Amended IN Assembly April 18, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2593Introduced by Assembly Member Boerner HorvathFebruary 18, 2022 An act to amend Section 30253 of, and to add Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of of, the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2593, as amended, Boerner Horvath. Coastal resources: coastal development permits: blue carbon projects. projects: new development: greenhouse gas emissions.Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, except as specified, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission, as provided.This bill would require the commission to require an applicant with a public project, as defined, project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by building or contributing to a blue carbon project, as defined. The bill would provide that, when possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program, as provided.The act requires that new development in the coastal zone comply with specified requirements, including, among other things, requirements intended to minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled, and, where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.This bill would additionally require that new development mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) California has set the targets to reduce carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.(b) In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order No. N-82-20, directing the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with other state agencies, to develop a Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy that serves as a framework to advance the states carbon neutrality goal and build climate resilience.(c) Executive Order No. N-82-20 also set the goal to conserve at least 30 percent of state land and coastal waters by 2030 and a recent Natural Resources Agency report on implementation recognizes the need to restore degraded coastal habitats to capture carbon and mitigate climate change impacts.(d) Blue carbon, carbon held and stored in coastal vegetation, such as seagrasses and wetlands, holds great potential to help the state meet its climate goals. Recent studies have found that coastal wetlands capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than these forests.(e) Public agencies, with the assistance of existing grant funds, Project proponents can help lead the states blue carbon efforts when they are developing projects in the coastal zone.SEC. 2. Section 30253 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:30253. New development shall do all of the following:(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.SEC. 2.SEC. 3. Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of the Public Resources Code, to read: Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (d)(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.
Amended IN Assembly April 18, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2593Introduced by Assembly Member Boerner HorvathFebruary 18, 2022 An act to amend Section 30253 of, and to add Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of of, the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2593, as amended, Boerner Horvath. Coastal resources: coastal development permits: blue carbon projects. projects: new development: greenhouse gas emissions.Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, except as specified, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission, as provided.This bill would require the commission to require an applicant with a public project, as defined, project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by building or contributing to a blue carbon project, as defined. The bill would provide that, when possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program, as provided.The act requires that new development in the coastal zone comply with specified requirements, including, among other things, requirements intended to minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled, and, where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.This bill would additionally require that new development mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly April 18, 2022
Amended IN Assembly April 18, 2022
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2593
Introduced by Assembly Member Boerner HorvathFebruary 18, 2022
Introduced by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath
February 18, 2022
An act to amend Section 30253 of, and to add Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of of, the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2593, as amended, Boerner Horvath. Coastal resources: coastal development permits: blue carbon projects. projects: new development: greenhouse gas emissions.
Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, except as specified, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission, as provided.This bill would require the commission to require an applicant with a public project, as defined, project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by building or contributing to a blue carbon project, as defined. The bill would provide that, when possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program, as provided.The act requires that new development in the coastal zone comply with specified requirements, including, among other things, requirements intended to minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled, and, where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.This bill would additionally require that new development mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, except as specified, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission, as provided.
This bill would require the commission to require an applicant with a public project, as defined, project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by building or contributing to a blue carbon project, as defined. The bill would provide that, when possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program, as provided.
