If you believe that government is the most efficient way to go, you need to read this – and do so in its entirety.
I decided to read the Coastal Act and all the additions and amendments to it again. I was sure that somewhere in that lengthy document was a way to get this permit pushed through. And I found that the regulation on this type of work was surprisingly clear. It didn’t need a permit at all. We were merely repairing damage, not expanding the park. I remember bringing up this very argument when I met with the Commission people over a year ago. And they basically laughed it off.
Because it really didn’t matter what the Coastal Act said. In California, codes and regulations are generally considered as minimum requirements by whatever agency is looking at them. So the rules can be modified and reinterpreted at their whim. I have lost track of the unrequired work we have been required to do.
Their main concern was that some of the fill would find it’s way to the river. So they were most unhappy that I had put some rock into the hole before they said I could, even though it was the same rock that had come out of it. And if this was their worry, making me leave the hole open through two rainy seasons did not seem like a good way to deal with it anyways. But apparently this was the issue that was holding things up, so I would give them erosion control on an epic scale.
I wrote up an Erosion Control Master Plan, which involved multiple layers of compacted state-approved road base in the hole itself, topped with organic topsoil. Then, the entire bank from the hole to the high water line would be covered in a specially made natural-fiber erosion blanket for 30 feet along the river. Over this would go several long organic fabric tubes run parallel to the river to redirect any raindrops that may be so bold as to land on the cloth. This would all be painted over with a blend of grass and wildflower seeds and organic nutrients. I had to special order most of this stuff and have it shipped, so it cost about $1500. I sent this plan off to the Coastal Commission. And then I waited.
This is a perfect illustration of F.A. Hayek’s book, The Road to Serfdom.
Sometimes it’s just easier to do the work and hope the idiots don’t see it. Plus, it’s always easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission.
Sounds like this guy was dealing with USDA, state, and local requirements for dealing with wetlands in Florida. For an eye opener, skip on over and google “wetland requirements”. Also, locally we also deal with the protection of a certain kind of cricket when cutting pine trees planted for commerce. Keep in mind, the pines were planted with the intent for harvesting for wood products when they reached maturity. The local tree farmers hope and pray the damn crickets don’t take up residence there, and the EPA/tree huggers don’t do clandestine surveys to determine if the crickets have moved in. If they have, you don’t get to cut your pines.
“It took a couple hours to do the work. It took 16 months, $4,000 and countless office hours to get a permit we didn’t need and never received.”
All this to fill a flippin hole? This story reminds me of my friend in NY and the shenanigans he had to go through with fallen trees……absurd.
My heart bleeds for this guy. I owned a Biz in SF so I didn’t have to deal with the dreaded Coastal Comm, I had to do deal with OSHA, my hand trembles just typing the letters. My long-time assistant said at a Company Christmas Party once that I was usually pretty easy to work with, but that there were 2 things that always threw me off my game, the news that my mother in law or OSHA were about to visit.
Just imagine if all the Mother’s in Law of the OSHA commissioners were to pay you a Visit !
Just Do It! Shhhhh!