Agency Partners and Programs

The California Resources Agency (RA), its member Departments and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), along with CSMWs advisory groups are working together to resolve coastal erosion and sediment management issues throughout California. This is being accomplished primarily through CSMW coordination activities and by collaborative development of the Sediment Master Plan. The RA and USACE have separate funding and projects related to the SMP, and utilize the CSMW to coordinate their efforts. This page provides an overview of the RA’s and USACE’s primary programs related coastal erosion and sediment management. Imbedded links will take you to other websites with more program or Agency information.

RESOURCES AGENCY

California ’s Beach Erosion Control Program, administered by the Department of Boating and Waterways is the State of California's primary program designed to minimize beach erosion and maintain recreational beaches. DBW implements this goal by funding studies needed to understand coastal processes and projects designed to reduce the impact of coastal erosion.

Land use planning for addressing coastal erosion is shared between multiple agencies in California. The federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) requires that state coastal management programs include a planning process for shoreline erosion, and restore areas that have been adversely affected by such erosion. The California Coastal Act assigns primary responsibility for carrying out the California coastal management program to the California Coastal Commission, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and State Coastal Conservancy.

California Coastal Commission: the Public Resources Code (Section 30000 et seq.) designates the Coastal Commission as the lead agency responsible for carrying out California's coastal management program by planning for and regulating development in the coastal zone consistent with the policies of the California Coastal Act. The policies of the Coastal Act deal with public access to the coast, coastal recreation, the marine environment, coastal land resources, and coastal development of various types.
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC): the Government Code (Section 66600 et seq.) establishes the BCDC as the coastal management agency responsible for the San Francisco Bay-Delta portion of the coastal zone. The concerns of this agency are very similar to those of the Coastal Commission.
State Coastal Conservancy: the Public Resources Code (Section 31100 et seq.) establishes this agency as responsible for coastal land acquisition, resource restoration and enhancement programs. The Coastal Conservancy uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, preserve, improve and restore public access and natural resources along the California coast and on San Francisco Bay.

There are additional agencies within the Resources Agency with key responsibilities related to coastline management.

Department of Parks and Recreation : Division 5 of the Public Resources Code establishes the State Park System, with the Department of Parks and Recreation as the managing agency for the system, The department is the single largest coastal landholder and manager and is a significant stakeholder in coastal resource management and coastal erosion policy implementation. The department's mission is to help preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protect its most valued natural and cultural resources, and create opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. In addition, the department administers grants to local governments for acquiring and developing public property for parks and recreation purposes.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE)

Regional Sediment Management (RSM)
RSM seeks to manage sediment on a regional basis in order to potentially save money, allow the use of natural processes to solve engineering problems, and improve the environment. The California RSM demonstration initiative in California encompasses approximately 1,100 miles of shoreline along the Pacific Ocean. The goal of the RSM demonstration program for the state of California is to develop a comprehensive master plan that uses a regional, systematic approach to resolving coastal sediment management issues.

National Shoreline Erosion Control Development and Demonstration Program (Section 227)
The emphasis of this program is on evaluating innovative approaches to prevent coastal erosion and to improve shoreline sediment retention. Different shore protection devices and methods are being constructed, administered, and evaluated at USACE’s SF and LA District offices.

National Shoreline Management Study (NSMS)
The National Shoreline Management Study presents an opportunity to examine the status of the Nation's shoreline for the first time in 30 years, in order to provide a basis for Federal actions regarding shoreline management for the foreseeable future. The study will provide a technical basis and analytical information useful in developing recommendations regarding shoreline management, including a systems approach to sand management, and roles for Federal and non-Federal participation in shoreline management.