Welcome to ActCoastal, the California Coast Accountability Project. ActCoastal is a campaign to protect California’s coast by bringing transparency and accountability to the actions of the California Coastal Commission.
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Rally to Save Our Coast
An effort is currently underway to fire Charles Lester, the Executive Director of the Coastal Commission.
This is more than an assault on Executive Director Lester, it’s an attack on the Coastal Act. This is a power grab attempting to undermine the integrity of the Coastal Commission and gain control over an independent Staff without any public accountability or transparency.
Key to note is the complete lack of transparency. While there is resemblance with the 1995 failed attempt to oust founding Coastal Commission Executive Director Peter Douglas, that attempt was done completely in the public light and encouraged public comment… rather than covertly with little disclosure or explanation from Commissioners. It is critical that we – as a community of coastal-concerned citizens – show support for a Commission that votes to protect our coast and follows the mandates set forth by the Coastal Act… we can do this by supporting Executive Director Lester and his proven record of being a steward of the Coastal Act.
An amazing community has formed to support the Executive Director! Check out these incredible letters submitted to voice support:
- 76 NGOs have signed this letter and 33 Former Commissioners signed this letter in Support of Dr. Lester’s continued tenure as Executive Director and the independence of the California Coastal Commission.
- Individual letters were also submitted by:
What you can do:
– Act on the action alert
– Share your opinion! Writing letters to your local paper is a great way to make your voice heard. If you want to get your thoughts out there and need some supporting information check out this document.
– Show your support for a Coastal Commission that protects the coast and attend the Feb 10 hearing! Join us at the Commission’s next public hearing, Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. in Morro Bay, to speak to the current staff’s accomplishments, urge Commissioners to retain Dr. Lester and ask them to continue protecting California’s beaches as the Coastal Act requires.
We know it’s a big trip, which is why we’re offering to help.
Here’s how:
- We will reimburse you up to $75 per car – please carpool! – for gas expenses.
- We are providing a limited number of shared accommodations at Motel 6 (or similar lodging).
- All you have to do is register HERE by Monday, Feb. 8.
- If you’re coming from the Bay Area/NorCal, EAC of West Marin has organized buses and hotel rooms. Please visit their website for details and to register.
- We will assist in connecting and coordinating attendees to make the trip as easy as possible.
- We will also provide breakfast snacks and beverages prior to the meeting.
- #SaveOurCoast signs will be available.
- We have talking points to help you shape your testimony for greatest effectiveness.
- We’ve put together a list of helpful tips in general, below.
Getting to and around Morro Bay: Follow this link for detailed transportation information to and from the hearing. Otherwise, please see the summary of info below:
- The train station and airport are located in lovely San Luis Obispo (SLO). Fret not there is ease of transportation between Morro Bay and SLO!
- Bus it! SLO has a bus system that will support your travel needs to and from Morro Bay.
- Rent a car from the Amtrak station or the airport.
- Uber it! This is an app-based service, so if you do not have it already, you’ll need to setup the app on your smart phone in advance.
- When in Morro Bay, if you don’t have your own car, you’ll have no problem getting around!
Lodging:
Restaurants:
- The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar
- Windows On the Water
- Dorn’s
- The Flying Dutchman
- Great American Fish Company
Media outlets that are covering the issue
- Capitol Weekly 1/19, Capitol Weekly 1/28
- SF Gate
- ABC News
- Mercury News, Mercury News 1/25, Mercury News 1/26
- LA Times 1/21, LA Times 1/26, LA Times 1/27, LA Times Letter to the editor 1/24, LA Times Letters to the editor 1/27, LA Times 1/30, LA Times Letters to the editor 1/30
- NBC Los Angeles
- SM Daily
- CalCoast News
- OC Register
- Contra Costa Times
- The Province
- KQED 1/22, KQED 1/28
- The Triplicate 1/26
- CBS News 8
- The Modesto Bee
- NBC 7 San Diego
- Southern California Public Radio
- CBS SF Bay Area 1/26, CBS SF Bay Area 1/28
- Santa Barbara Independent
- Malibu Times, Malibu Times, From the Publisher
- YubaNet
- Sonoma County Gazette
- New Times SLO
- Voice of OC
- Point Reyes Light
- Santa Maria Sun
- The Sac Bee 1/28, 1/29
- Inside Bay Area
- KCET
- City Watch
- San Francisco Chronicle Editorial 1/29, San Francisco Chronicle 1/31
- Marin Independent Journal
- The Berkeley Daily Planet