Office of the Mayor
415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Tel: 310.697.0630
Redondo.org
June 17, 2025
The Honorable Assemblymember Bryan
Chair, Assembly Natural Resources Committee
1021 O Street, Room 5630
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 996 (Pellerin) Public Resources: California Coastal Act of 1976: California Coastal Planning Fund: sea level rise plans.
Notice of SUPPORT (As Amended May 23, 2025)
Dear Assemblymember Bryan,
The City of Redondo Beach writes to express support for AB 996 (Pellerin), which would assist local governments who are required to develop sea level rise plans by creating an early consultation process with the California Coastal Commission. As a coastal city, Redondo Beach faces an increasing risk of sea level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. The City has already taken steps to assess vulnerabilities and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of these risks, including shoreline protection measures and infrastructure resilience projects.
Under current law, the California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the protection of coastal resources and public access under the oversight of the California Coastal Commission (Commission). The 61 coastal cities, including Redondo Beach, may develop a Local Coastal Plan (LCP), comprised of a Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan. Upon certification by the Commission, the local government retains its permitting authority for coastal development permits (CDPs).
In 2023, SB 272 (Laird) was enacted, requiring local governments to develop sea level rise plans by 2034 and receive approval from the state in both the Bay Area and the coastal zone. Coastal jurisdictions are required to incorporate these plans into their LCPs for approval by the Commission.
AB 996 would provide two supportive tools for local governments in the development of a sea level rise plan. First, the bill would create an early consultation process for local governments to engage and consult with the Commission about the preparation of new or amended LCPs to ensure that formal submission of sea level rise plan materials is sufficient for a complete review. Early consultation is intended to provide enhanced Office of the Mayor
415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Tel: 310.697.0630
Redondo.org
coordination between the Commission and local governments and provides the opportunity for the Commission to make recommendations to local governments to ensure an efficient and timely submission and approval process.
AB 996 would also provide that existing sea level rise information or plans that a local government has prepared may satisfy one or all of the components of the sea level rise plans. Some coastal cities have done extensive work to assess sea level rise vulnerability. This provision would clarify that a local government does not need to do duplicative planning if the existing materials can satisfy the sea level rise plan requirements. This provision aligns with the intent to also encourage local governments to engage in early consultation so as to ensure timely compliance for sea level rise plan updates as part of the LCP certification process.
For these reasons, the City of Redondo Beach supports AB 996. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
James A. Light
Mayor, City of Redondo Beach