>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE REST OF ORIGINAL REPORTING.

THIS WEEK COMING UP AND WHY IS IT SO HARD TO MAKE CHANGE IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

HEAR FROM LOCAL LEADERS ARE TRYING TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE REDTAPE THAT DELAYS EVERYTHING FROM HOMES TO BIKE LANES.

THERE IS A PLAN TO BRING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO SAN DIEGO'S VIEWED NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE WILL TELL YOU HOW WOULD BENEFIT SENIORS IN NEED AND LEARNING ABOUT SAN DIEGO'S SNAKES HEARD THE SOME THE NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT IS HELPING US UNDERSTAND ANIMALS THAT PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.

WE START WITH A KPBS INVESTIGATION THAT FOUND THE MARINE CORE ENROLL THOUSANDS OF NEW RECRUITS EACH YEAR INTO OCEANSIDE FRONT WAVE CREDIT UNION.

THE REVENUE THAT IT BRINGS IN WHEN YOUNG MARINES RUN OUT OF MONEY.

>> Reporter: I'M HANGING OUT AT DOROTHY'S MILITARY SHOP IN DOWNTOWN OCEANSIDE AND THE PLACES BUSTLING PRINT YOUNG MARINES FROM NEARBY CAMP PENDLETON CYCLE THROUGH THE SHOP BY MILITARY GEAR AND PICKING UP THEIR DRY-CLEANING UNIFORM.

AMONG THEM IS 22-YEAR-OLD JESSE LEONARD.

>> I HAVE BEEN A MARINE FOR 4 YEARS.

>> SHE IS A REGULAR AT DOROTHY'S.

HE BROUGHT A NEW PAIR OF PANTS ARE JUST THE OTHER DAY.

HE NEEDED TO LOOK CRISP AND CLEAN I HAD A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING.

>> I HAVE TO GO IN FRONT OF THE BOARD JUST TO SEE IF I'M RECOMMENDED FOR A PROMOTION.

>> Reporter: THE GOOD NEWS, HE WAS RECOMMENDED FOR SERGEANT.

THE BAD NEWS, THE PANTS COST AND WAY MORE THAN EXPECTED.

IT OVERDREW HIS CREDIT ACCOUNT RESULTING IN A 20 DOLLAR OVERDRAFT FEE.

BY THE TIME HE REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HIS CREDIT ACCOUNT WAS NEGATIVE NEARLY $200.

HIS FINANCES ARE ULTIMATELY HIS RESPONSIBILITY, BUT HE WOULD'VE PREFERRED IF THEY SADLY DENIED THE PURCHASES.

>> I GOT INTO THE MARINE CORPS RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, I DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF LIFE SKILLS I WAS TAUGHT.

BUDGETING IS A NEW THINGS I AM TRYING TO BE BETTER FINANCIALLY BUT IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN I WAS OVERDRAFTED MY ACCOUNT I WOULD'VE SWITCHED OVER TO MY OTHER CARD THAT HAD THE MONEY IN IT.

>> Reporter: FOR FRONT WAVE, THESE FEES ARE BUILT INTO THE BUSINESS.

THE CREDIT UNION HAS MORE THAN 120,000 MEMBERS AND THE MAJORITY ARE MARINES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

A KPBS INVESTIGATION FOUND FRONT WAVE HAS AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT WITH THEIR MARINE CORPS THE FUNNELS RECRUITS INTO THE CREDIT UNION WHEN THEY GO THROUGH BIG CAMP IN SAN DIEGO.

FRONT WAVE HANDLES THE DIRECTOR DEPOSITS DURING TRAINING AND WHEN A YOUNG MARINE RUNS OUT OF MONEY, FRONT WAVE PROFITS.

THE CREDIT UNION COLLECTED NEARLY $8 MILLION IN OVERDRAFT FEES IN 2022 ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT DATA GATHERED BY THE STATE.

THAT NETTED 12% OF THE COMPANY'S OVERALL REVENUE THAT YEAR WHICH IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER COMPARED TO OTHER CREDIT UNIONS AS HE COULD CALIFORNIA.

FRONT WAVE DEFENSE IS OVERDRAFT POLICY.

THE MARINE CORE DECLINED MULTIPLE INTERVIEW REQUESTS.

