California Coastal Commission

Senate Version: Appropriates $86,000 for one permanent Environmental Specialist IV or equivalent class position (0.9 PY).

RECOMMENDED ACTION: SUPPORT, AT MINIMUM, SENATE VERSION.

Justification: Polluted runoff (nonpoint source pollution) is the most significant source of coastal water pollution. The Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board are required under federal law to complete and implement a Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program. Federal funding for the Commission’s participation in this program ends in 1997. State funding is essential to complete and implement this program. Reducing nonpoint source pollution is critical to the health of the coast and ocean irrespective of the federal mandate.

The Commission could well use two PYs to complete and implement the Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program. Most importantly, however, is the need to make the water quality planner position permanent. Experience has shown that professional positions at this level cannot be filled on a limited term basis (i.e., highly skilled individuals at this level seek permanent employment opportunities). Additionally, the program needs relative to coastal water quality protection are ongoing and underscore the need for permanent positions.

Note: limited term” is a classification in civil service that limits an appointment to a specific time period, usually one year. Employees in this classification have reduced benefits and can be terminated at any time.

Assembly Version: Appropriates $192,000 to the Commission for three limited term Coastal Program Analyst I positions (2.9 PY).

Senate Version: Appropriates $192,000 to the Commission for three permanent Coastal Program Analyst I positions (2.9 PY).

RECOMMENDED ACTION: SUPPORT SENATE VERSION.

Justification: With funding from a special federal grant, the Commission established a highly successful Santa Monica Mountains Enforcement Task Force made up of state, local, and federal agencies. Similar efforts are needed for the central and northern coasts. This approach is highly efficient and effective in deterring violations and resolving outstanding violations. The Commission needs to reduce its backlog of enforcement cases, ensure compliance with coastal permit conditions, and ensure that less unpermitted development occurs in the coastal zone.

Coastal Act enforcement requirements are ongoing and the need to implement an effective compliance and enforcement program requires permanent positions.

Assembly Version: Appropriates $87,000 to the Commission for a limited term Associate Geologist position (0.9 PY).

Senate Version: Appropriates $87,000 to the Commission for a permanent Associate Geologist position (0.9 PY).

RECOMMENDED ACTION: SUPPORT SENATE VERSION

Justification: The Commission does not have a geologist on its staff to provide technical advice to it on issues regarding geologic hazards affecting public safety and public and private property (i.e. landslides, unstable bluffs, earthquake faults). This expertise is critical to completing many local coastal programs and acting on coastal development permits. Geologic issues come up at almost every Commission meeting. Recent court decisions also make geological expertise critical to the Commission’s deliberations.

It is very important that the geological specialist position be permanent. Experience has shown that professional positions at this level cannot be filled on a limited term basis. The need for a geologist is ongoing, underscoring the importance of a permanent position.

Assembly Version: Appropriates $100,000 to the Commission for one limited term Coastal Program Analyst I position (1.0 PY) and GIS support to develop a coastal access implementation plan.

Senate Version: Appropriates $100,000 to the Commission for one limited term Coastal Program Analyst I position (0.9 PY) and GIS support to develop a coastal access implementation plan.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: SUPPORT SENATE VERSION

Justification: The Commission staff and the Resources Agency have discussed this budget proposal and have agreed that the Commission can best complete this task by a one-time budget augmentation adding one staff position and doing the work itself rather than using consultants.

The Senate version is technically correct because it reflects the 0.1 PY salary savings routinely used in budgeting personnel.

Assembly Version: Appropriates $340,000 to the Commission for grants to local governments for LCP completion. Appropriates $160,000 for two permanent Coastal Program Analyst II positions (1.9 PY) to manage the grant program and to help local governments complete and implement their LCPs.

Senate Version: Contains no funding.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: SUPPORT ASSEMBLY VERSION.

Justification: Until the 93/94 budget was enacted, state law required completion of Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) by local governments which, once certified by the Commission, result in the transfer of coastal permitting responsibilities to the local government. However, this mandate has been suspended in every budget since 93/94. Of 126 LCP segments (for 73 cities and counties), 37 remain to be certified (in 25 jurisdictions).

The Commssion has no staff to implement a local government grant assistance program, or to provide technical assistance to local governments for the completion of LCPs. Experience has demonstrated that having Commission staff available to provide technical expertise to local governments will help reduce the costs associated with the preparation of LCPs and will result in certifiable LCPs on the first submittal to the Commission. Commission staff can help a local government solve technical problems and provide guidance on the interpretation of Coastal Act policies. Instead of starting a new LCP from the beginning, Commission staff can bring in examples of successful LCPs and work with the local governments to modify language to meet the specific requirements of that jurisdiction. This will result in significant cost savings to the local government and to the grant program.