Mendocino Vision
Working to promote public participation in the Local Coastal Program Updates
Our Cities and the County are at the first stages of updating policies and processes
for managing Mendocino’s coastal zone. As we embark on this effort, the public demands
a science based, community driven process that ensures environmental sustainability,
social equity, and practical Local Coastal Program revisions. To achieve sustainable
best-governance processes and equitably balance our needs for a healthy environment,
social justice and efficient/effective performance, these revisions must be rigorously implemented
with clear accountability in regard to coastal management agencies and stakeholders.
For years, consumers, small businesses and non-profit organizations have been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to installing solar systems, rain catchment and gray-water recycling, zero waste programs, cooperatives, community gardens, volunteer fire departments and emergency services, communal and co-housing, alternative education, art and music collaboratives, etc; all examples of valuing the planet’s health, social equity and personal needs in a sustainable and equitable fashion.
Sadly, while often voicing support for climate action, too often government officials have been slow in practice to adapt and embrace a culture that balances planet, people and government outcomes in a sustainable fashion. Too often what citizens see, is the spectacle of government leaders unveiling grand climate action plans, but then failing to follow thru with concerted, diligent action to accomplish the objectives of those plans.
That has to change. Climate change and sea level rise are rapidly reshaping our coastal areas. The adverse impacts of climate change are exerting massive forces on people, infrastructure and the environment all along Mendocino’s coastal zone.
Over the course of the multi-year Local Coastal Program update process, the Grassroots Institute will demand government agencies managing the update process be transparent to ensure maximum public awareness and that the public be fully engaged in shaping the policies and implementation that ultimately govern coastal zone management.
The path of science based assessment and full public engagement is not easy, but it is the only one that provides any hope for practical success.
Get involved:
To submit a comment or ask a question about the county LCP process email Julia Krog: krogj@mendocinocounty.org
To join the GRI Mendocino Vision LCP group fill out the form at the bottom of this page and select "Mendocino Vision"
Upcoming Events:
The GrassRoots Institute’s Mendocino County Vision Workgroup will host a coastal land use and management zoom/webinar on Thursday, September 18th from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Among the topics to be addressed for public comment:
Point Arena, Fort Bragg and the County of Mendocino are updating coastal zone planning and land use management programs. As part of that effort, the cities and the county are conducting studies of land use, transportation, water, archaeological sites, coastal biology, climate change & sea level rise impacts, coastal access & view requirements, etc.
The City of Fort Bragg is negotiating with Mendocino Railway to develop hundreds of visitor accommodations, housing units and industrial buildings on the City’s coastal headlands.
Additionally, Mendocino County has undertaken a drought resilience study and the Mendocino Council of Governments has undertaken studies assessing coastal roads, multimodal circulation in Noyo harbor, and an update to the Regional Transportation Plan.
State Parks And CalTrans have on-going projects to assess and plan for impacts from climate change, sea level rise and other issues impacting their missions.
There will be an opportunity to have a follow up discussion with Regional Coastal Commission staff regarding the Commission’s 3 day meeting in Fort Bragg Wednesday, September 10th thru Friday, September 12th.
HERE, a local community group funded by a grant from the Department of Toxic Substance Control, will make a presentation regarding its efforts to educate the public about toxic contamination on the Fort Bragg headlands .
All of these assessments and management initiatives have public input components. The Mendocino Vision Workgroup hosts these bimonthly zoom session to facilitate public engagement.
The public is invited to participate in the webinar. Please share this announcement with anyone that may be interested in participating in the webinar.
If you have questions, please call, text or email me at:
Peter McNamee, volunteer/facilitator
Mendocino County Vision Workgroup
Text or call: 916-801-3328
Here is the zoom access information for the September meeting:
The GrassRoots Institute’s Mendocino County Vision Workgroup invites you to a Zoom Webinar.
Topic: Coastal Zone Planning & Land Use
Time: Sep 18, 2025 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89872349596?pwd=LXluGVhwMqzDgblhBh498IwOQPN2bs.1
Meeting ID: 898 7234 9596
Passcode: 071012
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Coastal Planning Updates
State & local officials responsible for planning and managing coastal areas throughout Mendocino County heard from the public on coastal issues ranging from development plans for the Fort Bragg mill site, to sea level rise adaptation and to toxic site clean up. The meeting, hosted by the GrassRoots Institute’s Mendocino Vision Wkg, was the latest in a series of webinars designed to engage the public in land use, permitting and policy discussions regarding coastal planning and management in Mendocino County.
