SACRAMENTO – In making his appointments this week, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez put two North Coast legislators in important leadership positions.

Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) was appointed as the State Assembly’s Majority Whip and Assemblyman Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata) will chair the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Evans previously served as chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. The new appointment went into effect Thursday.

“I am extremely honored that the speaker has entrusted me with this important position,” she said in a written statement. “I look forward to helping to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Assembly and to make our state more responsive to the needs of all Californians.”

Evans, who is currently in her third and last term in the Assembly, is running for the District 2 state Senate seat currently held by Patricia Wiggins, who is retiring at year's end. Also in that race are Lawrence Wiesner, David Rosas, Tom Lynch and Joanne Sanders.

In appointing Chesbro to the chairmanship of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Pérez said Chesbro “has a deep knowledge of the issues, a background in recycling that includes years of service on the Integrated Waste Management Board and strong, positive relationships with environmentalists and the natural resources industries.”

Chesbro thanked Pérez “for entrusting me with the stewardship of these vital committees.”

“My focus in the Assembly since the day I took office has been to put the First District first,” Chesbro said in a press statement. “All the issues these two committees have jurisdiction over directly impact the First District, including California’s Environmental Quality Act, forestry practices, land conservation, coastal protection, oil spills, solid waste and recycling, renewable energy, air quality and climate change.”

Pérez also appointed Chesbro to serve on the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Governmental Organization, Higher Education and Budget committees, including the Budget subcommittees on Health and Human Services and Education Finance.

He also will remain chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities.

Chesbro is seeking reelection this year. He will face Green Party candidate William P. Meyers and Republican Karen Brooks in the June 8 primary.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .