BLOG for the Surfrider Foundation

West Coast EBM Network Meets in Port Orford, Oregon

2009-10-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Surfrider members from Washington, Oregon, and California recently participated in a meeting of the West Coast Ecosystem-Based (EBM) Management Network in Port Orford, OR. Co-sponsored by the NOAA Coastal Services Center, the meeting convened practitioners from six community projects to discuss best practices for implementing ecosystem-based management. Discussion topics included stakeholder engagement, collaborative science, integrated governance, and ecosystem protection and restoration. Attendees included elected officials, scientists, managers, and ocean users. To learn more about the West Coast EBM Network, please click here . To learn more about Surfrider engagement in ecosystem-based management, please click here. Thanks to Paul Jenkin (Ventura, CA), Gus Gates (Florence, OR), Jody Kennedy (Grays Harbor, WA), Kathy Greer (Grays Harbor, WA), Leesa Cobb (Port Orford, OR) and Pete Stauffer (Port Orford, OR) for participating!

Save Gaviota! Possible recission on development agreements at Naples!

2009-10-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

NAPLES COALITION

P.O. Box 1099, Goleta, CA 93116
Ph: 805.683.6631Link

http://www.SaveNaples.org

For Immediate Release
October 13, 2009

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO CONSIDER RESCISSION OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE SANTA BARBARA RANCH, AKA NAPLES, DEVELOPMENT ON THE GAVIOTA COAST.

When: TUESDAY OCTOBER 20, 2009. Estimated time of hearing is unknown at this time. Meeting agenda and staff report can be found at http://santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current
Where: County Administration Building, 105 East Anapamu 4th fl, Santa Barbara Broadcast on Channel 20 and streamed at http://www.countyofsb.org in real time.

Background
The Santa Barbara Ranch development is a 71 large lot residential development located two miles west of Goleta on the rural and agricultural Gaviota Coast. The development received tentative approval by the Board of Supervisors in late 2008 after unanimous opposition by the community (not a single citizen, unaffiliated with the developer, spoke in favor of the project over the years of public testimony).

The Supervisors conditionally approved separate Development Agreements in Ordinance 4694 for the inland and coastal portions of the Naples development specific to Santa Barbara Ranch on October 21, 2008. This ordinance embodies conditions which must be satisfied before the Development Agreements are effective including project approvals by the California Department of Conservation and the California Coastal Commission. These conditions have not yet been satisfied and therefore the Development Agreements are not in full force or effect.

The conditions that the County relied upon in approving the development agreements changed materially in February 2009 when the developer withdrew his application for the coastal portion of the Project. This in effect revoked most of the purported County benefits in the development agreements and undermined many of the mitigation measures required in the EIR. Further, the developer has failed to respond to Coastal Commission requests for biological information. Finally, Santa Barbara Ranch’s partner, Dos Pueblos Ranch, recently announced they had placed Dos Pueblos Ranch on the market. These conditions provide a basis for revoking the development agreements.

The Naples Coalition strongly urges the Board of Supervisors to cancel the development agreements so that future Boards may be able to respond to changes in circumstances.

Canceling the Development Agreements will not cancel the underlying project approvals.

About The Naples Coalition:
The Naples Coalition is a Santa Barbara County, CA-based public benefit corporation with representation by local non-profit groups including the Citizens Planning Association of Santa Barbara County, Gaviota Coast Conservancy, League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara County, Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter of the Audubon Society and Santa Barbara Community Action Network. The Naples Coalition is dedicated to the preservation of the rural character of the Naples property on the Gaviota coast. Specifically, the Naples Coalition is responding to Vintage Communities, an Orange County development company that purchased the Naples town site lots and has an application pending with the County of Santa Barbara to build up to 72 large luxury houses on the rural Naples property. The Naples Coalition seeks to preserve the rural character of the Naples area from this development’s impacts.

Visit http://www.GaviotaAction.org for complete information regarding the development at Naples.
Visit http://www.SaveNaples.org of information about Naples and the Naples Coalition.
Visit http://www.savenaples.org/index_res/NC%20History%20Chronology%209-09.htm for a summary of the 120 year development history of Naples.

Contact:
Marc Chytilo, Esq Phil McKenna
Attorney for the Naples Coalition Naples Coalition Board Member
Phone: 805-682-0585 Phone: 805-682-0302
Email: airlaw5@cox.net Email: mckennapj@cox.net

Demand Clean Water At The 'Bu!

2009-10-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

World Famous Malibu Surfrider Beach received F water quality ratings 62% of this year making it one of California's most polluted beaches. Aging or malfunctioning septic tanks in the City's "Civic Center" area (including Malibu Colony and Serra Retreat) are leaching into the ground, resulting in polluted groundwater reaching the ocean where visitors surf and recreate. Surfrider Beach is a classic California beach, that deserves better.

Photo: Serra Retreat, Malibu Colony, and Civic Center area

With encouragement from the public, and the West LA/Malibu Chapter's Clean Water at the 'Bu Coalition, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) will be considering a prohibition on septic systems at their November 5th public hearing. The Chapter will be asking the RWQCB to move on this septics ban to alleviate chronic pollution at Malibu's world famous Surfrider Beach (aka The 'Bu). You can find answers to your questions and links to the science on the Clean Water At The ‘Bu campaign blog.

