San Diego Coastkeeper’s Reznik speaks out, quietly
Barbara Bry
San Diego News Network
11/23/2009
Bruce Reznik is a self-professed policy wonk who is comfortable spouting statistics and data. Considered one of the leaders of the San Diego environmental community, the 41-year-old executive director of San Diego Coastkeeper speaks quietly, yet passionately, about his quest to leave the world a better place. While his words might seem phony, Reznik sounds believable.
In the 10 years since he joined Coastkeeper (then known as San Diego Baykeeper), the organization has grown from an annual budget of $225,000 to $1.5 million in 2009. And despite the recession which has hurt many non-profits, Coastkeeper’s budget has grown, and it expects to end the year in the black.
A few weeks ago, the organization won a major victory when a statewide Blue Ribbon Task Force recommended expansion of marine sanctuaries off the coast of San Diego. The final decision will be made by the state Fish and Game Commission which is meeting Dec. 9 in Los Angeles.
In a wide-ranging interview with San Diego News Network, Reznik spoke about his passion for social justice, the major issues confronting the organization, his criticism of the San Diego County Water Authority, his favorite beach (Coronado), and what he enjoys doing with his rare spare time outside of work.
San Diego Coastkeeper was started in 1995 to combat pollution in San Diego Bay, and it became the 15th approved Waterkeeper program in the United States. This concept dates back to 19th century English tradition when riverkeepers were the wardens of private streams. Today, the International Waterkeeper Alliance, headed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., includes 157 programs which work on a local level to protect water quality.
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Reznik’s simple office, located in a two story building in Liberty Station, reflects a policy wonk. His desk is piled with stacks of papers, reports, and notebooks. Although he’s been in the office for about two years, most of his photos and awards are still stacked on the floor. A shelf contains an award from Sempra and a football used by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. when he comes to visit.
His passion for social justice: “I always knew from the time that I was a young kid that I wanted to do public interest law. I always joke that I read and saw ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ when I was too young. I’ve always wanted to make an impact and leave the world a better place.”
The San Diego County Water Authority: Reznik contends that the agency has not developed an effective strategic plan to provide for the region’s future water supply. He contends that they are primarily focused on diversifying the water supply “but they’re doing it stupidly.”
“I think we’re doing things the wrong way in San Diego. If you’re doing things the right way, you should develop a framework for how you develop your water supply policy and set criteria-what’s the cheapest, most reliable, safest, etc.” Because he believes that we lack a good comprehensive strategic plan, Reznik asserts that we get pulled into individual debates: Do you like desalination or not? Do you do water reclamation (also known as toilet-to-tap), do you like the Peripheral Canal or not? Do you like tiered rate structures or not? With an appropriate framework, he contends, it would be easier to evaluate our options.
Major accomplishment: Reznik rattles off a number of statistics-sewage spills down 83%, fewer beach advisories, improved urban run off controls, 12,000 volunteers picking up debris and trash on the beaches every year, 45,000 San Diego city schools students participating in environmental education programs.
“It’s changing the debate and having a can-do attitude. I get frustrated with agencies and government who say ‘we can’t do this, we can’t do that.’ At Coastkeeper, we don’t do can’t do. We couldn’t get an environmental education program in the city schools because (then Supt.) Alan Bersin wouldn’t stand for it. Well, we did it.”
His success: “I’ve put smart talented people around me, and I get out of the way and let them do their work.”
Book he is reading: “Nothing. It’s been a busy time.” After a few minutes, he remembers the most recent book that he finished two months ago– ‘The Yiddish Policemen’s Union’ by Michael Chabon.
Outside of work: Reznik and his wife Elizabeth Studebaker live in North Park with their two dogs-Sasha, a three year old yellow Labrador, and Bandit, a 1 ½ year old German Shepherd-Australian Shepherd mix. “We are crazy dog people,” Reznik said. Studebaker is executive director of North Park Main Street, and both are passionate about public policy. They enjoy eating at restaurants in North Park and listening to music at Bar Pink.
