Friday, November 20, 2009
Last Chance to Speak Up on South Coast Marine Protected Areas
Radisson Hotel--LAX
6225 W. Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
**please note, the agenda has note been released, but we are assuming public comment will be in the early afternoon. Please visit our blog regularly for the times**
Friday, November 13, 2009
Attend a Hearing to Defeat a Proposal to Build a Landfill atop an Aquifer
Marine Life Protection Act Final Map sent to Fish and Game Commission.
This week, the Blue Ribbon Task Force unanimously voted to forward the Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA) map to the Fish and Game Commission. The IPA is a hybrid map containing shapes from all the Regional Stakeholder Group maps.
Surfrider is pleased with the map because we believe some of our recommendations were considered and incorporated into the final map. The BRTF will present the IPA to the Fish and Game Commission on Dec 9 and the Commission will make a final decision early in 2010.
See a write up on Surfrider's thoughts about the final map here.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Offshore Drilling Risks to Economy and Proposed Oil Severance Tax in California
Last week, Environment America published an expertly written report using dollar signs to elucidate the risks to our coastal economies from any increase in offshore drilling. According to "Oceans Under the Gun," a new report written by Environment America, our clean beaches and oceans support a vibrant coastal tourism and fishing economy that generates $55 billion per year in California. "Our oceans are truly 'under the gun,' threatened by Big Oil and their allies in Congress who want to expand offshore drilling," said Gina Goodhill, Ocean Advocate with Environment California.
"Offshore drilling severely threatens our national treasures: the beautiful oceans, waves and beaches that provide irreplaceable recreational, economic and ecological resources," states Surfrider Foundation's Legal Manager, Angela Howe. "Now more than ever, we need our California State Legislature and the U.S. Congress to stand strong against any new offshore drilling and incentivize a shift to a more environmentally sustainable energy plan."
The California Legislature has an opportunity to do just that by enacting the Oil Industry Fair Share Act AB 6X (Nava) to charge an oil severance tax on oil companies to pay their fair share. California is the third largest oil producing state in the nation and the only major oil producing state that does not charge this oil severance tax.
This bill would establish a 10% severance tax on the gross value of every barrel of oil produced in the state and prohibit oil companies from passing on the tax to the consumers in the form of higher gas prices. The deposits revenues from the oil severance tax would go into the state's General Fund.
Labels: coastal economy, offshore drilling, oil, severance tax
Friday, October 16, 2009
Surfrider's Map Recommendations for the Marine Life Protection Act
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Park Protection News: Bills Awaiting Governor's Signature and the State of State Parks
The past few weeks have been interesting for California State Parks. Two very important bills (that Surfrider actively supported during the legislative season) passed out of the Assembly and Senate and are now sitting on the Governor's desk waiting for his signature. He has until Oct 11 to sign. SB 679 (Wolk) protects Parks by setting a requirement that parklands used for "non-park purposes" must be replaced by other park lands that are of equal environmental, recreational, and fair market value.
SB 372 (Kehoe) simply requires the Legislature to make a final decision about allowing any "non-park" use in a state park system (i.e. the Legislature finally has a say in horrible projects like a toll road through a state park). Please take one minute to contact the Governor and ask him to sign the bills.
"We all want to see our state parks open, and it's been the efforts of advocates that have kept the Governor's feet to the fire since late May. But California State Parks Foundation isn't fully celebrating this news yet. While the Governor has found a clever way to get political cover on this issue, it's not clear that this plan won't actually leave Californians with just as limited access to their state parks as if they had been fully closed".
Review their statement and learn more about parks closures.
Check back here on Oct 11 to view an update about the bills sitting on the Governor's desk!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Explore Maps of Marine Protected Areas with the Surfrider Foundation!
After a year of map-making and planning, the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process is in the home stretch. Local stakeholders are putting final touches on the maps and will come up with three different proposals. The three proposals will ultimately be forwarded to the Fish and Game Commission where they will vote on one map they think will work best for southern California.
