In October 2019, BCDC Commissioners adopted two new Bay Plan Amendments, Fill for Habitat and Environmental Justice and Social Equity.
On July 20, 2017, BCDC unanimously initiated a process to amend the San Francisco Bay Plan to address two issues: the need to place an increasing amount of Bay Fill for projects to restore and enhance natural habitat to adapt to sea level rise and to address environmental justice and social equity issues. These two Bay Plan amendment process updates became the Bay Fill for Habitat and Environmental Justice and Social Equity Plan Amendments. In October 2019, both amendments were adopted by BCDC Commissioners.
Bay Fill for Habitat Amendment
“By adopting this [Fill for Habitat] Bay Plan Amendment, BCDC is demonstrating the leadership required of all public agencies when they are faced with unforeseen circumstances. The Bay’s future will include more natural habitats that will not only persist in the face of rising seas, but also serve to protect the communities around them” – Read the entire statement by BCDC Commissioner Chair Wasserman on Fill for Habitat here.
Environmental Justice and Social Equity Amendment
“As a result of this [Environmental Justice and Social Equity] amendment, the Bay Plan will acknowledge, for the first time, the history of environmental justice in the Bay Area. The Bay must be shared and enjoyed by all, public access must reflect the needs and desires of shoreline and adjacent communities and diverse users of the Bay, and adapting to rising seas will pose huge challenges to all communities, especially those with fewer resources. This amendment will help us strive to ensure that all of our policy decisions incorporate the results of meaningful and robust community involvement to lessen disproportionate impacts.” – Read the entire statement by BCDC Commissioner Chair Wasserman on Environmental Justice and Social Equity.
You can learn more about BCDC new amendments to the San Francisco Bay Plan on our website at www.bcdc.ca.gov/planning. The Bay Plan is BCDC’s guiding document that provides the policies it uses to permit shoreline projects in BCDC’s jurisdiction.