View the Proposed Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the LA Region to Prohibit On-Site Wastewater Disposal Systems (OWDS) in the Malibu Civic Center Area

YOU CAN HELP! Here's how:

Attend the RWQCB hearing Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 9 am, and say you support Surfrider Foundation's position. Metropolitan Water District 700 North Alameda Street Downtown LA.
Sign the petition asking the RWQCB for a wastewater solution for Surfrider Beach. Sign the petition now!

Surfers' Point Restoration to Start

2009-10-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

The City of Ventura gave the go-ahead for the Surfers' Point Managed Shoreline Retreat project.

The passage of the state budget allows the previously earmarked grant funding to be released in time to break ground this year.

Construction of the first phase of the project should begin in November 2009. For more information visit http://www.surferspoint.org.

Photo: Bike trail at Surfer's Point now...

Marine Spatial Planning for Renewable Energy off the West Coast

2009-10-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

On October 6 -7, 2009 Surfrider Foundation participated in a meeting on Marine Spatial Planning for Renewable Energy on the West Coast in Seattle, WA. The purpose of the meeting was to formally launch an eighteen month process to develop a 'Coastal Siting Report' for renewable ocean energy projects off the West Coast. The meeting was part of the West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health, and was sponsored by the Nature Conservancy, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Marine Minerals Services (MMS). Invited participants discussed a range of topics including regulatory frameworks, baseline data needs, and decision-support tools. Over the coming months, the process will provide an opportunity to help ensure that renewable ocean energy development minimizes impacts to the nearshore enviroment and existing uses like recreation and fishing. For more information, please visit the website of the West Coast Governors Agreement or contact Pete Stauffer pstauffer@surfrider.org.

Surfrider Foundation Beach Access Policy

2009-09-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

In Surfrider Foundation's past 25 years of working towards protection and enjoyment of our coastlines, we have amassed a vast and rich history of beach access campaigns and victories. Because beach access is a central component of Surfrider Foundation’s mission and strategic plan, the goal of this policy is to promote low-impact, universal beach access, while recognizing the balance of ecological integrity of the shoreline with the opportunity for optimized beach access. The policy also addresses perpendicular, horizontal and visual/scenic access to the beach as well as a balance of recreational user group interests.

Our Chapters have had many great victories in the past involving beach access, and there are ongoing campaigns as well. These include campaigns for improved beach access legislation and preservation of strong laws, like the Texas Open Beaches Act.

We also have a Coastal A-Z article that discusses beach access.

The Board of Directors approved the policy in their June 2009 meeting and the policy has been reviewed and revised with input from Surfrider Foundation Activists, Chapters and Affiliates.

You can link to the final policy language here and find it below. This policy can be used as a guidance document in dealing with any local beach access campaigns, as well as an attachment to legal briefs or administrative appeals regarding beach access.

Surfrider Foundation Beach Access Policy

Approved by the Surfrider Foundation Board of Directors on June 27, 2009

Surfrider Foundation views beach access as a universal right. Surfrider Foundation works to secure universal, low-impact beach access for all people. Surfrider Foundation’s members live, work, visit, and recreate on and near the world’s beaches, and are impacted by beach access limitations.

Surfrider Foundation recognizes that the public’s right of access to waterways is often based on the Public Trust Doctrine, and is further reflected in international, regional, and state laws and Constitutions. The Public Trust Doctrine is derived from the ancient Romans and incorporated into American law as a statement that the government retains rights in certain lands and resources in trust for the public, acting in its sovereign capacity as trustee for the beneficial use and enjoyment of the public. Specifically, governments hold title to navigable waters and the public has the right to use those waters, shorelands, and submerged lands. Surfrider works to increase public awareness and educate the public about their beach access rights, including those under the Public Trust Doctrine. In addition to the public trust right of access, the public may enjoy a right of access to and along the beach through custom, use or legislative authorization.

Surfrider Foundation also recognizes the importance of balancing ecological integrity with beach access. Surfrider Foundation recognizes the unique ecological, recreational and economic value of the world’s coastal resources. We support strong beach preservation and protection efforts when securing or augmenting low-impact beach access opportunities. As a grassroots, environmental organization, Surfrider Foundation works toward both the preservation and enjoyment of our precious coastal resources.

Surfrider Foundation acknowledges that increased carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are inducing increased sea level rise. According to the Public Trust Doctrine, the right to use a public resource (or “trust”) attaches to the shoreline regardless of the shoreline’s movement. In this way, the doctrine’s protections adapt to changing sea levels because the zone of protection moves landward or seaward as the shoreline erodes or accretes. Access should not be thwarted by the destruction of the beach, and the public should not be deprived of the benefit of natural environmental resources and habitat through beach replenishment projects, shoreline armoring, coastal development or other potentially destructive practices.
This policy is general in nature; the Surfrider Foundation recognizes that every specific case must be evaluated in the context of its local setting.

Statement

Beach access is a universal right and necessary for the public’s enjoyment of the beach. Surfrider Foundation promotes the rights of the public, including all recreational user groups, and members of the community to enjoy low-impact beach access, including the enjoyment of coastal aesthetics. Surfrider encourages recreational user groups to balance their interests and to work cooperatively with local residents and decision-makers to ensure maximized coastal access for all persons.

