On Sept. 2, Mayor Robert Garcia held a press event announcing his choice of Ms. Egoscue to become part of the Long Beach Harbor Commission, an action requiring full City Council approval.

In an accompanying release, Mayor Garcia identified Ms. Egoscue as an environmental lawyer -- a term that is accurate -- but can apply to any lawyer practicing in the area of environmental law. The term can be accurately applied to a lawyer representing pro-environmental advocacy groups or industry interests and governmental agencies facing legal or regulatory issues in dealing with environmental laws that affect their business, development or governmental interests.

On her law firm's website, Ms. Egoscue states:

[Egoscue law firm text] The Egoscue Law Group has worked with a variety of clients handling a wide range of environmental, land and water use issues. Past and current clients include:

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
The Ratkovich Company
Western Riverside County Agricultural Coalition
PG&E
Agricultural Pool of the Chino Basin Watermaster
Vista Canyon Ranch
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
Newhall Land and Farming
SA Recycling
San Gabriel Valley Water Quality Authority
Thomas Safran & Associates

Ms. Egoscue also practiced environmental litigation as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice, where her work focused on the representation of various state agencies for both prosecution and defense, including:

Department of Parks and Recreation;
Department of Fish and Wildlife;
California Air Resources Board;
Department of Food and Agriculture;
Regional Water Quality Control Boards;
State Water Resources Control Board;
Department of Pesticide Regulation; and
Department of Conservation.

Mayor Garcia's press release accurately notes that Ms. Egoscue as a member of the Board of the California League of Conservation Voters. The group's current president and chair, Rick Zbur is a lawyer in private practice who has handled matters for developers before the Coastal Commission.

Also among members of the CA League of Conservation Voters Board is Wendy Mitchell, who is a member of the CA Coastal Commission at whose San Fernando Valley home the Garcia Mayoral campaign held an October 2013 fundraiser. In June, the CA Attorney General's office determined that Garcia became ineligible to remain on the Coastal Commission by virtue of his June 2014 Mayoral election. In August 2014, some CA state legislators (all Dems) attempted to use Sacramento's much-criticized "gut and amend" procedure to change state law to enable Garcia to remain on the Coastal Commission (which controls development for the entire length of CA's coast.) Their attempt died in a state Senate Committee.

Among those listed as members of the CA League of Conservation Voters' "Green Advisory Council" is Becki Ames, who was Chief of Staff to recently-exited Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster.

The Council's Civil Service Committee has scheduled a meeting at 3:30 p.m. today (Sept. 9) on Ms. Egoscue's nomination to the Long Beach Harbor Commission and the item is also agendized for possible Council action nearly immediately thereafter (meeting begins 5:00 p.m.)

LBREPORT.com provides below the full text of the Sept. 2 release issued by Mayor Garcia's office on his choice of Ms. Egoscue:

Mayor Robert Garcia has made the first commission appointment of his term, naming environmental attorney and former Deputy Attorney General, Tracy Egoscue to fill the vacant seat on the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Mayor Garcia, accompanied by Egoscue and the Port’s Chief Executive Jon Slangerup, made the announcement at a press conference today in front of Long Beach City Hall.

"Tracy is an accomplished and dedicated community leader with a breadth and depth of experience that is truly exceptional, and I am extremely confident in her commitment to Long Beach," said Garcia. "Her record of environmental stewardship, and her knowledge of business and industry make her the perfect candidate to continue the Port and City on the path of collaboration, sustainability, and prosperity."

Rick Zbur, President and Chair of the California League of Conservation Voters, expressed strong support for Egoscue appointment. "Tracy is respected across the state as a highly capable leader, and has a strong record as an environmental advocate. We couldn't be more pleased with Mayor Garcia’s choice."

Industry leaders also expressed confidence in Egoscue’s abilities and support for the Mayor’s decision.

"It would be hard to find a more qualified, well rounded Commissioner than Tracy Egoscue," said George Adams, CEO of SA recycling, a major Port merchant. "My personal opinion is that the Mayor has hit a home run here."

Egoscue, a 13 year resident of Long Beach, maintains a private law practice in Bixby Knolls, and has a long record of public service and advocacy. She was Executive Officer of the State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, and was Executive Director of the Santa Monica Baykeeper, where she won one of the largest Clean Water Act settlements in history, a $5 billion settlement that led to a 10 year pipeline rehabilitation program.

Ms. Egoscue has practiced environmental litigation as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice, and worked on environmental issues encompassing the Air Resources Board, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the Federal Clean Water Act.

She currently serves on the Board of the California League of Conservation Voters. Egoscue lives in the 7th council district and her children attend LBUSD schools.

"I am honored and grateful to be named to the Harbor Commission, and look forward to serving the Port and the people of Long Beach," Ms. Egoscue said. "I look forward to strengthening the Port’s relationship with the City, as well as the sustainability of Port operations."

The Mayor's appointment requires approval from the City Council, which is expected this month.

Developing. Further to follow on LBREPORT.com