THEY CAN USE ANY OTHER BANK ACCOUNT WHEN THEY ENTER THE MARINE CORPS.

>> THEY SET YOU IN A ROOM AND THEY MAKE YOU FEEL OUT ALL OF THIS PAPERWORK AND THEY DON'T REALLY TELL YOU WHAT IS FOR.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER MARINE I MET ASKED THAT KPBS ONLY USE HIS FIRST NAME.

HE SAYS HE WASN'T ABLE TO USE HIS EXISTING BANK ACCOUNT FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT WHEN HE WENT THROUGH BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO.

>> AFTER A WEEK OR SO YOU GET YOUR FRONT WAVE CARD AND THIS IS THE ACCOUNT YOU'RE GOING TO USE.

THAT KIND OF FORCE YOU INTO THAT ACCOUNT.

MAKE ROUGHLY 21,000 ACCOUNTS FOR SAN DIEGO EVERY YEAR.

THE MARINE CORPS COULD NOT PROVIDE DATA ON HOW MANY ARE ENROLLED IN FRONT WAVE.

BUT KPBS SPOKE TO 3 FORMER FRONT WAVE EMPLOYEES WHO SAID THE SYSTEMATIC SIGN-UP OF MARINE CORE RECRUITS WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CREDIT UNION.

>> WITHOUT THE RECRUITS COMING IN, I DON'T KNOW HOW WELL THE CREDIT UNION COULD SURVIVE.

FOR MAKE THIS FORMER EMPLOYEE AGREE TO SIT DOWN WITH KPBS BUT REQUESTED WE REVEAL HER IDENTITY.

SHE SAID FRONT WAVE RELIES ON OVERDRAFT FEES AS A REVENUE STREAM.

>> A LOT OF TIMES THE INNER MARINES WILL SPEND MONEY AND NOT RELIES HOW MANY FEES THEY COULD RACK UP, MAYBE $400 IN THE HOLE.

THEY NEEDED THE MONEY THAT WAS BROUGHT IN BY THE OVERDRAFT FEES.

>> Reporter: OUR INVESTIGATION FOUND FRONT WAVE HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN OVERDRAFT FEES SINCE 2017.

THE FORMER EMPLOYEE SAID SHE STARTED WORKING AT FRONT WAVE BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE MARINES.

OVER TIME, SHE SAW THE CREDIT UNION STRAY FROM THAT MISSION.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY ARE DOING A GREAT SERVICE FOR THE MILITARY ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: FRONT WAVE CEO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT OVERDRAFT FEES ARE AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INCOME FOR THE COMPANY BUT HE BRISTLES AT ANY SUGGESTION THE FRONT WAVE IS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF MARINES.

>> I AM RETIRED MARINE CORPS MAJOR.

I WOULD IN NO WAY GET INVOLVED DOING ANYTHING PREDATORY WITH SOMEONE SERVING OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: HE KNOWS THEY ARE TYPICALLY YOUNGER AND LOWER INCOME.

HE SAYS A CREDIT UNIT REVISE FINANCIAL COUNSELING DURING THEIR TRAINING.

IT ALLOWS THEM TO BUY ESSENTIALS IF THEY RUN OUT OF MONEY BEFORE THEIR NEXT PAYDAY.

>> Reporter: WE CALL IT A SERVICE.

MANY PEOPLE ARE USING THIS AS A BRIDGE.

I THINK WE PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT PROVIDES AND GIVES THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH THE MONTH.

YES SOME EXPERTS TO STUDY PERSONAL FINANCE IN THE MILITARY SAY FRONT WAVES OVERDRAFT PRACTICES MAY FIT A TROUBLING HISTORICAL PATTERN.

MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS HAVE LONG BEEN TARGETED BY PAYDAY LENDERS AND UNFAIR BANKING PRACTICES.

>> A LOT OF THESE FOLKS ARE YOUNG, THIS MAY BE THE FIRST CHECKING ACCOUNT.

IT MAY NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THESE THINGS WORK.

>> Reporter: SUSAN WEINSTOCK IS THE CEO OF THE CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA.

SHE STUDIED THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF OVERDRAFT FEES ON MEMBERS OF MILITARY AND FOUND THE PENALTIES WEIGH HEAVILY ON THE MOST VULNERABLE SOLDIERS.

