Bay Area

Prop 68 Funds Coastal Sea Rise Adaption Projects in Marin

Proposition 68 will also enhance river parkways, protect coastal forests and wetlands, and fund outdoor access, lower-cost coastal accommodations, and climate adaptation.

Published

5 years ago

October 3, 2021

Christy Price

From top: Stinson Beach (marincounty.org), Eelgrass creates an underwater meadow (Photo: Eric Heupel). Bolinas Wye Wetlands (parks.marincounty.org)

Proposition 68, the California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond, which was approved by voters in the November 2018 state elections, is currently funding around $1 million to environmental projects in Stinson Beach, Richardson Bay, and the Bolinas Lagoon.

Proposition 68 authorized $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects, according to State of California websites. Projects are currently funded to plan, develop, and implement climate adaptation and resiliency projects, including those that create or rehabilitate state or local parks, provide flood protection, protect natural resources and water supply, and improve water quality.

Proposition 68 will also enhance river parkways, protect coastal forests and wetlands, and fund outdoor access, lower-cost coastal accommodations, and climate adaptation.

The County of Marin Community Development Agency will receive $396,000 for the “Stinson Beach ARC: Adaptation and Resilience Collaboration” because rising sea levels and flooding are existential threats to the Stinson community and its resources. These threats demand comprehensive engagement of the residents, the community, and others who are concerned with the sea level rising in Stinson Beach.

The Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) received $324,681 for the Richardson Bay Eelgrass Protection and Management Plan. According to Audubon.org, the eelgrass is a plant that produces seeds in the flower. The grant is for the restoration of the eelgrass habitat, which acts as an important food source for water birds, a protective nursery ground for finfish and shellfish, and as protection to coastal areas against shoreline erosion.

The Marin County Parks received $339,000 for “Bolinas Lagoon Wye Wetlands Project.” The “Wye” intersection at the north end, where State Route 1 and the Olema-Bolinas Road meet need to be reconfigured. The Wye’s roads and culverts currently block fish migration, disconnect water and sediment movement between the wetlands and streams, and prevent the wetlands and the lagoon from moving inland with sea level rise. If these issues are not addressed, important natural habitats as well as key roads will be lost.

Proposition 68 also funded those who use the services of the California Conservation Corps, whose office is in San Rafael. The use of the Corps also increases the public benefit of these projects by creating workforce development opportunities for young adults, which may assist an applicant’s ability to comply with Proposition 68 Section 80001(b)(5).

The CCC provides supervised work crews of 10-15 young adults trained and equipped to work safely on a wide variety of projects related to the priorities of Proposition 68.

The County of Marin Community Development Agency will be receiving $80,000, and the County of Marin Community Development Agency will be receiving $133,000.

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