Baptism of Oil, Malathion Greens O.C.’s Legislators

If the environmental movement were a tent revival meeting, the faithful would be shouting hallelujahs.

That’s because the non-believing legislators from Orange County--recently chastened by the sheen of oil on their beaches and the mist of malathion on their constituents--now say they have seen the light and are rushing to pass a series of laws and resolutions that call for either spending money or increasing government regulation to protect the environment.

The apparent conversion is especially ironic to longtime environmentalists, who have come to regard Orange County legislators as bitter adversaries on issues ranging from air pollution to preserving ancient forests.

“Both with the malathion and the oil spill, I think we’ve seen some ‘born-again’ environmentalists,” said Mike Paparian, state director of the Sierra Club.

Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) quipped: “Some of these Rip Van Winkles are waking up, and I think it’s good.”

So far, county lawmakers have rushed to write or co-sponsor four bills and resolutions in response to the state’s aerial eradication effort against the Mediterranean fruit fly, which began Nov. 30 in Brea, only to be expanded over 36 square miles around Garden Grove and Westminster by late January.

Meanwhile, in reaction to the Feb. 7 oil spill off Huntington Beach--an environmental insult that made international news--the Orange County delegation has offered or co-authored five measures that take the uncharacteristic approach of insisting on greater government regulation, including a demand for double-hulled vessels and large fines against oil companies involved in future spills.

The spate of legislative activity has underscored a decided greening of county officials. With the exception of state Sens. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) and Cecil N. Greene (D-Norwalk), the rest of the delegation from the state’s third-largest county has earned such a bad reputation in environmental circles that one activist recently called county legislators a “cancer in the state.”

Especially repugnant to traditional environmentalists have been three county assemblymen: Gil Ferguson of Newport Beach, Nolan Frizzelle of Huntington Beach and Dennis Brown of Los Alamitos. Their votes on 40 issues last year were so anti-environmental that the San Francisco-based California League of Conservation Voters named them among the Legislature’s “Filthy Five.”

Brown, in particular, is known around the Capitol as a legislator who would rather bite off his own hand than vote for government regulation or a tax increase, which most environmental measures involve.

But several days after the American Trader ran over its own anchor and began to ooze crude oil onto beaches in his district, Brown signed up as a co-author on legislation that would stiffen regulation of tankers and impose large fines for future spills.

“Yeah, it was a consequence” of the spill, Brown said, adding that he is not enthralled with the measure. “Had it not been for the spill, I’m sure I would not have signed onto it.”

And Frizzelle, who was quick to blame environmentalist-inspired regulations for the American Trader spill last month, ended up delighting those same people by casting a key vote to get new tanker regulations out of an Assembly committee two weeks ago.

“I didn’t vote the way I voted to become some sort of environmentalist,” Frizzelle said, adding that he supported the measure in exchange for some promised changes down the line.

Not everyone from the county is jumping on the environmental bandwagon these days, of course.

Assembly Minority Leader Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) said last week that it would be “hypocritical” for him to raise a fuss about the malathion spraying because he supported similar eradication efforts in Northern California.

“The neighbors, many of them, were out there covering their cars,” he said about the first malathion spraying of his home. “I said, ‘The hell with it.’ I got the car washed a week later.”

Assemblyman John R. Lewis (R-Orange) has also declined to share in the spate of county legislation. Lewis, who has one of the lowest environmental rankings in the Legislature, did not return telephone calls last week.

Those signs are enough to make some mainstream environmentalists, such as Paula Carrell of the Sierra Club, openly skeptical that any Orange County conversion will stick.

A lobbyist for the 160,000-member Sierra Club, Carrell is quick to point out that the delegation’s “voting record clearly shows a lack of concern for environmental values.”

“Their sudden conversion is a reflection of the crisis in their back yards--a crisis that occurred because of a history of refusing to prevent the crisis in the first place,” Carrell said. “They only care when it is in their back yard, but they don’t care about the environment generally.”

Lucy Blake, executive director of the 30,000-member League of Conservation Voters, was a bit more charitable: “Clearly, when the oil began washing up on the beach, there were a lot of brand-new environmentalists out there. At my most optimistic, I can say I’m encouraged, and I’m glad we see a lot of people concerned about these issues.

“Being more cynical, it might be fair to say that some of these people are doing a little electioneering.”

