In the last year, San Diego Baykeeper has played a major role in increasing the environmental community's professionalism and effectiveness when working with the California Coastal Commission on issues affecting our precious coastline. With the help of Dave Grubb from the Sierra Club (North County Coasters), Allison Rolfe, Baykeeper's Policy Director, has been co-coordinating the Organization of Regional Coastal Activists, affectionately known as "ORCA." The goal of this new coalition of environmental activists is to form a statewide network to monitor coastal development, work with the California Coastal Commission staff, and talk to the Coastal Commissioners directly.
The network is organized by county and community. On one level, development monitors in every coastal community coordinate their efforts and exchange information through county and state level coordinators. Then, small “teams” meet with staff and Coastal Commissioners to inform them of our positions and seek their input and advice prior to the monthly Commission meetings.
The initial organizing efforts are focused on the southern counties from Santa Barbara to San Diego and are being facilitated by a coastal activist organization called "Vote the Coast," under the direction of Coastal Commissioner Sara Wan. The first San Diego meeting was held in March 2003. It was attended by a number of local organizations including Sierra Club, Surfrider and others. A series of organizing and training meetings have taken place since that time.
In San Diego, Allison and Dave act as the County Coordinators and the Commission lobbyists. They coordinate local and regional activists, putting together clear environmental messages and delivering them to the Commissioners. Essentially, ORCA provides an opportunity to be more strategic about gaining support for our positions. Rather than showing up at hearings and making our case for the first time from the podium, ORCA's proactive approach means that the Commissioners and staff are already fully briefed on the day of the vote.
This approach has resulted in a significant increase in favorable votes, and has also earned praise from the Commissioners. ORCA understands that in order to be effective we must develop personal relationships with Commissioners and staff. The Commissioners appreciate this professional approach and the succinct, advance information.
San Diego Baykeeper is actively seeking volunteers to help us build ORCA's capacity. In particular, we need local activists to monitor development in their own communities and share information with the other participating groups. Baykeeper also needs volunteers to enhance the existing document review process and identify potential problem developments early.
If you are interested in being part of this exciting new program and can donate some of your time on a regular basis, please contact: