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Coastal
communities formed the California Coastal Coalition (CalCoast)
in July, 1998 to advocate for increased funding for beach
restoration, wetlands  restoration
and improved water quality. In 1999, CalCoast co-sponsored "The
California Public Beach Restoration Act", (AB 64-Ducheny)
which created a state fund for sand replenishment projects. Since
1999, the legislature and has allocated more than $17 million
to the beach restoration program created by AB 64. Most of
that money has been used to pay the non-federal share of more
than a dozen studies and projects currently being undertaken
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including a unique
environmental restoration project that combines beach
nourishment with improvements to an adjacent wetland. State
funds are also being used for work on a state/federal study
known as the "California
Sediment Master Plan," which is looking at ways to
restore natural sediment supply to the shoreline.
During each
legislative session, CalCoast supports funding and legislation
that promotes wetlands and beach restoration, marine
programs and ocean water quality projects. Convincing the
state to maintain its financial commitment for these purposes
is a constant challenge facing coastal communities each year,
especially in view of the large budget deficits that
California has been confronted with the past few years.
Fortunately, the voters have approved several parks, ocean and
water bonds that have made billions of dollars available for
worthwhile projects up and down the coast.
CalCoast is a member
of the Public Advisory Committee of the Southern
California Wetlands Recovery Project, a unique state/federal
effort managed by the State Coastal Conservancy. CalCoast
is also a member of the Coastal
Sediment Management Workgroup, a collaborative effort
of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the State
Resources Agency and the American
Coastal Coalition, an non-profit advocacy organization
headquartered in Washington, D.C.
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