Will Californians Need to Save the Coast Again, Half a Century Later?

A Half-Century Later, the California Coast Remains a Precious Resource

In 1972, thousands of Californians came together in what was a defining moment in state history. They were united by fears that the spectacular coast was in danger of becoming overdeveloped, heavily industrialized, ecologically diminished, and irreversibly privatized. Rue Furch, a Sonoma State University student, signed on as a volunteer for Proposition 20, which called for a commission to “preserve, protect, restore, and enhance the environment and ecology of the coastal zone.”

A New Threat to the Coastal Commission

Fast forward to today, and the California Coastal Commission is once again under threat, targeted by the Trump administration, federal legislation, and other critics. The commission, created by the 1976 California Coastal Act, has been a bulwark against the encroachment of development, pollution, and exploitation of the coast. But with the current administration’s anti-environmental agenda, the commission’s very existence is being challenged.

A History of the California Coastal Act

The California Coastal Act was passed in 1976, in response to the growing concerns about the coast’s future. The act established the California Coastal Commission, which is responsible for preserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment and ecology of the coastal zone. The commission is made up of more than 100 staff members and 12 voting commissioners, who are selected by elected officials.

Recent Challenges to the Commission

In recent years, the commission has faced several challenges, including a series of bills introduced by Republican legislators aimed at reducing its authority and scope. In February, Trump special missions envoy Ric Grenell painted a bull’s-eye on the commission, saying that fire relief assistance could be held up if California doesn’t bow to the administration’s wishes. He called the Coastal Commission “an unelected group of people who are crazy woke left” and said that “putting strings on them to get rid of the California Coastal Commission is going to make California better.”

Conclusion

The California coast is a precious resource that has been protected and preserved through the efforts of many individuals and organizations over the years. As the threat to the Coastal Commission continues to grow, it is essential that Californians come together to protect this natural wonder. As Peter Douglas, one of the first directors of the agency, once said, “The coast is what it is because a lot of people worked really hard and sacrificed to protect it. And if we want it to be there for our children, we have to keep fighting to protect it. In that way, the coast is never saved, it’s always being saved.”

FAQs

* What is the California Coastal Commission?
The California Coastal Commission is a state agency responsible for preserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment and ecology of the coastal zone.
* What is the purpose of the California Coastal Act?
The California Coastal Act was passed in 1976 to establish the California Coastal Commission and to guide state and local governments on the use of land and water in the coastal zone.
* What is the current threat to the Coastal Commission?
The current threat to the Coastal Commission comes from the Trump administration, federal legislation, and other critics, who are seeking to reduce its authority and scope.
* What is the significance of the California coast?
The California coast is a precious resource that has been protected and preserved through the efforts of many individuals and organizations over the years. It is a natural wonder that is essential to the state’s economy, environment, and way of life.