This is one of your last chances to give meaningful input on where marine protected areas should be located! Please join Surfrider to learn more about the Marine Life Protection Act and to discuss the proposed maps. After the community forums, Surfrider will compile all constructive comments into a letter that will be sent to decision makers before the final vote. We need to hear from you!
AGENDA:
- 7:00-7:10 Welcome and brief overview.
- 7:10-7:20 Summary of Surfrider's outreach efforts over the past year and what we learned from local communities and Surfrider supporters.
- 7:20-7:40 Overview and discussion of each map.
- 7:40-8:00 Questions & Answers.
WHERE:
- Sept 23. San Clemente Senior Center: 242 Avenida Del Mar. San Clemente, CA 92672.
- Sept 24. Watershed Resource Center: 2981 Cliff Drive. Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Sept 29. Santa Monica Library—Ocean Park Branch: 2601 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Sept 30. Encinitas Community Center: 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Encinitas, CA 92024
The MLPA is a law that requires the state to establish a "network" of marine protected areas from Oregon to the Mexican border. The goals of the MLPA are to: "set aside" areas of the ocean to increase fish populations, enhance marine habitat, and to improve recreational and educational opportunities. Over the past year, Surfrider has been working with diverse groups of people including recreationalists, fishermen, environmentalists, and Chapter activists to ensure the law is effectively implemented.
To learn more about Surfrider's MLPA activities go here: or email Ssekich@surfrider.org
Environmental Groups Decry Legislative Attempt to Circumvent State
A coalition of more than 70 local, state and national environmental and fishing groups has joined together to oppose proposed amendments to AB 1570, which seek to supersede the authority of the California Coastal Commission to protect the health of California's environment. AB 1570, originally drafted to improve social services for veterans, was amended this week to provide a special legislative extension to an existing coastal development permit (CDP) for Poseidon Resources' Carlsbad Desalination Project.
Though the bill's proposed language would apply only to Poseidon's proposed Carlsbad desalination plant, environmental groups are concerned about the precedent set by the Legislature taking away the review authority delegated to the Coastal Commission.
"Whenever you have the legislature providing special treatment to any one company, it raises a red flag for us," stated Joe Geever, California Policy Coordinator for Surfrider Foundation. "Writing law to circumvent regulatory agency review creates a slippery slope where any influential corporation can bypass longstanding environmental protections and public review."
Poseidon has indicated a need to pursue this "urgent legislation" as the company's coastal development permit was originally set to expire in November 2009, and could have become invalid if they have not begun construction at this time. However, Coastal Commission staff has indicated that Poseidon submitted an application for a permit extension in June, which has the effect of tolling the clock on the permit's expiration date. As a result of this extension application, Poseidon's permit will not expire any time soon.
"Not only will this legislation set bad precedent," added Geever, "but it is totally unnecessary to Poseidon's efforts to build their proposed plant in a way that is good for San Diego."
According to the County Water Authority, water consumption countywide plunged 21percent in June and 16 percent in July compared with the same months last year due to aggressive conservation measures. Meanwhile, the City of San Diego in partnership with local environmental groups is proceeding with a pilot project and regional assessment to determine the potential to reclaim wastewater for potable and non-potable uses.
To voice your opposition to AB 1570 click here.
Labels: AB 1570, CCC, Desal Poseidon Carlsbad
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass Appoints Mark Stone and Ester Sanchez as Coastal Commissioners
There will be two new faces on the California Coastal Commission: Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone and Oceanside City Councilmember Ester Sanchez. These appointments were largely lauded by the environmental community who monitors Coastal Commission activity and was allowed to meet with Speaker Bass to discuss the pending appointments during her decision process. Mark Stone was the number one choice in his region to fill the important Commission seat, and Surfrider Foundation is hopeful that Ester Sanchez will also make a wise and valuable addition to the Commission.
