Wednesday soapbox Cartoonist's take

Bodovitz leaves legacy as environmental leader

As former executive director of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, I would like to share some details about the life of Joseph Bodovitz, a longtime Mill Valley resident and state environmental leader who passed away March 9 at the age of 93 (“California coastal advocate Joe Bodovitz dies at 93,” March 22).

It is hard to overstate Bodovitz's exceptional contributions to his community and to preservation of the California coast and San Francisco Bay.

Bodovitz and his wife, Shirley, raised their three children in Mill Valley. He served on the school board for nine years and was involved in planning and opening the Mill Valley Middle School.

In 1964, Bodovitz directed the study commission that led to the creation of the BCDC, then served as the commission's first executive director. Under his leadership, BCDC created a plan to protect the bay from overdevelopment and nearly all the plan's recommendations were enacted into law. BCDC was made permanent, and it continues to safeguard the bay from unnecessary landfill and to require public access in every shoreline project.

In 1972, Bodovitz became the first executive director of the California Coastal Commission, charged with preparing the coastal plan mandated by the Proposition 20 initiative. His unique capabilities again proved pivotal. Made permanent in 1976, it continues to protect the California coast while ensuring vastly expanded public access consistent with orderly development.

Bodovitz went on to become executive director of the California Public Utilities Commission, president of the California Environmental Trust, chief staff officer of the Bay Vision 2020 Commission and a popular teacher at the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning in San Francisco.

He was a phenomenal person. He made all of us who had the privilege of working with him better writers, better public servants and better people. He will be greatly missed.