Environmentalism has solid leaders

Thank you for the Nov. 3 editorial, “Environment needs leaders.” Still, I disagree that Supervisor Tom Wilson’s speech earlier this month was “a bit too optimistic,” for I am very optimistic.

I was fortunate to attend the conference referenced, and I heard Wilson’s speech. Of more importance, I saw him in attendance at sessions, asking specific and pointed questions of the presenters. He also has been deeply involved with the California Coastal Commission for many years. He has and continues to go “beyond words into serious action” as you call for at the end of the editorial.

I have had the great pleasure of working over the past few years with some outstanding advocates for the environment. The people who volunteer their time, money and energy to work with others, as the supervisor suggested, to come together to find solutions.

Three of these many people are Newport Beach residents and were honored at the conference. They are Jean Watt along with Jack and Nancy Skinner. I can’t think of three people who are stronger advocates for the environment.

They have been doing for years and continue to do exactly what the supervisor and the Pilot’s editorial suggest. They do not advocate blindly, but with sound facts and information. They work with other stakeholders to identify those elusive common goals.

There is a need for advocates to take strong positions on both sides. This results in a lot of information coming out and arguments being made. At some point in the process it is the responsibility of those seeking solutions to work toward an equitable resolution.

I strongly agree with Wilson that this is far better done through the stakeholders identifying common goals and working together toward solutions rather than holding on to uncompromising positions and pushing issues to the courts.

Sports agent Leigh Steinberg, another local, said the most important thing in negotiating is to know what the other person really wants; put yourself in his or her place and figure out what is important to him or her.

This approach might help representatives from all groups realize that they share the same goals.

* DENNIS BAKER is a board member of the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends and a member of the Newport Beach water quality citizens advisory committee.