FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@bos5.oc.gov
OC Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board Action on Norte Fire Recovery, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Habitat Restoration, and Nearly $12.5 Million in Grants
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement following the October 27, 2026, Board of Supervisors meeting.
Item #S25H (Sheriff-Coroner) Resolution Ratifying Proclamation of Local Emergency – Norte Fire: The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution ratifying the local emergency proclamation for the October 2026 Norte Fire, allowing the County to secure necessary resources for fire damage mitigation and debris management. The Board also directed staff to return on December 15, 2026, to review the continued need for the emergency proclamation, with subsequent reviews every 60 days.
“The rapid response to the Norte Fire protected South County communities and allowed most residents to return home by the following day,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Congressman Mike Levin and I toured the burn area and heard directly from residents about the potential for flooding, erosion, and mudslides. Ratifying the local emergency proclamation allows the County of Orange to continue supporting impacted families, advance recovery efforts, and prepare for the risks posed by upcoming storms.”
*Supervisor Foley joined a webinar this week hosted by Senator Catherine Blakespear and the CA Department of Insurance to answer questions and provide resources for Norte Fire victims. Watch the archived recording here: Immediate Evacuation Assistance and FAIR Plan Coverage for Delgado Canyon Residents - Zoom.
Item #15 (County Executive Office) Grant Agreement and Permit for Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Habitat Restoration: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a grant agreement with the Wildlife Conservation Board and Laguna Canyon Foundation to support native wildlife habitat restoration at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and authorize an entry permit allowing the Foundation to conduct restoration activities.
“This $1.9 million grant, along with $50,000 in County in-kind support, will restore 71 acres of native habitat at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The Laguna Canyon Foundation will lead five years of restoration and 20 years of ongoing management. The Foundation’s partnership with the county helps us reduce costs while protecting our open spaces and native wildlife for future generations.”
Item #17 (County Executive Office) Grant Applications/Awards Report: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve approximately $11.5 million in grant awards to support Proposition 36 behavioral health services, municipal transportation electrification, and emergency management preparedness, along with a $1 million grant application to combat the invasive South American palm weevil, bringing the combined total to approximately $12.5 million.
“Nearly $7 million in Proposition 36 funding will expand access to court-mandated treatment and strengthen behavioral health services, while the nearly $4 million TEAM Grant will help electrify our landfill fleet through funding my office helped secure in 2024,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The Sheriff’s Emergency Management Performance Grant will also strengthen our preparedness for increasingly frequent natural disasters, from wildfires to coastal flooding.”
Yesterday, Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
Coastal Rail Ad Hoc Committee: OCTA established a new Coastal Rail Ad Hoc Committee and held its inaugural meeting, bringing together Vice Chair Katrina Foley and Directors Jamey Federico, Fred Jung, Janet Nguyen, and Lauren Kleiman. The committee will help address ongoing coastal rail challenges, including storm impacts, tidal erosion, and regulatory requirements, while advancing timely solutions to protect Orange County’s coastal rail corridor.
“Serving on this committee provides an important opportunity to strengthen our efforts to protect Orange County’s coastal rail corridor,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to address ongoing coastal erosion, advance sand replenishment efforts, and develop long-term solutions that protect our coastline and ensure reliable passenger and freight rail service.”
Item #3 - Update on Emergency Coastal Railroad Protection, Including Reinforcement Area 4 Shoreline Protection and Sand Placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2, and 4: The Board reaffirmed the ongoing coastal rail emergency in San Clemente and authorized continued emergency shoreline protection efforts to safeguard passenger and freight rail service. The work includes reinforcing the railroad embankment with protective rock barriers and placing sand along vulnerable coastal areas to combat erosion, reduce wave impacts, and protect critical rail infrastructure ahead of the winter storm season.
“Protecting our coastal rail corridor requires more than emergency repairs. We must continue prioritizing sand replenishment to restore our beaches, reduce coastal erosion, and protect critical rail infrastructure,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “I will continue advocating for additional sand replenishment efforts and long-term solutions that safeguard our coastline, coastal communities, and reliable passenger and freight rail service.”
Item #17 - 2026 Measure M2 Sales Tax Forecast: The Board received and filed the 2026 Measure M2 Sales Tax Forecast, projecting $13.5 billion in revenue over the 30-year program, a $300 million increase from last year’s forecast. OCTA will incorporate the updated projections into its Next 10 Delivery Plan and Comprehensive Business Plan to guide future transportation investments.
“Orange County’s strong economy continues to drive sales tax revenue growth, but inflation threatens to outpace our projected 2.7% average annual revenue growth,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “We must do more to support local businesses, strengthen our economy, and generate the revenue necessary to fulfill our promises to taxpayers for critical transportation improvements.”
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA),
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board,
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees,
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern,
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills,
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
National Association of Counties (NACO),
Urban Counties Caucus
