Standing in front of the deteriorating Ocean Beach lifeguard tower, San Diego Mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio today vowed to better the quality of life and improve the coastal environment of San Diegans by investing in San Diego’s environment and beachfront infrastructure.

DeMaio announced the release of his “Clean Coasts 2020” plan, which provides specific goals to make the environment and coastline a priority in city government. These goals include:

· Goal 1 - Create a New “Environment & Stormwater Department”

· Goal 2 – Improve Coastal Water Quality by Pursuing Pilot Projects to Decrease Stormwater Runoff with New Technologies

· Goal 3 - Work with Regional Partners to Better Monitor Water Quality

· Goal 4 – Dedicate & Preserve Open Space

· Goal 5 – Support the Creation of the San Diego River Park

· Goal 6 – Enhance Resident and Visitor Enjoyment of Our Coastal Environment

“We must make our environment a priority in city government. That’s why I plan to reorganize city departments to create an Environment and Stormwater Department,” said DeMaio. “This new department will place the environment in a prominent position in city decisions under my administration.”

DeMaio was joined by community members who are calling on the city to invest in beachfront infrastructure which has experienced decades of neglect. "Beach residents are glad to see Carl DeMaio put forward specific reforms to help restore coastal infrastructure, improve the coastal environment, look at creative new ways to deliver services by working with the community, and make San Diego's coastline a priority,” said Jim Musgrove, Ocean Beach Town Council President.

Tom Perotti, Vice President of the Ocean Beach Community Development Corporation added,

"San Diego's beach communities have experienced years of infrastructure neglect, affecting everything from our lifeguard facilities to our water quality.”

Additional reforms will be released over the following four days as part of a coastal walking tour. DeMaio will continue to meet with community leaders, beachfront business owners, and the environmental community.