I feel like I am becoming the town crier, but I have just learned of a bill in the California Legislature that will dramatically affect every person who lives on the beach. The bill is close to passage unless we do something about it.
Under existing law, any person whose sea wall is damaged must apply to the Coastal Commission for a coastal permit to repair it, even when one’s house is in immediate danger. Current law states that the Coastal Commission “shall” issue the permit if it is necessary to protect an existing structure.
AB 2943 (Wiggens) changes “shall” to “may,” giving the Coastal Commission discretion as to whether or not to grant a permit, even to protect an existing structure in an emergency. Since many septic systems are behind seawalls, this not only puts the fate of one’s house totally in the hands of the Commission, but also threatens the ocean because of the pollution that the breach of a septic system could cause.
There is no question as to power this gives the Commission to extract concessions from a homeowner when he or she is most vulnerable. And God forbid they decide not to grant the permit!
Fortunately, the City staff caught this bill and called it to the attention of the City Council. To their credit, the Council is writing a letter to the Legislature in opposition. But we must do more.
The bill has already passed the Assembly and is in the Senate. It went to the Natural Resources and Wildlife committee (chaired by our own Senator Kuehl) and was recommended for passage (with Ms. Kuehl voting in favor) and referred to the Appropriations Committee. There it now sits, waiting to be voted upon and sent to the floor for passage when the legislature reconvenes next Monday, August 5. The bill is listed in the legislative records as “unopposed” by any group.
I urge your readers, especially those living on the beach, to immediately write or call Senator Kuehl, the governor and everyone else they can think of to voice their opposition to AB 2943. It’s passage could be disastrous.
Senator Kuehl’s address is:
Senator Sheila Kuehl
10951 West Pico Blvd. #202
Los Angeles, CA 90064
telephone: 310-441-9084
fax: 310-441-0724
The Governor’s address is:
Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
governor@governor.ca.gov
E. Barry Haldeman