july 2013 california today, planning and conservation league newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
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PCL Instrumental in Initiating Project
Nearly a Decade Ago
By Rebecca Crebbin-Coates ----------------------------------------------------Ninety-two years after the San Clemente Dam was built in
Monterey County, the Carmel River ecosystem will again nd
itself adjusting to life without the 106-foot-high structure. Since its
construction in 1921, the dam has gradually lled in with sediment
and become obsolete for water storage, been identied as seismically
unsound, and gained recognition as a major hindrance to steelhead
migration. After nearly a decade of planning, a long-envisioned
solution to these problems is nally ready for action: the removal of
the San Clemente Dam is set to break ground this summer.
The $83 million project and the largest ever dam removal in
the state received unanimous approval of its nal permit from the
Monterey County Planning Commission on May 8th. The news has
excited community members and environmentalists alike. Downstream
residents support the project as the best solution to the dams recognized
earthquake safety issues; over 1,500 homes and buildings are currently
at risk if the dam fails. The project will also provide a wide variety
of environmental benets, including removing barriers to upstream
spawning areas for the threatened south central population of steelhead
trout, and protecting wildlife habitat that supports hundreds of species
like the threatened California red-legged frog.
In addition to demolishing the San Clemente Dam, the projec
also includes the rerouting of the Carmel River into San ClementeCreek. The river reroute will help reestablish ecological continuity in
the area, and stabilize the sediment in the main channel as part of the
dam removal project.
The success of this project is due to an innovative public-private
partnership between California American Water, which owns and
operates the dam, and the State Coastal Conservancy and National
Marine Fisheries Service. It has also received tremendous suppor
from more than two dozen regional, state and national conservation
groups, regulatory partners, and elected ofcials.
Im thrilled that PCL has been part of supporting this importan
effort to its completion, noted Dr. Monica Hunter, PCLFs Centra
Coast Watershed Program Manager. We have worked in partnership
with local residents and community organizations since 2004 to
bring about this outcome. Our joint efforts to help inform community
members about the project and build support for the benets of
restoring the river, the watershed and its wildlife are also importan
for the region and its tourism industry. The Carmel River is a beautifu
resource enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Added PCLs Executive Director, Bruce Reznik, This projec
is a great example of widespread collaboration leading to watershed
solutions that work for everyone involved, and will hopefully serve as
a model for future efforts to restore Californias waterways to health.
Newsletter of the Planning & Conservation League
CALIFORNIA TODAY
CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
July 2013 Volume 43, Number 1
PLANNING ANDCONSERVATION LEAGUE
PLANNING ANDCONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION
Californias Largest
Ever Dam Removal
Set to Break Groundthis Summer!...
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CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
DearFriends,
2
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Oceanside City Councilwoman Esther
Sanchez and Speaker of the Assembly John Prez for giving me the opportunity to serve
as an alternate on the Coastal Commission for the past three years. Councilwoman
Sanchez term on the Commission is coming to an end, and my service as her alternate
along with it.
I have served on many boards through the years, but few have given me the same
pride and insight as serving on the Coastal Commission and playing a small role in
helping the agency achieve its mission to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the
California coast and ocean for current and future generations. While the Commission
comes under attack from many corners often from people wanting to overdevelop
our coast and thereby limit public access, harm wildlife or disturb critical habitat I
have found few deliberative bodies that take their jobs as seriously as do the twelve
members of the Commission. Perhaps that is why so many Commissioners move on
to become effective legislators, including current Senators Hueso and Pavley and
Assemblymembers Achadjian, Bloom, Gonzalez and Stone, to name a few. Similarly
one would be hard-pressed to nd a more dedicated and passionate staff than the team
at the Coastal Commission, who do an amazing job despite constant underfunding and
ever-mounting pressure to see our coastline developed.
