North Coast Assemblywoman Patty Berg this week picked up recognition for her voting record on issues relating to the environment.
The Eureka Democrat was honored Wednesday by the California League of Conservation Voters for being one of 11 state lawmakers who received a 100 percent rating from the conservation.
The conservation is a nonpartisan political action group aimed at protecting environmental quality by increasing awareness of elected officials' voting records.
"Having lived in Humboldt County for over 30 years, it's just impossible not to appreciate the beauty of the environment and I want to do what I can do to protect it," Berg said, in a press release from her Sacramento office.
Last year, Berg authored AB 1168, which established portions of the Albion and Gualala Rivers as Wild and Scenic. The Albion River contains an estuary system and salt marsh that both support some 30 species of fish.
Berg is also chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as the state's Select Committee on Sustainability, a committee she helped establish.
Area environmentalists also trumpeted Berg's concern for the environment.
"Her 100 percent rating doesn't come as any surprise to me," said Diane Beck, member of the Sierra Club's Redwood Chapter executive committee. "I look forward to working with her more in the future."
In other news, Berg also attended a hearing this week held by the Assembly Transportation Committee and Assembly Select Committee on Gasoline Competition, Marketing and Pricing.
This was the second in a series of public hearings held to explore the recent spike in gas prices around the state. Testimony was given by Attorney General Bill Lockyer, California Energy Commissioner James Boyd and Joe Sparano, president of the Western States Petroleum Association.
"While I recognize this is largely a federal issue, I am open to exploring what the state can do to keep prices under control," Berg said.
She offered full support to recent measures introduced at the federal level by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena. These measures include tapping into the nation's strategic petroleum reserve and investigating so-called zone pricing, a discriminatory practice some believe contributes to the spike in gas prices.