>> WE WANT TO SEE SERVICE MEMBERS TREATED WELL, THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR OUR COUNTRY.

THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM IS JUST PAINFUL.

>> Reporter: SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT IS THE KIND OF NEWS WE ARE REPORTING ON.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR PAGE TO FIND ALL OF OUR STORES ON THE KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> THE NEIGHBORHOOD SITS AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE 94 AND 805 FREEWAYS.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE LOOKED INTO WHITE NEIGHBORS ARE PUSHING BACK.

>> Reporter: 137 APARTMENTS FOR LOW AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME SENIORS.

WITH ON-SITE CHILDCARE AND A COMMUNITY GARDEN.

THAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE MARKET STREET LOT THAT USED TO HOUSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ANALYSIS INTO PRINT THE COUNTY'S HOUSING DIRECTOR, DAVID ESTRELLA SAYS THE PROJECT NEEDS MEET THE DIRE NEED.

>> FOR SENIORS THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET THEIR DAILY NEEDS AND REALLY DON'T HAVE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES OR MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING, A PROPERTY SUCH AS THIS WILL PROVIDE THEM THE KIND OF STABILITY THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY HAS A HOUSING CRISIS BUT A SPOKESPERSON SAYS IS A SHORT ABOUT 120,000 HOMES.

THEY PLAN TO BUILD AT LEAST 10,000 AFFORDABLE UNITS ON GOVERNMENT LAND BY 2030.

STATE LAW REQUIRES THEM TO USE NO LONGER NEEDED SURPLUS LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

THERE IS 11 SUCH SITES SO FAR, MUCH IN THE METRO AREA, INCLUDING THIS LOT.

AREAS SAY IT IS A GREAT PLAN FOR SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO OPPOSE THIS.

AND YOU SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING ROBUST COMMUNITY OPPOSITION.

>> Reporter: HERE THEY SAY IT IS WORSENING ISSUES, THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT TRIED TO ADDRESS.

>> THE SAME PROBLEMS WE HAD IN 1963, THIS IS THE SAME CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING NOW.

SCHOOLS, SEGREGATION, THE CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY.

>> Reporter: MARY ELLIS SITS ON THE TRAINING GROUP.

IT HAS HIGHER POVERTY AND LOWER EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND HOME VALUES.

LOCATING THIS DEVELOPMENT HERE WOULD RAISE THE POVERTY LEVEL.

THE COUNTY'S LAND USE CHOICES ARE MAKING DISPARITIES WORSE.

>> THEY MAKE THESE DECISIONS TO CONTINUE LAYERING HIGH POVERTY ON TOP OF POVERTY ON TOP OF POVERTY AND THINKING THAT THE OUTCOME MAY BE SOMEHOW DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH INDICATES THIS ISSUE IS RACIALLY SKEWED.

POOR WHITE FAMILIES TEND TO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES WITH LOWER POVERTY LEVELS OVERALL.

POOR BLACK AND LATINO FAMILIES MORE OFTEN LIVING COMMUNITIES WITH HIGHER POVERTY OVERALL.

AND FACE HARDSHIPS THAT RESULT FROM PERSONAL POVERTY COLLIDING WITH COMMUNITY POVERTY.

LESS RESOURCE SCHOOLS, LESS SAFETY, MORE POLICE VIOLENCE, LOWER QUALITY HOUSING.

THIS IS MOSTLY BLACK AND LATINO.

SMALL DECISIONS LIKE WHERE TO LOCATE ONE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CON COMPLEX CHIPS AWAY AT GROWTH.

>> THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE IT IS CHISELED AWAY.

>> Reporter: YEARS BEFORE NEWS OF THIS COMPLEX, THE PLANNING GROUP PUBLISHED PRIORITIES.

THEY SAID THE GROUND LEVEL SHOULD BE FOR THINGS LIKE RETAIL, OFFICES, GROCERY AND DRUG STORES.

THERE SHOULD BE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

NOT JUST RENTALS.

FOR MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE COMMITTEE'S OVERALL POVERTY.

THEY ASK WHY THE DEVELOPMENT DOESN'T FOLLOW THESE GOALS AND SAY THE COUNTY DID NOT CONSULT WITH THEM BEFORE HIRING A DEVELOPER.

SHE SAYS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX WAS NEWS TO HER NEIGHBORS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THINGS ARE BEING BUILT AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO DO MORE.

SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO ATTEND BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING OR THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT LANGUAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY WANT TO BE THE LOT USED FOR A PARK, SOMETHING TO HELP USE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THERE ARE A FEW GREEN SPACES THAT AREN'T SCHOOLS OR CEMETERIES.

PLENTY OF GROUP MEMBERS ARGUED THE LAND DID NOT HAVE TO BE DECLARED SURPLUS.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR SOMETHING LIKE A PARK.

THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COULD BE LOCATED SOMEWHERE WITH MORE RESOURCES TO GIVE THE SENIORS A SHOT AT BETTER OUTCOMES WITHOUT WORSENING ALREADY EXISTING POVERTY.

HOUSING DIRECTOR DAVID ESTRELLA SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THEIR CONCERNS BUT HE ALSO HEARS FROM PEOPLE WHO NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> FOLKS WHO WERE FORMALLY HOMELESS, FOLKS WHO ARE STARTING OFF THEIR FAMILIES, FOLKS WHO HAVE JOBS THAT ARE WORKING AND I JUST CAN'T FIND A PLACE NEARBY WHERE THEIR WORK IS, AND SO WE BALANCE THE NEEDS OF THE REGION AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THEY PLAN TO BREAK GROUND AS EARLY AS DECEMBER OF NEXT YEAR COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY THEY MAY ALSO BE THERE WITH PICKET SIGNS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK SUPERVISORS APPROVED NEARLY $10 MILLION IN NEW FLOOD RELIEF SPENDING.

IT WILL BE A LONG RECOVERY FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES AND POSSESSIONS DURING THE JANUARY 22nd STORM.

HERE IS SOME OF THE HELP ONE NONPROFIT IS PROVIDING.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE FLOOD HIT IN JANUARY, MOUNTAIN VIEW RESIDENT ROBERT BANKS LOST HIS HOME, BUT THAT WASN'T ALL HE LOST.

>> I WAS A WHOLE MONTH WITHOUT MY CPAP MACHINE.

YOU CAN DIE IN YOUR SLEEP WITHOUT A CPAP MACHINE.

I AM BLESSED, BUT STILL, THEY DID THEIR PART.

>> Reporter: HE NOW HAS A NEW MACHINE.

>> I LOST MY CPAP MACHINE AND THEY GOT ME ONE.

I LOST MY LOVE PRESSURE MONITOR, THEY GOT ME ONE.

>> Reporter: JOINT INITIATIVES FOR RACIAL EQUITY IN HEALTH.

SAMANTHA WILLIAMS IS A GROUP COFOUNDER.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEED THAT IS ALREADY THERE IN REGARD TO THE FLOOD DOES NOT THEN TURN INTO EMERGENCY NEED WITH THEIR HELP.

AND SO WHILE THEY MAY NOT BE THINKING ABOUT IT, WE ARE.

>> SHE IS ALSO A NURSE PRACTITIONER.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A DEFINITION TO UNDERSTAND NATIONAL DISASTERS.

OFTEN TIMES THE FIRST THING ON A PERSON'S MIND IS NOT THERE HELP.

IT IS FOOD AND SAFETY.

>> FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, SHE AND HER TEAM HAVE BEEN BRINGING MUCH-NEEDED MEDICAL RESOURCES TO FLOOD VICTIMS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ACCESS IS AT THEIR FINGERTIPS, IT IS NOT SOMEWHERE THEY HAVE TO GO AND NOT A NEED THAT GOES UNMET.

WE BRING HEALTH SERVICES LIKE OUR SCREENINGS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES, MENTAL WELLNESS, STRAIGHT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN ALSO LIVES IN MOUNTAIN VIEW.

SINCE THE FLOOD HER DATE HAS NOT BEEN THE HEALTHIEST AND SHE HAS BEEN STRESSED EATING.

>> I AM GOING TO GO GET MY BLOOD TESTED AND MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T HAVE DIABETES.

I KNOW LIKE I SAID I HAVE BEEN GETTING HEADACHES.

MY BLUSHER HAS BEEN GOOD AND THANK GOD FOR THEM BLOODILY PROVIDING THE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK.

