Linda S. Adams, Secretary for Environmental Protection

Biography

Linda Adams, former director of the California Department of Water Resources, was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2006 as Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency – making her the first woman to serve as head of the agency.

As Cal/EPA’s Secretary, Adams oversees the environmental activities of the Air Resources Board, California Integrated Waste Management Board, State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Department of Pesticide Regulation, and the approximately 5,000 employees that serve the state’s diverse environmental programs.

Immediately upon appointment, Secretary Adams was designated as Governor Schwarzenegger’s lead negotiator on AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Adams is now working closely with states, provinces and countries around the world to develop a network of climate initiatives to achieve the greatest global reductions.

As Secretary, Adams has been instrumental in a number of environmental policies including launching the Green Chemistry Initiative which calls for a more comprehensive look at California’s chemical policies, and the State’s biomonitoring program which seeks to link environmental contaminants to human health.

Adams also has made air quality a top priority. The Governor’s 2007-08 budget includes $250 million of the $1 billion set aside in Proposition 1B funding to accelerate badly-needed air quality improvements from the freight transport industry.

Ensuring that those who break the state’s environmental laws are dealt-with appropriately, Adams has led the next phase of the Enforcement Initiative enhancing coordination, increasing compliance and working to streamline data systems.

During Adams’ 32 years of service to the State of California, she has acted in a number of key positions in both the Executive and Legislative branches, most recently as a member of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Prior to her serving as Director of the Department of Water Resources, Adams joined Governor Davis’ staff in 1999 as Chief Deputy Legislative Secretary, where her primary responsibilities were negotiating legislation related to environmental protection and natural resources. Adams’ most notable accomplishments include the “Clean Cars/Clean Air” legislation, earning her the “Environmental Hero Award” from the California League of Conservation Voters.

Adams was instrumental in the CALFED Record of Decision for Bay-Delta restoration and Propositions 12 and 13, voter-approved bond measures which provide critically-needed funding for natural resources, parks and water programs. In addition to “Clean Cars/Clean Air,” she negotiated other key pieces of legislation, including first-in-the-nation laws to promote environmental justice. After being promoted to Legislative Secretary, where she served as the Governor’s chief liaison to the Legislature, Adams retained her resources and environmental protection issues, while overseeing all legislative activities.

Before Adams joined the Davis administration, she served as a staff member to the State Legislature for 20 years in various positions. She served as chief consultant to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources, chaired by Senator Jim Costa. For the State Assembly, she served as a consultant to the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife and the Committee on Local Government.

During her tenure as a legislative staffer, Adams drafted and negotiated Senate Bill 900 (Costa), passed by voters in 1996 as Proposition 204, a Delta restoration bond measure. She also was involved in the creation, development and funding of the San Joaquin River Parkway. She negotiated $3 billion in bonds for passenger rail service and drafted the first comprehensive groundwater management legislation.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Local Conservation Corps and is a long-time resident of Sacramento.

Executive Management Biographies