{"id":293253,"date":"2026-04-30T15:07:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/293253\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T15:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:07:08","slug":"the-california-coastal-act-turns-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/293253\/","title":{"rendered":"The California Coastal Act Turns 50"},"content":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t miss the stunning photographic exhibit\u2014Ocean Photographer of the Year\u2014that opened recently at Hangar 41 at Alameda Point. Described as \u201ca historic World War II airplane hangar\u2026 transformed into an immersive gallery of the world\u2019s most extraordinary ocean photography,\u201d the photographs will be on display until May 17. (For tickets and more information visit the West End Arts District<\/a> website.)<\/p>\n

\"Alameda<\/a>Stock image by DepositPhotos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The exhibit\u2019s opening night featured a \u201cfireside chat\u201d with California Coastal Commission Executive Director Dr. Kate Huckelbridge and UK Special Representative for Climate Rachel Kyte, who discussed the important collaboration between California and the UK to achieve global climate goals. Dr. Huckelbridge also highlighted the California Coastal Commission\u2019s vital role in preserving California\u2019s coast and beaches for the public for the past 50 years.<\/p>\n

The creation of the Coastal Commission began when a group of activists\u2014alarmed by events including PG&E\u2019s attempts to build a nuclear power plant on California\u2019s coast, the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, and numerous efforts to privatize the coast\u2014placed a statewide voter initiative on the November 1972 ballot. (Photographer Ansel Adams was among the initiative\u2019s supporters.) Proposition 20 declared that \u201cthe California coastline is a distinct and valuable resource and it is state policy to preserve, protect and, where possible, restore the natural and scenic resources of the coastal zone for present and succeeding generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

California voters approved Prop. 20, which established the State Coastal Conservation Commission (now the California Coastal Commission) to provide landmark protection for California\u2019s coast and preserve public access to the shore.<\/p>\n

In 1976, continued public advocacy led the State Legislature to pass the California Coastal Conservation Act (Coastal Act) that provides a legal framework for coastal resource management. The Coastal Commission<\/a> website declares, \u201cThe enduring legacy of the Coastal Act is evidenced in the coastal wetlands not filled, the sensitive habitats not destroyed, the access trails not blocked, the farms and ranches not converted to urban uses, the freeways and gated communities and industrial facilities not built.\u201d The website further notes that \u201cPublic engagement has been central to all the Coastal Commission\u2019s 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.\u201d We are all the beneficiaries of the Coastal Commission, and the Coastal Act\u2019s 50-year legacy.<\/p>\n

Alameda is fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who conduct monthly Coastal Clean Ups at Alameda Point to protect our shoreline and beaches. Join CASA (Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda) and other organizations on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Seaplane Lagoon Promenade, 1801 Ferry Point. The next Coastal Clean Up is on Saturday, May 9. For more information, visit the CASA<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

Apply for a City Board or Commission<\/p>\n

Other opportunities for public engagement include serving on a City Board or Commission. There are currently openings on the Historic Advisory Board, Planning Board, Recreation & Parks Commission, Social Services Human Relations Board, and Transportation Commission. For more information, and to submit an application online, visit the City of Alameda<\/a> website and select the \u201cYour Government\u201d tab.<\/p>\n

Choose Hope over Fear: We are living through trying times, to say the least. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that there are always things, big and small, we can do to make the world\u2014or our corner of it\u2014a better place. Here\u2019s a quote that inspires me, from one of our Nation\u2019s most impressive First Ladies, Eleanor Roosevelt:<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, \u2018It can\u2019t be done.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Be engaged! Choose hope! Stay Alameda Strong!<\/p>\n

Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. Reach her at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t miss the stunning photographic exhibit\u2014Ocean Photographer of the Year\u2014that opened recently at Hangar 41 at Alameda Point.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":293254,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[5445,7,9,8,85592],"class_list":["post-293253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-california","tag-alameda","tag-california","tag-california-headlines","tag-california-news","tag-marilyn-ezzy-ashcraft"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293253\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/293254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}