As someone who has been an advocate in front of the Commission for over a
decade, sitting on the other side of the dais was certainly an eye-opening adjustmentI must confess, Im not sure if I best serve Californias environment and people in
the role of decision-maker, or as someone pounding the podium (usually guratively
sometimes literally) on issues affecting our coast and ocean. Either way, I feel lucky
to have been afforded the role of Commissioner, and am condent seeing things from
that perspective has made me a more effective advocate while better appreciating
the challenge that comes with being the ultimate decider on issues in front of the
Commission.
I must thank Speaker Prez for the faith he showed in me, and commend his effort
to make strong appointments to the Commission. He follows a long line of Speakers
who have recognized that our coastline is perhaps Californias greatest treasure, and
that it must be protected for every resident of and visitor to our state. Nowhere was thi
commitment more evident than his appointment of Esther Sanchez to the Commission
I got to know Ms. Sanchez in her role on the Oceanside City Council while Iwas a coastal activist in the region, and respected her as one of San Diegos most
thoughtful and outspoken advocates for the coast. She certainly did not disappoint
as a Commissioner, where she quickly gained the reputation as one of the agencys
strongest voices for public access and environmental
protection. My only complaint about her service is that
she hardly ever missed a Commission meeting, meaning
my opportunities to assist during my tenure were limited!
That aside, it was a great privilege to serve when called
upon, and I thank both Councilwoman Sanchez and
Speaker Prez for the opportunity.
As we go to print on this issue of California Today,
Esthers replacement has not yet been named. While I
am condent the Speaker will continue his strong record
of Commission appointments, whoever gets the call will
have big shoes to ll!
Sincerely,
Bruce Reznik
PCLF Board of Trustees
David Hirsch, Chairman
Ralph B. Perry III, Vice Chairman
Daniel S. Frost, Secretary-Treasurer
Coke Hallowell, Trustee
PCL Officers
David Mogavero, President
Jan Chatten-Brown, Vice President
Phyllis Faber, Vice President
Kevin Johnson, Vice President
Fran Layton, Vice President
Amy White, Vice President
Bill Center, Secretary-Treasurer
Sage Sweetwood, President Emeritus
Board of Directors
Elisabeth Brown
Esther Feldman
Randy Kanouse
Zahirah MannJohn McCaull
Tony Rossmann
Rich Tolmach
Keith Wagner
Dwight Washabaugh
Terry Watt
Denny Zane
Organizational Members
California Association of LocalConservation Corps
California Oaks Foundation
California Rail Foundation
California State Parks FoundationCalifornia Wildlife Foundation
Community Conservation Solutions
Friends of Rose Canyon
Friends of the Swainsons Hawk
Friends of the West Shore
Laguna Greenbelt
LandWatch Monterey County
Marin Conservation League
The Mountains Recreation &Conservation Authority
Save Mount Diablo
Sierra Nevada Alliance
PCL/PCL Foundation Staff &Consultants
Bruce Reznik, Executive Director
Jonas Minton, Water Policy Advisor
Dr. Monica Hunter, Central CoastWater Program Manager
Abigail Okrent, Legislative Director
Rebecca Crebbin-Coates,Water Campaign Manager
Michelle Oyewole, Membership &Events Coordinator
Bill Duarte, Accountant
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CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation 3
The Planning & Conservation League is hosting a fundraising
event in Los Angeles to honor the work of long-serving PCL
Board member John Van de Kamp. Join the PCL family and many
special guests as we recognize Johns contributions to Californias
environment and present the rst annual John Van de Kamp award to
The Compton Creek Natural Park project (at Washington Elementary
School) and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. For information on
how to register as a sponsor, please visit www.pcl.org.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE/TIME:Thursday, November 14 at 5:30 pmVENUE:
Los Angeles River Center & Gardens
TO SPONSOR/FOR MORE INFO:Contact Tricia Riffenburgh at 818-400-4804 [email protected]
PCL Looks toGrow our League
JOIN US ON NOVEMBER 14th
IN LOS ANGELES FOR THE CELEBRATION
By Rebecca Crebbin-Coates ----------------------------------------------------Recent press coverage of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has
focused on long-term planning efforts like the Bay Delta Conservation
Plan (BDCP). There are numerous reasons to be concerned about the
far-reaching environmental and economic consequences of these
proposed decisions. At the same time, there are also many positive
near-term actions underway in the Delta that contribute to ecosystem
restoration, ood management, levee stability, water supply
reliability, and the recognition of the Delta as a unique place.
