“GROUND RULES”
MEETING GUIDELINES

• Everyone's voice is of equal importance.

• Be brief when expressing ideas/opinions.

• Listen carefully when others are speaking. Suspend judgment.

• Focus on interests and not positions.

• Look for common ground.

• Deal with differences as problems to solve, not battles to win.

• All points of view deserve respect and all will be recorded (w/o attribution)

• Have fun and be creative

OVERVIEW OF COASTAL ACT POLICIES
RELATING TO THE MASTER PLANNING PROCESS

Coastal Act policies, the heart of California’s coastal protection program, constitute the standards used by the Coastal Commission in its coastal development permit decisions and for the review of local coastal programs (LCPs) prepared by local governments, such as Santa Barbara County, and submitted to the Commission for approval. These policies are also used by the Commission to review federal activities that affect the coastal zone. Coastal cities and counties must incorporate these policies into their individual LCPs. Partial list of policy requirements:

• Public access and recreation - Protection and expansion of public access to the shoreline and recreational opportunities and resources; including commercial visitor-serving facilities.

• Environmentally Sensitive Habitats - Protection, enhancement and restoration of environmentally sensitive habitats, including intertidal and nearshore waters, wetlands, bays and estuaries, riparian habitat, certain wood and grasslands, streams, lakes, and habitat for rare or endangered plants or animals;

• Scenic beauty of coast - Protection of the scenic beauty of coastal landscapes and seascapes; and

• Protection from coastal hazards - Protection against loss of life and property from coastal hazards.