The Surfrider Foundation believes decision-making bodies should recognize the following principles when evaluating beach access issues:
- The public has an inherent right of access to and along all beaches and shorelines. Generally, local authorities have the primary authority to develop and maintain public access to and along the shorelines.
- Existing public coastal access opportunities must be retained, new or increased public access opportunities should be provided, and development must not be allowed to interfere with public access. Furthermore, beaches that provide access for water-oriented recreational activities should be protected for such uses.
- The public should be afforded full and fair access to beaches, which are public trust resources, by minimizing the possibility of impediment; including development, subdivision or land use zoning change; or deterring obstacles, including gates, fences, hired security, misleading signage, rock walls, shrubbery or other blockades, being placed upon public rights of way to beach access.
- Means of access to the beach (or “perpendicular access”) should be readily available and secured so as to maximize access along the coast and should not be overly burdensome for the potential beachgoer to utilize.
- When beach access may impede upon sensitive ecological coastal resources, beach access may be managed or restricted if necessary to protect the sensitive ecological coastal resource. Not all beach and coastal areas are appropriate for heavy recreational use or significant human presence. Sensitive ecological areas warrant restrictions and buffers to reduce negative impacts to beach ecosystems.
- There exists a cultural value of active visitation to the beach as part of traditional, historical and/or customary practices.
- Coastal views from offshore to the inland coastline and from inland areas to the ocean view should be highly-valued. The public coastal viewshed should be preserved in relation to all public viewing corridors, including from offshore, ocean-based vantage points and views of surfers, fishers, boaters, kayakers, and others from nearshore waters.
- Preferably, the world’s beach resources would always be open and free to all persons. However, if parking or beach fees are collected, the recovered funds should be used for purposes which are directly related to coastal access, recreation, management, restoration, conservation, and preservation efforts in the general vicinity of where the fees are collected.
- Wherever appropriate, public facilities, including parking areas, showers, bathrooms, changing areas and other amenities, should be made available in a manner that mitigates the adverse impacts, environmental, social or otherwise of public access.
- Surfrider Foundation advocates for development setback requirements that take into account the rate of sea level rise, so as to allow any new structures to withstand damage from hurricanes or flood events without the use of shoreline armoring or other ecologically destructive development. Coastal development policies should work towards managed landward retreat of existing structures from eroding shorelines. Any access improvements should also contemplate sea level rise.

The Surfrider Foundation is an environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches for all people through conservation, activism, research and education. Our membership includes beach goers, surfers, windsurfers, fishermen, kayakers, other ocean users and people concerned with the protection of the world's beaches and oceans.

Coastal Commission Denies Santa Barbara County Beach Armoring in Resounding 9-1 vote

2009-08-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

"The Coastal Commission has sent a clear message to the County," explained Linda Krop, chief counsel of the Environmental Defense Center. "A hard structure such as groin will rob downcoast beaches of sand, causing bluffs and beaches to erode."

According to EDC environmental analyst Brian Trautwein, "This decision is a victory for beaches and people who love the coast. The proposed groin would have required ongoing dredging off Goleta Beach, causing beach and park closures, as well as air and water pollution."

Maintenance work being done in January 2003 to the previous beach erosion fix, a rock wall. Paul Wellman (file)

EDC and Surfrider hired the engineering firm Phillip Williams and Associates (PWA) to critique the County's proposal, and develop an alternative, long term plan for Goleta Beach. PWA designed the Park Reconfiguraton Alternative (PRA) to protect the entire length of beach by relocating threatened facilities and park amenities, while retaining the restaurant, lawn area and parking lot. EDC and Surfrider submitted over 580 letters in opposition to the groin and in favor of the alternative.

Although Commission staff found the alternative to be both feasible and environmentally superior, the staff recommended against the alternative on the grounds that 1.3 acres of turf could be lost. However, this assertion was refuted by EDC and PWA at the hearing.

At the end of the hearing, the Commissioners advised the County to consider an option that respects and incorporates natural processes, and plans for future sea level rise. "We are pleased that environmental solutions are back on the table," said Scott Bull, Santa Barbara Chapter Surfrider representative and member of the County's original Goleta Beach Working Group. "Surfrider remains committed to a plan that protects the beach, the Park, and the environment."

EDC and Surfrider hope to work with the County to develop a workable, environmentally-sensitive solution.

Read the Santa Barbara Independant coverage of this story here - http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jul/09/coastal-commission-denies-permeable-pile-pier/

Surfrider Foundation Commends & Comments on Obama’s Leadership on National Ocean Policy

2009-07-31T14:45:00.000-07:00

On June 12, 2009, President Obama issued a memorandum to executive departments and agencies to establish the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. The Task Force is charged with developing recommendations for a National Ocean Policy, as well as a framework for effective coastal and marine spatial planning.

Surfrider Foundation strongly supports this movement by the Obama administration. “Our coastlines are increasingly challenged by a growing number of human use”, says Jim Moriarty, Surfrider Foundation’s CEO. “A National Ocean Policy will help promote smarter management decisions, and ensure that we prioritize the health of our ocean ecosystems and coastal communities.”