One great example brings two important projects together. A
benecial tidal habitat restoration project in Dutch Slough presented
a concern: brackish water could contaminate the unlined Contra
Costa Canal, currently being replaced with pipeline to protect
drinking water quality. Working cooperatively with the Departmentof Water Resources, Contra Costa Water District was able to switch
the sequence of their project using grant funds for a different section
of pipeline to line the portion of the canal near Dutch Slough rst.
Both projects can now proceed without issue, providing an excellent
precedent for coordination and innovation between agencies and
stakeholders.
Another positive action in the Delta is the creative sh-and-rice
partnership project between biologists and farmers at Knaggs Ranch.
This experiment to release juvenile Chinook salmon into 20 acres
of ooded rice elds in Yolo Bypass has been very successful in its
Near-TermDelta ProjectsMove Forward
early stages. The rice elds mimic the natural marsh habitat of the
sh, and the salmon raised through this project have been bigger and
healthier than salmon living nearby in the Sacramento River. These
benets, combined with relatively minor impacts to rice farm yieldsand prots, suggest that future projects modeled after this could help
restore salmon populations.
The Coalition to Support Delta Projects a group of over 80
diverse stakeholders from environmental, agricultural, and water
export backgrounds, including the PCL Foundation views these and
many other near-term actions in the Delta as worthwhile. This group
of individuals has had remarkable success in identifying 43 near-term
projects that are widely supported to move forward through regulatory
and other processes, and is hoping to see 4-6 of these projects break
ground this year. A Water Education Foundation tour of some of these
proactive projects is being planned for this fall by the Coalition.
By Bruce Reznik ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Since it was formed, the Planning and Conservation League
has been just that a league of groups working together on policies
to better Californias environment. When PCL was established
in 1965, there was no unied voice for conservation efforts in the
Capitol; we played a pivotal role representing local organizations
and communities that would otherwise have been left out of thedialogue. Even today, with an increased environmental presence in
Sacramento, local groups are often disengaged and overlooked in the
policy-setting debate. In response, PCL is looking to dramatically
grow, diversify and revitalize our League membership. It is only
by having a robust and engaged membership that PCL will be as
effective as possible in impacting public policy at the state level
A vital PCL will also magnify the power of local organizations and
communities that are still underrepresented in Sacramento. Simply
put, League partners are our eyes and ears on the ground, while PCL
is their voice in the Capitol.
Recognizing todays economic realities, we have updated our
organizational membership dues (paid annually) to a sliding scale
based on budget size. For as low as $250, an organization can now
become a League organizational member. We have also revised
member benets to ensure that joining is worthwhile, and well
be coordinating a League meeting this fall to get feedback on ou
legislative and campaign priorities going into 2014.
For more information or to join the League, please contact Abigail Okrent at
[email protected] or 916-822-5633, or visit www.pcl.org.
Photo provided by Restore the Delta
PCL Honoringthe Life & Work ofFormer CaliforniaAttorney GeneralJohn Van de Kamp
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CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation4
Expanding Support for Law throughOutreach, Coalition Building, andAdvocacy Campaign
By Abigail Okrent ------------------------------------------------------------------------When our last issue of California Today was published in
December, the outlook was bleak for the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), which was under assault from major developers
and polluting industries. Six months later, we are happy to report
a much more positive outlook for Californias environmental bill
of rights.
As reported in December, CEQA survived the previous legislative
session through massive defensive efforts by environmental groups
and our allies, including labor, public health and environmental justice
advocates. Despite this victory, we prepared to enter a legislative
session where further attempts to weaken this law were well-
positioned with Senator Michael Rubio, author of the CEQA-gutting
SB 317, as the head of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.
