Finding Aid to the David Pesonen papers, 1921, 1947-1987 (bulk 1961-1984)

Josh Roselle; Lara Michels
The Bancroft Library
© 2010, © 2019
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu


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.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

Acquisition Information

The David Pesonen papers were given to The Bancroft Library by David Pesonen on March 18, 1998.

Alternate Forms Available

There are no alternate forms of this collection.

Biographical Information

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], David Pesonen papers, BANC MSS 98/133 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

Processing Information

Processed by Josh Roselle in 2010. Additions processed by Lara Michels in 2019.

Related Collections

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.

Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library.

Publication Rights

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

Processing Information

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.

 

Series 1: Subject Files. 1971-1986

Physical Description: Carton 1, folders 1-3; Carton 6, folder 18

Arrangement

Arrangement of the series is alphabetical.

Content/Description

This series is small and represents materials that do not correspond to other series.
carton 6, folder 18

American Nuclear Society- speech (cassette tape) 1975

carton 6, folder 18

Chronology of Pesonen blood poisining (cassette tape) 1984

carton 1, folder 1

Designs for Nevada, a Prospectus - Resource Use. 1971

carton 1, folder 2

Negligence Lawsuit Against Kaiser. 1985-1986

carton 1, folder 3

Sierra Club - Lawsuits and Complaints. Undated

Content/Description

Lawsuit concerning the acquisition of land and housing and displacement of poor and racially oppressed families and individuals to facilitate construction for the Route 238 highway project in Hayward, CA.
 

Series 2: Proposition 15. 1961-1980

Physical Description: Carton 1, folders 4-15; Carton 2, folders 1-16

Arrangement

Arrangement of the series is alphabetical.

Content/Description

Proposition 15, an unsuccessful 1976 ballot initiative, called for stringent legislative regulation of the nuclear power industry in California. Pesonen was an author of the proposition and was chairman of Californians for Nuclear Safeguards. The material consists primarily of background documentation and research, reports, voting literature, speeches, and analysis of the failure of the proposition.
carton 1, folder 4

Attorney's Fees - Briefs and Memoranda. 1975, undated

carton 1, folder 5-6

Briefs. 1973-1977

carton 1, folder 7-8

Californians for Nuclear Safeguards vs. March Fong Eu -Transcripts and Exhibits. 1976

carton 1, folder 9-11

Californians for Nuclear Safeguards vs. March Fong Eu - Pleadings and Correspondence. Mandate re. Ballot. 1976

carton 1, folder 12

Election Post-mortems. 1976-1977

carton 1, folder 13-15

Energy Research and Development Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Federal Energy Administration - Reports and Activity 1976-1978

carton 2, folder 1-2

Humboldt Bay Plant History. 1969-1980

carton 2, folder 3

Pacific Alliance - Correspondence and History. 1977-1978

carton 2, folder 4-5

Pesonen's Speeches and TV Programs. 1975-1976

carton 2, folder 6

PG 1961-1975

carton 2, folder 7

PG 1978

carton 2, folder 8

Press Releases by Californians for Nuclear Safeguards. 1975-1976

carton 2, folder 9

Press Coverage. 1976-1978

carton 2, folder 10-11

Price Anderson Act. 1969-1977

carton 2, folder 12-14

Public Attitude Surveys. 1976-1978

carton 2, folder 15

Simpatico, Musicians Report - Newsletters. 1978-1979

carton 2, folder 16

Yes on 15 Campaign Literature. 1975-1976

 

Series 3: Bodega Bay Power Plant. 1947-1987

Physical Description: Carton 3; Carton 4

Arrangement

Carton 3: Letter size folders in alphabetical order. Carton 4: Legal size folders in alphabetical order.

Content/Description

This series contains material related to Pesonen's successful opposition to PG&E's attempt to construct a nuclear power plant at Bodega Head, near Bodega Bay, California. The files consist of clippings (one carton), PG&E literature and applications, research files, and reports.
carton 3, folder 1

