California has  long been a leade r in coastal protection and management. Just over forty years ago, California enacted the Coastal Act to enhance public access to the shoreline, protect coastal and natural resources, and balance coastal development in the public interest. Today, growing challenges such as surging seas and a rising population are testing the established framework.

Last November, CLEE convened a conference, California's Coastal Act: The Next 40 Years, to discuss the lessons learned from California's history of coastal governance and how to address the pressing challenges we face today. We recently released an issue brief drawing from the day's conversation, summarizing key needs and addressing potential next steps.

One of the primary takeaways from the convening was the need for a viable forum for ongoing conversation. Many coastal issues trigger oppositional viewpoints, making consensus elusive, and a non-binding forum for meaningful discussion around core issues could facilitate pragmatic, transparent decisions about tradeoffs. Other key points focus on the challenges of effective climate adaptation, increasing financial and technical assistance for local and state governments, improving collaboration and coordination between governmental and nongovernmental entities, and ensuring all members of the public can access the coast.