A decades-long effort to provide public access to Hollister Ranch beaches will take at least another 18 months after four state agencies agreed it would be prudent to conduct an environmnetal impact report on the proposed program.
The California Coastal Commission plus three other agencies alerted state lawmakers about a missed April 1 deadline established under Assembly Bill 1680 by then-Assemblywoman Monique Limon, now a state senator, for adopting the public access program.
The dispute centers on 8½ miles of coastline at Hollister Ranch, a 14,400-acre residential subdivision with 136 parcels and a working cattle ranch west of Gaviota State Park.
For decades, the Hollister Ranch Owners Association has spearheaded efforts to keep the beaches private.
The proposal spells out limited public access to the six beaches — Agua Caliente, Alegria, Sacate, Drake’s, Bulito and San Augustin, some of California’s most coveted surf breaks.
The draft plan proposed allowing phased and managed access via shuttle, private vehicle, trail and bicycle for members of the public, along with Chumash cultural access.
The Interagency Team — the Coastal Commission, the Coastal Conservancy, the California Lands Commission and State Parks — has concluded that an environmental impact report should be conducted as outlined in the California Environmental Quality Act.
“This additional analysis will not only increase the public’s confidence that access won’t harm sensitive resources, it will enable the commission to better withstand legal challenges in the likely event that program approval is litigated,” Legislative Director Sarah Christie said during the California Coastal Commission meeting Wednesday.
The state also has not determined how to secure public access across private property to reach the beaches, she said, adding that an EIR could help with details regarding access routes.
Several commissioners expressed disappointment at the newest delay.
“I share the sense of urgency and frustration that you all have that it’s not moving more quickly, but wow is it important, particularly when it comes to Hollister Ranch, that we balance that sense of urgency with efficacy,” said Commissioner Meagan Harmon, who also serves on the Santa Barbara City Council. “I think we’ve seen over time how important it is that we do it right and we cross the Ts and dot the Is.”
Recent comments from Hollister Ranch representatives suggested that an EIR would be “the most prudent path,” California Coastal Commission staff said, estimating that it would take at least 18 months to complete.
Last fall, the Hollister Ranch Owners Association objected to talks about allowing hundreds of people on what they consider private beaches.
“Implementing such an audacious development plan as envisioned by the Draft HRCAP, without a detailed study of the adverse impacts resulting from such a dramatically increased presence, primarily for creational (not environmental) activity, raises many complex and unresolved legal, financial, physical and safety challenges associated with this rugged and unspoiled terrain,” Edward DeLaRosa of the Hollister Ranch Owners Association wrote.
The Gaviota Coastal Trail Alliance expressed disappointment with the latest delay, calling it a tactic by Hollister Ranch to preserve the private beaches.
“We understand the challenges and frustration when a recalcitrant party resorts to threatening litigation at the eleventh hour,” Doug Kern wrote.
During Wednesday’s meeting, a Hollister Ranch representative said the organization wants to work with, not against, the state.
“We applaud the efforts of the state staff to collaborate with us, and we look forward to continuing with them to facilitate a public access program that preserves biological, geological, agricultural and cultural resources and that provides meaningful experiences,” Beth Shevin said.
But Ana Citrin, an attorney for the Gaviota Coast Trail Alliance, remained skeptical, noting protracted legal challenges over several years.
“While Hollister Ranch has made statements and gestures of accommodation to the public, tribal representatives and disadvantaged communities, in fact only Hollister Ranch’s selected invitees have been allowed to access state beaches through Hollister Ranch,” Citrin said. “Meanwhile, their arsenal of lawyers have filed every conceivable legal challenge to overturn the legislature and shackle the Coastal Commission, every one of which has been unsuccessful.”
A voluntary interim access program reportedly is in the works despite the delays for the broader program, California Coastal Commission staff said.
“We’re doing our best to get some access out there as soon as possible as well as getting those tribal surveys going so we can be ready to bring in more public as the time is right,” Christie said.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.