Coastal Panel Chooses New Leader in a Time of Crisis

A divided California Coastal Commission on Tuesday appointed Peter Douglas as the new executive director of the politically troubled agency.

Douglas, 43, succeeds Michael L. Fischer, who resigned last month to take a job in private industry. Douglas has been chief deputy since he joined the commission staff in 1977 and has been acting executive director since Friday.

Douglas’ appointment followed an unsuccessful attempt by five of the 12 commissioners, including all four of Gov. George Deukmejian’s appointees, to delay a decision until an executive search could be conducted. That motion failed on a 5-7 vote, however, and Douglas’ appointment was later approved 8 to 4.

Most Serious Crisis

Douglas assumes the reins of the coastal planning agency at a time when it is confronted by what many see as the most serious crisis in its 12-year history.

The governor this year cut $1.6 million from the commission’s 1985-86 budget--an 18.5% reduction from last year’s spending, forcing the commission to order the shutdown of its Eureka office by next month, pare back operations at its Santa Cruz office and lay off 14 of its 129 employees.

Deukmejian has long said he wants to abolish the commission and was frequently at odds with Fischer, with whom Douglas worked closely.

Douglas indicated that he is not overly optimistic that relations with the governor’s office can be improved, although he said he is willing to try.

“There’s a job to be done here . . . dealing with a reduced budget and staffing, and that’s going to be a full-time effort,” Douglas said in an interview after his appointment. “I look forward to any opportunity to discuss issues of mutual concern with the Administration. But, at this point I have to focus on running a ship on troubled waters.

“I’m convinced that the vast majority of the people of this state still want their coast vigorously protected, and that’s a challenge I’m looking forward to engaging.”

But commission Chairman Melvin L. Nutter, whose term has expired and who is not expected to be reappointed by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), had few words of encouragement for Douglas.

“I don’t envy Peter,” Nutter said. “The governor said, ‘If I had the votes, I’d get rid of you (the commission).’ That does not seem to me to indicate cooperation.”

Nutter said he was referring to remarks the governor made during a private meeting June 6, at which Nutter was present.

Deukmejian’s office said Tuesday that the governor will have no comment on Douglas’ appointment.

Douglas’ new salary will be $58,400 a year--a $24-a-month raise. Before he joined the commission, he was senior consultant to the Assembly Committee on Resources, Land Use and Energy, and he also served as a consultant to the Assembly Select Committee on Coastal Zone Resources.