Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis chaired the Commission’s final meeting of the year, summarizing key achievements and highlights from this past year. The staff reports informing the Commission’s actions and the Executive Officer Report contain additional information about meeting actions and updates on offshore oil and gas decommissioning and wind energy, climate change and sea level rise preparedness, and much more.
Summary
- Authorized 66 leases for the use of public lands and resources.
- Authorized 33 bond and rent revisions and three lease amendments.
- Authorized two lease assignments.
- Authorized one geophysical survey permit for ocean bottom surveying.
- Approved updated benchmark rental rates for sovereign land in the Petaluma River.
Russian River Estuary
The Commission issued a lease to the Sonoma County Water Agency to construct an outlet channel for a freshwater lagoon, enhancing fish habitat, preventing flooding in the Russian River, and enhancing public access.
Eel River Slough Restoration
The Commission issued a lease to The Wildlands Conservancy to restore a slough in the Eel River. Restoration work includes reestablishing Centerville Slough to reconnect the Eel River Estuary with former tidal wetlands and Russ and Shaw Creeks. Removal of the Inner Marsh levee would allow tidal flows and backwater flooding from the Eel River to move into the restored salt marsh mosaic and Centerville Slough tidal network to improve ecosystem function while protecting agricultural uses from flooding. A combination of back dune berms, restored tidal channels, and set-back berms will increase resiliency of the restored habitats for native fisheries and aquatic species; support water bird and wildlife species; protect adjacent agricultural lands; and provide additional public recreation and educational opportunities.
City of Newport Beach Public Trust Lands
The Commission approved a report on the City of Newport Beach’s management of its granted public trust lands. The report provides analysis, findings, and recommendations about the City’s management of moorings and piers in Newport Bay. The City will transmit the report to the City and coordinate with the City on follow-up actions to address the issues raised in the report.
Opposition to new offshore oil and gas development
The Commission acted to protect California’s coastline by approving a resolution opposing the Trump Administration’s proposal to open the entire California coastline to new offshore oil and gas development. The Commission directed staff to work with the California Natural Resources Agency and others on a joint comment letter opposing this proposal owing to a clear and consistent decades-long bipartisan consensus, based on data, science, and experience, against new offshore oil and gas development because of the peril it poses to the economy, environment, and public health.
Legislation
The Commission sponsored legislation to grant public trust easement lands to the San Francisco Port Commission to hold and manage in trust. In 2022, the Commission approved a title settlement and land exchange involving lands adjacent to Islais Creek in San Francisco. The agreement included the conveyance of an 18-foot-wide public trust easement along the waterway, which the Commission acquired and has held since then. A requirement of the settlement is that the Commission and Port seek legislation to grant the easement land to the Port for local management. This legislation would fulfill that requirement.
Future Meetings and Ways to Stay Informed
The Commission’s next public meeting is on February 9, 2026. You can sign up to receive updates about future meetings or follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, X, or YouTube. You can watch a webcast of past meetings on Cal-Span.