This article explains more about the Mark Stone appointment in replacement of repeat appointee Monterey representative Dave Potter.
This article speaks about the San Diego appointment of Ester Sanchez to replace Ben Hueso. This appointment was made over Donna Frye, who was backed by more than 40 environmental groups as the lead choice.
Labels: appoinment, California Coastal Commission, Ester Sanchez, Mark Stone
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
NO BUTTS: Cigarette Butt Litter, Fees and Campaigns
This Sacramento Bee article highlights San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's newly proposed 33-cents-a-pack fee on cigarettes to pay for the cost of cleaning up butt litter. He moved on the matter after the city's annual "litter audit" found that cigarette butts make up a quarter of littered items in the city. Litter abatement costs are deep strain on public resources, especially at a time when cities and the state are in a financial squeeze. The 33-cent fee was proposed to raise $11 million to offset the cost of picking up the discarded cigarette butts, a vast amount of which end up in the ocean and San Francisco Bay.
Cigarette filters are designed to trap toxic chemicals. When submerged in water, the toxic chemicals trapped in the filter leak out into aquatic ecosystems, threatening the quality of the water and aquatic life. Studies indicate the chemicals in cigarettes are leaching into our water ways and are deadly to water fleas (a small but important microorganism that lives in most lakes, streams and the ocean). An important component of Surfrider Foundation's Hold On To Your Butt campaign is to stop the litter problem before it starts by educating the community on the harms of cigarette butt litter. For more information on cigarette butt litter, click here.
Labels: cigarette butt, marine debris
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Important Meetings
On Monday June 1st, the California State Lands Commission is considering significant items related off shore oil-drilling in Santa Barbara and our Raise Above Plastics campaign.
Come out and voice your support!
At the meeting, we need people to testify in support of the following agenda items:
Agenda Item 69. This is a resolution that would support legislation to reduce litter and marine debris by imposing a fee on single-use carryout bags. We all know about the damage plastics are causing in our oceans. Go here: http://www.riseaboveplastics.blogspot.com/ to learn more information that will help you with your testimony.
Agenda Item 70. In January, the State Lands Commission denied an oil-drilling project in Santa Barbra and we need to make sure that decision is not overruled! Item 70 is a resolution opposing the Governor's Budget Revision to override the State Lands Commission denial of the PXP oil-drilling project. Help ensure the decision to protect Santa Barbra coastline is upheld. Go here: http://www.nottheanswer.org to gather more information for talking points during your testimony.
MEETING DETAILS: CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION
MEETING STARTS at 10:00am
City Of Santa Monica
City Hall Council Chambers Room 213, Second Floor
1685 Main Street Santa Monica, Ca 90401
We also need voices at the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) meeting on Thursday, June 4--in LA. The Blue Ribbon Taskforce is a panel of experts helping implement the MLPA by establishing a network of protected areas that will help restore our impaired ocean.
We need people to testify in support of marine protected areas! The State is on a timeline to implement the MLPA and it's critical that they hear from the public about how important marine protected areas are to you and you local community.
Go here to learn more about why marine protected areas are so important and what you can say at the MLPA at the meeting on June 4th. http://www.surfrider.org/policy_mpa.asp To learn more about MLPA go to: www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa
MEETING DETAILS--MLPA, JUNE 4th
Public comment starts at approximately 9:40am
Where: Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
6101 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Over the summer we will also be hosting MLPA trainings where you can learn more about Surfrider's efforts and get trained on how you can be part of the MLPA process. There are upcoming MLPA meetings this summer and fall where we need your help! To learn more about MLPA and how you can get involved, contact Stefanie at: SSekich@Surfrider.org
Friday, May 15, 2009
California Coastal Commission Voting Chart for 2008 Released: Insight to Upcoming Appointments
"This year's chart reports on several critical coastal issues in California. Whereas the Commission did a wonderful job of analyzing and eventually denying the proposed toll road that would have jeopardized the Trestles surf spot, it is disconcerting that the Commission's overall conservation score has decreased," remarks Surfrider Foundation's Angela Howe. "It marks a clear and worrisome trend of declining protection for our coast, with the Commission's overall conservation score at a mere 38% in 2008, down from 44% last year and 60% in 2005."
