Proactivity in Action: Lopez Lake Litigation

I take seriously the role of mayor as advocate for everyone in Pismo Beach, and I'm running to make it a city that works for all of us.

Today I withdrew as a standing witness in San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper v. County of San Luis Obispo, No. 2:24-cv-06854-SPG-AS (C.D. Cal. filed Aug. 2024) because continuing in that role might seem like a conflict of interest with the responsibilities of mayor, and even the perception of bias could hinder my ability to engage in important city discussions.

I was neither a litigant nor counsel in the lawsuit, which has as its stated aim to bring SLO County's management of the Lopez Dam and Reservoir into compliance with the Endangered Species Act. My role as one of several standing witnesses consisted of providing sworn testimony about my years of direct engagement with cleanup efforts and recreational activities in and around our beautiful, but fragile, Arroyo Grande Creek. Stepping back from that role is a small step, but one I believe is the right one as I prepare to serve as mayor.