On hand making presentations were Melissa Kraemer, north coast regional staff director for the Coastal Commission, Sarah McCormick, special projects supervisor for the City of Fort Bragg, Julia Krog, planning director for Mendocino County, and Leslie Kashiwada, representing project HERE (the Headlands Environmental Remediation Education project).
The meeting started with a educational presentation from Coastal Commission staff on Categorical Exclusion Orders (CalEx). The City of Fort Bragg and Mendocino Railway are exploring applying for a CalEx order in order to facilitate development of the Noyo Headlands, Melissa Kraemer explained CatEx Orders are an alternative to obtaining Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) for development activities in the coastal zone. CatEx Orders can only be applied to areas without tidal or beach proximity; must have no potential for adverse effect on coastal resources or public access; and must be approved by the Coastal Commission by a 2/3 vote. She provided a list of various examples of CalEx orders approved in the north coast region over the years, including one for Point Arena affecting small excavation and fill projects, and one for the town of Mendocino affecting single family residences, wells, septic system repairs, and lot line adjustments. Its is important to note that CalEx orders apply only to the California Coastal Act, and are separate and completely different from the Categorical Exemptions process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Staff from Environmental Science Associates (ESA), the seal level rise consultant assisting Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor Blue Economy planning project, joined Sarah McCormick to share maps illustrating areas of the harbor likely to be affected by bluff erosion, flooding, and storm damage as ocean levels rises an anticipated one foot by 2035, and by as much as 3 feet by 2045. The north bluff of Noyo Bay is already being affected, where dredging spoils are deposited. The public may want to review ESA’s Noyo Harbor study maps, as the threat of flooding and erosion from sea level & climate change is significantly increasing. The maps are part of a report on resilience and adaptation strategies, which will be showcased on Oct. 3, at a combination First Friday/2nd Annual Kelp Fest event.
ESA is also contracting with Mendocino County to assess sea level rise and climate change impacts on the remainder of the county’s coastal zone areas. County Planning Director, Julia Krog reported ESA has established a community advisory group and is in the initial phase of assessing existing conditions impacted by sea level changes, storms and tidal changes.
As part of a major overhaul updating the County’s Local Coastal Program (LCP), Krog reported on several studies that will provide the data for policy and future land use changes. A coastal traffic study is due to be completed in its final draft form by Aug. 31 and will be available for public review and comment. Krog noted that a groundwater study also underway has hit a snag, as previous maps showing available water areas are no longer reliable, so the consultant’s contract needs revision, which requires new approval from the funder (the Coastal Commission). A Visual & Archeological Resources study survey will soon be available to the public. The Biological Resources consultant will have its first report ready before July 31, while the EIR consultant (which ultimately proved to be the same company, EMC Planning) is expected to have its people begin working on that effort starting in September.
Leslie Kashiwada reported HERE (the Headlands Environmental Remediation Education project) will soon be sharing an informative presentation focused on toxic contamination on the Fort Bragg mill site. They are also seeking to follow up on a 2006 study of dioxins found in marine organisms in Soldier Bay. HERE hopes comparative data will be helpful in assessing what has, and what is likely to happen over time. HERE (https://www.project-here.org) has information on who they are, how to join and volunteer, and a blog with current commentaries. Use their email (project-here@mcn.org) to schedule a presentation.
Fort Bragg, Mendocino County and HERE have surveys underway, and encouraged the public to participate. The Noyo Harbor survey about SLR/coastal flooding: https://noyooceancollective.org/surveys/. The Mendocino County Sea Level Rise survey: https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/planning-building-services/planning-division/long-range-plans/sea-level-rise-resilience-strategy. Project HERE survey: https://sprw.io/stt-zrZYh.
The Wkg’s next bi-monthly Coastal Planning Update meeting will be Sept, 18, from 3–5 pm.
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Get caught up:
September 2023 Local Coastal Program Update Zoom
The GRI met with special guests on September 13th to discuss the latest LCP updates. Watch to learn more, and fill out our welcome form to receive meeting updates.