>> Reporter: THEY TREAT RESIDENTS LIKE FAMILY.

>> IT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO COME AND PROVIDE THAT HELP.

THEY TREAT YOU WITH COMPASSION AND LOVE.

>> Reporter: IF A COMMUNITY MEMBER NEED FOLLOW-UP CARE, THEY HAVE PARTNERED WITH INNOVATIVE WELLNESS CLINIC WHO CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH REPLACING MEDICATIONS LOST IN THE FLOOD.

>> WAS A COMPLETE COMMITTEE NEED AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WERE MEDICATIONS LOST OR DAMAGED, THEN SOME INSURERS HAVE A MEALY SET UP SOME HOTLINE NUMBERS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HELP THEM CALL TO GET THOSE 30 DAY PRESCRIPTIONS.

IF NOT, THEN WE AGAIN CAN CONNECT THEM TO IWC.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL BE HOLDING EVENTS THROUGH THE END OF MARCH AND THEN PLANS TO REASSESS THEIR EFFORTS AND HELP ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL PERMISSION FROM UNCHECKED DEVELOPMENT ARE THE CRITICS SAY THE COMMISSION IS WORKING AGAINST THE STATES, GOALS.

OUR METRO REPORTER SAYS THERE IS A GROWING APPETITE FOR REFORM IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE KIDS WERE REALLY LITTLE WE WOULD LIKE A LONGER AFTER WAS SAFE AND PROTECTED AND NOW WITH TEENAGERS, THE, BIKE TO THE BEACH ON THEIR OWN.

I AM WALKING WITH STATE SENATOR ALONG HIGHWAY 101.

WHEN SHE WAS MAYOR, SHE GOT THE CITY TO ADD PROTECTIVE BIKE LANES HERE.

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE ABLE TO CONNECT OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: BLAKE SPEARS SAYS THEY COULD'VE BEEN BETTER PRESSURE WANTED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LANES ON HIGHWAY 101 FROM FOUR TO TWO.

THAT WOULD CUT BACK ON SPEEDING AND MAKE MORE SPACE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS.

TAKING STREET SPACE AWAY FROM CARS REQUIRES A PERMIT FROM THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION.

>> IT MEANS IT COULD BE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN IT ALMOST ALWAYS IS AND IT IS ON AN UNCERTAIN TIMELINE AND REQUIRES A BIG PROCESS FOR HIRING PEOPLE, HAVING MEETINGS, DOING STUDIES THAT MIGHT BE REDUNDANT.

IT IS JUST NOT A GREAT WAY TO RUN A SYSTEM.

WE ALSO SEE A TREMENDOUS BACKLOG AT THE COASTAL COMMISSION.

MONTHS AND YEARS OF TIME THAT IT TAKES TO GET THROUGH.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF SAFE STRUCTURE IS NOT JUST BAD FOR THE CLIMATE, THERE IS A HUMAN COST AS WELL.

LAST OCTOBER A 41-YEAR-OLD CYCLIST WAS STRUCK BY AN SUV DRIVER.

THE CITY HAD PLANS TO INSTALL BIKE LANES ON THE ROAD BUT THEY COLLAPSED UNDER THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

OUR REPORTING LED HER TO INTRODUCE AN ACT.

>> WHAT MY BILL DOES IS CUT ALL THAT TAPE.

IF IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL OF THE OTHER PLANS AND PROGRAMS THE CITY HAS, ARE ABLE TO USE WHAT IS CALLED A PROCESS TO INSTALL A BIKE LANE.

THE COASTAL COMMISSION WOULD BE ABLE TO APPROVE A PROJECT WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE BIG RIGMAROLE THAT IS CURRENTLY REQUIRED.

>> THIS IS ABOUT MAKING GULLIBLE .

>> Reporter: STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER TALKS ABOUT HOUSING.

>> HOUSING METRICS ARE VERY CLEAR.

THE COASTAL AREAS AMONG CALIFORNIA ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE AMONG ALL THE COUNTRY.

IT IS EXCLUDING INDIVIDUALS FROM DIFFERENT ECONOMIC BACK RENT LEVELS FROM HAVING ACCESS.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD FAST- TRACK APPROVAL OF APARTMENT AND CONDO BUILDINGS IN THE COASTAL ZONE THAT USES THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM LETS DEVELOPERS HOLD MORE HOMES IF THEY SET ASIDE A PORTION FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AT AFFORDABLE PRICE POINTS.

