California to challenge federal review of coastal management

California is preparing a legal challenge against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) following a request from the Trump administration to review the state’s adherence to the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).

The administration is investigating whether the California Coastal Commission’s environmental enforcement activities have improperly interfered with economic development. California officials note that the state’s compliance was recently reviewed and passed in 2024 under the Biden administration.

The state argues that the timing of this new review is premature and intends to take the matter to court. The outcome of this case could set a legal precedent for the 34 other states affected by the CZMA.