Collection Guide
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Pesonen (David) papers
BANC MSS 98/133 c
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: David Pesonen papers
creator:
Pesonen, David E., 1934-
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 98/133 c
Physical Description:
21 linear feet
(16 cartons, 1 box, 1 oversize folder)
Physical Description:
5 audiotape reels
(cataloged as Phonotape 4062 A and 4062 B);
analog; 1/4 in; 5 in. and 7 in.
Date (inclusive): 1921,
Date (inclusive): 1947-1987
Date (bulk): 1961-1984
Abstract: The David Pesonen Papers include materials produced and acquired by Pesonen relating to his professional activities as an
environmental activist, lawyer, and judge in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Collection is open for research.
No additions are expected.
The David Pesonen papers were given to The Bancroft Library by David Pesonen on March 18, 1998.
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
David Pesonen was an environmental activist, lawyer, and judge in the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Boalt
Law School, at the University of California, in 1968, he began work at a San Francisco law firm and became involved in the
anti-nuclear movement. He was elected chairman of Californians for Nuclear Safeguards, and was one of the authors of Proposition
15—an unsuccessful 1976 ballot initiative to restrict nuclear power production in California. He was also involved in the
successful opposition to proposed nuclear power plants near Bodega Bay, in Sonoma County, and Point Arena, in Mendocino County.
In 1979 Pesonen was appointed by Governor Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. to the office of Director of Forestry. In the final
days of Governor Brown's term in office, he appointed Pesonen to the Superior Court in Contra Costa County. He ran unsuccessfully
for reelection to the post in 1984.
[Identification of item], David Pesonen papers, BANC MSS 98/133 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Processed by Josh Roselle in 2010. Additions processed by Lara Michels in 2019.
Oral history interview with David E. Pesonen, 1992 : transcript (BANC MSS 95/166 c).
Attorney and activist for the environment, 1962-1992 : opposing nuclear power at Bodega Bay and Point Arena, managing California
forests and East Bay regional parks : oral history transcript (BANC MSS 97/132 c).
Scope and Content of Collection
The David Pesonen Papers, 1947-1987 (bulk 1961-1984), include materials produced and acquired by Pesonen relating to his professional
activities as an environmental activist, lawyer, and judge in the San Francisco Bay Area. The collection consists primarily
of environmental reports, court proceedings, newspaper clippings, and correspondence. The collection is divided into seven
series: Subject Files; Proposition 15; Bodega Bay Power Plant; California Department of Forestry; Superior Court Judge; Mendocino
Power Plant; and Additions received in 2017-2018.
Additions received in 2017 and 2018 include materials on the Widener vs. Pacific Gas and Electric case; materials on the Bodega
Bay Atomic Park; some personal papers, a few folders of materials relating to Pesonen's father, Everett Pesonen, and 5 audiotape
reels.
Photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library.
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies
Processed by Josh Roselle in 2010. Additions processed by Lara Michels in 2019.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pesonen, David E., 1934-
Pesonen, David E., 1934- -- Archives.
California. Dept. of Forestry.
California. Superior Court (Contra Costa County)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Antinuclear movement
Environmental lawyers -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area.
Environmentalism -- California.
Environmentalists--California
Forests and forestry -- California.
Judges -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area.
Lawyers -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area.
Nuclear energy -- Environmental aspects -- California.
Nuclear energy -- Law and legislation -- California.
Nuclear power plants -- California -- Bodega Bay.
Nuclear power plants -- California -- Mendocino County.
Nuclear power plants -- California -- Point Arena.
Nuclear power plants -- California -- Sonoma County.
Nuclear power plants -- Environmental aspects -- California.
Bodega Bay (Calif.)
Point Arena (Calif.)
Clippings.
Legal documents -- California.
Transcripts.
Trial proceedings.