Shark Fin Cove Coastal Access Planning Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026041225
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Shark Fin Cove Coastal Access Planning Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/27/2026
Document Description
Notice of Exemption for Coastal Conservancy approval of grant funding to the County of Santa Cruz to undertake the Shark Fin Cove Coastal Access Planning Project, consisting of technical studies, preliminary design, and environmental review for a proposed paved coastal access parking lot and accessible pedestrian pathways at Shark Fin Cove in Santa Cruz County.
Contact Information
Name
Lexi Morrison
Agency Name
State Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
The project site is located along the west side of Highway 1 approximately 0.75 miles south of the community of Davenport in northern Santa Cruz County. The site consists of an approximately 600-foot-long unpaved gravel turnout within the existing Caltrans right-of-way, which is currently used for informal roadside parking by visitors accessing Shark Fin Cove and the Coastal Rail Trail. The site is adjacent to Segment 5 of the Coastal Rail Trail and coastal bluff and beach areas managed by California State Parks.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Sections 15262 and 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to 14 CCR Section 15262 because it involves only planning studies and feasibility analyses for potential future actions that have not yet been approved or funded. The project will prepare technical studies, preliminary engineering designs, and environmental review documents for a proposed parking lot and access improvements, but will not authorize or fund any construction activities.
The project is also categorically exempt under 14 CCR Section 15306 because it consists of basic data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities, including biological, cultural, geotechnical, traffic, and drainage studies, that will not result in disturbance to environmental resources.