San Francisco – Despite a huge outpouring of support for its top staff member, the California Coastal Commission today voted to remove Executive Director Charles Lester at the end of a raucous public hearing in Morro Bay. Commissioners listened to hours of testimony from members of the conservation community – including representatives from several Audubon chapters – who spoke in support of Lester. Hundreds of activists attended the meeting to protest the actions of the Committee.
The petition to remove Charles Lester was filed by several commissioners who are seen by many activists as pro-development. The move inspired more than 4,000 Audubon advocates to send letters defending the executive director and decrying the secretive process to remove him.
“Today’s decision is not what we had hoped for,” said Brigid McCormack, executive director of Audubon California. “But the amount of attention the meeting received should send a clear message that the people of California care deeply about our coastlines and the millions of birds who depend on them.”
During his time at the Commission, Lester has overseen his agency’s initiative to combat sea level rise and has prevented poorly-sited developments that would have been threatened endangered species like the California Least Tern and the Western Snowy Plover.
California's history of protecting its coastlines for wildlife and people is unparalleled in the United States and reflects the strong conservation ethic held by its residents.
The California Coastal Commission was established by voter initiative in 1972 (Proposition 20) and later made permanent by the Legislature through adoption of the California Coastal Act. It is charged with overseeing roughly 1,100 miles of the state’s coast. In order to develop or use water, developers need to get approval from the Commission.
About Audubon California
Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 150,000 members and supporters in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.