PCL Annual Symposium Focuses on CEQAWe began 2013 with the annual PCL Symposium, this time
CEQA-themed. CEQA: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, which drew
overow crowds, highlighted speakers from the Ofce of Planning
and Research, Capitol staff, environmental justice advocates, and
inll developers, among others. It featured Senate President Pro
Tem Darrell Steinbergas a keynote speaker, Senator Rubio on an
opening panel, and awarded Senator Noreen Evans for her work
championing the environment, along with Center on Race, Poverty
and the Environment Executive Director Caroline Farrell. Breakout
sessions highlighted CEQAs diverse application in California,
focusing on CEQAs impact on agriculture, transportation, water
projects, and community empowerment. The Symposium would
not have been possible without tremendous support from UC Davis
School of Law and their Environmental Law Society, as well as the
support and interest of all our sponsors, speakers and attendees.
CEQA Works Coalition Launched
CEQA Works (www.ceqaworks.org), an alliance of
organizations supporting a strong CEQA, was launched in the wake
of the Symposiums success. Nearly 200 organizational members
strong, and growing every week, CEQA Works has been instrumental
in outreach and advocacy efforts aimed at protecting and strengthening
CEQA. Coalition partners have been able to organize responses to
good and bad press and place our own letters and op-eds in papersaround the state, while also tracking CEQA successes on the ground
and efforts in the legislature aimed at amending CEQA.
PCLs CEQAEfforts PayingDividends
Community Workshops SuccessfulIn addition to CEQA presentations to a variety of community
groups throughout California, PCL has also hosted two CEQA
Community Workshops this year. Aimed at empowering loca
communities to engage in the decision-making process, these daylong
workshops were held in San Diego and Orange counties, and were
now looking to bring workshops to other communities, including th
Central Valley and the East Bay.
CEQA in the Legislature: A Tale of Two SessionsIn addition to the renewed coalition and outreach work, PCL
has helped CEQA to hold its own in the legislature. We entered thi
session with a large class of new legislators and a list of ideas for way
to strengthen CEQAs environmental protections and participatory
provisions and saw these ideas turned into a number of bills. Th
goal was to bring our offensive game to the eld, not just wait for a
bad bill we would have to oppose.
Shortly after the legislative session started, Senator Rubio
stepped down to take a position with Chevron Corporation
dramatically changing the debate in the Capitol. With a lesse
focus on combatting the standards-based approach championed by
Senator Rubio, PCL was able to work closely with Senator Evans
and Assemblymembers Ammiano, Campos, and Dickinson to
introduce ve bills that would, between them: make CEQA noticesthat trigger public participation available promptly and electronically
mandate translation of these notices where a signicant part of the
affected population speaks limited English, ensure that environmenta
reviews consider the effects of the physical environment including
earthquake faults and air pollution on the project, and provide fo
clear enforcement of mitigation provisions. We were able to get al
ve bills through their policy committees, and two of the bills are
continuing to move forward, having passed out of their houses of
origin; the remaining legislation are now two-year bills that will be
heard in 2014.
Of equal importance, there are no bills currently moving tha
would signicantly weaken CEQA. SB 731, authored by Senate
President pro Tem Steinberg, is omnibus CEQA reform that doecontain some measures that concern PCL, while other aspects of the
bill represent positive, common-sense reforms. PCL continues to track
and provide feedback on all CEQA legislation positive and negative
to ensure the core provisions of this foundational environmenta
law remain intact. More about these bills, and other CEQA bill
PCL is tracking, can be found on our website, www.pcl.org.
