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Granted Lands

Early in its history, the California Legislature statutorily transferred tide and submerged lands in trust to cities and counties, which were then required to develop harbors to further state and national commerce.

The major ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, Benicia and Eureka are all located on "granted lands." Many marinas, aquatic parks, fishing piers, environmentally sensitive habitats, etc., are also located on granted lands.

Granted lands are monitored by the Commission to ensure compliance with the terms of the statutory grant. These grants encourage development of tidelands consistent with the public trust, while requiring grantees to reinvest revenues produced from the lands back into the lands where they are generated. For example, the grant to the City of Long Beach provides for revenue sharing between the City and the State for the royalty oil revenues generated from these lands granted to the city.