Heal the Bay says it needs the public’s assistance today to protect the California coastline.
Sign our petition supporting the current leadership of the Coastal Commission – the public agency committed to safeguarding the coast for all Californians.
Here is the story: A few members of the 12-person panel are pursuing the removal of Executive Director Dr. Charles Lester.
It remains unclear what he has done to risk losing his job.
Monied interests are watching closely to see if the commission moves to name a more development-friendly chief.
Dr. Lester’s got a tough job. He faces daily pressure from developers to build in some of the hottest real estate markets in the nation, while juggling persistent advocacy from environmentalists to preserve the last natural stretches of California’s coast.
We have not agreed with every decision he has made. But we have worked closely with him, and he has done a good job of bringing parties together to seek realistic compromise.
His recent accomplishments include:
- Fighting private interests to guarantee free public access to 840 miles of pristine coastline.
- Requiring Sea World to phase out of captive orca breeding programs in California.
- Championing a local coastal program for the Santa Monica Mountains that protects open space
For ocean lovers, this work matters to you.
You can help fight special interests and guard the precious coast by signing Heal the Bay’s petition supporting Dr. Lester.
He faces a Feb. 10 public hearing that will decide his fate. Now is the time for people to stand up for fairness and strong stewardship. Let’s not let the monied few dictate policy for the many along our coast.
Sign our petition supporting Dr. Lester and a strong Coastal Commission (https://www.change.org/p/california-coastal-commission-protect-the-california-coastal-commission?recruiter=398558872&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink)
Corruption and greed is trying to creep into a commission that should have an idealistic mission to protect our precious coast for generations to come. Developers are underhandedly trying to weaken and control the commission by trying to remove the one man who has the protection of the coast at heart. He is a champion of our beloved coast and he is an ardent protector of it. ALL of the commissioners should have a sincere and genuine mission to protect our coast without the influence of developers and lobbyists. We, the people, are in total support of Charles Lester and we will not allow this coup to happen. We have his back and shame on those who are trying to remove him. And Governor Brown should make sure that the Coastal Commission adheres to the mission of protecting our coast. We need to have faith in this commission and Charles Lester should be kept as the director. He is a true leader.