May 31, 2025 | Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point Building Limits, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
The Community Working Group for the County SLR Vulnerability Assessment Project had it’s 3rd meeting on May 1, 2025 to review the preliminary study findings, Felt Maps showing coastal erosion with each foot of SLR, and to suggest potential Adaptation Strategies and Triggers for each Neighborhood. For more information see the CPOA Update, or go to the County SLR Vulnerability Assessment Project website at: https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/Planning/PolicyPlanning/SeaLevelRiseVulnerabilityAssessmentProject.aspx, and review the draft Felt Maps by Neighborhood at: https://felt.com/map/SC-County-Hazards-ZIDVtY8cSQmIPs162Pg4AC?loc=36.957259,-121.980867,17.91z
May 31, 2025 | Pajaro Dunes, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
The Community Working Group for the County SLR Vulnerability Assessment Project had it’s 3rd meeting on May 1, 2025 to review the preliminary study findings, Felt Maps showing coastal erosion with each foot of SLR, and to suggest potential Adaptation Strategies and Triggers for each Neighborhood. CPOA Board of Directors provided input on the potential adaptation strategies and triggers to address SLR and coastal erosion for 1) Twin Lakes/Corcoran Lagoon/East Cliff Drive, 2) Pleasure Point/Opal Cliffs, 3) Pot Belly Beach/Aptos/Beach Dr/Seacliff, and 4) Pajaro Dunes. Also CPOA has expressed a number of concerns and comments regarding the Vulnerability Project being conducted by Integral Consulting Group.
Mar 2, 2025 | California Coastal News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
Please use the attached web link to access the County SLR Vulnerability Assessment Project and the Map for the Santa Cruz County coastline
Mar 2, 2025 | California Coastal News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
At the 2nd meeting of the County Community Working Group on 2/19/25, the project team presented the preliminary findings of the SLR Vulnerability Assessment Study for the Santa Cruz County coastline. The Sea Level is projected to rise 0.6 to 1.0 feet by 2050, and 1.6 to 4.9 feet by 2100 (Statewide average: Intermediate Low – Intermediate High scenarios), CA Sea Level Rise Guidance Policy for 2024. The Consultants evaluated the incremental impact on coastal resources and shoreline protection of each foot (1 – 3 feet) of Sea Level Rise over the next 20 – 30 years, and the potential impact of 4-6 feet of SLR over the following 30 – 70 years (up to 2100). Countywide, there would be approximately 200 structures “at risk” with existing armoring and one foot of SLR, 1,500 structures “at risk” without any armoring. With three feet of SLR, 500 structures would be “at risk” with existing armoring and 2,400 structures would be “at risk” without any armoring. County beaches would be approximately 75 feet narrower on the average with existing armoring. Most vulnerabilities are caused by erosion to residential buildings, with Seacliff, Rio Del Mar and Aptos neighborhoods having the highest number of structures “at risk”.
Sep 2, 2024 | California Coastal Commision News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
CPOA’s Comment letter challenges the CCC’s authority to REQUIRE that all coastal jurisdictions and property owners address the worst-case scenarios 4-5 (4.6 – 6.4 feet of SLR by 2100) in their LCPs or CDPs. These scenarios will bankrupt many counties, force property owners to remove their costal structures, resulting in “Managed Retreat”, “takings” of private coastal properties along most of the California Coastline, and the loss of over $2.5 billion dollars/year in coastal property taxes.
Feb 12, 2024 | Meetings, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
CPOA urges the Board of Supervisors to direct staff to re-issue RFP, ensure it reaches the appropriate contact people at each of the major Coastal Consulting firms, and to extend the deadline by 30 days.
Jan 31, 2024 | California Ocean Protection Council, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
County staff had recommended Integral Consulting be awarded a grant in the amount of $692,608 to complete a vulnerability assessment of the Santa Cruz County Coastline and to recommend changes to the Local Coastal Plan (Land Use & Implementation Plan) to address coastal erosion and loss of public beaches due to sea level rise for the next 50 – 100 years. We are very concerned that Integral Consulting may have strong ties to the Coastal Commission and would not necessarily best represent the interests of the County and the Coastal Property Owners. CPOA Members are urged to Contact Supervisors Koenig, McPhearson, and Friend to get them to vote on February 13th to put the Vulnerability Assessment and recommended LCP changes for Santa Cruz County back out to bid. We do not want Integral Consulting to get the award!
Dec 16, 2023 | California Coastal Commision News, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
CCC disagreed with Court’s decision, that the 37 foot wide walkway along the beach in front of the “Island” properties was private, but that is irrelevant. The Rio Del Mar Island HOA and property owner at 202 Beach Dr. are in violation of their initial 1980 Coastal Development Permit and subsequent Amendments, which require the homeowners restore and allow for public access to the beach along the pathway in front of the homes in accordance with the Coastal Act. Cease & Desist Order is effective 12/23/23, the Rio Del Mar Island HOA must remove the barriers at both ends of the walkway, remove the non-native ice plant, pots, other debris and obstacles within 8 feet of the revetment rocks to allow for public access. The CCC also levied fines of $4.7 M which they felt should have been closer to $28 M. Property owners plan to appeal.
Oct 20, 2023 | Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
CPOA endorses Manu Koenig (District 1) and Kim De Serpa (District 2) who have committed to supporting “the rights of coastal property owners” to protect their structures and properties from coastal erosion, and to guarantee that CPOA will have a “seat at the table” in every step from the Vulnerability Study to the proposed revisions of the Local Coastal Plan – Safety Hazards for Coastal Beaches and Bluffs (Land Use and Implementation Plan). Please contribute to their campaigns.
Aug 18, 2023 | Articles - Misc, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
COA is investigating the feasibility of establishing a Political Action Committee and other funding alternatives to allow CPOA to raise funds and contribute to our chosen candidates for the County Board of Supervisors in our next election.
