Measure AA (2016)

Measure AA (2016) was a regional ballot measure enacted in 2016 to fund restoration and conservation projects across the San Francisco Bay through a parcel tax administered by the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority. The measure proposed a nine-year parcel tax intended to finance projects involving wetlands restoration, sea level rise adaptation, and habitat enhancement in the Bay Area, seeking to coordinate among local agencies, non-profit organizations, and federal programs. Proponents framed the measure as building on previous efforts like the Bay Conservation and Development Commission initiatives and aligning with strategies from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and regional plans such as the San Francisco Bay Trail and Adapting to Rising Tides.

Background and ballot placement

Measure AA emerged from years of planning involving the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Discussions drew on studies by California State Coastal Conservancy, Environmental Protection Agency, and academic research from University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and San Jose State University. The legislative framework referenced statutes such as the California Coastal Protection Act and precedents including parcel taxes like those used by Santa Clara County and Marin County. Placement on the November 2016 ballot followed actions by regional bodies and ballot qualification procedures involving the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, the Contra Costa County Elections Division, and county counsels from San Mateo County, Solano County, and Napa County.

Provisions and text

The ballot language established a parcel tax levied for nine years to fund shore- and wetlands-related projects through the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, a public entity formed under state law. The measure specified eligible projects including wetland restoration, flood protection tied to sea level rise, enhancement of habitat for species such as the California Ridgway's rail and salt marsh harvest mouse, and public access components connected to East Bay Regional Park District holdings and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The text authorized grant-making to local governments, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, non-profit organizations including The Nature Conservancy and Save The Bay, and collaborations with federal partners like U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service. It created priorities consistent with plans from Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals and guidance from the California Coastal Conservancy and the Delta Stewardship Council.

Campaign and endorsements

Support for the measure coalesced among a coalition of environmental groups, regional agencies, and municipal leaders. Major endorsers included Save The Bay, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, the League of California Cities, and numerous elected officials from San Francisco Board of Supervisors, counties including Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and mayors such as the Mayor of San Francisco. Financial supporters included contributions from foundations tied to David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and local philanthropists associated with Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Opponents raised concerns through county taxpayer associations and local property owner groups referencing impacts on residential parcel holders and commercial properties; critics included certain members of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and local business associations in Richmond, California and Oakland, California. Debates referenced analyses by think tanks like the Public Policy Institute of California and fiscal reviews by county auditors.

Election results

On the November 2016 ballot, Measure AA passed with a regional majority amid a high-turnout election that included the 2016 United States presidential election and statewide races such as the California Proposition 64 (2016) and California Proposition 55 (2016). Vote tallies were compiled by county election offices including San Francisco Department of Elections, Alameda County Registrar, and Contra Costa County Elections Division. Support was strongest in jurisdictions with active restoration programs like Marin County, Solano County, and San Mateo County, while margins varied in urban centers like San Jose and Oakland. The measure met statutory requirements for approval and moved to implementation under the governance of the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority board, which included representatives from agencies such as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and regional park districts.

Implementation and aftermath

Following passage, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority initiated grant rounds coordinating with partners including the California Coastal Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and local restoration groups like Point Blue Conservation Science and The Watershed Project. Projects funded included tidal marsh restoration in locations tied to the South Bay Salt Ponds project, shoreline resilience projects near Alviso, and habitat reconnection efforts in the Suisun Marsh. Implementation engaged academic partners from San Francisco State University and University of California, Davis for monitoring and adaptive management, while permitting involved agencies such as the California State Water Resources Control Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Evaluations referenced performance metrics aligned with the Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals and collaborations with federal funding streams including the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The program influenced later regional planning dialogues involving the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments around climate adaptation finance and inspired similar local ballot measures in neighboring counties.

Category:California ballot propositions Category:San Francisco Bay