This proclamation also calls for increased coordination among all federal, state, local, and tribal authorities with jurisdiction over our oceans – a major recommendation of both the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission five years ago. “As a grassroots environmental organization, we are excited to support a more comprehensive approach to management”, says Moriarty. “We believe our chapter network can really enhance this effort through our many grassroots campaigns, volunteer programs, and outreach events”

“Our coastlines represent almost $138 billion dollars to the nation’s economy, that magnitude would rank it as a “Fortune 10” company, what we’re seeing with this federal movement is that we’re starting to understand we need to manage our coastlines in a way that reflects their enormous value to this nation.”

A first round of comments to the Ocean Policy Task Force on their broad agenda were due today. We are honored to join the American Canoe Association and American Whitewater in commenting on this exciting first step towards better protection of our ocean and coasts.

Learn more about the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force here.

Read our joint comments here.

Long Beach has Surfing Potential After Removal of the Long Beach Breakwater

2009-07-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

Written by the Long Beach Chapter:

The Surfrider Foundation has released a new report on the effects of removing the 2.5 mile Long Beach breakwater (Read full report here) . Prepared by *Sean Collins of Surfline, one of the worlds leading surf forecasters, the report examines the potential for surfing waves and increased surf tourism to the typically deserted four mile shore of Long Beach. In classic Surfline fashion, the twenty-four page document contains detailed graphs of swell windows, bathymetry, currents, and "surfability indexes".

Amongst the more notable statements in the report is one regarding erosion in the controversial peninsula area: “There is very strong evidence that removal of the (Long Beach) breakwater would improve long term erosion by allowing more equally balanced wave action along the beach.” The peninsula area has for many years utilized “beach nourishment” measures at taxpayer expense to counter their ongoing erosion problems.

He also concludes that Long Beach would have a surfing environment similar to that of neighboring Seal Beach, and notes, “…great surf isn’t mandatory to bring lots of surfers to the beach as there are currently lots of beginning and intermediate surfers looking for smaller, more manageable surf.”

“However,” he continues, “Of special note is the area closest to the Downtown Marina where an excellent quality surf spot could be located during a strong south swell.”

Increased tourism

Through Sean’s extensive record keeping of nearby beaches, he’s concluded that the potential increase of surfing visitors to Long Beach would be near 400,000 per year. “It is also important to note that the focus of this report is specifically on surfers, and the number of surfers that would be in the water during the four to five hour period between sunrise and noon.” Those numbers don’t take into account windsurfers, swimmers, bodyboarders, sunbathers, or anyone who goes to the beach after noon, when surfers typically leave due to wind.

The Surfline report makes a good case – in terms of waves and commerce – for once again opening Long Beach to the living pulse of the ocean.

*Sean Collins – Through his website Surfline.com, Collins has provided weather and wave forecasting services to lifeguard agency’s, the Coast Guard, National Weather Service, multiple domestic and international governmental agencies and nearly every surf company in the world. With over thirty years of experience, he has developed a sophisticated, proprietary system of wave forecasting that has become a standard on most every surfer’s desktop.

Long Beach has 3 breakwaters protecting the Long Beach harbor.
The Long Beach Breakwater is the eastern-most section.

Go to LBSurfrider.org

Small Steps

2009-06-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Small Steps to a Greater Future by Shannon Serrano

“All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean…and when we go back to the sea…we are going back from where we came.” – John Kennedy.

I wonder if John Kennedy thought we would systematically destroy where we came from, our home. If I looked at the content of the ocean today I would not lovingly refer to it as a clean home, or be proud to show it off to my friends and family. I go out into the water because I am a water lover and I enjoy spending time in it. However, I do not love the thought of becoming sick from being in the water. I do not enjoy the thought of a dying environment. It is deceiving to untrained eyes, as our beaches are beautiful. But when you look a little closer you can see the bits of Styrofoam mixed in the sand and rocks on shore. Maybe you noticed a plastic bottle floating on the surface when you paddled out at your home break or felt the plastic bag brush your leg as you went for a swim on a flat day. Better yet, maybe you bore witness to the oil that spilled from a boat washed up on the rocks or came across a dying bird on the beach with a belly full of plastic bits. These are devastating sights that allow me to never take for granted the time I spend in the water.

I am asked a myriad of questions on a near daily basis when I meet people and talk about my job. What will future generations face in the quality of their water? Will they look forward to getting sick regularly when they get in the water or maybe just once in awhile? What can I do to clean my home? What about the rest of the world?

It never seems cliché that my answer always starts something like, “every person doing just a little bit sets a trend for a greater change, bigger than themselves. “ I truly believe that the small act of picking up trash creates awareness in those around you on the beach or at the park, who are not picking up trash.

But there are lots of other ways to make a difference besides picking up trash. Volunteer and reach out to youth by leading a beach walk, a surf trip, or a beach cleanup. There is no better way to create a sense of ownership and responsibility in another generation than allowing them to learn to love the ocean. Or bring your own mug, take out dish, bag, silverware, etc. By creating less trash there will be less in our water. Get involved in local and state initiatives seeking to make a change to help protect and preserve the ocean. Travel consciously, promote awareness and continue to support and join groups like the Surfrider Foundation, who have a global reach in working to protect the world’s oceans. Remember to always, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” Gandhi.

