California Coastal Commission

PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE FOR THE REVIEW OF WETLAND PROJECTS IN CALIFORNIA'S COASTAL ZONE

List of Tables

List of Figures

Executive Summary

Chapter One—Coastal Development Permit Review Process
I. Introduction
II. The Environmental Review Process
A. The Lead and Responsible Agencies
B. The Initial Study
C. The Negative Declaration
D. The Environmental Impact Report
III. Coastal Development Permit Application Review
A. Initial Application Review
B. Staff Analysis
1) Allowable Use Analysis
2) Alternatives Analysis
3) Mitigation
IV. Wetland Identification and Delineation
V. Establishing Buffer Areas
VI. Determining Functional Capacity

Chapter Two—An Overview of Mitigation Processes and Procedures
I. Introduction
II. Mitigation Defined
III. Types of Mitigation
A. Avoidance
B. Enhancement Restoration and Creation
C. In-Lieu Fees and Wetland Mitigation Banks
IV. Mitigation Ratios
V. Enhancement and Restoration
A. Effectiveness of Enhancement and Restoration
B. Designing an Effective Enhancement or Restoration Plan
C. Contents of an Enhancement or Restoration Plan
D. Basic Standards for a Monitoring Plan

Chapter Three—Protection and Management of Wetlands in the California Coastal Zone: A Review of Relevant Agencies and Processes
I. Introduction
II. Definition and Classification of Wetlands
A. Definition and Classification by Federal Agencies
B. Definition and Classification by California State Agencies
III.Agencies and Regulations Relating to Wetlands
A. Federal Regulatory Programs and Agencies
B. Federal–State Interaction
C. State Regulatory Programs and Agencies
D. Local Government Regulatory Programs and Agencies
IV. Existing Management Practices
A. Management of Federal Owned Lands in California
B. Management of State Owned Lands in California
C. Management of Individual Wetlands
D. Wetland Management Goals and Concerns
V. Summary

Chapter Four—Priority Wetland Resource Concerns: A Review of Relevant Technical Information
I. Introduction
II. The Ecology of Wetlands in Brief
A. Topography
B. Hydrology
C. Water Quality
D. Biological Interactions
III. Understanding the Functions and Values of Coastal Wetlands
IV. Factors Impacting California's Coastal Wetlands
V. Summary

Literature Cited

Glossary

Appendix A—Statewide Interpretive Guidelines For Wetlands And Other Wet Environmental Sensitive Habitat Areas

Appendix B—Sample Form Letters For Use In The Review Of CEQA Required Documents And The Processing Of Coastal Development Permit Applications
Form Letter One
Form Letter Two
Form Letter Three
Form Letter Four

Appendix C—A List Of Information Required For Evaluation Of Coastal Development Permit Applications Proposing Development Activities Affecting Wetland Resources

Appendix D— Wetlands Resource And Regulatory Agency Contact List

Table 1 A Comparison Among Commonly Proposed Types of Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Projects

Table 2 Summary of California Coastal Commission Permit Activity Relating to Section 30233, 1973–1986

Table 3 Key Functions and Values of California's Coastal Wetlands

Table 4 Summary of Historic Losses of California Coastal Wetlands

Figure 1 EIR Procedures Flow Chart

Figure 2 CCC Permit Procedures: Flow Chart for Reviewing a Wetlands Development Project Application

Figure 3 Alternatives Analysis Decision Making Matrix

Figure 4 Scope of Corps Regulatory Jurisdiction

Figure 5 Diagram Illustrating Major Wetland Systems

Figure 6 Map of Local Coastal Program – LCP Certification Status

Figure 7 Map of Major California Coastal Wetlands

Figure 8 Location Map of Southern California Coastal Wetlands and Major Rivers

Figure 9 Diagram of a Wetland Food Chain

Return to document title page

Return to California Coastal Commission Publications Page

Return to California Coastal Commission Home Page