The California Coastal Commission (CCC) voted on December 9th to withhold approval of the county of Ventura’s plan to renovate its public boat launch ramp at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. The county has been planning for years to replace the boat ramp, which is off of Victoria Avenue on the harbor’s east end. The Board of Supervisors approved a rebuilding plan that was to be paid for by $4.3 million in state grants, but requires the approval of the Coastal Commission. However, the commission voted against giving its approval. The project will therefore have to be redesigned and submitted to the Coastal Commission again if the county wants to pursue the renovation.

County Supervisor John Zaragoza, whose district includes the harbor, said he was disappointed to hear that the plan was rejected. The boat ramp is in poor shape, he said, and needs to be rebuilt. “Absolutely, something needs to happen there,” Zaragoza said. “It needs paving, it needs a new launching direction. It definitely needs a renovation.”

35th Assembly District Candidate Mike Stoker was quick to criticize the Commission, saying "The Commission again demonstrated their arrogance and showed that they are out of control, out of balance and lack any interest in listening to local Boards of Supervisors or City Councils. A simple boat launch ramp needed by the Channel Islands Harbor and well thought out by the County Board of Supervisors...rejected. Last July a plan by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to preserve Goleta Beach...rejected. A plan to protect homes along the beach in Ventura...rejected. A plan to protect Toro Canyon in Montecito....rejected. A plan for Pismo Beach...rejected. The list goes on and on."

Stoker went on to identify the direction the California legislature should take, commenting "The Coastal Act contemplated creating a Commission which could certify local coastal plans submitted to them. Most coastal cities and counties now have certified plans. For those trying to get certification, they are constantly told staff doesn't have the time and the process for certification can drag out for years. The time has come to take the jurisdiction away from the Coastal Commission pertaining to any decisions affecting a city or county that already has a certified Coastal Plan. If a city or county has a certified coastal plan, the decision should be left exclusively to that city or county. Should a city or county act contrary to their coastal plan, environmental watchdogs like Environmental Defense Center, Sierra Club, or Surfriders will surely file a lawsuit to stop the inconsistent action, providing ample protection to assure the certified plan is followed. Finally, this would free up staff time at the CCC to spend where they should, on the pending coastal plans that have been submitted by cities and counties."

Stoker continued by contrasting his position with those of his two opponents, saying "If you want to see any changes in the way the CCC thinks or acts or what jurisdiction they have, there is no question who to support in this race. Mr. Williams and Ms. Jordan have thus far refused to join me in supporting local governments over the Commission and calling for the reduction of their jurisdiction. Limiting the jurisdiction of the Commission the way I have outlined will be one of the first pieces of legislation that I author as the Assemblyman for the 35th Assembly District."