Look Out Terracycle!

2009-06-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

What is it? It is a bracelet made out of aluminum can pull tabs (with an elastic thingy in the middle). It gets better. Kids from the Carl Sandburg Middle School in Old Bridge, NJ Environmental Club sold these bracelets and raised a lot of money. It gets better. They gave they money away including a rather sizable check - several hundred dollars - to the local Surfrider Foundation Chapter!

So not only did they reuse something before it was trashed or recycled, they made something beautiful out of it, made money, and did something good with the money.

Me? I just showed up and played Sea to Summit and a few PSA's on DVD. But it gets better. I went to Carl Sandburg Middle School back in the day. Way to go kids! And if you don't get the Terracycle reference click here

West Coast Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Network

2009-05-27T23:15:00.001-07:00

Surfrider Foundation is collaborating with the NOAA Coastal Services Center and many other partners to advance local approaches to ecosystem-based management (EBM). The West Coast EBM Network is a partnership of six community-based initiatives focused on the successful implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM) along the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California. Priorities of the network include: shared learning between the six projects; identification of “best practices” for community EBM; and building political support for implementation. The Surfrider Foundation has formal involvement in three of the six projects including; Ventura, CA; Port Orford, OR; and San Juan County, WA. We look forward to sharing outcomes from the effort with other Surfrider chapters around the globe. For more information on the network, check out the new website of the network.

Southern California Chapter Conference a success

2009-05-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

On May 16, 2009, over 30 core Surfrider Foundation activists from San Diego to Santa Barbara converged in Long Beach for the annual Southern California Chapter Conference, which included a morning trip on the Algalita science vessel and a day-long conference at the Pacific Sailing Yacht Club. What a great day!

Crazy for Caps

2009-05-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

Funny to think I got excited over and blogged about 4000 plastic bottle caps a little over a year ago.http://www.surfrider.org/blogger/2008_04_01_archive.asp . But we were definitely on to something.

A group here in NJ, Clean Ocean Action, recognized that and did something about it. They had a contest that involved hundreds of groups, schools, and families in collecting and recycling plastic bottle caps. In all, almost 2.5 million caps were collected and about 200,000 were on display at an event this weekend. Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Shore Chapter contributed 53,000 caps to the cause. And to think, Aveda, the salon/hair care company has hundreds and hundreds of groups collecting caps all around the region because they are otherwise not recycled. The caps will be melted down and recycled into new caps. They are definitely on to something.

This young man took one for the team and wore a penguin suit all day. But his message was one of thanks. Cool.

Surfrider Earth Day Clean Up on FOX morning News!

2009-04-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Surfrider Foundation's West LA/Malibu Chapter teamed up with FOX news and FOX stars Annie Wersching of "24", Eliza Dushku of "Dollhouse" and Joely Fisher from "Til' Death" showed up to help. Watch Bob Decastro's video report here:

Judge Invalidates Water District Annexation of Gaviota Coast Lots

2009-04-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

From: Santa Barbara Chapter Surfrider Foundation
Date: April 14, 2009
Press contact: Mike Lunsford (805) 967-5828 and Marc Chytilo, (805) 682-0585 of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy
Ken Palley (805) 967-9938 and Ellison Folk(415) 269-6699, Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

________________________________________________________________

A lawsuit filed by the Gaviota Coast Conservancy and Surfrider Foundation resulted today in a decision invalidating a 2008 action by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) annexing prime Gaviota Coast parcels into the Goleta Water District. Without water service, development of the lots is more challenging.

“This is a second significant ruling in two weeks for the Gaviota Coast” explained Gaviota Coast Conservancy President Mike Lunsford. “The laws and policies protecting the Gaviota Coast, mean very little if they are not followed by local decision makers. This decision restores reason and fair play in the permitting process, and puts Orange County developers on notice that this community will not stand by and allow them to play fast and loose with the Gaviota Coast.”

Ms. Ellison Folk, lead attorney for the legal team, stated “This decision required analysis of a complex legal and factual setting, but reached the core issues regarding whether the developer, GWD and LAFCO could rely on the incomplete 1998 annexation for a golf course to provide water service for a completely different residential project ten years later. The Court recognized that the new residential project needed a new application for annexation and could not rely on the ten year old incomplete golf course project.”

Attorney Marc Chytilo explained: “This case has a long and convoluted history.” The two environmental groups first challenged an attempt by the Goleta Water District to annex the parcels in 2007, since the District didn’t comply with CEQA by preparing an EIR. To avoid a losing lawsuit, GWD withdrew that project, then arranged to reactivate the 1998 golf course annexation, bypassing CEQA. But the 1998 annexation had never been finalized, as all parties had agreed at that time to merge 25 Naples antiquated lots as a required element of the project, but the merger never happened. The golf course project received full approval from the County and Coastal Commission, but then was stopped when red-legged frogs were discovered on the site. The developer sued the Coastal Commission, who entered into a tolling agreement that contemplated 10 houses on the 25 Naples lots, in addition to two other large agricultural lots with mansions. Only one of these lots had water service, so the developer had to apply to the GWD to annex the rest of the lots to get water service.

