California Voice: Reforming landmark coastal law can restore balance between housing and environment

The California Coastal Act is a monumental achievement of the environmental movement.

It limits oil drilling that imperils the planet’s climate and threatens to foul our shoreline. It prevents paving stunningly beautiful rural areas of the coastline. It preserves threatened wetlands and other sensitive habitats. It expands public access to the shoreline despite the fierce opposition of some of the richest landowners in the country.

The urban aspects of the Coastal Act, however, have too often failed.