Moving ForwardWhile the CEQA picture is indeed rosier than we would have
expected six months ago, we must remain vigilant if we are to protec
this law and in turn protect ourselves and our environment. Please
sign up for the PCL Insider to stay tuned on how you can be involved
and contact Abigail Okrent at [email protected] 916-822-5633i
you want more information on CEQA happenings, if youre interested
in hosting a CEQA Community Workshop or want a presentation, o
want to know how you can be involved in our CEQA Works coalition
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CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation 5
2013
SymposiumReview &2014Preview
Once again, PCL would like to give a big round of thanks to our 2013 Symposium sponsors, speakers,
and attendees. We encourage you to check out www.pcl.org for details on our 2014 Symposium atUC Davis on February 1ST, 2014!
The California Association of Local Conservation Corps nDavid Hirsch n Carole and Peter Clum n San Francisco Foundation
John and Nuri Pierce n Gideon Kracov n Lance Olson n UC Davis Extension n San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council n Doug Linney
PCL Board member Bill Centerpresents Legislator of the YearAward to Senator Noreen Evans.
PCL Executive Director BruceReznik presents award toCaroline Farrell.
Guests enjoying the luncheonwhere Senate President pro TemDarrell Steinberg spoke.
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CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation6
Court Finds Provision Aimedat Bypassing Superior CourtUnconstitutional
By Bruce Reznik ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Judge Frank Roesch of the Alameda Superior Court has ruled
that a key provision of AB 900 (Steinberg, 2011) is unconstitutional.
In the section of the bill challenged, AB 900 would have forced
environmental litigants in politically-favored cases involving the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to commence their
cases directly in the Courts of Appeal. Only the provision aimed
at bypassing Superior Court review has been struck down; the rest
of the law was not challenged and remains standing. The case was
brought by PCL and its Executive Director Bruce Reznik.
In his statement from the bench, Judge Roesch concluded, It
is inescapable to me that the provision of AB 900 found in Public
PCL Prevailsin AB 900CEQA Litigation
Resources Code section 21185 [which would create exclusive
jurisdiction in the California Court of Appeal] is so inconsistent with
the constitutional mandates of where writs of mandate can be brough
as to be unconstitutional. The Court does not lightly as a Superior
Court declare statutes unconstitutional.
AB 900 was introduced in and enacted by the Legislature on
the last day of the session in September 2011; the bill took effect
in January 2012. AB 900 stipulated that certain major developmen
projects could apply and pay for streamlined court review if they face
litigation under CEQA. Under AB 900, such litigation would proceed
directly to the California Court of Appeal and skip the step of review
by a superior court.
The lawsuit argued that the Legislature overstepped its
constitutional authority in dictating to the courts at what judicial leve
a specic case should be initiated, and depriving citizens of their
constitutionally-guaranteed access to all of the courts of California.
Bart Lounsbury of Rossmann and Moore argued the case for
PCL, which was also supported by experienced CEQA attorney
Keith Wagner of Lippe Gaffney Wagner. The state was represented
by Deputy Attorney General Sylvia Cates.
By Martha Dina Argello & Monika Shankar --------------------------Many of us living and working in Los Angeles have faced the
realities of inll and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policies
for decades. Touted as an environmental and economic solution,
inll and TOD, if implemented hastily and without public input can
lead to negative impacts on communities. With the release of Senator
Steinbergs SB 731, a bill intended to provide for greater certaintyaround inll development, we must acknowledge the downsides to
inll and TOD that are rarely discussed yet are central issues to social
justice and public health advocates. That is, not all TOD and inll
development results in equitable development.
The lived experiences of residents and multiple studies have
shown that smart growth often means housing built near heavy
trafc roadways and freeways and increased exposure to unhealthy
air pollution and increased vehicular trafc. It can also raise
rental and housing costs, change community aesthetics, and lead
to gentrication and displacement. And while smart growth can
transform neighborhoods, it fails to help the long term underemployed
and unemployed who cannot access newly created jobs or afford the
new amenities or even basic goods and services.Research done by the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional
Policy found that transit investment frequently changes the
surrounding neighborhood. According to the 2010 study, the
most predominant pattern is one in which housing becomes more
expensive, neighborhood residents become wealthier and vehicle
ownership becomes more common. The study also reveals that
transit development can have unintended consequences for core
transit usersusually renters and low-income residents who are
priced out in favor of higher-income, car-owning residents who are
less likely to use public transit for commuting. Consequently, the
most vulnerable in our communities (renters, low-income and people
of color) are pushed to the urban fringes away from jobs, schools and
amenities, contributing to what has been dubbed the suburbanization
of poverty, and increased air pollution.
