Coastal Zone Plan Implementation

The California Coastal Act of 1976 is designed to enhance public access and recreation, the marine environment, and coastal land resources by requiring development to be compatible with those objectives. A permanent Coastal Commission is established to control development through permits while working with local governments to revise their plans and ordinances in accordance with the Coastal Act. Upon satisfactory completion of local government plans and ordinances by 1981, most of the management of California’s coastal zone is expected to be in the hands of local government but the Coastal Commission will continue in effect to review appeals from improper local government decisions and to review and approve amendments to local plans as may be necessary in the future.