THE BILL WOULD NOT APPLY IN THE STATES UNDEVELOPED COASTAL AREAS.

>> WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PLACES THAT ARE NOT OPERABLY ZONE FOR HOUSING.

WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT ALLOWING MORE UNITS TO BE BUILT FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND MIDDLE INCOME INDIVIDUALS ON SITE THAT ARE ALREADY GOING TO BE BUILDING HOUSING TO BEGIN WITH.

>> Reporter: THEY DECLINED OUR INTERVIEW REQUEST.

OFFICIALLY IT HAS NO POSITION ON HER BILL, THOUGH IT HAS OPPOSED SIMILAR REFORMS IN THE PAST.

THE COMMISSION MEANS WELL BUT THAT IT VALUES UPHOLDING BUREAUCRACY OVERPRODUCING GOOD OUTCOMES.

>> I THINK YOU ARE SEEING A RESPONSE, IT IS NOT JUST SENATOR BLAKE'S BILL OR MYSELF, IT IS ABOUT MEMBERS ACTUALLY UP AND DOWN THE STATE WHO ARE SAYING, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE OF COASTAL ACCESS AND AWAY THAT REALLY REPRESENTS ACCESS FOR EVERYBODY AND NOT JUST AS A TOOL THAT IS SOMETIMES DIFFERENT PARTIES USING IN ORDER TO STOP PROGRESS ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS WHICH IS OFTEN WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THERE IS REALLY A PERCEPTION RIGHT NOW THAT THE COASTAL COMMISSION IS STOPPING US FROM BEING ABLE TO HANDLE AND ADDRESS URGENT PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: HER BILL DOES HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE COASTAL COMMISSION BUT THE SENATOR ADMITS SHE LIMITED THE SCOPE TO AVOID THE OPPOSITION.

BOTH BILLS ARE GOING THROUGH COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND HAVE TO PASS THE FULL LEGISLATURE BY THE END OF AUGUST.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS.

FULL PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO RESUME IN EARLY APRIL.

THE INVESTIGATION WE SHOWED YOU AT THE TOP OF THIS NEWSCAST, FRONT WAVE CREDIT UNION, WREAKS MILLIONS IN FEES FROM YOUNG MARINES.

SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS ARE USING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO STUDY LOCAL WILDLIFE IN WAYS NEVER BEFORE POSSIBLE.

THEY ARE AMONG THE 1st TO USE THEM ON SNAKES.

>> Reporter: ON THIS BRIGHT SUNNY DAY, SAN DIEGO STATE RESEARCHER WITH A SNAKE IN HAND IS ON A MISSION.

>> WE'RE GOING AFTER TO LOCATE ONE OF OUR SNAKES.

>> Reporter: SHE IS LOOKING FOR M 43.

BUT FIRST, SOME SAFETY GEAR.

NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS WARMER, SNAKES ARE GETTING ACTIVE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN MONITORING THIS MAIL, NUMBER 43, FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW.

>> THEY LIKE TO HIDE IN ROCKS.

>> THEY SPENT MUCH OF THE TIME CONCEALED.

>> Reporter: THAT LIKE SOME HARD TO STUDY IN THE FIELD, PLUS DIRECT OBSERVATION INTERFERES WITH THEIR NATURAL OBSERVATION.

THE BIODIVERSITY RESERVE IS A HOT SPOT FOR THE RED DIAMONDBACKS.

AFTER BIT OF LOOKING, WITH THE RADIO ANTENNA M 43 WAS SWATTED.

>> I SEE HIM, THIS IS GREAT.

>> Reporter: SHE MAKES A NOTE OF WHERE THE STICK SNAKE WAS FOUND.

THE RED DIAMONDBACK ARE LISTED BECAUSE THEY PREFER PRISTINE HABITATS.

THAT IS HARD TO FIND.

WITHIN 75% OF THE COASTAL SNAKES HABITAT IS GONE BECAUSE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE TAKE A HIT IF WE LOST THE RED DIAMONDS FOR SURE.

WE WOULD BE LOSING THAT ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION.

