Collaborations

The Commission deeply values collaboration. Collaborative leadership and inclusive partnerships are woven throughout our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. Building strong relationships with the people we serve and our partners in government ensures that we are fulfilling our public land management duties. Collaboration is critically important to the protection and management of natural resources, the transition to renewable energy, achieving equity and environmental justice, and adapting to the challenges of climate change. Working together we can set higher goals and support each other to protect and preserve California’s public lands and natural resources.

Collaborative Decision-Making

The three members of the Commission and executive staff are key decision-makers on other boards and commissions that have authorities related to the Commission’s work. These linkages result in strengthened and aligned decisions that reinforce the values of the Commission by reflecting similar and interconnected actions to protect and enhance public lands.

Our commissioners and executive staff hold leadership roles on the California Coastal Commission, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, Ocean Protection Council, Delta Protection Commission, Baldwin Hills Conservancy, San Joaquin River Conservancy, and the Lower American River Conservancy.

Interagency staff collaborations

The following are interagency collaborations our staff participate in, along with some of their recent accomplishments:

Aquaculture

  • Statewide Aquaculture Leadership Team
    Developing an Aquaculture Action Plan that will serve as a framework for growing an environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable aquaculture industry.
  • The Offshore Aquaculture Leadership Team
    Led by NOAA to facilitate communication and coordination on sustainable aquaculture development in federal and state waters off California’s coast. This group was initiated after Executive Order 13921 (2020) was issued to promote American seafood competitiveness and economic growth.

Climate Change

More information about the Commission’s climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, including deliverables from these working groups, action items staff are working toward, and updates on the Commission’s climate resilience work can be found on our Climate Change webpage.

Marine Spatial Planning

  • Marine Protected Area Statewide Leadership Team
    Brings together agencies, tribes, and Marine Protected Area (MPA) network supporters and volunteers to facilitate communication, collaboration, and coordination among participants in the adaptive management of the MPA Network.
  • The 2022 MPA Network Decadal Management Review is a synthesis of the last decade of management activities and the effectiveness of the MPA Network at meeting the goals of the Marine Life Protection Act.
  • West Coast Ocean Alliance
    The Alliance enhances management and coordination for the ocean along the west coast of the contiguous United States. The Commission and the Ocean Protection Council represent the state of California in the Alliance. The Alliance received $3.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to develop a strategic plan, fund initiatives, support collaboration, and grow its capacity.

Renewable Energy

  • Offshore Wind Environmental Studies Group
    Identifies and prioritizes potential environmental impacts related to offshore wind development to support future adaptive management plans.
  • Bureau of Ocean Energy Management California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force
    Engages BOEM and state agencies to ensure responsible development of the two Wind Energy Areas off the coast of California. For more information about BOEM’s activities in California, please go to their California Activities webpage.
  • Along with other state agencies and tribal representatives, Commission staff participate in twice monthly meetings of a Tribal Working Group led by the California Energy Commission to discuss issues related to offshore wind policy in California.
  • AB 525 Working Groups
    • Sea Space and Permitting Subgroup
      Worked to identify additional sea space that can be developed to meet our renewable energy goals. This group has contributed to a Permitting Roadmap, which the California Energy Commission published in May 2023, to help clarify and streamline future offshore wind development permitting processes.
    • Seaport, Economic, and Workforce Development Subgroup
      Led by Commission staff and produced three reports assessing California’s ports and workforce as they relate to offshore wind development in California.
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Mineral Resources

  • Lithium Valley Land Use and Development Technical Advisory Group
    Staff participates to provide feedback for the Lithium Valley Specific Plan and Programmatic Environmental Impact Report. The Lithium Valley Specific Plan and Pre-Environmental Investigation Report is intended to map out and expedite the development and permitting of additional power plants, mineral recovery, lithium battery manufacturing, renewable hydrogen production, and other renewable industries within an approximately 51,786-acre area adjacent to the Salton Sea.

Wetlands

Partnership Agencies