American Notes CALIFORNIA

Mount Pico Blanco near Big Sur contains 600 million tons of limestone, one of the largest deposits in the U.S. The Granite Rock Co. wants to quarry the scenic mountain, which is on federal land, while the California coastal commission wants to protect it. Last week the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 for the coastal commission, upholding the right of states to enforce environmental requirements even on federal property. California can require the mining company obtain a state permit, even though it had received a federal go- ahead. Fully 19 states, along with the National Governors' Association, had filed briefs as friends of the court on behalf of the coastal commission.