The California Coastal Commission has 12 voting members and 3 non-voting members. Six of the voting members are "public members," and six are local elected officials who come from specific coastal districts. All voting members are appointed either by the Governor, Senate Rules Committee, or the Speaker of the Assembly; each appoints four commissioners, two public members and two elected officials. Each Commissioner may appoint an alternate to serve in his or her absence. The Secretaries of the Natural Resources Agency and the State Transportation Agency and the Chair of the State Lands Commission serve as non-voting members and may appoint a designee to serve in their place.

Any written materials, including email, that are sent to commissioners regarding matters pending before the Commission must also be sent to Commission staff at the same time. The communication to the commissioner should clearly indicate that a copy is being sent to staff. All such communications are public records and will be made available for inspection at the appropriate Commission district office. The Coastal Act does not authorize Ex Parte communications that relate to alleged violations of the Coastal Act and such communications are not permissible.

Governor's Appointments
Public Member

Effie Turnbull-Sanders
Commissioner

Effie Turnbull-Sanders photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

original appointment: 1/13/2014
recent appointment: 2/21/2017
end of term: serves at the pleasure of the governor

Senate Rules Committee Appointments
Public Member

Dayna Bochco
Commissioner

Dayna Bochco photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 5/20/2011
recent reappointment: 5/20/2019
end of term: 5/20/2027

Assembly Speaker Appointments
Public Member

Dr. Caryl Hart
Chair

Caryl Hart photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202


original appointment: 5/20/2023
end of term: 5/20/2027

Governor's Appointments
Public Member

Susan Lowenberg
Commissioner

Susan Lowenberg
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


Senate Rules Committee Appointments
Public Member

Ann Notthoff
Commissioner

Ann Notthoff photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 3/15/23
end of term: 5/20/2025

Assembly Speaker Appointments
Public Member

Linda Escalante
Vice Chair

Linda Escalante photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

original appointment: 5/20/2023
end of term: 5/20/2027

Governor's Appointments
North Coast Representative

Mike Wilson
Commissioner

Mike Wilson photo
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors - 3rd District
825 5th Street, Room 111
Eureka, CA 95501
(415) 904-5202

Will accept Ex-Parte requests for Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties


original appointment: 7/12/2019

Senate Rules Committee Appointments
North Central Coast Representative

Catherine (Katie) Rice
Commissioner

Catherine Rice photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Will accept Ex-Parte requests for North Central Districts (Sonoma/Marin/San Francisco)


original appointment: 6/19/2019
end of term: 5/20/2027

Assembly Speaker Appointments
San Diego Coast Representative

Paloma Aguirre
Commissioner

Paloma Aguirre photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 02/22/2023
end of term: 05/20/2025

Governor's Appointments
South Central Coast Representative

Meagan Harmon
Commissioner

Meagan Harmon photo
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

original appointment: 5/4/2021
end of term: 5/20/25

Senate Rules Committee Appointments
South Coast Representative

Roberto Uranga
Commissioner

Roberto Uranga photo
411 West Ocean Boulevard,
11th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-7777

original appointment: 3/18/2015
recent reappointment: 7/7/2021
end of term: 5/20/2025

Assembly Speaker Appointments
Central Coast Representative

Dr. Justin Cummings
Commissioner

Dr. Justin Cummings Photo
701 Ocean Street, Room 500
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 454-2200

original appointment: 3/30/23
end of term: 5/20/25

Natural Resources Agency

Wade Crowfoot
or Jenn Eckerle / Christopher Calfee
(alternate)

Vacant Icon
1416 Ninth Street,
Room 1311
Sacramento, CA
95814-5570
(916) 653-5656

State Lands Commission

Malia Cohen
or Kristina Kunkel
SLC Ex Officio Non-Voting

Vacant photo
1021 O Street, Suite 8730,
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-8994

State Transportation Agency

Toks Omishakin
or Scott Williams and Jeremiah Ketchum
Secretary, Non-voting

Vacant Icon
915 Capitol Mall
Suite 350B
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 323-5400

Governor’s Appointments
Public Member

Vacant
Alternate for
Effie Turnbull Sanders

Vacant Icon

Senate Rules Committee Appointments
Public Member

Matt O’Malley
Alternate for
Dayna Bochco

Vacant Icon
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 3/29/2023

Assembly Speaker Appointments
Public Member

David Ryu
Alternate for
Dr. Caryl Hart

Vacant Icon
455 Market Street,
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests

Governor's Appointments
Public Member

Vacant
Alternate for
Susan Lowenberg

Vacant Icon

Senate Rules Committee Appointments
Public Member

Gretchen Newsom
Alternate for
Ann Notthoff

Vacant Icon
455 Market Street
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 3/29/2023

