The sea snail, which was once abundant along the California coast, was overfished almost to the point of extinction.

  A sweeping plan to give the California Department of Food Agriculture free rein in applying pesticides statewide is being contested by a broad coalition of food and environmental groups that contend it violates the state’s Environmental Quality Act.

  ALSO: A new poll shows California voters back extending Prop 30 and making key changes to Prop 13.