Press Release – Omar Benjamin

  • BPC News
  • by BPC Staff
  • on April 28, 2010
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Ellen Joslin Johnck
Executive Director
Bay Planning Coalition
(415) 397-2293

Download a pdf copy of this release here.

Bay Planning Coalition presents the annual Frank C. Boerger Award to Omar Benjamin, Executive Director, Port of Oakland In recognition of his outstanding economic and environmental leadership for the citizens of San Francisco Bay. San Francisco, CA – April 28, 2010

The Bay Planning Coalition presents the Frank C. Boerger award annually to a local decisionmaker who appreciates the rigors of advocating environmental protection and economic progress, and forges the path to achieve both.  This year, the Bay Planning Coalition was proud to honor Omar Benjamin, the Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, for his achievements in bringing together diverse stakeholders to address the economic and environmental issues of the day.

“Mr. Benjamin’s successes have been the result of a vital collaboration with the port, business, and community groups,” said Ellen Joslin Johnck, Executive Director of the Bay Planning Coalition.  These include the recent -50’ harbor deepening project which has led to greater access to the port for deeper draft ships as well as restored bay wetlands with harbor mud and the creation of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park (also with harbor mud), which is in the heart of the seaport providing wonderful public access as well as natural habitat for endangered bay species.

The award was presented at the Bay Planning Coalition’s annual San Francisco Bay Decisionmakers Conference which featured the science, government and business perspective on “Climate 3.0: Policies and Decisions for a Changing Landscape”.  The conference was held at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, and resulted in an action plan for shaping a strong future for business and the environment on the Bay.

Frank C. Boerger was a founding director and Chairman of the Bay Planning Coalition from 1985 – 1990.  Mr. Boerger was a professional engineer, distinguished military man and respected civic leader, well known for his outstanding achievements in several Bay Area public and private non-profit institutions.  He first became active in Bay Area affairs in his position as District Engineer of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), San Francisco, and represented USACE on the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission in the early 1960s.

In these early advocacy efforts, Mr. Boerger was instrumental in the U. S. Congressional authorization of the John Baldwin Ship Channel -45’ navigation project between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Port of Stockton.  Mr. Boerger was also the first Chairman of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Citizen Advisory Committee.  Many of Mr. Boerger’s accomplishments reflect his efforts to balance conservation and development in and around the San Francisco Bay.

Established in 1983, the Bay Planning Coalition (BPC) is dedicated to ensuring that commerce, recreation, and the natural environment thrive in the Bay-Delta region.  For more than 27 years, BPC has been a leader in building coalitions and consensus, and producing positive results that benefit the economic and environmental welfare of the public.

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