California Coastal Commission staff are recommending that the commission waive an estimated $1,626 filing fee for Kai Poma, a tribally chartered nonprofit that manages Blues Beach on the Mendocino County coast, as the group seeks permission to install a steel swing gate at the beach entrance. The request is on the commission's agenda for Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Kai Poma is governed by members of three federally recognized California tribes, the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, according to a Sept. 18 staff report. The group holds coastal development permit No. 1-24-0662, which authorizes it to carry out the Blues Beach Public Access Management Plan.
Blues Beach lies seaward of Highway 1 at post mile 75.4, about 12 miles up the coast from Fort Bragg and 2 miles down the coast from the unincorporated community of Westport. Kai Poma submitted an application on Sept. 14 to amend its permit to add the gate, which the report says would manage access and protect natural and cultural resources in compliance with Streets and Highways Code Section 118.9.
In a Sept. 15 letter, Kai Poma asked for the waiver because of limited funding. Staff wrote that the group "operates on a limited budget funded by grants and donations" and that a waiver would let it spend its money on the direct costs of managing the property for public access and natural and cultural resources.
The Coastal Act allows the commission to waive filing fees and directs it to give extra consideration when the applicant is a nonprofit and the permit would allow habitat restoration or public coastal access. Staff recommend that the waiver cover this amendment and any future amendments to the permit.
Approving the waiver would not approve the gate itself. The amendment will get a noticed public hearing at a future commission meeting, as early as November 2026, according to the report.
Sources & methodology
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California Coastal Commission staff report W12a, fee waiver for CDP amendment 1-24-0662 (Sept. 18, 2026)See something we should correct? Read our corrections policy.