The California Coastal Commission and the Anti-Seawall Crusade




Courting Liberty show

Summary: PLF's Director of Communications Harold Johnson leads a candid discussion with PLF's Executive Vice President and General Counsel John Groen and PLF Client Jennifer Lynch about the May 4th California Supreme Court hearing on PLF's challenge to the California Coastal Commission’s attack on some Encinitas residents’ right to protect their oceanfront homes from storms and erosion. The Lynch's troubles date back to December, 2010, when a severe storm and erosion destroyed their seawall and the lower portion of their long-existing stairway that led from their homes down to the beach. The City of Encinitas gave Lynch and Frick permission to rebuild the seawall and the stairway. But the Coastal Commission balked, and refused to affirm that approval. Instead, the commission attached a condition that the seawall permit would expire in 20 years, forcing the homeowners to apply again or tear out the seawall.