Full Biography for Chuck Kozak

Candidate for
Board of Directors; Midcoast Community Council

I have lived on the San Mateo County MidCoast for over 15 years, and have long been involved with issues that affect our communities. I have regularly attended meetings of the MidCoast Community Council for many years, and am an active member of the Council's Planning & Zoning and Parks & Recreation Committees. I worked for the Devil's Slide Tunnel Initiative, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District expansion, and am a founding member of the Coastal Alliance. I also coordinate the Montara Mountain Habitat Restoration Project at McNee Ranch State Park and am on the Board of Directors of Midcoast Parklands.

In my involvement with community organizations and the MCC, I have worked extensively on the concerns and issues of MidCoast residents with officials and staff of the county and other agencies and organizations :

• I compiled and authored the Council responses to the Mirada Surf, Moss Beach Highlands and Manroa Executive Hotel EIRs, and helped develop work strategies on planning issues of concerns to MidCoast residents.

• I participated in and supported the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Coastal Regional Planning Study, and continue to encourage the implementation of its recommendations.

• I lobbied for and supported the Coastal Commission funding of the upcoming review of the San Mateo County Local Coastal Plan.

• I have worked to establish and focus a MidCoast vision for Parks, Open Space and native habitats. The Montara Mountain Habitat Restoration Program has involved hundreds of volunteers in hands-on experience of native habitat restoration.

• The Coastal Alliance Open Space Working Group worked to establish partnerships between local community land trusts and larger agencies and organizations, and its work led to the process of the expansion of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to include the San Mateo County Coast.

• I worked with the MCC Parks & Recreation Committee to develop a plan for community parks in coastal communities, encourage the County to begin its MidCoast Recreational Needs Assessment, contribute to the County Trails Master Plan proposal, and participate in the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Master Plan process.