Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis chaired the Commission’s August meeting. The staff reports informing the Commission’s actions and the Executive Officer’s Report contain additional information about meeting actions and updates on offshore oil and gas decommissioning and wind energy, the Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis, climate change and sea level rise preparedness, and much more.
Summary
- Authorized 34 leases for the use of public lands and resources.
- Authorized four bond or rent revisions and five lease amendments.
- Authorized an offshore geophysical survey permit for land offshore Summerland Beach in Santa Barbara.
- Authorized the removal and disposal of a floating barge and excavator.
Fort Bragg Seawater Desalination Pilot Program
The Commission authorized a lease to the City of Fort Bragg for a wave-powered seawater desalination buoy pilot program. The pilot program, supported by a grant from the California Department of Water Resources, will produce roughly 13,200 gallons of freshwater per day for a year and is expected to save 50 tons of CO2e annually compared to diesel-powered desalination plants. The wave-powered design will be the first of its kind in California and inform future utility-scale deployment.
Newport Beach Granted Lands
Staff presented a draft report on the City of Newport Beach’s granted lands that provides guidance for how the city should review and revise its residential pier and mooring rental rates. The draft report finds that the City’s residential pier rates are below fair market value, that its recent mooring rate appraisal is reliable, and that the City’s actions may violate its granting statutes and the California Constitution. The report also found that the private sale of mooring permits appears to violate the City’s granting statutes, the fiduciary duty, and the Public Trust Doctrine.
California’s 30×30 Initiative to Conserve Public Land and Coastal Waters
California is at the halfway point for its 30×30 goals. According to the 2025 Annual Progress Update, released in July by the California Natural Resources Agency, California is on track to meet its goals, having conserved nearly 26.1 percent of land and 21.9 percent of coastal waters. The Commission is an active partner in the effort to protect and conserve the state’s incredible biodiversity and manages nearly 200,000 acres of land that contribute to the state’s 30×30 goal. Staff updated the Commission about progress made in achieving the 30×30 goals, the Commission’s participation, and next steps.
Wetlands Restoration: Los Cerritos
The Commission authorized a lease to restore wetland habitat at Seal Beach in Orange County. The lease provides for debris clean-up, invasive species abatement, and a public education program. The project will also provide new public access supported by parking, interpretive elements, and trails, and increase access to Native American Tribes’ ancestral lands by constructing a harvest garden, gathering spaces, and a monument.
Aquatic Habitat
The Commission approved a lease to restore and rehabilitate the bed of the Merced River channel and floodplain to improve aquatic habitat. The Project is intended to restore salmonid habitats on the Lower Merced River and improve rearing habitat for native salmonids. It is also intended to improve water quality, spawning, and riparian habitats.
Sacramento River and Delta Benchmark Rental Rates
The Commission approved benchmark rental rates for sovereign land in the Sacramento River and Delta area. The Commission uses benchmarks to establish uniform rental rates in geographic regions. Benchmarks, which are generally updated every five years, ensure fair compensation for the use of state-owned land and improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency.
Future Meetings and Ways to Stay Informed
The Commission’s next public meeting is on October 14 in the City of Oxnard. 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.