- Annel Lopez Hailey
- Communications Director
- (916) 319-2077
- Annel.Lopez@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO, CA. — Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 1992 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, a bill that would require coastal development permit applicants to contribute to promoting blue carbon projects if they affect coastal habitats, passed the Assembly Floor.
Recent studies on the importance of conserving coastal ecosystems have concluded that coastal wetlands can store five times more carbon than tropical rainforests and 50 times more in their surrounding soil. Blue carbon is the process by which carbon is captured by ocean and coastal ecosystems. Unfortunately, coastal habitats around the world, including California, are being lost at a rapid rate, mainly due to coastal development.
“California has lost over 90 percent of its historical wetlands,” stated Assemblymember Boerner. “Despite the damages done through development, we can work to restore these ecosystems with legislation like AB 1992. Blue carbon is essential in protecting our coastal communities from the harmful impacts of the climate crisis. Through the restoration of blue carbon, we can ensure long-term conservation of these habitats and build our state’s climate resiliency.”
AB 1992 will ensure that the state actively safeguards the unique biodiversity of our marine life despite development.
AB 1992 passed the Assembly Floor with 53 votes and is headed to the Senate.
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Assemblymember Tasha Boerner represents the 77th District, which encompasses Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Coronado and the coastal communities of La Jolla south to Downtown San Diego. You can learn more about Assemblymember Boerner at a77.asmdc.org, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter/X.