The Commission met from April 15-17 in Gonzales, a small city in the Salinas Valley, 32 miles inland from Monterey. The community welcomed the Commission — fans and detractors alike — at the beautiful new Dennis and Janice Caprera Community Center. Commissioner Lopez, who represents the Salinas Valley in his day job as a Monterey County Supervisor, beamed with pride when the Gonzales Youth Council came before the Commission to share that it was Gonzales youth who conceived and led advocacy to build the very room we were all sitting in. A tip of the hat to Commissioner Lopez and the City of Gonzales for their hospitality, and for a refreshing change of scenery from the usual hotel conference room.

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But onto the business of saving the coast. Fireworks didn't go off on Wednesday, because drone shows dominated the agenda items we tracked. The Commission approved SeaWorld San Diego's CDP application ✅ to conduct a one-year drone show pilot to determine whether the shows can replace its nightly summertime fireworks, which pollute Mission Bay, harm wildlife, and frustrate local residents and their pets. Later, the Commission denied a Long Beach restaurateur's request ✅ for another July 4 fireworks show, after requiring that he switch to drone shows starting in 2026. To close out the show, the Commission approved a drone show at the Santa Monica Pier tied to the World Cup — they knew better than to even ask about exploding fireworks over the ocean.

During Wednesday's Legislative Report, Commissioners voted to officially oppose AB 1740 (Zbur) ✅, a statewide Coastal Act exemption bill recently amended to apply only to Santa Monica. They also voted to support AB 2734 (Hart) ✅, which would ensure that 100% of Whale Tail license plate revenues go to Commission Whale Tail grants and the Coastal Conservancy's Explore the Coast program.

On Thursday, the Commission approved a key LCP update ✅ from the City of Santa Cruz: a new Beaches and Bluffs Hazard Adaptation Chapter for their Land Use Plan. The chapter sets a new standard for coastal hazards planning, especially for cities with a developed coastline. It sets strong protective policies for the City's shoreline, including its surf breaks, and a five-year timeline to produce Shoreline Adaptation Management Plans (SAMPs) for each stretch of coastline, including the imperiled West Cliff Drive.

Five Pro-Coast votes, zero Anti-Coast votes. The April meeting was a big win from the ActCoastal perspective. Spirits are high heading into the May meeting in San Pedro, as we continue to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Coastal Act.

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