Coastal Act turns 50: How a law shaped California's coastal identity

"We have this powerful law and we find ways to improve and protect our resources, which includes views, access, a beautiful restorative place people can enjoy. I think that one of the most beautiful gifts we've given to the state is the Coastal Act. It has withstood the test of time."

"The coast is never saved - it's always being saved. During those first five decades, the Coastal Act and the California Coastal Commission have largely kept massive high rises off the shoreline, negotiated large-scale projects to include public access and, in some cases, turned down proposals that would compromise sensitive habitats or public recreation."

The California Coastal Act, signed into law in 1976 and co-authored by Peter Douglas, marks 50 years of protecting California's 1,200-mile coastline. The law and the California Coastal Commission it created have prevented massive high-rise development on shorelines, negotiated public access requirements for large projects, and rejected proposals threatening sensitive habitats. Born from 1960s environmental concerns including a 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and fears of privatized beaches, the Coastal Act represents a foundational environmental achievement. Current leadership credits the law's enduring success to its ability to balance competing interests while preserving coastal resources, views, and public recreation opportunities.

Read at The Mercury News