The Coastal Commission appoints its new leader

September 08, 2011 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Author: Paul J. Beard II

Today, the California Coastal Commission issued a press release announcing its choice to replace outgoing Executive Director Peter Douglas: Charles Lester.

The press release cites Lester's commitment to "improving communications and collaboration with public agencies and local governments," and "to bringing people together around environmentally sustainable solutions that protect coastal resources and provide maximum public access to the coast for all Californians." But, perhaps not surprisingly, the press release offers no indication that Lester will work to improve relations with—let alone protect the property rights of—the regulated public: those who own land in the coastal zone. Indeed, property owners are not mentioned at all in the press release.

A sign, perhaps, that the change in leadership at the Commission amounts to no change at all.