ActCoastal Statement in Support of the California Coastal Commission
Trump Administration Threatens Coastal Protections
The federal administration, including presidential special envoy Richard Grenell, presidential advisor Elon Musk, and President Trump himself, have all taken aim at the California Coastal Commission with the stated goals of defunding and/or dismantling the commission.
But defunding or dismantling the Coastal Commission isn’t just a bureaucratic maneuver – it’s an attack on public rights that would leave our beaches vulnerable to private interests and unchecked development, potentially cutting off access for millions of Californians who rely on the coast for recreation, restoration, and cultural connection. People escaping sweltering inland heatwaves could be met with locked gates instead of open shores. Communities already reeling from climate disasters would face further losses as coastal protections erode.
California’s coastline is a public treasure, not a bargaining chip for political agendas. The Coastal Commission has stood as a bulwark against those who would sacrifice public access and environmental integrity for profit. We must stand together to defend it. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Related Statements:
Background
The Coastal Commission: A Critical Guardian of the Coast and Public Access
For decades, developers and private property owners have taken aim at the Coastal Commission, frustrated by its role in upholding the California Coastal Act’s strong protections for the environment and public access. But this isn’t just about regulations, it’s about the fundamental rights of all Californians. The Coastal Act ensures that our beaches remain open to everyone, regardless of income, background, or where they live. It guarantees that coastal development doesn’t come at the expense of public access, environmental health, or community safety. Without it, our beaches could become off-limits, gated, heavily armored and eroded by seawalls, and privatized, with developers paving over what belongs to the people.
Landmark Coastal Commission Wins
Since its creation in 1972, the Coastal Commission has been instrumental in protecting California’s iconic coastline and ensuring public access remains a right for all, not a privilege for the few. It has fought to keep beaches open in battles like the decades-long Strands Beach access fight in Dana Point and the Martins Beach case, where billionaire Vinod Khosla attempted to block public entry to a beloved stretch of coast. The Commission played a critical role in stopping the Trestles Toll Road, a project that would have devastated one of California’s most cherished surf spots and vital coastal ecosystems.
It has stood against destructive projects like the Huntington Beach desalination plant, which posed risks to marine life and public access, and it has safeguarded Big Sur’s wild beauty from unchecked development near Hearst Castle. Additionally, the Commission has played a crucial role in enforcing beach access in Malibu, preventing illegal development from blocking public entry to world-famous shorelines. We could go on and on with examples of the Commission saving iconic parts of California’s coast - and in fact, we have! Check out our History page.
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