In 1998 the planned water service was to be almost exclusively reclaimed water for the golf course, and the developer paid GWD $4.5 million for the District to expand its reclaimed water facilities. When the golf course was stopped, the developer shifted and pursued the residential project that requires all potable water. The developer demanded that the GWD help them with the annexation, or else would demand return of the $4.5 million, even though the money had been spent for infrastructure to deliver reclaimed water for the golf course. In 2008, GWD convinced LAFCO to use the 1998 incomplete annexation as a means to get water for residential development.

Chytilo continued: “Surfrider and the Gaviota Coast Conservancy fought these efforts through a series of lawsuits, and today prevailed. The judge ruled that there had been no annexation, and a new application would have to be filed for Makar’s residential development.” Makar has a development application pending before Santa Barbara County to develop two massive, luxury residential compounds. They also own 25 antiquated “Naples” lots totaling 57 acres that are zoned agricultural. These lots are similar to the lots owned by another Orange County developer, Matt Osgood and known as Santa Barbara Ranch. But now they have no water and face growing community hostility to oversized mansions on the Gaviota Coast’s prime agricultural lands. With new board members on the Goleta Water District Board of Directors, at LAFCO and at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, the Makar residential project faces an uncertain future.

Pollution Problems of the Tijuana Sloughs

2009-04-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Tijuana Sloughs in Imperial Beach, San Diego is the stuff of legend - a big wave surf spot surfed since the early 1930's, the milieu of David Milch's offbeat HBO series, "John from Cincinnati" and Kem Nunn's "surf-noir" novel. Sadly, it is also extremely polluted. The new Shifting Baselines slide show below describes the challenges of this unique place.

“Shifting Baselines in the Tijuana Tide” is a new 5-minute video released on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, from the Shifting Baselines Ocean Media Project.

It addresses the ocean conservation problems from the highly polluted Tijuana River. The video (available in English and Spanish) is a co-production with California Sea Grant and University of Southern California Sea Grant, and Wildcoast. In addition, The Annenberg Foundation and The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment and USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies provided partial funding and Surfrider Foundation is assisting with outreach and distribution.

Newport, Oregon Chapter Releases Report Card for Pulp Mill Permit

2009-03-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation recently released its “report card” for the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) reconsideration of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater permit of the Georgia-Pacific Pulp Mill in Toledo. The state reissued the permit with two new special conditions which will no longer allow inappropriate waste streams like Marion County leachate to be processed at the facility and require an ocean monitoring study.

Surfrider gives the agency high marks for determining that landfill leachate from Marion County and other external waste streams are inappropriate for discharge off Nye Beach in Newport. Surfrider also commends DEQ for requiring an environmental survey of the ocean discharge, but bemoans the lack of specifics for the design of the study, and third party objectivity. However, Surfrider flunks the agency for flaws in its scientific assessment and modeling, and determining compliance with discharge criteria for turbidity and bacteria.

The science required on the ocean side of the discharge zone to determine the long-term impacts of the effluent plume on nearshore marine life and public health has been neglected”, said Newport Chapter’s Joe Haxel. “DEQ’s requirement for an environmental survey is a good opportunity to begin these ocean environment observations. This study needs to be well-designed and executed to provide sufficient evidence for the 2010 permit renewal process.”

Surfrider Foundation was one of four groups that successfully petitioned the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in 2006 to reconsider the terms of the permit, based on non-compliance with state and federal laws that protect water quality. In March of 2008, Surfrider’s Environmental Issues Team developed a report of science-based recommendations to address the permit’s deficiencies, and help bring the agency closer to compliance with the Clean Water Act. The purpose of the report was to be constructive, and provide DEQ with a roadmap for addressing the issues raised in the petition.

Some of the report’s recommendations focus on the need for enhanced monitoring of marine species and the nearshore environment in the vicinity of the mill’s ocean outfall. Other recommendations provide guidance and data resources for improving the assessments used to identify potential ecological and public health impacts.

“This is primarily about holding Oregon accountable for implementing laws that protect water quality. It’s about a better permit to protect our marine ecosystems and ensure public health for ocean users in Newport,” says Charlie Plybon Oregon Field Coordinator for Surfrider Foundation. DEQ has not convinced local Surfrider members that they are upholding water quality laws for this permit. “We’re disappointed in DEQ’s poor scientific determinations, but encouraged by the local process to address concerns collaboratively with Georgia Pacific. We have done a lot of research and allocated resources to continue working on ocean monitoring. We’re currently engaged with Georgia Pacific and hopeful we can be a resource for a collaborative and community approach to the ocean monitoring study DEQ has required in the reissue. The approach, evaluation and communication of the ocean monitoring study will be critical in resolving questions and concerns of local ocean users.”

Blue Vision Summit in Washington DC

2009-03-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

On March 9 -11, Surfrider Chapter members from DC, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, California, Texas, Oregon and elsewhere congregated in Washington DC for the Blue Vision Summit. The goals of the conference included strengthening the nationwide network of ocean activists and promoting passage of effective federal ocean legislation. On the third day of the Summit, conference participants met with their federal representatives to communicate the importance of national leadership on ocean issues, including passage of Oceans 21, reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act, funding for the Federal BEACH Act, etc. Special kudos to the Capitol (DC) Surfrider Chapter which was an official sponsor of the Blue Vision Summit and hosted a terrific ‘Celebration of the Sea’ reception for conference attendees. In the coming months, stay tuned for more updates on federal legislation as the 111th Congress moves forward with addressing ocean issues under the new administration.

PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAPTER WINS MAJOR COURT BATTLE

2009-03-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

Palm Beach, FL –Administrative Law Judge Robert E. Meale ruled late yesterday that the Town of Palm Beach be denied a Joint Coastal Permit to nourish Reach 8. One year ago in March 2008, the Surfrider Foundation, Snook Foundation, and three individuals filed suit against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for approving a Joint Coastal Permit for the Town of Palm Beach to dredge-and-fill Reach 8. The Town of Palm Beach intervened on behalf of the DEP, and the City of Lake Worth and Eastern Surfing Association intervened in opposition of the project. The trial lasted three weeks, ending in October of last year.

Reach 8 is one of eleven reaches of beach within the County of Palm Beach. The Town of Palm Beach nourished Reach 7 two years ago costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Reach 7 caused substantial environmental harm to the local coastal resources and has already significantly eroded away.

The Town of Palm Beach was proposing more of the same in their attempt to dredge-and- fill Reach 8. Reach 8 extends 1.8 miles and includes beaches within the Town of Palm Beach and the City of Lake Worth. The Town of Palm Beach proposed dredging offshore and filling in 700,000 cubic yards of fill material on Reach 8 directly burying seven acres of nearshore hardbottom reef.

The City of Lake Worth maintains a public park within Reach 8 and opted out of the Joint Coastal Permit due to the projects’ potential to harm their environmental resources and local economy dependent on them.

“This is a tremendous win for Florida’s Beaches,” said Chapter Chair Greg Lyon. “To our knowledge, this is the first time that any court in the US has flatly rejected the permitting of an approved dredge-and-fill project due primarily to the potential negative environmental impacts.”

The five petitioners proved the dredge-and-fill project would destroy the beach and coastal environment by directly burying reefs, killing marine life, including endangered seaturtles, and overall destabilizing fishing, diving, surfing and other valuable recreational uses of the area.
“The Judge clearly grasped the significance of the geological and biological coastal systems in this area and their rarity. His ruling focused extensively on the overwhelming data from numerous experts that supported the denial of this permit,” said attorney Jane West, whose firm Collins & West, P.A. represented the five petitioners.

Rob Young, Director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University and an expert witness in the case expressed admiration for the judge’s ruling. "Judge Meale took a very hard look at the numerical computer model used to predict where the nourishment sand would go, and he strongly criticized its use," Young said. "This same model, GENESIS, is used all over the country for the design of beach nourishment projects. The Judge’s ruling is a serious indictment of that practice."

“We look forward to working with our experts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to re-examine its policies on beach management and realize these dredge and fill projects can be detrimental to the coastal environment they are alleged to be protecting,” said Ericka Davanzo, Surfrider's Regional Manager in Florida.

Judge Meale’s ruling is an order of recommendation to Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Michael Sole, who will now have 45 days to issue the final order.

Check out the Chapter Blogto see the case details!

Humboldt Chapter Wave Energy Forum

2009-02-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

On Feb 21, Surfrider's Humboldt Chapter hosted an informational public forum on wave energy development in response to community interest and concern over PG&E's proposed WaveConnect projects off northern California. Presenters included PG&E Representative Ian Caliendo, FERC's Jim Hastreiter, HT Harvey Ecologist Peter Nelson and Surfrider Foundation's Pete Stauffer. Humboldt State University Professor of Economics Steve Hackett joined the panel for a question-and-answer session following the presentations. Over 70 members of the community including elected officials, environmental professionals, surfers, and fishermen attended, as well as members of the Mendocino Chapter who trekked up in support. During the panel, Caliendo (PG&E) noted California's mandate that 20 percent of the state's energy come from renewable energy sources by 2010, and provided an overview of PG&E's pilot Wave Connect proposal which would be sited north or south of the Humboldt Bay harbor entrance (photo). Hastreiter (FERC) expressed confidence in FERC's role as lead agency, and reiterated that the preliminary permit granted to PG&E only allows the company to reserve the area and creates a timeline during which studies much be completed. Stakeholders will have many chances for input, he assured the audience. Nelson (HT Harvey) described potential ecological effects of development, and illustrated the importance of scale. Stauffer (Surfrider) provided an overview of Surfrider's Policy Statement on Alternative Ocean Energy, and acknowledged both potential benefits, as well as the need to proceed incrementally and cautiously. Since this was the newly reconstituted chapter's first forum, members were quite pleased with the event's success. A video of the forum is expected to be available soon.

Bike Riders for Surfrider

2009-02-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

Two men, two bikes, a couple of tents and a hell of a lot of coastline...Dave and Foulsh are two Surfrider supporters who have given up a summer of surf trips in the car, to ride their pushies around the coast of Oz. Dave from Sydney to Adelaide and Foulsh from Sydney to Perth.

