CA AB72

Enacts the Coastal Adaptation Permitting Act of 2021, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to explore and implement options for a more coordinated and efficient regulatory review and permitting process for coastal adaptation projects using natural infrastructure.

Requires the Natural Resources Agency to submit a report to the Legislature by July 1, 2023, with suggestions and recommendations for improving coordination between agencies in their regulatory review and permitting process for coastal adaptation projects.

Defines "coastal adaptation projects that use natural infrastructure" as development that relies on natural ecological systems or processes to reduce vulnerability to climate change hazards while restoring ecosystem services, including beaches, dunes, tidal marshes, rain gardens, urban tree canopies, and nature-based shoreline restoration.

Includes both soft strategies (dune or wetland restoration) and hybrid armoring (combining shoreline protection with nature-based features) as eligible coastal adaptation projects.

The reporting requirement expires on July 1, 2027, pursuant to Government Code Section 10231.5.