Gherini

This appeal is taken from judgment denying appellants’ petition for peremptory writ of administrative mandate and dismissing their complaint for inverse condemnation.

Facts

This case involves the unique natural characteristics of one of the Channel Islands and the application of the California Coastal Act (Act) to a land use plan for the island.

Santa Cruz Island is located in the Santa Barbara Channel approximately 19 miles from the mainland. It is roughly 62,000 acres in size and is divided into two ranches and an ecological preserve. The Gherini Ranch owned by the appellants is on the eastern end of the island and is 6,700 acres in size. The Santa Cruz Island Company Ranch is a cattle ranch comprising 42,500 acres. The ecological preserve is currently 12,500 acres in size and is held by the Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy also holds a conservation easement over the Santa Cruz Island Company Ranch and is scheduled to gain control over that land during the next 24 years, thereby controlling approximately 90 percent of the island.

Santa Cruz Island is one of five islands included in the Channel Islands National Park in order to protect its nationally…