Introducing David Barrett-Lennard and Ian Foulsham and their epic cycle ride along the Australian south coast which commenced on Sunday 1 February from Cronulla, Sydney.
The aim of the trip is to bring attention to, and raise funds, for Surfrider Foundation. The guys are stopping at a number of significant spots along the way,such as Bastion Point, Mallacoota), aiming to raise awareness of prominent coastal issues (for details of their epic journey, blog and to make donations click on the this
link: www.daveandfoulshadventures.com: Dave's employer has generously agree to match donations up to a total of $5,000 so if you have some spare cash to put toward Surfrider's activities this would be a great way to show your support to the boys and help Surfrider.

- Julia Chunn, General Manager, Surfrider Foundation Australia

Help The Surfrider Foundation Get a Better Understanding of YOUR Community and Surrounding Marine Areas.

2009-02-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

The Surfrider Foundation is currently working with a wide variety of individuals and organizations on the Marine Life Protection Act--or MLPA. The MLPA is a state law that requires establishing a "network" of marine protected areas along the California coastline. This law is currently being implemented in Southern California.

Much like our National Parks protect special places on land, these Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) offer heightened protection for marine life to thrive and people to enjoy. In short, MPAs protect special places for their "intrinsic value"--preserving ecological abundance for generations to come. MPAs around the globe have become popular attractions for people to enjoy nature's beauty and abundance.

Establishing MPAs can also help restore healthy fisheries. Studies show alarming declines in fish populations worldwide. Fishermen are now catching half of what they did in 1990 and the fish they do catch are 45 percent smaller. Some local fisheries may take 50-80 years to recover. MPAs allow marine life populations to increase and individual species to grow to full maturity--which increases the number of off-spring from protected areas. These larger populations may "spill over" the boundaries of MPAs and provide improved fishing in areas adjacent to MPAs.

The state of California adopted the MLPA in 1999 and created the opportunity for members of the public to participate in identifying special places worthy of heightened protection. Surfrider Foundation members represent a broad spectrum of people who enjoy time in the ocean surfers, fishers, divers, kayakers, sailors and others who just love the natural beauty of our coast and ocean.

Our collective knowledge from this experience can help design an effective network of MPAs. The Surfrider Foundation is gathering information and recommendations from local communities to help formulate a regional network of MPAs. Our goal is to balance our members' commitment to restoring and protecting our coast and ocean for generations, with our support of sustainable and accessible fishing opportunities.

Help establish successful Marine Protected Areas by completing this survey (all responses are anonymous) . To learn more about MLPA go to: www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa and http://www.caloceans.org/ Or email Stefanie at: Ssekich@surfrider.org

GO HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=jweijd4I8d5vtscSSwjSHw_3d_3d

Google Earth adds Oceans - Go Explore!

2009-02-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

The newest version of Google Earth, now available for download, has made a huge jump forward for ocean education and exploration by adding a multitude of fun, interesting and amazing data layers. The Earth is 70% covered with water, and with the addition of seafloor bathymetry in 3D you can now travel below the surface of the seas to see wondrous mountain ranges and canyons, much larger than anything on land.

Through collaborations with Oceanographer Sylvia Earle, the National Geographic Society, and many ocean researchers around the globe you can see photos and videos of amazing animals, shipwrecks, dive sites, natural structures and even surf spots.

Surfrider's CEO was at the unveiling recently, visit his blog to read all about that experience.

Here are a couple interesting videos provided by the folks at Google Earth to get you started

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ATw1f_qcEg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOG-iAiDiko

Surfrider Foundation Challenges Carlsbad Ocean Desalination Permit

2009-01-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

The contentious plan to build a massive ocean desalination on the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad, California has been challenged in court. Surfrider Foundation, as lead plaintiff, claims approval by the Coastal Commission to build the largest ocean desalination facility in the western hemisphere violates California law because it was not designed or located to avoid the unnecessary destruction of marine life.

Open water intakes, like that proposed in Carlsbad, have been shown to suck in and kill all stages of marine life, significantly impacting healthy marine ecological systems. The project is also extremely energy demanding: stretching our current electrical supplies and undermining California’s efforts to curb global warming. According to Joe Geever, Surfrider Foundation’s California Policy Coordinator, “Healthy marine life populations are already threatened by pollution and impacts from climate change. This project would constantly ‘fish’ the water surrounding the intake and require approximately 40% more electricity than pumping water all the way from the Sacramento Delta – our most energy demanding current source of water.”

Surfrider and other environmental organizations have supported ocean desalination research and pilot projects to reduce the enormous energy demand and to test intake systems that avoid marine life mortality. That research has already shown signs of success. Geever summarizes their support for research with their opposition to this particular project: “Whether or not you support the idea of ocean desalination, it has to be done responsibly and according to the law. Responsible desalination may be right around the corner, but this proposal isn’t even close.”

In the meantime, there is a growing consensus in the environmental community and research institutes that alternatives including expanded water conservation programs, wastewater recycling, and a host of rainwater retention practices can accommodate foreseeable freshwater demand. Importantly, these options have the added benefits of reducing water pollution, dramatically cutting back energy use, and restoring our coast and ocean habitat.

Surfrider Foundation’s attorney, Marco Gonzalez of Coast Law Group, is quick to point out, “Our client is not an overly litigious group. They’ve gone the extra mile to advance sustainable and environmentally responsible water supply alternatives. But they won’t stand by while the laws created to protect our coast and ocean are blatantly ignored by the agencies responsible to enforce them.”