Senate Bill 272 – Sea Level Rise Planning
Staff Contact, [email protected] | Updated as of 2.3.2023 Senate Bill 272 ensures coastal communities are
prepared for and ready to mitigate the effects of sea
level rise within the coastal zone by requiring local
coastal programs & San Francisco Bay Shoreline
Coastal Resiliency P lans are updated to reflect the
best available science.
BACKGROUND
Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) , per the California
Coastal Commission (CCC) are basic planning tools
used by local governments to guide development in
the coastal zone . LCPs contain the ground rules for
future development and protection of coastal
resources in the 76 coastal cities and counties. Under
the San Francisco Bay Conser vation and
Development Commission’s (BCDCs) jurisdiction,
San Francisco Bay Shoreline Coastal Resiliency
Plans serve as an LCP equivalent.
The sea level along the state’s coastline is currently
predicted to rise by as much as one-half foot by 2030
and up to 7 feet by 2100. Just over 2/3s of the state’s residents live in coastal counties, and the coastal
economy generates billions of dollars annually. Sea
level rise puts this at risk. Currently, coastal
programs and resiliency plans are not required to
address sea level rise, an often-overlooked aspect of
climate change that has the potential to be one of the
most damaging threats.
As climate change causes our oceans to warm and
sea levels to rise, California’s c oastal communities,
particularly our mos t vulnerable communities, are
faced with the growing challenge of safeguarding
clean drinking water, housing, and the prolific
agricultural regions of our state.
Proactive planning and action by local leaders to
address the impending threat of sea level rise is
necessary to protect the diverse coastal communities,
habitat rich environments and economic prosperity
that make California a global leader.
THIS BILL
Senate Bill 272 enhances sea level rise planning and
adaptation for local governments within the coastal
zone and the jurisdiction of San Francisco B ay
Conservation and Development Commission.
This bill requires the California Coastal Commission
and the San Francisco B ay Conservation and
Development Commission, in close coordination
with the Ocean Protection Council and the California
Sea Level Rise State and Regional Support
Collaborative, to establish guidelines for local
government sea level rise planning and adaptation by
December 31, 2024.
Local governments within the specified jurisdictions
are required to address sea level rise planning and
adaptation through either a local coastal program, or
a San Francisco Bay shoreline coastal resiliency plan
by 2034, and will be eligible for prioritized sea level rise funding upon approval of the plans.
SUMMARY