Updates from the September 10, 2024 Council Meeting
The September 10, 2024 Ocean Protection Council (OPC) meeting initiated discussion on the Council’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan process with discussion on Council and public priorities, building from the current 2020-2025 Strategic Plan with a goal of finalizing the plan by December 2025. The new plan will guide OPC’s work in addressing the state’s pressing ocean and coastal challenges over the next five years.
During the meeting, the Council unanimously passed several significant action items supporting OPC’s strategic goals:
Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program
Up to $5,421,250 in funding for three sea level rise planning and adaptation projects under the SB 1 Grant Program. These projects will enable local and regional governments to prepare for and strengthen coastal resilience to sea level rise:
- Up to $1,500,000 to City of Richmond for a framework to address sea level rise vulnerability.
- Up to $965,000 to City of Mill Valley for a city-wide coastal flooding adaptation plan.
- Up to $2,956,250 to San Mateo County Harbor District for a pilot restoration project at Surfers Beach.
California Artificial Reef Program Plan
Up to $550,000 to California Sea Grant to develop a comprehensive California Artificial Reef Program Plan. This plan will provide a statewide, science-based approach to inform the management artificial reefs, including best practices for siting, design, monitoring, and evaluating potential benefits and risks of these structures.
Advancing Adaptive Management and Monitoring of the MPA Network
Up to $2,250,000 to support adaptive management and monitoring of California’s MPA Network, following recommendations from the MPA Decadal Management Review (DMR). Funding includes:
- Up to $250,000 to UC Santa Barbara for developing publicly accessible MPA Network mapping tools.
- Up to $250,000 to UC Santa Cruz for updating the connectivity model of the MPA Network.
- Up to $1,750,000 to California Sea Grant for ecological monitoring of deep rocky reef habitats in the MPA Network.
Revised 2024 Proposition 68 Grant Guidelines
The Council approved revisions to the 2024 Proposition 68 Grant Guidelines. These updated guidelines outline the priorities and evaluation processes for projects funded under Prop 68 to increase equitable grantmaking and benefits to communities through projects that contribute to healthy coast and ocean ecosystems.
The meeting also included informational items highlighting the following:
California’s Ocean and Coast Report Card
An update from the Science Advisor shared the status of the development of the first-ever California Ocean and Coast Report Card. This tool will use scientific indicators to evaluate the health of California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems.
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
OPC staff provided an update on OPC’s inaugural Environmental Justice (EJ) Small Grants Program. Launched as part of OPC’s Equity Plan, this program aims to improve access to OPC funds for organizations and projects that benefit EJ communities. The Council approved $1.3 million for the pilot program in 2022, and staff shared information on the 24 small grant awardees.
OPC is advancing recommendations from the MPA Decadal Management Review, including expanding research on human dimensions and increased coordination and capacity for community science in monitoring MPAs. OPC efforts to advance these Decadal Management Review to promote equitable engagement in MPA management will continue through 2025.
2024 Summer Internship Program
OPC celebrated the conclusion of its 2024 Summer Internship Program, which hosted five undergraduate students. These interns contributed to key OPC initiatives while gaining valuable professional experience in coastal and ocean policy and management.
- Anushka Vijay, Earth Systems, Environmental Policy Internships in California (EPIC) Fellowship, Stanford
- Mina Adabag, Molecular Environmental Biology / Ecology, University of California, Berkeley
- Lawrence Chen, Marine and Coastal Sciences, University of California, Davis
- Leah Hawkins, Marine Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Arianna Lawrence, Public Policy Analysis / Environmental Analysis, Pomona College, Claremont
Leah Hawkins and Lawrence Chen presented their Summer internship experience. Anushka Vijay (not pictured) also presented remotely.
In the Executive Director Report, Jenn Eckerle reflected on OPC’s 20th anniversary, highlighting two decades of progress in protecting California’s coast and ocean with a view toward the future. She also shared two announcements: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s release of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on California’s Central Coast; and California Natural Resources Agency’s release of the Pathways to 30×30 California Annual Progress Report. In closing Eckerle acknowledged the contributions and thanked outgoing OPC staff, including Ben Dorfman, California Sea Grant Fellow, and Maya Hsu, Executive Fellow, and Christine Sur, Water Quality Program Manager. We wish them all the best in their new positions and the next phase of their careers! Read the Executive Director’s Report for other program updates and relevant coastal and ocean-related bills tracked by OPC staff during the recent legislative session.
View the full September agenda and associated documents on the meeting webpage. The recording is also available:
The next OPC Quarterly Public Meeting is Monday, December 9, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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