Coastal Panel Extends Time for U.S. Ruling

The California Coastal Commission voted Thursday to give the U.S. Department of Commerce a one-month extension to rule on the commission’s request to review habitat conservation plans.

Panel member Shirley S. Dettloff said the move was prompted by fear that the commission’s “reasonable and legitimate request” would otherwise be denied.

The 8-2 vote came after an hourlong special hearing at a commission meeting in San Francisco.

Habitat conservation plans allow developers to set aside large chunks of land in exchange for being able to build in environmentally sensitive areas. The pacts have been hailed by some as an innovative way to balance development and conservation.

Although similar requests have been routinely approved for 10 other states, California’s will be decided by senior Commerce officials.

Susy Smith, Commerce Secretary Norman Y. Mineta’s chief of staff, said issues regarding California’s geography and state agency collaboration need to be clarified.

The mining, building, ranching and timber industries are vocally opposed to the commission’s request, saying the panel is trying to improperly expand its jurisdiction inland.

Environmental groups say a more all-inclusive approach is crucial to protecting the state’s 1,100-mile coastline. Five state legislators wrote Mineta on Wednesday, urging him to support “timely approval” of the state agency’s request.

The commission and the state Department of Fish and Game are trying to reach agreement on each agency’s role in reviewing habitat plans. A final deal is expected by Jan. 10--the Commerce Department’s new deadline for ruling on the commission’s request.