California’s statewide emergency declaration creates opportunities for early coordination and expedited review for infrastructure as agencies prepare for a potentially historic El Niño event.
On September 21, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide emergency in response to the developing 2026–2027 El Niño event. The declaration cites the possibility of severe storms, flooding, coastal flooding, erosion, landslides, and mud and debris flows that could threaten life, critical infrastructure, natural resources, and essential services.
The declaration arrives before the winter storm season (and after Hurricane Marie’s powerful storm surge in Southern California), providing an important window to identify vulnerabilities, plan preventive work to bolster protection for at-risk infrastructure, and prepare for projects that may require emergency environmental approvals.
What Does the Emergency Declaration Do?
The declaration calls for coordinated statewide preparation and directs the California Environmental Protection Agency and California Natural Resources Agency (including their respective boards, departments, and offices) to prioritize permitting, consultation, and technical assistance for local preparedness efforts.
The declaration specifically identifies projects and activities that may require expedited support, including:
- Levee and flood management infrastructure repairs
- Vegetation management
- Debris removal
- Sediment management
- Bridge scour protection
- Channel capacity improvements
- Coastal protection and preparation
- Groundwater recharge using available flood flows
State agencies are directed to help local agencies obtain necessary permits and approvals as quickly as possible, including through existing emergency authorities and other pathways for streamlined review.
The declaration also establishes an accelerated process for California Coastal Commission review. Coastal communities are encouraged to submit permit applications for preparatory work, and urgent emergency permit requests may be submitted orally or in writing. When immediate action is necessary, the Commission is directed to act on an emergency permit request as quickly as possible and within 24 hours of receiving it.
What Can Local Agencies Do Now?
For communities with plans in place, existing Local Coastal Programs, sea level rise vulnerability assessments, adaptation and hazard mitigation plans, capital improvement programs, and emergency response procedures provide a strong foundation. Agencies can use the statewide declaration as a prompt to review those plans through an immediate readiness lens, with a focus on the following questions:
- What has changed since the plan was completed?
- Do current infrastructure conditions, shoreline hazards, burn areas, development patterns, community vulnerabilities, and weather forecasts align with plan and program assumptions?
- Which adaptation, maintenance, or protective projects are ready to advance before winter, and which could become urgent following a major storm?
For communities beginning this work, particularly smaller or inland jurisdictions with limited staff capacity, a focused readiness assessment offers a manageable starting point. Identifying vulnerable infrastructure, flood and debris-flow risks, priority populations, decision-makers, agency contacts, and immediate permitting needs can establish a practical response framework for the coming storm season while guiding longer-term resilience planning.
At either stage, permitting readiness is critical. Agencies can confirm available emergency permitting pathways, gather baseline maps and site documentation, prepare preliminary project descriptions, and begin conversations with relevant regulatory agencies. They can also consider how temporary emergency actions may transition into permanent repairs or longer-term resilience improvements.
How ESA Can Help
ESA has deep experience working with our clients to help prepare for and recover from storm damage. This includes identifying environmental constraints and appropriate regulatory pathways, preparing emergency permit and authorization packages, and coordinating with federal, state, regional, tribal, and local agencies. Our multidisciplinary teams support CEQA and NEPA compliance; coastal, water quality, and natural resource permitting; hydrologic modeling and scour analyses; biological and cultural resources assessments; GIS mapping and field documentation; construction monitoring; site restoration design; and recovery planning.
We help clients respond quickly while advancing lasting infrastructure resilience. For more information, reach out to Erich Fischer, Natural Resources Management Market Leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Author
Biological Resources and Land Management Practice Leader
Date
September 23, 2026
