Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis chaired the Commission’s first meeting of 2025. The Commission congratulated and recognized the achievements of several retiring staff members. The staff reports informing the Commission’s actions and the Executive Officer’s Report contain additional information about meeting actions and provide updates on offshore oil and gas decommissioning projects, offshore wind energy, the Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis, public engagement, a response plan for the invasive golden mussel, and many other updates.
The Commission congratulating Jennifer Mattox on her retirement and many years of service to the State of California.
Summary
- Authorized 41 leases for the use of public lands and resources.
- Authorized eight bond or rent revisions and four lease amendments.
- Authorized one lease termination.
Marine Invasive Species Prevention
The Commission authorized an emergency rulemaking to address the invasive golden mussel that was discovered at the Port of Stockton last October and that has since spread elsewhere in the Delta. While the Commission’s Marine Invasive Species Program is a world leader in developing regulations that reduce the risk of invasive species introductions, the golden mussel introduction exposed a regulatory gap. The emergency rulemaking will remedy this gap by adding a ballast water exchange requirement in addition to discharge performance standards for vessels carrying fresh or brackish ballast water and discharge in California’s fresh or brackish water ports.
Forest Management/Wildfire Prevention
The Commission has jurisdiction over roughly 30,000 acres of forested lands. Staff updated the Commission about its new forested school lands information system that will be the foundation for managing forested lands and pursuing management projects such as fuel treatment reduction and cultural burns. This system, developed using geospatial data from the United States Forest Service, will position the Commission to better assess the status and characteristics of its forested lands, inform prioritization of lands for field visits to collect data, and support engagement with regional partners on opportunities to elevate responsible and sustainable forest management activities.
Wetlands Restoration
The Commission issued a lease to Marin County to restore and enhance the wetlands at Chicken Ranch Beach on Tomales Bay. The project will benefit local species, enhance water quality, and improve wildlife habitat. Restoring the wetlands habitat will also promote public access to local waterways and improve recreational opportunities at this beach.
Benchmark Rental Rates
The Commission approved benchmarks for San Pablo Bay. Benchmarks establish uniform rental rates in geographic regions with large concentrations of similar facilities and ensure that the people of California are compensated for the use and occupation of state-owned land. The benchmarks the Commission approved, called category one rental rates, apply to water-dependent structures such as private docks and piers. The Commission typically updates its benchmark rental rates every five years.
Future Meetings and Ways to Stay Informed
The Commission's next meeting is on April 2. You can sign up to receive updates about future meetings or follow us on Instagram, X, and YouTube. You can also watch a webcast of the February meeting and past meetings on Cal-Span.