Mike McGuire Special Meeting with GRI
On July 17th, 2023 Second District Senator Mike McGuire joined the GRI to talk climate policy and California's future. Listen here.
Meeting with Coastal Commission Staff
May 17th, 2023: CA Coastal Commission Staff made a presentation regarding grants awarded to the City of Fort Bragg, the City of Point Arena, and Mendocino County to assess the impacts of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise on Mendocino’s coast. You can find notes here.
Meeting with City Staff
Fort Bragg City Staff and Noyo Harbormaster joined us on March 2nd to talk through the Cities LCP and how it will engage with the County's process. (Notes coming soon)
Meeting with County Staff
On December 3rd we hosted a meeting with county and city staff to discuss the LCP plan. Watch the recording or read through the notes here.
Local Coastal Programs Update Zoom
On Thursday, March 14th 2024, there was a public zoom workshop with representatives from the Coastal Commission, County of Mendocino Planning and the City of Fort Bragg. The session updated the public on several projects currently underway to assess changes to Mendocino’s coastal zone and to develop new Local Coastal Programs to regulate land use and protect coastal areas under the authority of the California Coastal Act. Please find the slide deck here.
LCP Coastal Land Use & Sea Level Rise Zoom
On Thursday, May 16th 2024, there was a public zoom workshop with an update on several projects currently underway to assess changes to Mendocino’s coastal zone and to develop new Local Coastal Programs to regulate land use and protect coastal areas under the authority of the California Coastal Act. Please find the slide deck here.
LCP Coastal Land Use & Sea Level Rise Zoom 7/18/24
On Thursday, July 18th, from 3 pm to 5 pm, the GrassRoots Institute hosted a zoom session with government officials now undertaking a major rewrite of Mendocino County’s coastal zone land use management program to reflect future & current climate change and coastal land use issues.
Please find the slide deck here
Climate Migration and Coastal Planning Issues Webinar 9/19/24
Join Caryl Hart Chair of the California Coastal Commission, Mendocino’s Coastal Supervisors Gjerde and Williams, staff from the Mendocino Council of Government, the Cities of Fort Bragg & Point Arena, Mendocino County Planning Director Julia Krog, as well as Tim Robustelli author & senior analyst at New America, a Washington DC based think tank, to discuss Climate Migration and Coastal Planning Issues at the GrassRoots Institute zoom webinar as presented on Thursday, September 19th from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Transportation, Drought, Sea Level Rise, Blue Economy Webinar 11/21
On 11/21, the GrassRoots Institute’s Mendocino Vision Workgroup held its 10th in a series of zoom sessions intended to engage the public in efforts to update Mendocino’s coastal planning and management programs, policies, and procedures. Funded by state grants, city and county agencies initiated more than a dozen initiatives assessing coastal transportation, climate change & sea level rise impacts, ocean view and access issues, biological & archaeological reviews, and blue economy initiatives. The zoom session began with presentations followed by questions and comments from agencies and the public. Read the KZYX article here. Read the Advocate article here.
Coastal Planning Zoom, Thursday, January 16th, 2025
On Thursday, January 16th, 2025, the GrassRoots Institute’s, Mendocino Vision Workgroup held its 11th in a series of zoom sessions intended to engage the public in efforts to update Mendocino’s coastal planning and management programs, policies and procedures.
Coastal Land use & Planning Zoom March 20, 2025
On Thursday,March 20th, 2025, the GrassRoots Institute’s, Mendocino Vision Workgroup held its 12th in a series of zoom sessions intended to engage the public in efforts to update Mendocino’s coastal planning and management programs, policies and procedures.
Coastal Land Use & Planning Zoom May 15, 2025
On Thursday, May 15th, 2025, the GrassRoots Institute’s, Mendocino Vision Workgroup held its 13th in a series of zoom sessions intended to engage the public in efforts to update Mendocino’s coastal planning and management programs, policies and procedures.
Coastal Land Use & Planning Zoom July 17, 2025
The GrassRoots Institute Mendocino Vision Workgroup hosted a coastal land use zoom on Thursday, July 17th, 2025. We invite you to watch the discussion regarding Mendocino County’s coastal zone.
Links and Reading
Resources for community visions:
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