County at odds with Coastal Commission

In a modern-day twist on a Wild West battle over land, a Los Angeles County plan for an 81-mile swath of the Santa Monica Mountains is set for a showdown with the Coastal Commission today. Beth Barrett in the Daily News.

The plan bans construction in the most-sensitive habitats - including riparian areas along streams and canopied oak areas - and limits development in other significant woodlands, savannas and watersheds.

But critics - including the commission's staff - say the plan doesn't go far enough to protect sensitive areas from overdevelopment.