"As stewards of this state we have a responsibility to protect our unparalleled coastal environment for future generations," said Speaker Hertzberg. "At the same time, we must assure that whatever development does take place on our coast is done in a manner that preserves access to the coast and that intrudes as little as possible on our beaches, wetlands and other coastal resources. Achieving this balance is a daunting task and that is why I have selected an outstanding group of appointees who will bring both experience and fresh ideas to the Coastal Commission."

The California Coastal Commission was established by voter initiative in 1972 and made permanent by the Legislature in 1976. The primary mission of the Commission is to plan for and regulate land and water uses in the coastal zone consistent with the policies of the Coastal Act.

The Speaker reappointed the following members to the Coastal Commission:

Cecilia Estolano has served as a public member of the Coastal Commission since 1999. She is a current member of the League of Conservation Voters and a former board member of the Heal the Bay. She is a practicing land use attorney with Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher. Her qualifications include senior policy advisor to former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator Mary Nichols, former environmental policy advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, and former assistant legislative deputy to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter.

David Potter has served as a local government member of the Coastal Commission representing the counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo since 1997. He is currently Vice Chair of the Commission. Mr. Potter is a Monterey County Supervisor. He previously served for four years on the Monterey City Council and is a general contractor.

The Speaker appointed the following new members to the Commission:

William Patrick Kruer will serve as a public member of the Commission. He is the founder of the Patrick Group of companies. Between 1978 and 1985, he served on the California Housing Finance Agency, where he rose to the position of Vice Chairman and Chairman of the lending committee. Kruer served on the first Housing Commission for the City of San Diego between 1979 and 1982. The County of San Diego selected him to serve as the first chairman of the Housing Bond Finance Review Committee between 1984 and 1986. He was also the first chairman of the Regional Growth and Planning Review Task force for San Diego County. Since 1999 Mr. Kruer has served as an alternate to former Coastal Commissioner Christine Kehoe.

David Allgood will continue to serve as the alternate for Cecelia Estolano. Mr. Allgood is currently the Southern California Political Director of the California League of Conservation Voters, President of the Coalition for Clean Air, and a board member on the Salvadoran American Action Committee. He is also the immediate past president of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters.

Deborah Ruddock will serve as the alternate for Pat Kruer. She is an analyst with the State Coastal Conservancy and has been a member of the Half Moon Bay City Council since 1991. A former Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, Ms. Ruddock has been active in the San Mateo County Bikeways Committee, the Coastside Citizens Library Task Force, and the San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority. Ms. Ruddock has also undertaken graduate studies in biology, botany, and wildlife management at Oregon State University.

Amanda Susskind will serve as the alternate for Patricia McCoy. Ms. Susskind is a partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Richards, Watson and Gershon, specializing in public law, redevelopment, and public finance. She also serves as the City Attorney for the cities of Agoura Hill and Hidden Hills. Ms. Susskind served for four years on the Parks and Recreation Commission for the County of Los Angeles and oversaw the expenditure of park bond proceeds for the City of Los Angeles.

Daniel Weinstein will serve as the alternate for David Potter. Mr. Weinstein is a Principal in the Wetherly Capital Group, which specializes in raising capital from public pension funds and jointly managed trusts. He has served as a senior advisor for former State Treasurer Kathleen Brown and as a regional Political Director for the United Food and Commercial Workers.