State Coastal Conservancy: grants: climate change projects.

Existing law establishes the State Coastal Conservancy, and prescribes the membership and functions and duties of the conservancy with regard to the protection, preservation, and enhancement of specified coastal lands in the state. Existing law authorizes the conservancy to address the impacts and potential impacts of climate change on resources within its jurisdiction, and to undertake certain projects within that designated area. Existing law authorizes the conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for certain projects that address the effects of climate change, and, to the extent allowed, to prioritize projects that maximize public benefits, including, but not limited to, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, reducing hazards to harbors and ports, preserving and enhancing coastal wetlands and natural lands, conserving biodiversity, and providing recreational opportunities. This bill would require the conservancy, to the extent allowed, to prioritize projects that maximize public benefits and accomplish either the above-described benefits or reduce flood risk and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, as described.