The California Coastal Commission, comprised of 12 voting members appointed equally by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly, was created by voter initiative in 1972 and was made permanent by the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Coastal Act). The Coastal Act calls for the protection and enhancement of public access and recreation, marine resources, environmentally sensitive habitat areas, marine water quality, agriculture, and scenic resources, and makes provisions for coastal-dependent industrial and energy development. More.....