Assembly Speaker Appointments
Public Member

Juan Uranga
alternate for
Linda Escalante

Vacant Icon
455 Market Street
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 04/25/2024

Governor's Appointments
North Coast Representative

vacant
alternate for
Mike Wilson

Vacant Icon

Senate Rules Committee Appointments
North Central Coast Representative

Rafael Mandelman
alternate for
Catherine (Katie) Rice

Vacant Icon
455 Market Street
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 6/19/2019

Assembly Speaker Appointments
Central Coast Representative

Charles Striplen
alternate for
Justin Cummings

Chuck Striplen Photo
455 Market Street
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

Commissioner is not accepting
Ex-Parte requests


original appointment: 6/28/2023

Governor's Appointments
South Central Coast Representative

Vacant
alternate for
Meagan Harmon

Vacant Icon









Senate Rules Committee Appointments
South Coast Representative

Vacant
alternate for
Roberto Uranga

Vacant Icon
455 Market Street
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5202

original appointment: 8/18/2021

Assembly Speaker Appointments
San Diego Coast Representative

Raul Campillo
alternate for
Paloma Aguirre

Raul Campillo Photo
455 Market Street
Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 904-5200

original appointment: 4/17/2023

Ex Parte Communication Requirements

As of January 1, 1993, significant new ex parte requirements affecting communications with Commissioners went into effect. (Public Resources Code, sections 30319-30324.) These stringent new provisions of law may have serious consequences. Anyone wishing to communicate with a Commissioner about any matter pending before the Commission should read and abide by the guidelines below. Please be advised that the Coastal Act does not authorize Ex Parte communications that relate to alleged violations of the Coastal Act and such communications are not permissible. The following guidance covers most of the new requirements.

  • No written materials should be sent to Coastal Commissioners unless the Commission staff receives copies of all of the same materials at the same time.
  • All materials transmitted to Commissioners should clearly indicate (e.g., on the cover page or envelope) that they have also been forwarded to the staff. Materials that do not show that copies have been provided to staff might not be accepted, opened or read by Commissioners. In these cases, no ex parte communication has occurred.
  • Messages of a non-procedural nature (e.g., substantive) should not be left for a Commissioner. These include telephone, FAX, telegraphic or other forms of message.
  • All oral or written communications of a non-procedural nature by an "interested person" that are not made according to the above procedures are ex parte communications which are prohibited unless publicly reported by the Commissioner. If the Commissioner does not report the communication, the Commission's action that was the subject of the communication may be revoked and penalties may result.
  • Coastal Commission decisions must be made on the basis of information available to all commissioners and the public. Therefore, copies of communications made to Commissioners that are forwarded to staff will be included in the public record. Public records are available for inspection at Commission meetings or in the Commission's office.

The purpose of these legal requirements is to protect due process and fairness in the Commission's decision-making process. Failure to follow them could lead to fines, revocation of permits and substantial costs. Click the link for a copy of the ex parte disclosure form. If you have any questions, you can contact Commission legal staff at (415) 904-5220.

Dayna Bochco is an attorney and sits on the Board of environmental groups such as Heal the Bay and Natural Resources Defense Council's Southern California Leadership Council. Dayna is a 25-year veteran TV producer and is President of Steven Bochco Productions. Prior to joining Steven Bochco Productions. Dayna was with Twentieth Century Fox Television. She was executive vice president of creative affairs from 1985 to 1988 and executive vice president of business affairs from 1980 to 1985.

Dayna began her career in the entertainment industry as a contracts attorney for ABC's legal department. She was born and raised in San Diego and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, where she majored in drama and English. She earned a law degree from Loyola Law School.

Councilmember Raul Campillo represents District 7, which ranges from I-5 west of Linda Vista, to SR-125 east of San Carlos. A San Diego native with family roots in Calexico, California, Raul was raised in El Cajon and graduated from Uni High School in Linda Vista. Raul was a 5th grade public school teacher before returning to Harvard to attend law school. He practiced law at a firm in Los Angeles and then returned home to join the San Diego City Attorney’s Office. In addition to serving as Chair of the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, he has several key regional appointments including serving as SANDAG’s Transportation Committee Vice-Chair, SANDAG’s Public Safety Committee Vice-Chair, and as a member of the San Diego River Conservancy Board, which funds projects to prevent fires and flooding along the San Diego River. Raul and his wife, Nadia, live in Del Cerro.