One legislator feeling the heat these days is Ferguson, who has drawn a serious challenger in this year’s Republican primary. The challenger, Phyllis Badham, said she plans to use the environment as an issue against the former employee of the Irvine Co.

Ferguson has consistently drawn the ire of the Conservation League and the Sierra Club for sponsoring pro-development measures, including a 1986 bill that would have nullified several local growth-control initiatives and gutted other regulatory tools, such as open-space zones and density restrictions.

Ferguson also voted against the 1986 law that holds oil companies financially responsible for spills--the same law under which British Petroleum and its tanker company paid for the cleanup in Ferguson’s district.

In response to the spill, however, the avowed conservative said he is working on two bills that would encourage the state to use new technology to clean up future slicks, as well as train cleanup volunteers.

“I might not be your definition of an environmentalist, but I feel that I’m sensitive to environmental concerns,” said Ferguson, who is openly testy about such inquiries.

“It’s just that I want to balance them against economic concerns,” he said. “After all, people aren’t falling dead in the streets. People are living longer in America and California than ever in the history of mankind. People are healthier today than they’ve ever been. People are stronger today than they’ve ever been.”

Less defensive about her environmental transformation is Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress), who readily admitted that she became an opponent of the Medfly eradication program only because of malathion spraying taking place in her 71st Assembly District.

“When your ox is gored, it becomes very real,” Allen said. “You see the reactions and the upset of the people in your district, and you begin to experience their fear and their questions, and you experience them from your neighbors and your family.

“I’ll admit,” she said, “malathion is an eye-opener.”

Particularly illuminating, she said, was her 74-year-old mother being sprayed with the pesticide when she ran out of her Lakewood home a couple of weeks ago to look at the low-flying state helicopters. Allen’s own home has been sprayed, after which the lawmaker washed off her patio furniture.

Last year, according to voting records, Allen opposed key pesticide and toxic control measures, including one that would have outlawed the use of 15 agricultural sprays linked with cancer. In years past, Allen has voted against measures that would keep pesticides out of drinking water, toxic dumps away from schools and require farmers to post warnings in pesticide-treated fields.

Within the past several weeks, however, Allen has appeared at a bipartisan press conference to question the eradication program, which had existed for 10 years. She has signed a Feb. 26 letter of protest to Gov. George Deukmejian and introduced legislation that would put up administrative hurdles--including 72-hour advance notice and multilingual public notices--before more spraying could be conducted.

Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) has also reacted to the malathion spraying in his district, and on his home, with a bill calling on the state to spend $1 million extra to boost the production of sterile Medflies, from 100,000 to 250,000 flies a week. The extra supply of sterile insects, used to reduce the number of the pest’s offspring, would allow the state to stop spraying altogether, Pringle said.

Would Pringle have considered such a measure if his district had not been sprayed?

“Probably not,” he said. “My job is to represent the people who elected me here, and there was a tremendous outcry from the residents in my community, expressing concern over the aerial spraying.”

Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim) admitted that he has made mistakes in past anti-environmental votes. The former Anaheim mayor is locked in a bitter statewide race for lieutenant governor with Bergeson, who opened her campaign by trying to portray herself as more sympathetic than Seymour to environmental issues.

Indeed, records show that Seymour voted against laws making oil companies pay for oil spills, as well as setting aside $2.5 million to aid in those cleanups. Bergeson voted for both.

Last year, however, both were ranked about even by the Conservation League for their environmental votes, and Bergeson last week drew a dart from the group for her vote to kill a bill to require local governments to make sure there are enough roads, sewers and schools before approving new development.

Seymour said that his change of heart has been a gradual process accelerated by the March, 1989, Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, and that the Huntington Beach spill reinforced his heightened concern.

Seymour last month introduced two measures, one of which requires state officials to oversee the unloading of environmentally hazardous cargo in coastal waters. Bergeson’s oil spill measure would require that only double-hulled tankers be allowed in state waters.

“Certainly, if I had known that Valdez would have occurred and the American Trader would have occurred, then back in 1984 and 1985 I would have been voting differently,” Seymour said.

“We make mistakes. I make mistakes. I’m not going to always be right. Therefore, to expect one to never change a position on an issue . . . is too much to ask.”

