Which of the following provides special regulations for development along coastal areas?

The correct choice pertains to the California Coastal Act, which is primarily responsible for establishing regulations concerning development and land use along coastal areas in California. This act aims to protect coastal resources and ensure that development activities consider environmental impacts, public access, and resource conservation.

The Coastal Zone Conservation Act, while it may sound relevant, does not exist in the form suggested by the answer. The California Coastal Act is the key piece of legislation that governs development in these sensitive areas, providing guidelines that local governments must follow when issuing permits for projects along the coastline.

The Environmental Protection Act addresses broader aspects of environmental protection, rather than being specific to coastal development. Although it plays a significant role in environmental regulation, it does not focus exclusively on the coastal zone.

The Coastal Development Commission is not the correct answer, as this entity is actually part of the operational framework established under the California Coastal Act. The Commission implements the regulations set forth by the Coastal Act rather than being a standalone source of special regulations.

Therefore, the California Coastal Act directly provides the necessary legal framework and guidelines for managing development in coastal areas, focusing on the balance between development and environmental conservation.