SACRAMENTO, CA – This weekend, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 272, authored by State Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz), to ensure coastal communities are prepared to mitigate the effects of sea level rise and to support local governments with sea level rise project funding.
“Senate Bill 272 exemplifies the state’s commitment to a sustainable future for our coastal communities,” said Laird. “With the adoption of SB 272, we are taking proactive steps to safeguard our coasts and ensure resilience in the face of rising tides. This legislation underscores our dedication to preserving the natural beauty and economic vitality of our coastal regions.”
California's stunning coastline is not only a source of natural beauty, but also a vital economic and biodiversity resource. The accelerating effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, threaten the stability and prosperity of our coastal communities. With sea levels predicted to rise by as much as seven feet by 2100, the need for proactive planning and adaptation has never been more critical.
During the last wet season, the state was hit with over a dozen atmospheric rivers causing widespread destruction to coastal areas. Senator Laird’s 17th Senate District was one of the hardest hit communities, but the state saw vast amounts of destruction all throughout the state. Homes and businesses flooded, sea walls were wiped out, entire piers washed out, and roads were destroyed to the point emergency vehicles were unable to get through and residents were stranded where they were. This extraordinarily wet winter demonstrates the urgent need of SB 272 to address sea level rise.
Senate Bill 272 requires local governments within the Coastal Zone and San Francisco Bay Area to develop a sea level rise plan by 2034, and will make these local governments eligible for prioritized funding. This bill will boost our state’s coastal resiliency by ensuring California’s coastal communities are planning for sea level rise, and by supporting implementation of sea level rise adaptation projects.
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Senator John Laird represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties, the majority of Monterey County, as well as parts of Santa Clara County. More information on Senator Laird can be found here.