Scott Peters Appointed to Coastal Commission

by Councilman Scott Peters
July 2002

On June 17th, Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson appointed me to the California Coastal Commission for a period of two years. Appointment to the Coastal Commission is an important responsibility and a great honor and I look forward to serving.

The California Coastal Commission was established by a voter initiative in 1972 (Proposition 20) and later made permanent by the legislature with the passage of the 1976 Coastal Act. The Commission has 12 voting members who are appointed by the Governor, Senate Rules Committee, and Speaker of the Assembly. The seat I have been appointed to is specifically held by an elected official from San Diego County. These 12 members administer the provisions of the California Coastal Act in addition to administering the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act, which regulates federal activities in the coastal zone and off-shore in waters of the United States. The Commission regulates uses in coastal areas like development, access to public beaches, highway projects in the coastal zone, and certain off-shore activities.

The charge of the Coastal Commission is to balance the rights and needs of the public, property owners, and public agencies with the preservation and enhancement of the environment along our coast. My professional career has been built around narrowing disagreement and, wherever possible, finding consensus among these competing and sometimes conflicting interests. Before being elected to the City Council I practiced for 15 years as an environmental attorney with a large law firm in the Midwest, Baker & McKenzie in San Diego, the Office of San Diego County Counsel, and in my own firm, Peters & Varco LLP. I have represented large and small corporations, public agencies and environmental groups, and will bring an understanding and appreciation of the perspectives of all of these groups to my deliberations on the Coastal Commission. I believe that my experience in private practice coupled with my position on the City Council will give me the ability to form consensus and find creative solutions to contentious issues. My hope is to bring a broad, balanced perspective to the Commission that protects the coastline for everyone while appreciating the rights of property owners and the interests of local governments.

As one of two San Diego City Councilmembers who represent the coast, I am keenly aware of the need to preserve our precious coastal resources and to expand public access where ever possible. I am certain that my appointment to the Commission will enhance my ability to represent District One and the City of San Diego. Too often in the past there have been poor communications between the City and the Commission. The result has been that initiatives or projects that originate from long consideration and deliberation in the City are changed or amended without good reason. That can mean long delays, lost staff time, and increased costs to the City budget.

The City has regularly been represented by Councilmembers on the Coastal Commission. In the past, Byron Wear, Christine Kehoe and Juan Vargas have each served, to the benefit of the City's coastline and budget. My appointment will allow me to follow through on coastal issues that often begin with the City Council but are altered or changed at the Coastal Commission, beyond the control of the City Council. My ability to stick with a project will allow me to bring the Council's concerns to the Commission in a more thorough and comprehensive manner.