A case study exemplifying this phenomenon is downtown
Los Angeles, and the surrounding communities of Pico Union and
South Park. As major housing and entertainment development made
downtown a hip place to live, work and play, low-income residents
experienced increasing police harassment, rising costs of living
more trafc and a deep sense that they were no longer welcome in
their own neighborhoods. These trends were documented in a healthimpact assessment conducted by Health Impact Partners in 2012
which showed signicant demographic shifts, with African American
and Latino populations moving out and a substantial growth of
college age individuals and some baby boomers. Displacement
and gentrication have health impacts related to mental stress
and anxiety. Even small uctuations in rental rates can mean less
money to spend on food, health care, and education, all of which are
determinants of health.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is one
of the few tools communities have to address developments with
these negative impacts. In addition to requiring a cumulative health
impact assessment, CEQA leverages a communitys ability to
assess how a project will impact their health and environment, and
mitigate harm through active participation in the process. We mus
prioritize and protect communities by ensuring equitable growth
and we accomplish this by strengthening community participation
conducting more robust health impact assessments, and protecting
communities through planning and policy.
Why Smart Growth is Different fromEquitable Growth: CEQA and SB 731
Martha Dina ArgelloExecutive Director,
Physicians for Social Responsibility - LA
Monika Shankar,Health and Environmental Associate,
Physicians for Social Responsibility - LA
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CALIFORNIA TODAY - Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
By Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins --------------------------------I grew up in Appalachia, in the mountains, pretty far from the
coastline. It wasnt until I moved to San Diego more than thirty years
ago that I developed my love and concern for the coast. I am thrilled
now to represent almost all of the San Diego coastline in the State
Assembly, from Imperial Beach to Del Mar. And when you really
love a place, you want to protect it.
The people of California feel the same way I do. When I came to
California I was particularly impressed by the peoples commitment
to protecting everyones access to the beach. That is why they
created the California Coastal Commission in 1972 through the voter
initiative process and the legislature passed the Coastal Act in 1976.
In addition to guaranteeing public beach access, the Coastal Act
prohibits unauthorized development and damaging environmentally
sensitive habitats.
But the Coastal Act is very difcult for the Coastal Commission
to enforce. Currently, the Coastal Commission can issue cease and
desist orders to violators, but must pursue litigation through the
California Attorney Generals ofce in order to enforce those orders
if they are ignored a costly and time-consuming process. TheCommission has only pursued litigation four times in the past decade.
StrengtheningtheCoastal Act
7
National WildlifeFederationNews
Yet, the Commission currently has over 1,800 open enforcemen
cases, most of which relate to public access, and new violations arereported to them more quickly than they can close existing ones.
My bill, AB 976, will allow the Coastal Commission to ne
violators in much the same way other environmental agencies do
Fines would be capped at three-quarters of the amount that can
currently be sought in court. Those nes range from $1,000 to
$15,000 per day.
AB 976 will also ensure opportunities to challenge ne
and provides rigorous due process protections. Fines could only
be imposed by a vote of the Coastal Commissioners at a noticed
public hearing with all the due process protections provided in the
Administrative Procedures Act. And the Commissions nes could
still be challenged in court, the same way that any administrative
decision can be challenged.
Californias coastline is the iconicsymbol of the Golden State and is integral
to our economy and our lifestyle. My bill
will ensure that the agency tasked with
its protection has the tools to perform its
mission, while avoiding costly litigation
and ensuring the fair treatment of all.
