Top Environmentalists Oppose Shakeup At California Coastal Commission

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Dozens of environmental and advocacy groups are urging the powerful California Coastal Commission to reject a proposal to oust its top executive.

The commission that manages development along the state's famed coastline has planned a meeting next month to consider whether to fire Executive Director Charles Lester.

In a letter to commission Chair Steve Kinsey released Tuesday, more than 50 groups that include Sierra Club California, the Surfrider Foundation and the California Coastal Protection Network say they are deeply concerned by a "unjustified and misguided" attempt to remove Lester.

Environmental activists suspect some commission members want to push out Lester to make way for management that would be more welcoming to development.

The groups warn that firing Lester would undermine the state's efforts to protect the coast for future generations.

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