Environmental Law
Envt'l Law News Fall 2017, Vol. 26, No. 2
Content
- 2016-2017 Environmental Law Section Executive Committee
- Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Ceqa: Why the Questions Left Unanswered by Newhall Ranch Have Demonstrated the Need for an Update to the Ceqa Guidelines
- California's Proposed "Dredge and Fill" Program for Wetlands and Other Waters of the State
- Environmental Law News Publications Committee
- Southern California's Once Groundbreaking Cap and Trade Program is Now Riding Towards the Sunset
- Table of Contents
- The Sandag Decision: How Lead Agencies Can "Stay in Step" with Law and Science in Addressing the Climate Impacts of Large-Scale Planning and Infrastructure Projects
- Vapor Intrusion: Acute Exposure Regulatory Developments and Litigation Trends
- Protecting Public Coastal Access Easements from Extinction
Protecting Public Coastal Access Easements from Extinction
by Amy Foo*
INTRODUCTION
California’s 1100 miles of coastline attract over 566 million visitors annually to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of its sandy beaches and rocky shores.1 Moreover, the state’s population and economy are concentrated in its coastal counties, which account for 68 percent of its population and 80 percent of its GDP.2
Given the widespread importance of our coast, a grassroots organization with the acronym COAAST (Citizens Organized to Acquire Access to State Tidelands) began a "Save the Coast" campaign in the 1960’s.3 In 1972, this campaign resulted in California voters approving Proposition 20, an initiative for a coastal protection program.4 The state legislature then made this program permanent in 1976 by enacting the California Coastal Act, which mandates that public access to and along the shoreline be maximized.5