University of California Santa Cruz Center for Coastal Climate Resilience to undertake CoSMoS Adapts: Supporting Coastal Climate Resilience in the South Coast, consisting of assessing adaptation solutions to reduce the risks of coastal hazards due to storms and sea level rise, conducting regional engagement and capacity‑building activities, and developing high‑resolution visualization and innovative communication tools that strengthen climate resilience planning in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties. (Christy Kehoe)

CENTRAL COAST

10. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $5,000,000 to ytt Northern Chumash Nonprofit to undertake the yatspansini wayaktspu Conservancy Acquisition, consisting of acquisition of 357 acres of the Alexander Ranch in San Luis Obispo County to protect and restore natural resources and wildlife habitat; preserve open space; enable compatible aquaculture and agriculture uses, including grazing; protect cultural resources; provide compatible Native American tribal access and managed public access, including the potential establishment and management of tribal camping areas and an education center; and potentially create tribal housing for property management, north of Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County. (Rachel Couch)

11. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 to the County of San Mateo to undertake the Half Moon Bay Landfill Climate Resilience Planning Project, consisting of conducting technical studies; analyzing alternatives; engaging the community; and preparing 30% conceptual designs, a plan for funding implementation, and a plan for permitting and environmental review for adaptation of the landfill located at Poplar Beach in San Mateo County (Trish Chapman)

12. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $42,000,000 to the Wildlands Conservancy to acquire the fee title and leasehold interest in the approximately 2,060-acre Wild Cherry Canyon property within the Diablo Canyon lands to protect, restore, and enhance natural and cultural resources; to provide public and California Native American tribal access; to enable potential construction of lower-cost coastal accommodations; and to enable agriculture that is compatible with these uses, in San Luis Obispo County. (Tim Duff)

13. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $750,000 to the City of Pacific Grove to undertake the Lovers Point Pier Rehabilitation Project, consisting of repairing and enhancing the resiliency of the Lovers Point Pier for continued public access in Monterey County. (Irvin Tang)

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

14. Consideration and possible Authorization to disburse up to $900,000 to California Department of Parks and Recreation to undertake the Angel Island – Lower Cost Accommodations Planning Project to conduct community engagement, prepare technical studies and environmental analyses, update and finalize planning and construction documents, apply for permits for 13 new lower-cost cabin sites at Angel Island State Park in Marin County, and adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act. (Sara Haugen)

15. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $14,500,000 to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to undertake the Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage Acquisition, consisting of acquiring approximately 417 acres of land located in Coyote Valley in Santa Clara County for protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural resources and wildlife habitat; protection of open space and natural floodplain; provision of public access; and enabling climate-resilient agricultural use.(Vanessa Aczon)

16. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $4,000,000 to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to undertake the Highway 17 Wildlife and Ridge Trail Crossings project, consisting of constructing a highway undercrossing for wildlife and 2.1 miles of multi-use Bay Area Ridge Trail made up of a highway overcrossing and an adjacent connector trail, south of Los Gatos in unincorporated Santa Clara County; and the adoption of findings under the California Environmental Quality Act. (Virgilio Cuasay)

Explore The Coast

17. Consideration and authorization to disburse up to $964,535 to eleven nonprofit organizations and two school districts for thirteen projects under the Explore the Coast program that facilitate and enhance the public’s opportunities to explore the California coast and San Francisco Bay shoreline. (Chere Erickson/Christy Kehoe)

18. CONSERVANCY MEMBER COMMENTS

19. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Please note: If a closed session is needed, the Conservancy will reconvene in person and on the webcast and zoom webinar to make any reports required by Section 11125.2 of the Government Code.

20. CLOSED SESSION

A. To confer regarding Pappas, et al. v. State Coastal Conservancy, et al., Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Case No. 1417388. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

B. To confer regarding City of Trinidad v. Tsurai Ancestral Society, et al., Humboldt County Superior Court Case No. DR180684. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(A).

C. To confer regarding matters that fall under Government Code Section 11126(e)(2)(B) or (2)(C).

21. ADJOURNMENT

CONSERVANCY TOUR INFORMATION

On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Conservancy will tour the sites listed below, following the approximate times shown. Actual timing may vary due to traffic or other conditions. Members of the public are welcome to join but must provide their own transportation. The tour will conclude by 5:30 p.m. Accessibility information for each site is noted below.

1. 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Site Name – South Fork Ten Mile Restoration Project
Address: Meet at 1:30 at Old Smith Ranch Preserve Trailhead parking, 28355 Shoreline Hwy, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Lat/Long Coordinates:540799, -123.755904
Accessibility: We will meet at Old Smith Ranch Preserve parking lot and carpool to the project site. Dirt road access to project sites, some of which are visible from the road (wheelchair accessible). Other restoration sites are accessible via uneven terrain (not wheelchair accessible)

2. 3-3:30 – Transit to Noyo Headlands, The Whale House LaBONEatory
Address: Across the road from the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center, 331 Jere Melo St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Lat/Long Coordinates:43777, -123.8135

3. 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Noyo Center for Marine Science Whale House LaBONEatory
Accessibility: This site is currently under construction. The site is accessible on dirt roads by vehicle. Parking and presentations will occur in a flat, dirt area.

4. 4:15-4:30 – Transit from The Whale House LaBONEtory to South Harbor Drive

5. 4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
Site Name – Noyo Harbor Marina Redevelopment Plan
Address: 19101 South Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Lat/Long Coordinates:42303866235323, -123.80197686041568
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Onsite parking lot, ADA parking space and bathroom available. Tour will include High Dock, which is wheelchair accessible.

Note:   Agenda items may be taken out of sequence at the discretion of the Conservancy. At any time during the meeting, but prior to the adjournment of the open session of the meeting, the Conservancy may recess or adjourn to closed session to consider personnel matters, prices and terms of real estate transactions, and possible and pending litigation. Session will be closed to the public pursuant to attorney-client privilege and statutory authorization under Government Code Sections 11126(a), (c) (7), and (e).

Any person who has a disability and requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this public meeting should contact Taylor Samuelson no later than five days prior to meeting at taylor.samuelson@scc.ca.gov.

Questions about the meeting or agenda can be directed to Paul Johnson at
(510) 367-9481 or Paul.Johnson@scc.ca.gov or at the Conservancy:

1515 Clay Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612