On July 13, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved an updated coastal plan — but without an environmental hazards chapter. Formally called the Local Coastal Program (LCP), the plan sets the ground rules for development in coastal areas. However, the adoption of environmental hazards policies has long been controversial, especially since property owners could face expensive mandates to prepare for sea-level rise, among other changes.
“We are talking about people’s livelihoods, housing, road access, infrastructure. When policy personally affects so many it is difficult to develop and implement,” says Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who was the only board member in support of finalizing the chapter to include with the rest of the LCP. “I see the county completing the chapter but not meeting our [approval] timeline, leaving everyone somewhat unhappy.”
