Environmentalists Praise Coastal Commission Executive Director Peter Douglas

Douglas is well known as one of the original drafters of California’s historic coastal protection initiative in 1972, and assisted the California legislature in drafting the California Coastal Act in 1976. Thereafter, Douglas served as the Commission’s legislative aide, General Counsel, and for the last 27 years, its Executive Director.

“Peter Douglas is the most authoritative expert on coastal planning and resource protection in the world,” said Susan Jordan of the California Coastal Protection Network. “Peter has not just pioneered our efforts here in California, but has assisted governments and countries around the globe to initiate careful coastal planning efforts to protect resources and economic vitality for future generations.”

Peter Douglas is a mentor to me and an inspiration to thousands of other activists, surfers and coast and ocean lovers everywhere,” said Mark Massara, an environmental attorney specializing in coastal protection.

“His accomplishments are the stuff of legend. He is the Babe Ruth of coastal planning, having overseen more than 100,000 projects here along our California coast while simultaneously educating people around the world in appreciating the overwhelming economic benefits to be achieved through coastal protection. Peter’s leadership, guidance, writings and action are a benchmark that will serve California’s coastal program and our efforts to protect coastlines around the world forever.”