In a legislative battle a decade in the making, lawmakers just exempted infill urban development from the California Environmental Quality Act. That’s a big deal.
Environment
Posted inHousing & Development
In a boon to developers, California budget includes sweeping rollback to CEQA environmental laws
Major changes to the California Environmental Quality Act include an exemption for high-tech industrial plants and other projects. The move, fast-tracked under pressure from Gov. Gavin Newsom, sparked fierce pushback from environmental, community and labor groups.
Posted inLatest News
County dramatically increases illegal dumping fines
Fines for illegal dumping will go from $100 to $2,500 for first-time offenders. Second-time offenders will see a bump from $200 to $5,000 and for those who can’t get enough of illegal dumping, a third offense will go from $500 to $10,000.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
In Photos: Hundreds of volunteers give Santa Cruz County trails a makeover
More than 500 volunteers rolled up their sleeves on Saturday to work on more than 20 trails across Santa Cruz County for the third annual National Trails Day.
Posted inEnvironment
Sunken crane recovered from the ocean, nearly six months after Santa Cruz wharf collapse
A long-submerged construction crane finally emerged from waters near the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Saturday, nearly six months after a violent winter storm that ripped away 150 feet of the historic pier.
Posted inFood & Drink
California warns against eating Santa Cruz County sport-harvested shellfish
The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat sport-harvested bivalve shellfish caught in Santa Cruz County. This includes mussels, clams, scallops and oysters.
Posted inEnvironment
Tariffs could spike rates in an already climate-stressed insurance market
Over the past decade, climate-fueled extreme weather events and rising inflation have pushed the homeowners insurance market to the brink. Things stand to get even worse this year. A new report from insurance comparison agency Insurify projects that home insurance rates will rise by an average of 8 percent in 2025 across the U.S. States […]
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
As Capitola coastal path crumbles, city officials face a stark choice: rebuild or retreat
Grand Avenue’s coastal walkway in Capitola faces possible permanent closure after a partial collapse in February, as officials weigh engineering challenges, private property issues and the relentless erosion of the oceanfront cliff.
Posted inLatest News
State beach closures set to continue into the new year
Debris from last Monday’s big swell has forced State Parks officials to extend the closure of Twin Lakes and Seabright beaches until Saturday.
Posted inLatest News
Emergency shelters extended as cold front reaches Santa Cruz County
With a cold front set to hit Santa Cruz county two overnight emergency shelters will open to protect the unhoused from the low temperatures.