By Beth Pratt, California Director NWF --------------------------------------
NWF California recently launched the Wildlife and the
City initiative, which aims to inspire people to transform their
backyards, schoolyards, businesses and places of worship into
wildlife friendly spaces, and to connect with their communities
by helping both wildlife and people thrive. The organization
assembled two initial working groups in Los Angeles and the
East Bay of nonprots, government agencies, and interested
individuals to explore possible collaborations. Utilizing the over
10,000 existing Certied Wildlife Habitats in the state, the project
will help create wildlife corridors across urban spaces and focus
on species of concern in these areas. The overall goal is to certify
a total of 50,000 homes by 2015 and create a vibrant network
of citizen stewards across the state. A UCLA graduate student
has already completed some preliminary research by mapping
current habitats alongside other green space and analyzed related
demographics as well.
In other news, Ranger Rick has been very busy in California.
Ranger Rick recently made appearances honoring AspenElementary School in Thousand Oaks as the rst Green Flag
NWF EcoSchool in the state, visiting a Science Fair at the Sierra
Foothill Charter School, swearing in new Junior Rangers at
National Junior Ranger Day in Yosemite, and attending the Leo
Politi Elementary School Conservation Art Show, where Ranger
Rick busted some moves and was mobbed like a rock star (you
can see the video on the NWF California YouTube Channel).
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PCL has made a few additions to its Board and Staff in 2013. Joining the Board of Directors is Randele Randy
Kanouse, who served as Special Assistant to the General Manager for the East Bay Municipal Utility District from
1989-2011, where he managed EBMUDs congressional and state legislative programs and the agencys Bay-Delta
Program. Randy represented EBMUD in myriad landmark water legislation, including requirements linking local land
use decisions to the availability of an adequate water supply and phasing out the use of lead in the manufacturing o
faucets and other drinking water plumbing parts. Prior to joining EBMUD, Randy served as the Chief of the Legislative
and Public Affairs Ofce for the State Water Resources Control Board, and as staff counsel at the California Energy
Commission. He brings a wealth of expertise on water issues and navigating the Capitol to PCL.
Whos New?
Rebecca Crebbin-Coates joined PCL Staff in February 2013 as our new Water Campaign Manager. She
graduated summa cum laude from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Environmental Studies/Biology, where her studies
focused on aquatic ecology and policy. Rebecca developed a eld-based thesis project on storm water runoff at
Younger Lagoon, and has additional aquatic eld experience in the Delta and eastern Australia. She worked on Gaia
Magazine for two and a half years, including a year as Co-Editor-in-Chief. Rebecca also has previous experience
in communications and development at an environmental non-prot. In her current work at PCL, she strives to
promote sound planning and sustainable water management in California, focusing on issues surrounding water
supply and use. Rebecca has taken over for Evon Willhoff, who has moved on to continue promoting sustainable
water solutions for California as an Environmental Scientist at the Department of Water Resources after ve and a
half years managing PCLs water efforts.
Finally, after serving over two months as a Legislative Intern with PCL, we are pleased to welcome
Michelle Oyewole as our new Membership and Events Coordinator. Michelle graduated magna cum laude from
the University of California Los Angeles, with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Geography
Environmental Studies. She was a student organizer in the statewide campaign to protect AB 32 in 2010, and
has since worked for environmental organizations in San Diego, California, and Lagos, Nigeria. She has also
volunteered on an organic farm in northern Ecuador. Michelle plans to continue in her environmental research as
she begins graduate study at UC Santa Barbara in the fall. She believes that her previous non-prot experience
and zeal for natural resource protection will allow her to play a large role in supporting PCL in its planning and
fundraising capacities. Michelle has replaced Margaret Lecey, who has moved on to a new opportunity after
serving as our Membership and Events Coordinator from 2012 to April 2013, working diligently throughout tha
time to organize PCL events and outreach projects.
VISIT US ON THE WEB:www.PCL.org or www.PCLFoundation.org
Randele Randy Kanouse
Rebecca Crebbin-Coates
Michelle Oyewole
Non-Prot Org.
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1107 9th Street, Suite 901 Sacramento, CA 95814
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