The act requires that new development in the coastal zone comply with specified requirements, including, among other things, requirements intended to minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled, and, where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
This bill would additionally require that new development mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) California has set the targets to reduce carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.(b) In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order No. N-82-20, directing the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with other state agencies, to develop a Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy that serves as a framework to advance the states carbon neutrality goal and build climate resilience.(c) Executive Order No. N-82-20 also set the goal to conserve at least 30 percent of state land and coastal waters by 2030 and a recent Natural Resources Agency report on implementation recognizes the need to restore degraded coastal habitats to capture carbon and mitigate climate change impacts.(d) Blue carbon, carbon held and stored in coastal vegetation, such as seagrasses and wetlands, holds great potential to help the state meet its climate goals. Recent studies have found that coastal wetlands capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than these forests.(e) Public agencies, with the assistance of existing grant funds, Project proponents can help lead the states blue carbon efforts when they are developing projects in the coastal zone.SEC. 2. Section 30253 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:30253. New development shall do all of the following:(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.SEC. 2.SEC. 3. Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of the Public Resources Code, to read: Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (d)(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) California has set the targets to reduce carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.(b) In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order No. N-82-20, directing the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with other state agencies, to develop a Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy that serves as a framework to advance the states carbon neutrality goal and build climate resilience.(c) Executive Order No. N-82-20 also set the goal to conserve at least 30 percent of state land and coastal waters by 2030 and a recent Natural Resources Agency report on implementation recognizes the need to restore degraded coastal habitats to capture carbon and mitigate climate change impacts.(d) Blue carbon, carbon held and stored in coastal vegetation, such as seagrasses and wetlands, holds great potential to help the state meet its climate goals. Recent studies have found that coastal wetlands capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than these forests.(e) Public agencies, with the assistance of existing grant funds, Project proponents can help lead the states blue carbon efforts when they are developing projects in the coastal zone.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) California has set the targets to reduce carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.(b) In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order No. N-82-20, directing the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with other state agencies, to develop a Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy that serves as a framework to advance the states carbon neutrality goal and build climate resilience.(c) Executive Order No. N-82-20 also set the goal to conserve at least 30 percent of state land and coastal waters by 2030 and a recent Natural Resources Agency report on implementation recognizes the need to restore degraded coastal habitats to capture carbon and mitigate climate change impacts.(d) Blue carbon, carbon held and stored in coastal vegetation, such as seagrasses and wetlands, holds great potential to help the state meet its climate goals. Recent studies have found that coastal wetlands capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than these forests.(e) Public agencies, with the assistance of existing grant funds, Project proponents can help lead the states blue carbon efforts when they are developing projects in the coastal zone.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a) California has set the targets to reduce carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
(b) In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order No. N-82-20, directing the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with other state agencies, to develop a Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy that serves as a framework to advance the states carbon neutrality goal and build climate resilience.
(c) Executive Order No. N-82-20 also set the goal to conserve at least 30 percent of state land and coastal waters by 2030 and a recent Natural Resources Agency report on implementation recognizes the need to restore degraded coastal habitats to capture carbon and mitigate climate change impacts.
(d) Blue carbon, carbon held and stored in coastal vegetation, such as seagrasses and wetlands, holds great potential to help the state meet its climate goals. Recent studies have found that coastal wetlands capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than these forests.
(e) Public agencies, with the assistance of existing grant funds, Project proponents can help lead the states blue carbon efforts when they are developing projects in the coastal zone.
SEC. 2. Section 30253 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:30253. New development shall do all of the following:(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
SEC. 2. Section 30253 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
### SEC. 2.
30253. New development shall do all of the following:(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
30253. New development shall do all of the following:(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
30253. New development shall do all of the following:(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
30253. New development shall do all of the following:
(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard.
(b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.
(c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.
(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. traveled, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
(e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.
SEC. 2.SEC. 3. Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of the Public Resources Code, to read: Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (d)(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.
SEC. 2.SEC. 3. Article 9 (commencing with Section 30275) is added to Chapter 3 of Division 20 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.SEC. 3.
Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (d)(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.
Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (d)(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.
Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects
Article 9. Blue Carbon Projects
30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.
30275. For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply: article,
(a)Blue carbon project means the conservation, restoration, or creation of coastal ecosystems and vegetation, creation or restoration of coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, seagrasses and wetlands, which capture and store carbon. kelp forests, seagrasses, and wetlands, that capture carbon.
(b)Public project means a project applied for or funded by any district, county, city and county, city, or town or the state, or any of the agencies and political subdivisions of those entities.
30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (d)(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.
30276. (a) (1) The commission shall require an applicant with a public project that impacts coastal wetland, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems seeking a coastal development permit pursuant to Section 30600 to, where feasible, also build or contribute to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, as required pursuant to Section 30253, by building or contributing to a blue carbon project.
(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to apply only to new development.
(b)The public project applicant shall identify the blue carbon projects expected carbon capture as part of the permitting process.
(c)When possible, existing state grant programs may be used to fund, and give funding priority to, blue carbon projects to the extent not in conflict with the grant program. State grant programs may include, but are not limited to, grant programs established by the commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
(d)
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the commission from requiring other existing mitigation requirements for an applicant with a public project that is seeking a coastal development permit.