Caryl Hart, PhD is an attorney and expert in public lands and park policy, with over 25 years of advocacy, scholarship and administrative experience. She served for 13 years as a member of the California State Parks Commission, including seven years as Chair. In 2014, Dr. Hart was appointed by Governor Brown to serve on the Parks Forward Commission to assist in forming a sustainable path forward for the California State Park System. From 2010-2017, Dr. Hart was Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks, a system of 50 parks and regional trails including Doran, Stillwater and Gualala Pt Regional Parks on the Sonoma Coast, and Spud Pt Fishing Marina in Bodega Bay. As a native Californian, born in Los Angeles and raised in the Santa Barbara area, Dr. Hart is dedicated to the protection of our coast and ocean, and in insuring maximum public access for all Californians and visitors to our state.

Meagan Harmon has been a Santa Barbara City Councilmember since 2019 and an Associate at Hepner & Myers LLP since 2020. She was an Associate at Griffith & Thornburgh LLP from 2019 to 2020 and Morrison & Foerster LLP from 2015 to 2019. Harmon was a Visiting Fellow for the Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School from 2014 to 2015 and a Program Consultant at Welthungerhilfe DE from 2010 to 2011. Harmon is first vice president for the Channel Cities Division and a member of the Housing Community and Economic Development Policy Committee at the CA League of Cities. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law and a Master of Arts degree in Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University.

Carole Groom was elected to the Board of Supervisors in June 2010 and served one year as President of the Board in 2011. Prior to Supervisor Groom’s appointment in 2009, she served nine years on the San Mateo City Council, including two terms as Mayor, and on the San Mateo Planning and Public Works Commissions.

Supervisor Groom’s legislative priorities include access to healthcare for all, environmental protection, maintaining and preserving our County’s parks, and growing our local economy.

In 2009 she originated “Streets Alive! Parks Alive!”, a countywide event for which she was awarded the 2012 Champion of the Community Award by the California Parks and Recreation Society.

She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, and the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans). In December of 2012, she was appointed to the California Coastal Commission by Assembly Speaker John Perez. Her professional experience includes 18 years as a Vice President of Mills-Peninsula Health Services. She also volunteers on the Boards of Directors of the San Mateo Police Activities League, Community Gatepath, and Leadership San Mateo, and on the Advisory Board of Palcare, a non-profit school and childcare center. She resides in the city of San Mateo.

Mark Vargas is a first generation American, born and raised in Southern California. Mark learned the joy of California's natural resources from his working class immigrant parents, who every year would load up their Honda Civic and take the family camping at state and national parks. These family rituals left a lasting impression on him that everyone deserves access to nature so they can develop an appreciation for stewardship and conservation. Mark works in the field of international trade and investment. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, registered with the United States Green Building Council. Prior to his private sector experience, he served in many public sector capacities, including as an aide to Congressman George Brown, as a Special Assistant to Governor Gray Davis, and as Southern California Director for Secretary of State Kevin Shelley. He is also the chair of the Los Angeles Unified School District Personnel Commission, and a board member of Ciclavia. Mark received his B.A. from the University of Southern California, with Honors, in Political Science and International Relations.

Chuck Striplen is of Mutsun descent and most recently served as the first Tribal Advisor and Liaison at the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC), established in 1870 as one the first wildlife conservation agencies in the United States. Chuck helps facilitate the relationships between non-native institutions and California’s 180+ tribal communities on matters related to natural and cultural resource management. He also serves on the Planning Commission for the City of Rohnert Park. In past years, Chuck managed large-scale restoration projects and Tribal Affairs for the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board; conducted primary research in the areas of historical ecology, cultural landscapes, wetlands and watershed, and fire history at the San Francisco Estuary Institute; served on the founding staff of California State University, Monterey Bay; served on the Board of the California Indian Basketweavers Association; and worked in Tribal government in Northern California.

Ms. Faustinos was appointed as the Executive Officer of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (Rivers and Mountains Conservancy) in June of 2002. This agency's territory encompasses 68 cities and over 1,600 square miles in the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers Watersheds. The primary charge of the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy is to acquire and manage public lands within the watersheds, provide open space, low impact recreational and educational uses, water conservation, watershed improvements, wildlife and habitat restoration and protection.

The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy has also developed three joint powers agencies to help achieve its mission. Of particular significance is the protection of three major sites on the San Gabriel River channel, El Encanto at the headwaters in Azusa, the Duck Farm just north of Whittier Narrows and the Bryant property in the Los Cerritos Wetlands in Long Beach, a total of 163 acres for less than $15 million. Additional grants will be awarded this September and October for new and continuing projects and land acquisitions.

Ms. Faustinos’ environmental experience started with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) in 1985 as the Budget Officer for that agency. She was promoted to Deputy Director in December of 1991. She also served as the Chief Deputy Executive Officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority and worked on open space policy issues in the Whittier/Puente Hills Corridor.

