Commission Certifies Landmark Mission Bay Wetland Restoration After Marathon Hearing

The California Coastal Commission advanced one of Southern California's largest coastal habitat restoration plans, heard blistering testimony about the City of San Diego's failure to protect sea lions at La Jolla Cove, and reinforced its precedent on beachfront setbacks — all during a packed Friday session that stretched across seven action items and more than 30 public speakers.

• Commission certifies De Anza Natural plan to restore 140+ acres of Mission Bay wetlands, converting mandatory policy language the city resisted

• Commissioners demand San Diego fix sea lion protections after volunteers document 43% pup mortality and lifeguards undermining ranger enforcement at La Jolla Cove

• Newport Beach accused of secretly freezing liveaboard permits and pricing out middle-class boaters with fees 474% above the state average

• Beachfront development in Sunset Beach approved 8-1, with the Commission requiring five-foot setbacks at all floors to preserve public beach as sea levels rise

• Laguna Beach paid parking pilot upheld after Commission finds no substantial issue with metered spaces along Coast Highway

• Dana Point reconciles 18 uncertified zoning ordinances, but disputed garage-vs.-carport rule for flood-prone Beach Road deferred

Why it matters: The De Anza Natural plan covers 505 acres of northeastern Mission Bay — converting the aging Campland on the Bay lease area into more than 100 acres of restored salt marsh, expanding overnight RV camping from 30 to 50 acres, and establishing an interpretive nature center. It is one of the largest coastal wetland restoration proposals in San Diego's history, backed by the 101-organization Rewild Mission Bay coalition.