Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the California Coastal Commission to Make Blue Carbon Demonstration Projects.

Highlights:

• Specifies that California has set the targets to reduce carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 (Sec. 1).

• Defines “Blue carbon demonstration project” as the restoration of coastal wetland, subtidal, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, wetlands and seagrasses, that can take up and sequester carbon (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that Blue carbon demonstration projects are limited to the following (Sec. 2): 

• Ecologically appropriate locations where the habitat or ecosystem had historically occurred and subsequently become degraded or removed;

• The restoration of the habitat or ecosystem to its historical state to provide ecosystem services and habitat values, to the extent feasible; or

• The use of diverse native species.

• Authorizes the commission to do the following (Sec. 3):

• Authorize blue carbon demonstration projects in order to demonstrate and quantify the carbon sequestration potential of these projects to help inform the state’s natural and working lands and climate resilience strategies; and

• Require an applicant with a nonresidential project that impacts coastal wetland, subtidal, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems to build or contribute to a blue carbon demonstration project.

• Requires the commission to consult with the State Air Resources Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Coastal Conservancy, the State Lands Commission, and other public entities, and seek consultation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in developing the blue carbon demonstration project program (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text