The State Controller, Malia Cohen, chaired the Commission’s June meeting that was held at the Milton Marks Conference Center in San Francisco. The staff reports informing the Commission’s actions and the Executive Officer’s Report contain additional information and updates on offshore oil and gas decommissioning projects, the development of a new strategic plan, marine invasive species prevention, and much more.
Summary
- Authorized 50 leases for the use of public lands and resources.
- Authorized four rent revisions.
- Authorized one lease assignment.
- Approved three geophysical survey permits involving marine waters statewide.
- Approved one geological and geophysical survey permit involving land in San Bernardino County and two geological survey permits involving land in the Eel River and the Georgiana Slough.
California-American Water Company
The Commission authorized a lease to California-American Water Company (CalAm) to construct and operate four subsurface slant wells and convert a test slant well to an operational well. The wells will provide water for the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Desalination Project. The lease requires CalAm to comply with regulatory agency requirements and conditions before starting construction. It also requires CalAm to annually update the Commission on the project’s status with other governmental agency requirements and progress meeting mitigation measures incorporated through the lease and imposed by other agencies. The lease requires CalAm to provide the Executive Officer with a final decision in pending litigation before construction.
Bodie Hills/Bridgeport Indian Colony
The Commission authorized a four-year fallowing agreement for 480 acres of state-owned land in Mono County, suspending mineral evaluation, exploration, and extraction on this land. This action also requires the Tribe, the Bridgeport Indian Colony, to host public events on the land annually that will be open to the public and focus on tribal cultural connections to the land and its protection, Paiute language lessons, or traditional Tribal ceremonies.
Sea Level Rise Adaptation
The Commission and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission are creating guiding principles for waterfront development. The principles, informed by collaboration with ports, harbors, local governments, tribes, environmental justice organizations and others, will provide waterfront redevelopment guidance that maximizes public benefits, fulfills the Public Trust Doctrine protections, and furthers coastal resiliency. The meeting included an informational staff report about the project and site visits with waterfront resiliency staff.
Oracle Park
Redwood City Waterfront
Legislative Update
Keeping with the Commission’s long-standing opposition to new offshore oil and gas development, the Commission directed staff to work with Assemblymember Hart’s office on amendments to AB 1448 to facilitate implementation of the bill. The sponsors of the bill, Oceana, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Environmental Defense Center, supported this action.
Budget Update
Staff briefed the Commission about its fiscal condition, including revenue generated from the management of land under the Commission’s jurisdiction and expenditures in the recent fiscal year. The briefing provided the Commission and the public with an overview of the Commission’s fiscal structure, operating budget, and revenue-generating activities, as well as budget change proposals included in the 2026-2027 state budget. Of note is that the Commission’s public land management work generates significant statewide revenue relative to its operating budget
Future Meetings and Ways to Stay Informed
The next public meeting is on August 25 at 1 p.m. in Southern California, with Zoom participation available. 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.