Media coverage of Proposition 20 exploded when Senate President pro-tem Jim Mills led a bicycle tour of the coast from San Francisco to San Diego, stopping for press conferences and public events in coastal communities along the route.
Supporters of the California Coastal Zone Conservation Act included Congressional candidate Julian Camacho and photographer Ansel Adams.
I 1972, alarmed that private development was cutting off public access to the shore, Californians rallied to “Save Our Coast.” They declared by voter initiative that “it is the policy of the State to preserve, protect, and where possible, restore the resources of the coastal zone for the enjoyment of the current and succeeding generations.” This voter initiative, Proposition 20, was a hard-fought campaign, which created the California Coastal Commission and ultimately led to the passage of the Coastal Act in 1976.
For over five decades, the Coastal Commission has been at the forefront of some of California’s most significant coastal conservation victories, protecting open space, public beach access, agricultural lands and scenic views while ensuring that new development is designed to avoid harmful impacts to coast and ocean habitats.
Public engagement has been central to all the Coastal Commission’s greatest achievements. Time and again, ordinary citizens have stepped forward to save a beloved beach or protect a stretch of coastline from harmful development proposals. Members of the public interested in learning more are invited to explore the following resources:
