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January 29, 2024
Bay Conservation and Development Commission
R. Zachary Wasserman, Chair, Rebecca Eisen, Vice Chair, Members of the Commission
Email submittal to PublicComment@bcdc.ca.gov
RE: Comment on 2024-1-18 DRAFT One Bay Vision
Dear Chair Wasserman, Vice-Chair Eisen and Members of the Commission,
The Sierra Club Bay Alive Campaign works to protect and enhance shoreline ecosystems and build community resilience to sea level rise.The Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge (CCCR) has spent decades protecting the Bay’s tidal wetlands and listed and rare species, recognizing that the protection of the Bay's habitats is crucial in protecting the Bay and our communities as sea levels rise.
We are encouraged to note that BCDC is making progress on the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP). We hope to see a final One Bay Vision that implements Bay Adapt’s six guiding principles, and makes clear to local governments and planners what it means to “Put Nature First Whenever Possible” and “Support Socially Vulnerable Communities” and explains clearly how they can do so.
With that in mind, we hope you will strengthen the draft One Bay Vision to:
- Emphasize the importance of the shoreline ecosystems services that we all rely on for Bay resilience and the health and safety of our communities.
- Embrace region-wide engagement to address past, current, and future inequities that lead to disproportionate sea level rise harms in communities with the least capacity to adapt.
Please consider the following suggested additions/modifications (in red):
Regional Overarching Vision |
In this future, communities are healthy, safe, and equitable and the critical ecosystem services provided by the Bay’s habitats are prioritized and protected. All Bay Area residents have access to our shorelines where they can experience the beauty and wonder of a thriving |
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Communities are healthy and vibrant.
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Critical services are reliable.
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Healthy Bay Ecosystems thrive | |
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Regional Collaboration drives efficient and effective adaptation
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Places are designed for a changing shoreline | |
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The Bay Shoreline is accessible to all
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People and ecosystems are safe from contamination risks
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Safe and reliable transportation connects the region
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Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Arthur Feinstein, Chair
Sierra Club, Bay Alive Campaign
Carin High, Co-Chair
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge
CC Jacklyn Mandowski, BCDC
Dana Brechwald, BCDC