Why is Sonoma County’s coast the way it is? Public participation

Participation is and has been vital to the preservation of the Sonoma County coastline. Now’s your chance to play your part.

It has taken the efforts of hundreds of people, organizations and government agencies, working together for more than 60 years to preserve our dynamic and unique Sonoma County coast.

Now the Sonoma County Local Coastal Plan, an integral part of that decades-long preservation, is being updated by county officials, and changes will be made. It is important to be watchful and make sure that we do not lose what so many have fought to save.

The 19-mile-long Sonoma Coast State Beach is one of the most visited in California, dating back 90 years to the very first days of the State Park system. In 1962, Doran Beach in Bodega Bay became the first public use county park, followed by Gualala Point, Westside Park and Stillwater Cove.

One of the biggest threats to the coast and region came in 1958, when Pacific Gas & Electric proposed to build a nuclear power plant at Bodega Head on the San Andreas fault.

Led by landowner Rose Gaffney and waitress Hazel Mitchell, Bodega Bay residents fought back, and were quickly joined by brothers Bill and Karl Kortum, and forestry student David Pesonen.

Their efforts launched a four-year public and legal battle, joined by the Sierra Club, the UC Marine Lab in Bodega Bay, and many others. Reluctantly, in 1962, PG&E abandoned the project. Good for us.

At about the same time, there were plans for massive housing and marina developments along the coast. In the mid-1960s, the Jenner Bay Corporation proposed a 1,100 acre, 2000-home project, with condominiums at Goat Rock, a marina at the Russian River mouth, a golf course at Shell Beach, and a shopping center and Safeway at the Highway 1 and 116 intersection. Also, a 3,600-acre large lot subdivision was planned for Willow Creek. All bad ideas.

The potential loss of the coast to development sparked a public revolution. In 1972, after a massive statewide effort spearheaded by Sonoma County environmentalist Bill Kortum, voters approved Proposition 20, the California Coastal Initiative. Enacted into law in 1976, the Act declared that the public should have access to the shoreline all along the California coast, from Mexico to Oregon. The Coastal Commission and Coastal Conservancy were created to implement and administer the Act.

After the Act’s passage, intense negotiations between local and state governments and developers scaled back the proposed Sea Ranch and Bodega Harbour residential developments from a combined total of 7,500 units down to roughly 3,100 units. Better for the coast and better for us.

The Coastal Act led to incredibly successful partnerships between individuals, nonprofits and state and local agencies. As a result, thousands of acres of acquisitions and conservation easements, miles of coastal trail, and increased service facilities for public use have been acquired. For example, two small grants have helped secure properties and leveraged $75-85 million for the acquisition of more than 20,000 acres along the coast. Well worth the money for preservation and public use.

Vertical access ways at Pinnacle and Shorttail Gulch have been built, park improvements are ongoing at Westside and Doran Beach county parks, and trail planning and construction are underway as part of the Bodega Bay Trails Plan. On the north coast, at Salt Point State Park and recent acquisitions, trail and camping improvements have been completed. These types of transactions and partnerships are commonplace throughout the county.

Public involvement is essential in tracking coastal plan permits and approvals, plan updates and changes, implementation and their cumulative impacts on coastal residents and resources. Become involved and stay informed.

The determined commitment of all those involved should fortify our deep sense of love and caring for our unique and beautiful coast. We are fortunate to live within this beautiful landscape. But to love the coast means that we must continue to save it.

Permit Sonoma is currently updating our Local Coastal Plan. Climate impacts, commercial and residential development, mining, wineries and “row crop” cultivation are potential outcomes of the Update. The opportunity for public involvement is now. Hanging in the balance are coastal waterways, forests and beaches, its human and wildlife residents and visitors, and its natural beauty for decades to come. You have the right to be heard.

For more information, go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/PRMD/Long-Range-Plans/Local-Coastal-Program/