A native of southern California, Ms. Faustinos was born and raised in East Los Angeles, California. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Pitzer College in Claremont in 1973. Post graduate education has included completion of courses offered by EPA and Harvard Graduate School of Design. Over the years she has received honors and certificates of recognition from several federal, state and local legislators and has participated in many civic and professional organizations.

Ms. Aminzadeh is an attorney and advocate who serves as Executive Director of California Coastkeeper Alliance (CCKA), an eighteen year old network of Waterkeeper organizations fighting for swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters for California communities and ecosystems. Aminzadeh directs CCKA initiatives to protect and defend California's oceans, bays, and rivers, including the Alliance's climate change adaptation program to help California communities prepare for sea-level rise and ocean acidification. Aminzadeh has been researching and writing about the subjects of climate change, human rights, and sea-level rise for more than fifteen years, including work at the Center for International Environmental Law and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

David Ryu is President of the Asian Pacific American Leadership Foundation (APALF) and Chief Strategy & Advancement Officer at Kedren Acute Psychiatric Hospital & Community Health Center. He is a former Los Angeles City Councilmember, ethics reformer, and community mental health advocate who was elected in 2015 to become the second Asian American to serve on the Council and first on Council leadership. He passed landmark campaign finance reform in 2019, barring campaign donations from real estate developers with business before the city. Ryu further introduced anti-corruption legislation to expand oversight and create stronger checks on pay-to-play politics. He led the city to launch Opportunity LA- Ryu’s Children’s Savings Account program for every child in LA; advocated/secured COVID19 testing early on; championed Grave Disability Reform, Paid Parental Leave & Autonomous Vehicles; established Hillside Construction Regulation Zone, Concrete Streets Program, Utility Box Art Program, and fathered Al Fresco LA & Arts Relief Fund during COVID; secured $50M for After School Programs; and passed into law the Exotic Animals Ban, House Party Ordinance, and Tour Bus Ordinance.

Mike Wilson of Arcata, is a county supervisor for the County of Humboldt, District 3. He was owner and project engineer for HWR Engineering and Science from 1994 to 2017; an ecological engineer for Stillwater Sciences from 2014 to 2016. Wilson was an environmental engineer for the Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health from 1995 to 1996 and a staff environmental engineer for Tetra Tech from 1994 to 1995 and for Woodward Clyde Consultants from 1990 to 1992. Wilson earned a Master of Science degree in environmental systems engineering from Humboldt State University.

Susana Reyes was appointed as Commissioner of the City of Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works on April 27, 2022. Reyes was previously on the Board of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) where she was first appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in June 2019. She was elected as Board Vice President on July 28, 2020, and was part of the allfemale-led Board in the 120-year history of the LADWP. At LADWP, her priorities and initiatives were focused on equity strategies, renewable energy, energy efficiency, customer service, diversity, and inclusion, and change management. The first Filipino American to be appointed to the LADWP Board, Reyes is also the first LADWP retiree to hold a seat on the commission.

Caryl Hart, PhD is an attorney and expert in public lands and park policy, with over 25 years of advocacy, scholarship and administrative experience. She served for 13 years as a member of the California State Parks Commission, including seven years as Chair. In 2014, Dr. Hart was appointed by Governor Brown to serve on the Parks Forward Commission to assist in forming a sustainable path forward for the California State Park System. From 2010-2017, Dr. Hart was Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks, a system of 50 parks and regional trails including Doran, Stillwater and Gualala Pt Regional Parks on the Sonoma Coast, and Spud Pt Fishing Marina in Bodega Bay. As a native Californian, born in Los Angeles and raised in the Santa Barbara area, Dr. Hart is dedicated to the protection of our coast and ocean, and in insuring maximum public access for all Californians and visitors to our state.

Ann Notthoff is a longtime leader in the California environmental movement. Before joining the Coastal Commission, she was vice chair of the State Coastal Conservancy where she served for 18 years. Ann worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for nearly 40 years where she helped build the organization into a respected force for environmental and climate equity in California and the West. She led efforts to get many of California's nationally significant environmental laws enacted, including the Marine Life Protection Act, the Clean Car Act, the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Sustainable Communities Act and water policy reforms. She started her career fighting offshore oil development off the California coast and advocating for strong Local Coastal Plans to comply with Coastal Act policies.

Ann chairs LandWatch Monterey County, a regional group focusing on the intersection of climate and housing. Ann was a leader on the board of the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV, now CA Environmental Voters) for more than 20 years. In 2015, she was honored with CLCV's Environmental Leadership Award. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.