The Imperative for Site-Specific Coastal Protections in the Sonoma County Local Coastal Program Update

The Sonoma County Local Coastal Program (LCP) plays a crucial role in managing and safeguarding our cherished coastal areas. As we navigate the challenges of an ever-changing climate and growing development pressures, it becomes increasingly essential to emphasize the importance of coastal protections for the County’s magnificent coast.

Site-Specific Protections

The County’s remaining undeveloped coastal parcels deserve special protection. By tailoring policies to address the unique characteristics and vulnerabilities of specific areas, we can ensure the long-term health, resilience, and accessibility of our coastline. 

Permit Sonoma staff’s proposed 2023 LCP Policy Update would eliminate site-specific coastal protections for many of the County’s remaining undeveloped parcels that have been protected under the existing LCP since 1981. This would pave the way for coastal development that could negatively impact coastal habitat and public access to the coast. Our ask is simple: Keep these crucial protections in place.

These policies do not prohibit all development but they assure extra protection for sensitive and unique coastal resources in places like Timber Cove, Ocean Cove, Jenner, Stewarts Point, Bridgehaven and Fort Ross. They are necessary to preserve biodiversity and habitat, manage climate change impacts, enhance public access and enjoyment and preserve cultural and historical significance. 

Examples of the policies that  County staff is recommending for removal, and the potential implications for our coastline include: 

• Policy C-LU-5l: Removing this policy may fast track new development at the Timber Cove Inn. At the July 30, 2020 Coast MAC meeting, the Committee discussed the proposal for a new approximately 10,000 square foot development plus parking for 12 guest cabins and a spa and special events that would close bluff access to the public 24 days per year.
• Policy C-LU-5i: Removing this policy may allow for development beyond campgrounds at the Ocean Cove Resort west of Highway 1 and would remove the call for restoration of degraded bluffs as the cove.
• Policy C-LU-5q: Removing this policy may result in a loss of a public access opportunity at Bridgehaven Resort when future updates that require a coastal development permit are made.
• Policy C-LU-5s: Removing this policy may eliminate the incentive for coastal access opportunities via visitor-serving uses at Chanslor Ranch.

Take Action!

The County Board of Supervisors will be voting to approve or deny the plan on July 17 - mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information!

The Sonoma County Coastal Municipal Advisory Council will be meeting on Thursday, June 22 at 5:30pm at the Bodega Bay Harbour Club to discuss County staff's latest proposed changes, including elimination of the site-specific policies. This is our opportunity to send a message to the Coastal MAC and Board of Supervisors that we oppose these changes. Join us and make your voice heard! The public can attend in person or over Zoom. See the meeting details here.

If you are able to attend, please make public comment, however brief, to let the County know we care! We suggest the following talking points:

• [Describe your experience and love of the Sonoma Coast]
• I do not support Permit Sonoma staff's proposed changes to eliminate site-specific policies. This could pave the way for coastal development, impacting coastal habitat and public access to the coast. 
• Site-specific policies offer strong protections through the land use plan that may not be honored during the coastal development permit process. The LUP looks at an area as a whole, but also considers the various uses, habitats and developments. This makes it an important place to provide specific planning guidance. 
• By tailoring policies to address the unique characteristics and vulnerabilities of specific areas, we can ensure land use decisions are made that protect the coast and our access to it.
• These policies do not prohibit all development but they assure extra protection for sensitive and unique coastal resources in places like Timber Cove, Ocean Cove, Jenner, Stewarts Point, Bridgehaven and Fort Ross.
• The site-specific policies are necessary to preserve biodiversity and habitat, manage climate change impacts, enhance public access and enjoyment and preserve cultural and historical significance.

Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up to date. We will issue an online petition soon calling for our County Supervisors to take action to protect Sonoma’s unique coast!