The California coast lost one of its strongest advocates on June 17 when State Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson failed to reappoint Imperial Beach Councilwoman Patricia McCoy to the California Coastal Commission. McCoy, who had served on the Commission for less than two years, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that she was replaced because of her vote against the City of San Diego’s request for an extension of its waiver from more-stringent treatment of sewage discharged into the ocean. In April, McCoy was part of a 6-1 Commission vote against San Diego’s request for a consistency determination for a renewed waiver from secondary treatment of sewage that flows from the City’s Point Loma plant.

Laura Hunter, Director of Environmental Health Coalition’s Clean Bay Campaign, called McCoy a consensus builder dedicated to protecting water quality.

"No one is more passionate about the California coast, and access of the public to it, than McCoy," said Hunter. "She is a committed social and environmental justice champion and served our region exceptionally well on the commission. Patricia was truly the people’s voice on the commission."

Wesson appointed San Diego City Councilmember Scott Peters to the Coastal Commission and EHC looks forward to working with him on upcoming issues.

Hunter urged all local clean water activists to stay involved in Clean Bay Campaign and EHC activities, as CBC has many issues coming in front of the Coastal Commission in the next year. For more information and updates on the CBC campaign, call Nohelia Ramos at (619) 235-0281 or email NoheliaR@environmentalhealth.org.