JOLIE GORCHOV
Staff Reporter
Convincing environmentalists that the Playa Vista project can be built without harming the adjacent wetlands may not be the easiest job in town. But it probably helps that the person taking up that task is a prominent local environmentalist.
Catherine Tyrrell, who was founding director of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, has been hired by Playa Capital LLC as director of environmental affairs.
“The important message in my hiring by Playa Vista is their desire to work collaboratively with the environmental community on many of the issues we face, including sustainability and wetlands restoration,” said Tyrrell, who most recently was environmental program manager for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
That’s hardly the view of Marcia Hanscom, executive director of the Wetlands Action Network, who said she is disappointed that Tyrrell took the Playa Vista post.
“This is one in many dozens of attempts (by Playa Capital) to co-opt the environmental community and bring folks into their fold and have some sort of hold over them,” Hanscom said. “There are a number of people who have been on staff or served as consultants, and that makes it hard for some of their friends to oppose.”
Playa Vista spokesman Coby King said Tyrrell’s hiring is not a reaction to negative publicity and lawsuits from environmental groups. “She was not hired as a response to negatives,” he said. “Playa Vista needs someone to deal with environmental issues.”
Tyrrell replaces Lisa Weil, who left last August after almost three years with Playa Vista. Weil, reached at her home last week, said she needed to take time off after “a hectic few years.” She has been pursuing new career possibilities, including working with Heal the Bay on legislative matters.
For her part, Tyrrell said she does not see her job with Playa Vista as inconsistent with her background. “This is an opportunity to bring the environmental community together with other players to develop a consensus,” she said.
But some environmentalists remain skeptical.
Dr. Rimmon Fay, a marine biologist who remains a staunch opponent of the project, said: “First, let me bite my tongue, so I don’t say anything that will get me in trouble.”
He went on to praise Tyrrell’s track record. “Ms. Tyrrell is a presentable and articulate spokesperson,” he said. “She’s qualified for the job and she would appear to be a logical decision for the (Playa Vista) managers to make.”
In her new role, Tyrell will be responsible for planning and implementing Playa Vista’s environmental strategies and advising project staff on key environmental issues. She will also work with state and federal agencies on environmental affairs, manage Playa Vista’s environmental consultants, and serve as project spokeswoman on environmental issues.
