The Commission held its June public meeting at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park. Judy Sakaki, the University President, and the Rohnert Park City Councilmembers welcomed the Commission and shared background about the University and the community. During the meeting, the Commission issued dozens of leases, permits, and agreements and authorized other actions for the use and occupation of the Commission’s lands and resources. Below is a snapshot of many of the updates staff presented on significant Commission initiatives, programs, and projects
San Diego Ocean Planning Partnership
There was a presentation about the California State Lands Commission and the Port of San Diego Ocean Planning Partnership, a collaborative ocean planning pilot program in the ocean space offshore San Diego County. A preliminary assessment report about the collaborative is slated for completion later this year, as is an interactive spatial tool that will provide a way to visually explore the planning area and help users identify opportunities and challenges. Staff explained they are continuing to compile scientific peer-reviewed data and information to ensure the use of best available science and data in the spatial tool, and that there will be another public workshop in the late Summer or Fall before the draft assessment report is released.
Environmental Justice
The Commission was updated on its progress overhauling its Environmental Justice Policy that reflects input from environmental justice communities, and about its June community roundtable in Oakland jointly hosted with the California Coastal Commission and San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Additionally, an Environmental Justice Working Group, comprised of eight advocacy groups, presented recommendations to the Commission for consideration in its policy. The conversation was robust and the Commission reinforced how important this work is and their commitment to environmental justice and equity.
Becker Well Remediation Project and implementation of SB 44 (Jackson, 2017)
Staff updated the Commission about its successful completion of the Becker Well Remediation Project in Summerland, California, and provided an update on its implementation of SB 44 (Jackson, 2017), which codified and funded the Commission’s Coastal Hazards and Legacy Oil and Gas Well Removal and Remediation Program. The Commission also delegated authority to the Executive Officer to solicit proposals to prepare and execute an engineering plan to permanently abandoned three additional legacy wells in the Summerland Oil Field. The Commission is looking forward to getting to work on the other wells and continuing to reduce the presence of oil at Summerland beach.
Selby Slag Remediation Project
The Commission received an update about the Selby Slag Remediation Project, a 66-acre cleanup site in Contra Costa County near the Bay and the communities of Rodeo and Crockett. Staff reported that initial construction work is estimated to take three years, and then long-term pumping and treatment of the contaminated groundwater, monitoring, maintenance, and toxic metal removal will continue for decades. The Department of Toxic Substances Control, the administering agency, has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Report for clean up and is expected to respond to the comments in the coming weeks or months. The Commission will work closely with the Department and the community as the project proceeds and on future uses of the site.
Marine Invasive Species Program-funded study: “Feasibility study of shore-based ballast water reception and treatment facilities in California
The Commission was updated about a new Commission funded report by the Delta Stewardship Council that evaluates the feasibility of shore-based ballast water reception and treatment facilities in California. Glosten, a naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy, led the study and provided expertise on marine vessel design and operations. This study is critical to California’s ability to assess the availability of ballast water treatment technologies to comply with its ballast water discharge standards. The studies findings will be incorporated into a report to the Legislature later this year.