The No on 2 campaign contends that the 15-page ballot measure would go far beyond the previous coastal management program.

Knowles reacted: "I would like to respectfully suggest that's a diversionary tactic, that what is being recommended here is very similar to what worked for 25 years." He touted projects ranging from the manmade Northstar Island oil drilling project and underwater pipeline in the Beaufort Sea to development in the National Petroleum Reserve to the New Seward Highway along Cook Inlet to Ted Stevens International Airport as proven results that local coastal management encourages responsible development.

But Judy Brady, who worked with coastal management when she was commissioner of natural resources in the late '80s, said there is a vast difference between then and now.

"This is a whole new ball game and nobody knows the rules because this super-board, that is not elected, not approved by the legislature, is going to make up the rules."

So as usual, there are two sides to the story – yes and no.

Brady said the proposed coastal management board would be the only entity dealing with state assets whose members would not have to be confirmed by the Legislature.

The proponents of the measure counter the legislature would have the power to tinker with specifics of the current wording which could prove cumbersome or ineffective.

Brady said while the governor would appoint the board, he could not remove any member except with the consent of a majority of the board.

As to the haziness of the Vote No on 2 ads, Brady responded, "Well, the interesting thing is nobody can say what it is. The vote yes people cannot say what it is. They say this is like the old program, the old pre-reform program, which maybe 10 people in the state know what that is. It's not."

At the press conference, Knowles asserted, “"I would like to respectfully suggest that's a diversionary tactic, that what is being recommended here is very similar to what worked for 25 years."

Which side voters agree with will be decided on August 28.