Surfrider Foundation v. California Coastal Commission

I. Introduction

Surfrider Foundation appeals from a judgment denying a petition for a writ of mandate, challenging the California Coastal Commission’s (Commission) approval of applications by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department) for permits to install devices for the collection of parking fees at 16 state park beaches. Surfrider contends the Commission violated both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The primary issues are whether the Commission’s action was exempt from CEQA and whether the installation of the parking fee devices is inconsistent with the public access and recreational policies of the Coastal Act.

II. Background

In 1990, the Legislature imposed a $16 million budget cut on the Department and directed it to increase its user fees to compensate for the shortfall. The Department decided to raise existing parking fees and impose new fees at various locations throughout the state park system, some of which are in the coastal zone. The Department filed notice that the collection of the fees was exempt from CEQA pursuant to an exemption for fees charged by a public agency for the purpose of…