 on a particular piece of property (e.g. maximums building size/height/density; parking and open space requirements; allowed uses).
Changes in zoning require the approval of the City Council. The City Planning Commission must first make a recommendation to the City Council about any changes to zoning before the City Council can act.
The City of Berkeley is working closely with BART to develop zoning and site planning parameters that meet the requirements of AB 2923, the goals of the City and the community, and the goals of BART as the property owner. The City an BART have agreed upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a framework for development of the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations, including a community advisory process and other community engagement; milestones and a timeline to develop zoning that complies with AB 2923; solicitation of developer(s); and further studies/planning for the two station areas.
As outlined in the MOU, the planning effort moving forward will build upon separate community engagement efforts that have been underway for several years relating to the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations, and other adopted plans and policies of the City and of BART.
As part of this station planning effort, the City Council has created a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to provide input to the City Planning Commission.
The first phase of planning for the Ashby and North Berkeley station areas will ultimately result in new zoning language added to the Berkeley Municipal Code. Development of new zoning will also require environmental review and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report.
Planning for development of these stations is a multi-year, multi-phase process, starting with the development of zoning and site planning parameters. The basic timeline for completion the zoning and site planning parameters is shown below.
The City Council public hearings.
The responsibilities of the CAG, and the process by which they will make their recommendations to the City Planning Commission, can be found here. CAG member biographies can be found here.
Community-wide meetings/workshops and surveys will provide additional opportunities for public input to allow Berkeley residents and other interested parties to share ideas and provide feedback.
Community Advisory Group (CAG) Meeting #1 To view a recording of the meeting, follow this link.
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Community Advisory Group (CAG) Office Hours To view a recording of Office Hours Session #1, follow this link.
To view a recording of Office Hours Session #2, follow this link.
For questions or comments about the project, please contact Alisa Shen, Principal Planner at bartplanning@cityofberkeley.info.Congratulations to the 2021 Marine and Coastal Science Major Graduates!
We celebrate all of you and the enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to marine science that has brought you here, and will lead you to revolutionize scientific understanding of our field, communicate, connect, and engage with communities, and become educators, researchers, and world-changers.
"I came to Davis unaware that marine science was a major until a few months into my freshman year, when I quickly ditched the pre-med track to go play with marine critters. Since then, I have been fortunate to find myself in a supportive and inspiring community of scientists, and to form lasting friendships with my ocean-loving peers. I’ll never forget my time at the Bodega Marine Lab, or contributing to marine research on campus, and I’m incredibly grateful for the great mentors have shaped my time here. Currently, I’m looking forward to one more field season this summer in Mo’orea, where I’ll be aiding the Bay Lab with some coral research. Then I’m off to work for Eco Alpha as an environmental technician, and eventually I plan to return to school for a masters in genetics!"
"I was originally a chemistry major when I transferred to UC Davis from community college, but I always knew that I wanted to study a more specific subfield of chemistry. Having a strong interest in Earth systems and processes, learning about the Marine Environmental Chemistry focus within the MCS major felt like a great fit! A majority of my time in this program has been virtual due to the pandemic, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me, as well as the wonderful and supportive classmates, professors, and TAs I have met along the way. I hope to continue to pursue my interests in Earth sciences through postgraduate studies in the near future!"
Erik was also awarded an MCS Senior Award: Citation for Outstanding Performance.
"The focus area I chose within the Marine and Coastal Science major is marine ecology and organismal biology. I changed my major my third year to Marine and Coastal Science, because I found a passion for marine biology through my introductory biology courses. By changing my major, I have been introduced to the amazing world of oceanography and the systems of the ocean that contribute to life. After graduating, I plan to work as a junior specialist for the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences to further my knowledge of aquatic life."
"I chose UC Davis because of how welcoming people were during my campus tour four years ago. It was a good choice because the marine science community here has been incredibly encouraging and supportive throughout my time as an undergrad. Some of the highlights include working with the Morgan lab at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, my time as the campus outreach coordinator of the marine science club, and all the brilliant, kind, fun people I have met in this tight-knit community. I’m so grateful for the endless support from my mentors, professors, and classmates.
Isaiah was also awarded an MCS Senior Award: Outstanding Senior Award and Department Citation.
"I took a leap of faith during my third year and switched into the Marine Science major. For the first time during my undergrad, I finally poured myself into my studies. I loved learning about the ocean and the diverse life that inhabit our coasts. With genuine support from all the CMSI faculty and professors at BML, I found confidence in my abilities as a student and as a member of the Marine Science community. A few of my peers and I wanted to pay that forward, so we rebooted the Marine Science Club. I hope it will serve as a way for ocean-loving undergrads to connect for years to come.
"My early life perspectives were formed along the Jersey Shore as an amalgamation of the impacts of anthropogenic-induced climate change and environmental degradation. Witnessing drastic changes within the ecosystems around me, and the impacts that it had on local livelihoods inspired me to pursue a double major in marine and coastal science and international relations. As an undergraduate student, I have been presented the ability to spend time as a marine and environmental scientist, student researcher, campus ambassador, and community organizer. Whether through researching socio-ecological systems in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, to summer courses at the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML), my academic career has granted me the ability to explore various career paths and expand my scientific toolkit by enabling me to conduct interdisciplinary research that is both practicable and applicable. Next year I will be attending California State University, Northridge to pursue a master's degree in biology, focusing on the impacts of multiple environmental stressors on marine organisms I hope to engage in future research on marine ecosystems that includes communities and policy. As I progress through my education my primary goals are to alter academia's settings for future students from marginalized backgrounds and amplify the voices of those that are more affected by the ravages of environmental degradation."
Robert was also awarded an MCS Senior Award: Department Citation.
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has issued its latest update to its ‘A list’ of climate and sustainability corporate champions. The new report reveals that more than 100 companies making disclosures about their approach to water have achieved the highest ranking.
With thousands of companies, cities and states reporting to the CDP annually, their responses have been ranked on the basis of the three core goals of climate change, water security and forest management.
Scoring companies from D- through to an A, the ranks measure how comprehensive the disclosures are, as well as awareness and management of environmental risks. The scores also highlight best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting meaningful targets.
According to the CDP, close to 3,000 companies made water disclosures over the last year, up nearly 500 on the 2019 disclosures. However, of those 3,000, just 106 recoded an A ranking. 
Nonetheless, more than 500 investors with assets of over US$106 trillion have called on companies to use the CDP platform to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities this year and nearly 10,000 participants responded.
“Leadership from the private sector will create an 'ambition loop' for greater government action and ensure that global ambitions for a net-zero sustainable economy become a reality,” said Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP.
CDP’s Water Security scoring methodology summarises progress towards water stewardship as evidenced by a company's response to the CDP Water Security Questionnaire.
The scores include an assessment of the level of detail and comprehensiveness in the disclosure as well as awareness of water issues and management methods.
Several questions are scored for leadership where a minimum threshold must be met to meet the Leadership band. In order to achieve A List status companies must achieve a certain threshold score of Leadership points and ensure there are no significant relevant exclusions present in their responses.
Nissan Motor Co is one of those companies to score an A grade on water for the second consecutive year. The automotive manufacturer notes that water scarcity is one of its four key sustainability focus areas. Its so-called Green Program calls for a reduction of water intake at global production sites as well as improving wastewater recycling efficiency.
As part of the programme, Nissan executes a risk assessment of water