Protecting our San Francisco Bay
The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) protects and enhances San Francisco Bay and advances the Bay’s responsible, productive, and equitable uses—for today and for generations to come—as we face a changing climate and rising sea levels.
PUBLIC ACCESS
The Bay is for everyone
We find opportunities to create and improve public access to the Bay and its shoreline.
- Want to explore the Bay shoreline? Find out about the San Francisco Bay Trail and San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail
- Planning a project? Read our public access design guidelines
MINIMIZING BAY FILL
The Bay is being restored
We were founded in 1965 to stop the San Francisco Bay from being filled indiscriminately, which harms our environment. Since BCDC was established, the Bay has actually grown larger because we carefully control the amount of new Bay fill and as a result of various projects to restore the Bay and its wetlands.
- Read our San Francisco Bay Plan
- Learn more about BCDC’s history
CLIMATE CHANGE AND RISING SEA LEVELS
The Bay is rising
Sea level rise is no longer a distant threat and the San Francisco Bay Area stands to be one of the hardest hit areas in North America. We’re bringing together the region to take action now that will protect people, property, and natural habitat.
- Find out about Bay Adapt, BCDC’s regional strategy for a rising Bay
- Planning a project? Learn how BCDC applies climate change policies in permitting
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL EQUITY
Toward an equitable shoreline
The Bay is a resource that is meant to be shared and enjoyed by all, but not all communities have equitable access to it. And too often, development along the Bay shoreline has created burdens on communities, from increased pollution to displacement. BCDC is committed to incorporating principles of environmental justice and social equity into its mission and actions.
- Find out more about our work to develop BCDC’s Racial Equity Action Plan
- Planning a project? Learn how BCDC applies environmental justice policies in permitting
SUISUN MARSH
Preserving the Suisun Marsh
The Suisun Marsh is the largest contiguous brackish marsh in the United States, encompassing 10 percent of California’s remaining natural wetlands. BCDC shares responsibility with local governments and agencies to preserve and enhance the habitats of the Suisun Marsh.
- Read our Suisun Marsh Protection Plan