Coastal development permits: desalinization facilities.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the planning and regulation of development in the coastal zone, as defined, under a coastal development permit procedure, based on various coastal resources planning and management policies set forth in the act. The act requires any person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, as defined, to obtain a coastal development permit, except as specified, from the California Coastal Commission or from a local government. This bill would require an application for a coastal development permit for a desalinization project, as described, to be given priority for review, and would require the issuing agency to expedite the processing of any such permit application. Because these provisions would impose additional duties on local governmental entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.