Coastal Commission challenged

An equestrian center on six bucolic acres is at the center of a bitter dispute over whether the panel charged with protecting California's coastline bent the rules and could be endangering public health.Beth Barrett in the Daily News.

The California Coastal Commission recently agreed to allow Malibu Valley Farms Inc. to continue operating stables and riding arenas near a stream that drains into Malibu Lagoon, even though it didn't get a permit before building the facilities about six years ago.

Its decision prompted the Coastal Law Enforcement Action Network to accuse the commission of ignoring environmental laws intended to protect the coast from pollution, and to file suit to shut down the thoroughbred breeding facility.