To go after violators of the state’s coastal protection laws, the California Coastal Commission first must go through the courts to levy penalties. But a new proposal would allow the commission to directly order civil penalties of $5,000 to $50,000 without court intervention – a move that is drawing attention in the Capitol. “This is a case of enforcement. There is a very difficult problem in enforcing coastal regulations,” said Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City. “The public voted to create a commission to protect the coast, and the people of California see the coast as a critical part of the...