Atomic Energy Law. 1960

carton 3, folder 2

Correspondence. 1960-1962

carton 3, folder 3

Exhibits. 1962

carton 3, folder 4

Foundation Investigation, Unit 1, for PG 1962

carton 3, folder 5

Government Agencies' Reports - Final WEC, ACRS, USGS, USC GS. 1963-1964

carton 3, folder 6-7

Journal. 1964-1965, undated

Content/Description

Pesonen's journal
carton 3, folder 8

PG 1965-1972

carton 3, folder 9

PG 1962

carton 3, folder 10

PG 1963

carton 3, folder 11

PG 1964-1975

carton 3, folder 12-13

PG 1961-1976

carton 3, folder 14

PG 1962, undated

carton 3, folder 15

Public Utilities Commission Case. 1962

carton 3, folder 16

Radiological Health News, California Department of Public Health. 1962-1963

carton 3, folder 17-19

Reactor Accidents, Employee Safeguards. 1947-1986

carton 3, folder 20

Report on Waste Discharge. 1962

carton 3, folder 21

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Case. 1963-1964

carton 4, folder 1

Battle of Bodega Bay - Clippings Compiled and Published by the Northern California Association to Preserve Bodega Head and Harbor. 1958-1963

carton 4, folder 2

California Public Utilities Commission - Briefs, Petitions, Replies, Orders. 1961-1964

carton 4, folder 3-14

Clippings. 1962-1987

carton 4, folder 15

PG 1962

 

Series 4: California Department of Forestry. 1973, 1979-1982

Physical Description: Carton 5, folders 1-17

Arrangement

Arrangement of the series is alphabetical.

Content/Description

This series contains material relating to Pesonen's term as the Director of the California Department of Forestry (CDF), from 1979-1982. It consists primarily of material relating to his appointment to the position, CDF press releases, reports, and correspondence.
carton 5, folder 1

Agency Description. 1982

carton 5, folder 2

Canadair CL-215 Aerial Tanker. 1982

carton 5, folder 3

CDF Employees' Association "No Confidence" Vote in Pesonen. 1982

carton 5, folder 4

Congratulatory Letters on Appointment to Director of Forestry. 1979

carton 5, folder 5-6

Correspondence. 1979-1982

carton 5, folder 7

Correspondence with John B Crowell, Assistant USDA Secretary, and related Correspondence. 1981-1982

carton 5, folder 8

Departure Correspondence and Clippings. 1982

carton 5, folder 9-11

Director's Report to the Board of Forestry. 1980-1982

carton 5, folder 12

Forestry Practice Act. 1973

carton 5, folder 13

Forestry Papers - Peter Green et al. 1981-1982

carton 5, folder 14-17

Press Releases/Communique Articles. 1979-1982

 

Series 5: Superior Court Judge. 1974-1985

Physical Description: Carton 5, folders 18-27; Carton 6, folders 1-9

Arrangement

Arrangement of the series is alphabetical.

Content/Description

Superior Court Judge: This series consists of material relating to Pesonen's one-year term as a California Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County. He was appointed by Jerry Brown in 1983 and lost his reelection bid to Richard Flier. Most of the material documents the campaign, and includes fundraising information, newspaper clippings, and correspondence.
carton 5, folder 18

Appellant Decisions. 1984-1985

carton 5, folder 19

Campaign Appearances and Speech Texts. 1984

carton 5, folder 20

Campaign Correspondence. 1984

carton 5, folder 21

Campaign Disclosure Report, Fund Raising. 1983-1984

carton 5, folder 22-23

Campaign Endorsements. 1983-1984

carton 5, folder 24

Campaign Fund Raising. 1982

carton 5, folder 25

Campaign Fund Raising Lists. 1981-1984

carton 5, folder 26

Campaign Literature. 1984

carton 5, folder 27

Campaign Memos, Consultants. 1984-1985

carton 6, folder 1

Campaign Newsclips. 1984

carton 6, folder 18

American Nuclear Society- speech (cassette tape) 1975

carton 6, folder 2

Correspondence. 1983

carton 6, folder 3

Drefus, Garry Cases. 1974-1979

carton 6, folder 4

Initial Appointment Correspondence and Press. 1982-1983

carton 6, folder 5

Lemmon, Jack: Biography, Reception, Proceeding. 1984

carton 6, folder 6

Police Organizations Campaign Support. 1984

carton 6, folder 18

Personen/Flier Candidates' Night - Concord Police Academy (cassette tape). 1984 Feb. 16

carton 6, folder 7

Post-election Correspondence. 1984

carton 6, folder 8

Quo Warranto. 1983

carton 6, folder 9

Richard Flier's (Pesonen's Opponent) Campaign Literature, FPPC Reports, and Fundraising. 1984

 

Series 6: Mendocino Power Plant. 1921, 1963-1975

Physical Description: Carton 6, folders 10-17; Carton 7; Carton 8; Carton 9

Arrangement

Arrangement of the series is alphabetical.