WE COULD POTENTIALLY SEE THE RODENT POPULATIONS GOING UP WHICH WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE LONGEVITY OF THE VEGETATION IN THE AREA.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PRISTINE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE COUNTY.

A PROGRAM SPECIALIST AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

HE HAS BEEN STUDYING THE RED DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKES FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

>> THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN THE FOOD WEB IN GENERAL.

THEY EAT A LOT OF THE SMALLER ANIMALS AND A LOT OF THE LARGER ANIMALS, COYOTES, HAWKS, BIRDS OF PREY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY RESEARCH LIKE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

THE STUDYING THEM HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

>> BECAUSE OF ELUSIVE THE SNAKES ARE COMMITTED SPEND HARD UNTIL NOW.

>> Reporter: AT SIMILAR TO THE MONITORING AND CELL PHONES.

>> IF THEY THINK IS MOVING FORWARD OR BACK, SIDE TO SIDE OR ANY VERTICAL MOTIONS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE DEVICE CHECKSUM WITH THE DETAILS OF THEIR BEHAVIOR.

THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO TRACK ANIMALS IN THE WILD BEFORE, BUT THEY TEND TO BE BIGGER AND BULKIER.

NOT IDEAL FOR SNAKES.

WITH IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY, AND EASIER TO ATTACH TO SNAKES.

>> THIS IS THE AXIOM VIDEO FOR MALE NUMBER 33 .

>> THEY ARE LETTING US KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR NOT.

OVER TIME, WE HOPE TO USE THAT TECHNOLOGY TO TELL US HOW THEY ARE REACTING TO THINGS LIKE ROADS.

ROADS ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THEY CUT THE HABITATS IN HALF AND THEY KILL SNAKES.

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE BEING ISOLATED COULD AFFECT THE POPULATIONS BIODIVERSITY LEADING TO EXTINCTION.

>> IF YOU THINK OF EVERY SPECIES IN THE WORLD, THERE IS A BRICK AND A WALL.

EVERY TIME ONE GOES EXTINCT, YOU'RE PULLING A BRICK OUT OF THE WALL.

THE WALL WILL FINALLY CRASH ON THAT WALL IS US.

>> Reporter: THE SNAKES ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FASCINATING ANIMALS.

>> I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

I JUST THINK THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, THEY ARE SO FASCINATING.

>>> A RUNNING CLUB BY AND FOR WOMEN OF COLOR HAS TAKEN OFF IN SOUTH SAN DIEGO.

MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE HAVE RUN SINCE IT BEGAN IN 2020.

WE JOINED THEM ON A SATURDAY RUN.

>> WE DID NOT SEE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN THE RUNNING SPACES.

>> Reporter: JENNIE AND HER FRIEND WERE LOOKING FOR A RUNNING CLUB ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE.

ALL COLORS, SHAPES AND SIZES, FREE.

>> WE WANTED A PLACE THAT WE KNOW OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING TO WITHOUT JUDGMENT.

>> Reporter: WHEN WE DIDN'T FIND IT, THEY CREATED IT.

SHE SAYS IT OFFERS NOT JUST COMFORT, BUT SAFETY.

>> EVERY WOMAN HAS SOMETHING LIKE THEY CAN FOLLOW ALL OF US.

I THINK HAVING THIS COMMUNITY HAS MADE IT SAFER FOR US TO GO OUT AND RUN.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE REPRESENTATION HAS CHANGED THE COURSE OF MANY.

>> PEOPLE SAY I WOULDN'T HAVE STARTED RUNNING IF I DIDN'T SEE SOMEONE THAT LOOKED LIKE ME.

HAD THE SAME INJURY LIKE ME.

YOU CAN SHOW UP LIKE WHO YOU ARE.

>> I CAME AND I INTRODUCED MYSELF AND SAID I AM NOT A RUNNER.

AND I'VE BEEN COMING EVER SINCE.

I HAVEN'T STOPPED.

>> Reporter: THIS PAST YEAR, SHE SAID SHE RAN 24 RACES.

>> NOW I HAVE A WALL FULL OF MEDALS AND GLASSES AND HATS AND MEDALS.

IT LOOKS GOOD.

>> Reporter: SHE IS BUYING A NEW FINISH LINE, A NONPROFIT STATUS.

>>> THAT IS THE NEWS THIS WEEK, THANKS FOR JOINING US.