Briefly in the news

Paul Clinton

The highest ranking staff member of the California Coastal Commission

is set to speak to a gathering of locals today.

Peter Douglas, the commission’s executive director, was invited to

address the Orange County Coast Assn. at Newport Dunes.

Douglas has said he will brief the association, a group of elected

officials and notables in the business community, about the future of his

agency.

That future could be in jeopardy after a Sacramento County Superior

Court judge ruled that the agency is unconstitutional because it isn’t

accountable to other branches of government -- a violation of the

separation of powers clause in the state and federal constitutions.

The April ruling has caused consternation among some environmentalists

that its powers to regulate and protect development along the coastline

could be severely hampered.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the hotel at

101 N. Bayside Drive. Douglas will begin speaking about 12:45 p.m.

Information: (949) 660-8665.