San Diego Coastkeeper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 18, 2004

Press Contacts
Bruce Reznik	(619) 758-7743  (619) 851-9997 (cell)

San Diego Baykeeper releases 3rd Annual Clean Water Report Card for City of San Diego

Three Council members Receive 'A' Grades, while the City Scores 'B' Rating

SAN DIEGO, CA – On October 18, the 32nd anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act, San Diego Baykeeper released the 3rd annual San Diego City Council Clean Water Report Card, which examines the voting record of each City Council member over the past year on issues impacting the health of local waters and coastal habitat. The City received an overall 'B' grade, with three Council members (Toni Atkins, Donna Frye and Michael Zucchet) scoring 'A+' grades.

The Report Card, prepared by Strategic Community Consulting and commissioned by Baykeeper, reviewed sixteen votes taken by the City Council from October 2003 to October 2004, and offered an opportunity for extra credit for extraordinary clean water measures undertaken by Council members. The votes considered included open space protection (which impacts stormwater runoff pollution), sewage treatment (Point Loma Wastewater Facility), habitat protection (La Jolla Children's Pool), restoration efforts, and funding allocation for coastal protection.

"We believe this Report is the most comprehensive evaluation of the City's performance yet," noted Strategic Community Consulting Project Manager Sebastian Cabello. "The Report Card covers a broad range of issues that impact the health of our coast and ocean."

Toni Atkins (District 3) scored the highest grade of any Council member, with a 104% Score (including extra credit). Donna Frye (District 6) also scored an 'A+', making her the only Council member to score 'A' grades for three straight years, while Michael Zucchet also scored an 'A+', meaning he has received 'A' grades his two years on the Council.

"It is encouraging to see so many Council members scoring high marks," stated Baykeeper Executive Director Bruce Reznik. "We are particularly pleased to see Council member Atkins improving so much over the past three years, having gone from a 'C' in 2002 to a 'B' last year and now leading the Council."

The Report Card was initiated in 2002 as a tool to prepare an independent assessment of the City Council on votes on issues impacting the health of our coast, bays and inland waterways in the City of San Diego. It seeks to educate San Diegans about the votes taken by Council members, and increase accountability of our elected officials.

"The City continues to make strides in coastal protection in San Diego," added Reznik. "We look forward to the day when every Council member receives an 'A' grade."

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About Strategic Community Consulting
Strategic Community Consulting (SCC) provides graduate student consulting services from the University of California's Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) to nonprofit clients in the San Diego area. Additionally, SCC has sought to develop knowledge sharing, community partnerships with area nonprofits, IR/PS staff and faculty, and individuals interested in promoting the capacity of civil society in San Diego.

About San Diego Baykeeper
Since 1995, San Diego Baykeeper has been putting advocacy into action to protect San Diego's bays, beaches and watersheds. Baykeeper utilizes outreach, education and advocacy to increase awareness of environmental issues and challenge the practices of those who violate environmental laws and harm our natural resources.