California Ocean Corps Legislation Awaits Governor’s Signature

Sacramento, Calif. — Legislation to establish a workforce corps focused on restoration and climate resiliency along the California Coast was approved Tuesday by the California State Legislature. SB 1036, authored by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), will direct the California Conservation Corps to create the California Ocean Corps over a four-year period, through grants to local conversation groups in coastal counties.

“Recent oil spills, as well as the growing threat posed by climate change, demand that California takes steps to protect and preserve one of our most precious and irreplaceable resources—our coastline and beaches,” said Senator Newman. “Californians will benefit from a workforce development program designed to maintain, protect and restore California’s beaches and other coastal ecosystems.”

The Ocean Corps will address climate change, restore and enhance coastal watersheds and habitats, provide public access to the coast, and deal with extreme weather events or other natural and man-made hazards that threaten coastal communities, infrastructure and natural resources. The Ocean Corps will prepare young people and adults for environmentally-conscious and secure employment.

The spill of more than 25,000 gallons of oil in the ocean waters off Orange County’s coast in October of 2021 necessitated this bill. The spill triggered an environmental catastrophe that devastated local wildlife, damaged the ecosystem and had a detrimental effect on the local economy. The cleanup required more than 1,800 people and three months to complete.

SB 1036 is coauthored by Senators Bob Archuleta, Patricia Bates, Lena Gonzalez, Dave Min (principal coauthor), Henry Stern, Tom Umberg and Assemblymembers Philip Chen, Steven Choi, Tom Daly, Laurie Davies, Marc Levine, Janet Nguyen, Cottie Petrie-Norris (principal coauthor), and Sharon Quirk-Silva.

The bill is supported by 350 Humboldt: Grass Roots Climate Action; Anaheim Chamber of Commerce; Anaheim Workforce Development Board; Banning Ranch Conservancy; Blue Latitudes Foundation; Bolsa Chica Conservancy; California Association of Conservation Corps; California Environmental Voters; City of Laguna Beach; Defenders of Wildlife; Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks; Heal the Bay; Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce; Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy; Orange County Conservation Corps (sponsor); Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Sierra Club; Surfrider Foundation (sponsor) and Wyland Worldwide.

The Governor has until September 30, 2022 to sign SB 1036.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“We need to be doing everything we can to protect our coast from sea level rise," said Laura Walsh, Surfrider Foundation California, co-sponsor of SB 1036. “So many of us in the world of ocean conservation were motivated by early memories in the ocean and at the beach. We can't think of a better way to prepare for the future than to engage young people in restoration and resiliency."

“The Orange County Conservation Corps is looking forward to expanding opportunities for young people to gain valuable job skills while mitigating climate change and conserving our precious coastline. Especially when we consider the impact of recent oil spills in Orange County, we're so proud that Senator Newman asked us to be part of this effort,” said Katharyn Muniz, Orange County Conservation Corps CEO, co-sponsor of SB 1036.

"At 190-acres, the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy ("HBWC") is the largest private land owner in the city of Huntington Beach, and the only estuary in the State of California owned by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit business, SB1036 (Newman) would significantly assist the HBWC, the City of Huntington Beach and more importantly, those individuals who will participate on the work programs which would be authorized by this bill. One of the hardest thing for a nonprofit to get is volunteers to commit on a long term basis to assist in work which needs to be done to support the business. When, not if, this bill is passed, this will allow for individuals to seek employment through the businesses, be paid for their work, which will garner more long term work and workers for the nonprofits, and provide for a potential career path for the participants. SB1036 (Newman) has the potential to be positive for all participants and we, the HBWC, fully supports the passing of this bill,” said John Villa, Executive Director, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy.

"California faces a continually intensifying threat of rising temperatures and sea levels. But there’s hope in the efforts presented by this bill to not only provide essential environmental repair work but also educate the public about climate issues along the coast," said Amber Sparks, Co-President, Blue Latitudes Foundation.

“The Bolsa Chica Conservancy's (BCC) work to restore natural coastal habitats in and around the 1449 acres of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER) and the wetlands within, is limited only by a lack of funding. Though the Conservancy enjoys and deeply appreciates the generosity of many contributors that support our current work, there is no doubt that the creation of a California Ocean Corps (COC) dedicated to ecosystem restoration and climate resiliency will result in an expansion of the Conservancy's restoration project portfolio. Habitat restoration is critical to ensuring the survival of endangered and threatened species, many of which find refuge at the BCER during annual migrations along the Pacific Flyway. With the additional human capital that would become available through passage of SB 1036, the BCC will be able to expand its portfolio of restoration projects and expand its impact in this critical ecosystem which contains the largest saltwater marshland between the Tijuana River Estuary to the Monterey Bay. Equally important to the mission of habitat restoration is the workforce development that comes with SB 1036. By providing opportunities for young people to obtain employment working with subject matter experts in the field, this legislation effectively creates new pathways to career success for low-income disenfranchised youth in the communities surrounding Huntington Beach and the BCER. This aligns perfectly with the BCC's over-arching goal of inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Patrick W. Brenden, CEO, Bolsa Chica Conservancy.

“The OC oil spill along our coast last fall reminded us that we must do more to protect our beautiful beaches, both for their scenery and the millions of dollars they generate in tourism,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), principal coauthor of SB 1036. “Mobilizing a knowledgeable and skilled corps of young people is a smart investment in the fight against sea-level rise and smart workforce development for our economy.”

“Here in Orange County, we are all too familiar with the accelerating impacts of climate change,” said Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), principal coauthor of SB 1036. “This legislation will bolster our climate resiliency efforts by educating and training young people to protect and restore our precious coastal ecosystems. In the near term, the focus on areas hit hardest by the recent Orange County oil spill will instrumental to long term restoration and recovery efforts in the region."

“A California Ocean Corps (COC) dedicated to ecosystem restoration and climate resiliency endeavors is something ALL Californians can appreciate. I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues on SB 1036’s passage as we strive to ensure California’s readiness to respond to all manner of coastal emergencies,” said Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), coauthor of SB 1036.

“I’m pleased to co-author this important environmental protection measure with Sen. Newman because it is time California and all of our communities prepare the next generation of leaders to be the stewards of our beautiful coast,” said Assemblywoman Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel), coauthor of SB 1036. “As we look to make good on California’s conservation and climate-resiliency goals, we need new leaders to get the appropriate training and showcase the wide array of green-energy jobs that are available in our communities.”

“California is home to 840 miles of coastline, of which roughly 45 miles pass through my district. The California Ocean Corps will help restore and protect our delicate coastal habitats and waters in addition to providing invaluable work experience and training to young adults. Through this program, crews will participate in a wide range of projects that help address the impacts of storm surge, beach and bluff erosion, flooding, salt water intrusion, and much more. I’m proud to be a co-author of SB 1036 and I look forward to seeing the end result of this important legislation,” said Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel).

To schedule an interview with Senator Newman, contact Lizzie Cootsona at 916.651.4029.

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State Senator Josh Newman represents the 29th Senate District, which is comprised of portions of Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County. The 29th District includes all or parts of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Walnut, West Covina and Yorba Linda. Senator Newman is a former United States Army officer, businessperson, and veterans’ advocate, and lives in Fullerton with his wife and daughter.