California Replaces Wyland Whale-Tail License Plate

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California has replaced muralist Wyland's disputed whale-tail vehicle license plate with a new version of the environmental plate.

The state will begin issuing the new plate, featuring a vibrant whale-tail image, on Aug. 2.

The Wyland whale-tail plate, which cost $50 more than regular plates, had been one of the most popular license plates in California. The Los Angeles Times says nearly 200,000 of the plates were sold since 1997, raising millions for coastal and environmental conservation programs.

But the Laguna Beach artist wanted 20 percent of the profits from sales to fund his environmental foundation. Three years after the dispute began, the state stopped issuing the plates last month.

The California Coastal Commission sponsored a contest to design the new whale-tail plate and a hybrid of the top two contenders was produced.