Assemblyman Robert C. Frazee (R-Carlsbad), whose district includes San Clemente and parts of Dana Point, said it is a “fair analysis” that malathion spraying and the Huntington Beach spill have changed--at least to some degree--the hearts of the Orange County delegation.

In a way, he said, the recent environmental episodes remind him of how old-time local officials used to decide on where to put up stop signs around town: “The old rule is you don’t put up a stop sign unless you have a serious accident and someone is killed.

“I don’t believe that,” Frazee said, “but that seems to be the rule in our society, in our government.”

GREEN POWER: ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS OF O.C. LEGISLATORS

Orange County legislators’ votes on selected environmental bills between 1984 and 1989. An F designates a vote in favor of a position taken by environmental groups, while an O designates an opposing vote. A “--” means the legislators declined to vote, were absent or had not yet been elected.

The percentages reflect the number of times each legislator has voted in agreement with environmental groups on 210 key environmental issues over the last six years.

ASSEMBLY

Doris Allen R-Cypress Overall rating: 42%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): F Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): O Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): F Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): O Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): F Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): F Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): F Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

Dennis Brown R-Los Alamitos Overall rating: 6%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): O Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): O Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): O Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): O Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): O Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): O Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): O Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

Gil Ferguson R-Newport Bch. Overall rating: 14%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): -- Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): O Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): -- Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): -- Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): -- Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): -- Passed but vetoed

Robert C. Frazee R-Carlsbad Overall rating: 30%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): O Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): O Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): O Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): F Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): O Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): O Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

Nolan Frizzelle R-Hunt. Bch. Overall rating: 21%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): F Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): O Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): O Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): O Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): F Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): O Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): F Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

Ross Johnson R-La Habra Overall rating: 19%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): -- Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): O Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): F Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): O Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): -- Passed but vetoed

John R. Lewis R-Orange Overall rating: 9%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): -- Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): O Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): O Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): -- Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): O Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): O Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

Curt Pringle R-Gard. Grv. Overall rating: 29%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Force firms to disclose use of toxics (1989): O Assembly action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): -- Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): -- Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): -- Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): -- Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): -- Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): -- Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): -- Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): -- Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): -- Passed but vetoed

SENATE

Marian Bergeson R-Newport Bch. Overall rating: 65%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Notify farmworkers about pesticide dangers (1989): O Senate action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): F Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): F Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): F Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): F Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): F Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): F Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): F Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): F Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): F Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

John Seymour R-Anaheim Overall rating: 49%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Notify farmworkers about pesticide dangers (1989): O Senate action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): -- Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): F Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): F Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): F Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): O Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): F Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): F Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): O Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): O Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

Cecil N. Green D-Norwalk Overall rating: 82%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Notify farmworkers about pesticide dangers (1989): F Senate action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): F Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): F Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): F Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): F Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): -- Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): -- Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): -- Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): -- Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): F Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): F Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): -- Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): -- Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): -- Passed but vetoed

Edward R. Royce R-Anaheim Overall rating: 40%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Notify farmworkers about pesticide dangers (1989): F Senate action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): O Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): O Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): F Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): F Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): F Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): F Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): -- Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): O Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): O Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): O Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): F Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): O Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): O Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): O Passed but vetoed

**William Campbell R-Hac. Hgts. Overall rating: 36%

PESTICIDES/TOXICS Notify farmworkers about pesticide dangers (1989): O Senate action only Encourage firms to reduce use of toxics (1989): F Enacted Deny incinerator permit to repeat toxic offenders (1989): -- Passed but vetoed Protect schoolchildren from toxic hazards (1988): F Enacted Clean up state’s worst toxic hot spots (1988): F Passed but vetoed Create a superfund to clean up toxic waste sites (1987): -- Enacted Prevent pesticide-tainted drinking water (1985): F Enacted Stop public lawsuits against eradication programs (1985): O Enacted Post signs in pesticide-treated fields (1985): O Passed but vetoed Block pesticides related to birth defects (1984): -- Enacted Overrule local control of pesticide use (1984): -- Enacted COASTAL/OIL

Increase authority of Coastal Commission (1989): F Passed but vetoed Study health effects of ocean pollution (1988): -- Passed but vetoed Prevent oil drilling in Mendocino coastal waters (1988): F Passed but vetoed Force oil companies to pay for oil spill cleanup (1986): -- Enacted Spend $2.5 million for oil spill cleanup (1985): -- Enacted Allow local participation in oil drilling decisions (1984): -- Passed but vetoed * Opposed in committee, voted in favor on floor.

** Resigned effective December, 1989. Source: California League of Conservation Voters