News & Updates

On November 4, Bay Planning Coalition hosted its sold-out 2026 CEQA & Regulatory Update Workshop at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, bringing together legal, policy, public-sector, and industry professionals for a timely discussion of California’s evolving environmental regulatory landscape.

The program featured three insightful panel discussions covering recent CEQA case law and state legislative developments, significant changes in federal environmental law and policy, and the implications of the November election for California’s regulatory landscape. Speakers shared expert perspectives on emerging challenges, regulatory uncertainty, and what these developments mean for environmental review and project delivery throughout California and the Bay Area.

Thank you to our event sponsors, Silver Tier Sponsor Allen Matkins and Bronze Tier Sponsor Hanson Bridgett, for their generous support in making this year’s workshop possible!

Event Recap & Materials

The event webpage, linked below, includes the workshop program, speaker information, and presentation materials for those interested in revisiting the discussions or learning more about the topics covered.

Stay Connected Through Upcoming BPC Events

BPC hosts workshops, forums, and other engagements throughout the year to bring members and regional stakeholders together for timely policy discussions, expert insights, and opportunities to connect across sectors.

Interested in joining us for an upcoming program? Explore BPC’s upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities.

Bay Planning Coalition (BPC) submitted comments to the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) regarding proposed Bay Plan Amendment 1-26, which would revise policies governing sediment management and beneficial reuse in San Francisco Bay.

BPC has long supported increasing the beneficial reuse of dredged sediment to advance wetland restoration and shoreline adaptation. Through our Dredging & Beneficial Reuse Committee, we have participated in regional discussions and policy initiatives aimed at expanding beneficial reuse opportunities, including BCDC’s Sediment for Wetland Adaptation Project (SWAP).

Our comments highlight concerns about how the proposed amendment would interact with the existing Long-Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for dredged material management. We also emphasized the need for clear and predictable permitting standards, adequate capacity at beneficial reuse sites, and funding to address the additional costs associated with beneficial reuse.

BPC remains committed to advancing beneficial reuse and working collaboratively with regulatory agencies and regional stakeholders to develop policies that are practical, effective, and supportive of the Bay Area’s long-term restoration and resilience goals.

BCDC is tentatively expected to consider a vote on the proposed amendment at its December 3, 2026, Commission meeting. Additional information, including meeting materials and the agenda, will be available on BCDC’s December 3 Commission meeting webpage.

Additional Resources

• BCDC Staff Report and Preliminary Recommendation
• Appendix 1: Proposed Bay Plan Changes
• October 15, 2026, BCDC Commission Meeting Materials

On August 27, Bay Planning Coalition’s Government Affairs Committee kicked off its Leadership Roundtable series, welcoming Larry Goldzband, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). The discussion provided members with insights into BCDC’s current priorities and the evolving regional policy and regulatory landscape, along with an opportunity to engage directly with agency leadership through an interactive Q&A.

Thank you to Hanson Bridgett LLP for generously sponsoring and hosting the Roundtable!

Connecting Members with Regional Leadership

BPC’s Leadership Roundtables complement our committee meetings and educational programming throughout the year, creating additional opportunities for members to engage directly with the agency leaders and decisionmakers shaping regional policy.

The August 27 Roundtable is one example of how BPC continues to bring members together for timely policy conversations and strengthen connections across the region. Complimentary registration was also offered to BPC’s Gold and President’s Club members.

Interested in participating in future Leadership Roundtables and other member-only programming? Learn more about BPC membership and opportunities to get involved.