Assault on the Coastal Commission

Gov. George Deukmejian keeps carping at the California Coastal Commission, complaining about how slow it is to certify local government coastal development plans. Then he cuts the commission’s staff budget. Next, he gripes about the commission’s handling of building permits in areas where no local plan has yet been adopted, even though state law says that is the commission’s responsibility. Then he cuts the budget some more. And so on.

It is no wonder then that a study group should find that massive budget cuts have restricted the commission’s ability to do what it is supposed to do under a state law first adopted by the vote of the people and later reenacted by the California Legislature. The existing law provides that all 70 coastal cities and counties are supposed to submit land-use plans for commission approval. Action has been completed on only about 50 plans. The plans must be reviewed every five years to make sure they are being complied with, and that they reflect changing circumstances.

The state Senate’s Advisory Commission on Cost Control in State Government has found that the current $8-million commission budget is less than half what it was in 1977-78 in dollars adjusted for inflation. The governor has proposed another $700,000 cut in next year’s commission budget. The commission staff has been reduced by 42% at the same time that applications for amendments to local coastal plans have increased by 250%. No wonder the commission is not able to handle the work load. Beyond that, the Senate commission blamed local resistance to planning for delays in certification of local coastal plans, something that cannot be blamed on the coastal agency.

The fact is that Deukmejian does not like the law and that he wants the commission abolished. His budget cuts have made it impossible for it to fulfill its legal mandate. Kevin Brett, the governor’s press secretary, said in response to the study: “The governor wants local planning decisions to be made by locally elected officials who are directly responsible to the people.”

Under the state law, the local officials do draft their own coastal plans, but within certain guidelines that are to be interpreted by the commission. This is entirely appropriate because the coast an important resource to the whole state.

The California coastal protection program has been overwhelmingly popular with the state’s residents, except for the governor, some (but certainly not all) developers and those who oppose any sort of planning. With coastal property values soaring, the need for sensible coastal protection and beach access is more urgent than ever. The study said the commission’s budget and staff should be increased and its enforcement powers enhanced. It is absolutely correct, and the Legislature should begin such action now. Deukmejian most certainly would veto such a bill, but this is one issue on which an override in the Legislature might be possible. After all, the original sponsor of the coastal act in the Legislature nearly two decades ago is Sen. Pete Wilson, the man Republicans are likely to nominate to succeed Deukmejian as governor.