Content/Description

This series contains material related to Pesonen's successful opposition to PG&E's attempt to construct a nuclear power plant at Point Arena, in Mendocino County, California. The material consists of two cartons of Safety Analysis and Environmental Reports, as well as briefs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence.
carton 6, folder 10

Atmospheric Physics - Meteorological Investigation. 1971-1973

carton 6, folder 11

Atomic Energy Commission Proceedings. 1965-1973

carton 6, folder 12

Biological Effects. 1971-1972

carton 6, folder 13

Citizens for Clean Energy. 1971-1972

carton 6, folder 14

Correspondence Regarding the Point Arena Plant and Earthquake Hazards. 1971-1973

carton 6, folder 15

Environmental Impact Report. 1972-1973

carton 6, folder 16

Fundraising. 1971-1974

carton 6, folder 17

Notes, Memoranda, and Point Arena Task Force. 1971-1973

carton 7, folder 1-2

PG 1972

carton 7, folder 3-4

PG 1970-1972

carton 7, folder 5-6

Press Coverage. 1966-1972

carton 7, folder 7

Public Utilities Commission Proceedings. 1971-1972

carton 7, folder 8-10

Resources Agency Agreements. 1963-1975

carton 7, folder 11-12

Seismologic Investigation. 1971-1973

carton 7, folder 13

Seismologic Investigation - Photos. 1921, 1967

carton 7, folder 14

Sierra Club Correspondence. 1971-1973

carton 7, folder 15-16

Sierra Club: General Policy, Fundraising, Meeting Minutes, and Correspondence. 1971-1972

carton 7, folder 17

Transmission Lines. 1972

carton 8, folder 1-3

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 8, folder 4-7

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 8, folder 8-10

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 8, folder 11-12

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 8, folder 13-15

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 8, folder 16-17

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 9, folder 1-2

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 9, folder 3-5

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 9, folder 6-7

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 9, folder 8-9

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 9, folder 10-12

Units 1 2, PG 1972

carton 9, folder 13-16

Units 1 2, PG 1972

 

Series 7.  Additions received in 2017-2018

Carton 10, Folder 1-2

Biographical materials

Carton 10, Folder 3

Report cards

Carton 10, Folder 4-5

Family letters and Pesonen's letter home from Army 1940-1955

Carton 10, Folder 6-15

Correspondence 1962-2014 undated

Carton 10, Folder 16-18

Notes approximately 1970-1979

Carton 10, Folder 19-22

Writings approximately 1970-1985

Carton 10, Folder 23-25

Unidentified typescript undated

Carton 11

Donald Widener vs. PG&E files 1971-1977

Carton 12

Donald Widener vs. PG&E files 1971-1977

Carton 13

Donald Widener vs. PG&E files 1971-1977

Carton 14

Donald Widener vs. PG&E files 1971-1977

Carton 15, Folder 1-8

Donald Widener vs. PG&E files 1971-1977

Carton 15, Folder 9-14

Bodega Bay Atomic Park files 1962-1966

Carton 16, Folder 1-4

Bodega Bay Atomic Park files 1962-1966

Carton 16, Folder 5-7

Bodega Bay Atomic Park photo album/scrapbook 1962-1966

Carton 16, Folder 8

Bodega Bay Atomic scrapbook 1962-1966

Carton 16, Folder 9-13

Bodega Bay Atomic Park clippings undated

Carton 16, Folder 14-15

California Department of Forestry, Director files approximately 1970-1977

Carton 16, Folder 16-22

Photographs and slides

oversize_folder 1

Poster from the Design Professionals for Nuclear Safeguards (poster text: Nuclear Power: How Safe is "Safe Enough"?

box 1, Folder 1-4

Index cards--research bibliography 1940-1960

box 1, Folder 5-6

Everett Pesonen files 1970-1987

Biographical / Historical

Everett Pesonen was David Pesonen's father.
phonotape 4062 B: no.1

Falmouth Nuclear Park hearing 1960-05-09

Physical Description: 1 audiotape reel analog; 1/4 in.; 3 3/4 i.p.s.; 1800 feet; copy 3
phonotape 4062 B: no.2

Bodega Bay KPFA program 1962-11-16

Physical Description: 1 audiotape reel analog; 1/4 in; 1 hr., 15 min.
phonotape 4062 A

Nuclear Park Hearing, Falmouth, Mass (remarks by James B. Muldoon 1960-05-09

Physical Description: 1 audiotape reel analog; 1/4 in.; 600 ft; 30 min.
phonotape 4062 B: no.3

Bodega track 4

Physical Description: t audiotape reel analog; 1/4 in.

Scope and Contents

Box containing reel is unmarked. Tape itself has the following writing on it: Bodega track 4. Possibly another copy of the Bodega Bay KPFA program?
phonotape 4062 B: no.4

Unmarked audiotape reel undated

Physical Description: 1 audiotape reel analog; 1/4 in.