Half Moon Bay Receives $70K From California Ocean Protection Council

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) awarded a $70,000 grant to the City of Half Moon Bay through its LCP (Local Coast Program) Sea-level Rise Grant Program ─ an initiative that was created to support coastal cities as they assess vulnerabilities, collect data, and accurately prepare for the effects of sea-level rise and associated climate change impacts.

The Council approved the grant to Half Moon Bay, as well as six other coastal communities, at its November 21 committee meeting following a competitive selection process. The City will apply the grant toward its local LCP update in order to maximize the available resources to complete the extensive planning process. 

“The Ocean Protection Council grant is a great accomplishment for our local community and reaffirms our commitment toward updating our LCP,” stated City Manager Laura Snideman. “As a coastal city, we are in many ways on the frontlines of climate change, so it’s vital that we study and plan for any potential impacts. The LCP will not only help us achieve this, but also guide all of Half Moon Bay’s land-use planning for the greater benefit of our coastal environment.”

According to the OPC staff report, sea-level rise, extreme high tides, storms and coastal erosion are already impacting California’s coast. These impacts affect each coastal region differently, depending on the shoreline structure, development patterns and many other variables.  The purpose of these grants is to fund this work, particularly through local coastal planning pursuant to the California Coastal Act.

The OPC’s mission is to ensure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. Its Council Members include: Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary for Environmental Protection Matt Rodriguez, State Senator Fran Pavley, Assembly Member Toni Atkins, and public members, Geraldine Knatz and Michael Brown.

This article was submitted as a press release from the City of Half Moon Bay.