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Subtidal Habitat Goals Project
The San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat Goals Project draft document was released on June 16, 2010.
The Goals Project sponsors, BCDC, NOAA Fisheries and the California State Coastal Conservancy held two public meetings on June 16 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.at BCDC’s office to review the draft document and hear feedback and comment. Information on the project can be found on BCDC’s website at http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/planning/shg/subtidal_habitat.shtml. The release will initiate a 45-day public review period. The Draft Plan includes recommendations for research, restoration and management of subtidal habitats and will lead to possible new regulations
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NOAA Fisheries adopts Endangered Species Act Final 4-D Rule establishing take prohibitions for the Green Sturgeon.
Effective July 2, 2010, activities such as dredging in San Francisco are prohibited unless a take permit is granted by NOAA based on an endangered species consultation. In-water and shoreside construction activities such as dredging are currently covered by a programmatic permit issued by NOAA for the Long Term Management Strategy for Dredging and Dredged Material Disposal adopted in 2002 as long as such activities are conducted with the environmental windows season. Since there is no environmental window for the green sturgeon, a
Continue reading NOAA Fisheries adopts Endangered Species Act Final 4-D Rule …
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Adopts New Air Quality CEQA Compliance Guidelines for Construction.
On June 2, BAAQMD unanimously adopted “thresholds of significance”. These are numeric air pollution thresholds to be used in the land use review process by local government in deciding whether to require builders/project sponsors to conduct studies on ways to remove pollution. If construction projects exceed a certain threshold of emissions, ways to reduce or offset pollution would be to locate projects near bus, train and/or transit centers, create shuttles, and install energy saving devices such as solar panels. A major concern about
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On March 15, 2010 federal legislation, H.R.4844, was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Boustany and Stupak “To ensure that amounts credited to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for harbor maintenance.” Bay Planning Coalition encourages support for this bill to ensure necessary funding for dredging and a safe and reliable navigation system throughout the U. S.
The text of the bill is as follows:
SECTION 1. FUNDING FOR HARBOR MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Guarantee-
(1) IN GENERAL- The total budget resources made available from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund each fiscal year
Continue reading Federal Legislation H.R. 4844 …
Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
BCDC Proposed Bay Plan Amendment
BCDC has developed draft findings and policies on climate change and a background report on climate change and the potential impacts of a rise in sea level on the Bay Area region. The background report, Living With A Rising Bay: Vulnerability And Adaptation In San Francisco Bay And On the Shoreline. April 7, 2009, describes BCDC’s perspective on vulnerabilities in the Bay Area’s economic and environmental systems, as well as the potential impacts of climate change on public health and safety.
BCDC held three public hearings
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PROPOSED COASTAL MARINA PERMIT RBOC Updated Overview for Yacht Clubs
October 23, 2009
The California State Water Resources Control Board [SWRCB] is moving forward with a proposed requirement that marinas and clubs with 10 or more slips and moorings obtain a state permit [Coastal Permit] and comply with a number of requirements.
The use of the word “coastal” in the permit name is a misnomer. The text of the proposal states that it would be required of moorings and marinas located inland in estuaries, bays and fresh waters such as the San-Joaquin Delta, lakes and reservoirs. The scope could
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Regulatory Alerts Final Green Sturgeon Critical Habitat Designation
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Green Sturgeon Final Critical Habitat (CH) designation rule was published on Oct. 9, 2009. Click here for a copy of the report. Other Final Rule documents include the Economic and Biological Reports which are available on the NMFS Southwest Region website at http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov
NOAA’s designation as proposed would include most, but not all, marine waters within 110 meters depth from Monterey Bay to Cape Flattery, including US waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 73 Fed. Reg. 52083 (September 8, 2008). BPC submitted
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American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 90th Annual Meeting
Noah Knowles with the USGS, recently gave a presentation on ‘Sea Level Rise and Projected Inflow Changes in San Francisco Bay’ at the AAAS Seminar (Understanding the Estuary) at San Francisco State University, on August 17, 2009.
Knowles Presentation
Educational Seminars
Use and Permitting of Treated Wood in the San Francisco Estuary Agenda [ pdf ] Report [ pdf ]
Water Recycling – Vital to the Bay Area and Its Economy Agenda [ pdf ] Report [ pdf ]
Wetlands: Post-SWANCC Strategies and Solutions Agenda [ pdf ] Report (in progress)
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Bay Planning Coalition
10 Lombard Street, Suite 408
San Francisco, CA 94111-6205
Main: 415-397-2293
Fax: 415-986-0694
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