Re:  Status of Executive Director Charles Lester --

Dear Chairman Kinsey and Members of the Commission:

On behalf of the League of Women Voters of California, I wish to express our concerns about the policy implications of your February 10 agenda item #8, Consideration of Dismissal of the Executive Director. We recognize that the League is not privy to confidential personnel matters related to the Executive Director, Dr. Lester. However, we can see evidence of the growing pressure exerted by pro-development interests on the Commission, and we urge you to place the public interest uppermost as you make this critical staffing decision. The League feels strongly that the public is best served by an effective, independent Commission staff.

The League supported the 1972 initiative creating the Coastal Commission. Over the intervening four decades, the Commission has proven itself a most valuable steward of California's treasured one-thousand-mile coastline. It has protected wildlife habitat, ensured equitable coastal access, and overseen sustainable development of coastal communities. Californians are grateful for the Commission’s work to promote the wise management of our precious resources, preserving California’s coast and ocean and the right of the public to access the coastline while still preserving the rights of property owners consistent with the intent of the Coastal Act.

Among the advances made under Dr. Lester’s professional leadership, the Commission has obtained new administrative penalty authority to remedy public-access violations, established communications programs including better online access to information on projects, and completed a significant guidance document to help local governments plan for and adapt to sea level rise and the impacts of climate change. Local Coastal Plans for 24 cities and counties across the state are being updated.

The efforts of your entire staff have helped make the Coastal Commission a global leader in coastal protection. We join thousands of other Californians in urging you to consider the long-term protection of our coast and to make the best decision for a Commission that is accountable to the public and not to any narrow interests.

Sincerely,

Helen L. Hutchison
President

cc: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
California Resources Secretary John Laird
Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León
Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins
Assembly Speaker-Elect Anthony Rendon
Dr. Charles Lester, Executive Director, California Coastal Commission

Subject

Status of Executive Director Charles Lester

Sent to

Sent to the California Coastal Commission Chair and Members