Carbon sequestration: blue carbon and teal carbon demonstration projects.

Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, except as specified, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission or a local government, as provided. This bill would authorize the commission to authorize blue carbon demonstration projects, as defined, 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. The bill would, among other things, authorize the commission to 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. The bill would require these provisions to be implemented only upon an appropriation by the Legislature for its purposes. Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state's natural and cultural resources. This bill would, commencing on January 1, 2028, authorize the Natural Resources Agency to authorize teal carbon demonstration projects, as defined, 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. The bill would require the Natural Resources Agency to consult with certain state and federal agencies and entities in developing a teal carbon demonstration project program. The bill would, among other things, require project results to be provided to the Natural Resources Agency and posted on a public portion of its internet website. The bill would require these provisions to be implemented only upon an appropriation by the Legislature for its purposes.