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Dear Senator:

I'm writing to urge you to oppose Assembly Bill 1991 (Mullin), which would set a dangerous precedent of allowing development in the Coastal Zone without complying with the Coastal Act.

While AB 1991 would clear the City of Half Moon Bay's lawsuit debt to developer Charles Keenan, the terms of the settlement threaten the environment. The bill would forgive the city of its debt if it delivers total development rights to Keenan by the end of 2011, with exemptions from environmental protections--including the Coastal Act, the CA Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the Fish and Game Code--and low-income housing requirements.

Assembly Bill 1991 raises significant concerns:

• Both properties have naturally occurring wetlands on them as well as endangered species habitat;
• There are no previous circumstances in which a project within the Coastal Zone has been completely exempted from the Coastal Act and other environmental requirements; and
• This precedent would aid developers in removing environmental laws on land, one parcel at a time.

AB 1991 is not the only solution to keep Half Moon Bay from facing bankruptcy. The city could appeal to the 9th Circuit Court; and, the Coastal Commission and Attorney General's office have pledged to help the city do so. Alternatively, Half Moon Bay could pay Keenan $18 million for title to the property, and recoup its costs through the sale or development of the site, through the regular regulatory review process including compliance with the Coastal Act.

Please oppose AB 1991 and help California keep our coast safe from unregulated development.

Sincerely,