"In these hard economic times, it is especially important that the Coastal Commission be encouraged to do all it can to protect one of the State's most important assets, the California coast. We believe these voting records will help the public understand how well Commissioners are performing," says League for Coastal Protection's Mel Nutter.
"Once again our analysis underscores the relative failure of Governor Schwarzenegger and his appointments to live up to their rhetoric regarding coastal protection, and the failure of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez when it comes to coastal protection in the public interest," said Mark Massara of Sierra Club's Coastal Programs. "If not for the Senate Rules Committee appointments, developers and lobbyists would dictate coastal development and loss of resources and beach access in California."
A copy of the CCC Voting Chart is available by clicking here.
Labels: CCC, Coasta Commissioner, Governor, Voting Chart
Friday, April 24, 2009
Contact Your Senator to Protect State Parks
Friday, March 6, 2009
2009 Ocean Litter Legislation
Other bills addressing marine debris include AB 68 plastic bag fee, AB 1358 addressing the prevalence of polystyrene and AB 283 proposing an Extended Producer Responsibility regime.
Check out this recent article on anti-litter legislation for more information. Also, keep up to date with Surfrider Action Alerts.
Labels: cigarette butt, marine debris, ocean litter, plastic bags
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hold Onto Your Butt--State Senate Bill Introduced
The Surfrider Foundation is leading the charge on supporting this legislation! We have set up an action alert that will go California legislators--asking them to pass this legislation. Go here to take action. http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/hotyb
We also have the following fact sheet about SB 4 and we encourage you to print up and distribute in your local communities.
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Statewide Environmental Organizations Support SB 4
The No Smoking at State Parks and Beaches Act.
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The bill, introduced by State Senator Oropeza, would prohibit smoking on any state coastal beach or state park unit, except in adjacent parking lots.
While cigarette butts may seem small, they are a major problem at our local beaches, in the ocean, and throughout watersheds. Cigarette butts discarded onto sidewalks and streets eventually make their way into storm drains that lead directly to the ocean; causing harm to wildlife and water quality.
These toxic pieces of trash are increasingly littering our parks and beaches. Over 1.3 million cigarette butts were retrieved in one day at Coastal Cleanup Day in 2008. To make matters worse, improperly littered cigarette butts have caused wild fires in the state of California.
Environmental Costs of Cigarette Litter:
**Many smokers incorrectly believe that cigarette filters are made of biodegradable cotton. In fact, cigarette filters contain a type of plastic (cellulose acetate), which slowly breaks down, but unfortunately never fully decomposes.
**Cigarette filters are designed to trap toxic chemicals. When submerged in water, the toxic chemicals trapped in the filter leak out into aquatic ecosystems, threatening the quality of the water and aquatic life. Studies indicate the chemicals in cigarettes are leaching into our water ways and are deadly to water fleas (a small but important microorganism that lives in most lakes, streams and the ocean).
**Wildlife can mistake cigarette butts as food which may interfere with their ability to properly eat and digest food.
**According to the California Department of Forestry (over a five-year average), smoking has been found to annually cause more than 100 California forest fires and more than 3,400 acres of damage.
**Smoking has caused four of the 25 worst wildfires in California, from 1929-1999, including the 1999 Jones wildfire, which destroyed 964 structures and the 1999 Oakland Hills fire, the largest dollar fire loss in United States history. The $1.5 billion blaze destroyed 3,354 homes, 456 apartment buildings and 2,000 vehicles.
Numerous local governments have already imposed bans on smoking, including bans in local parks, beaches and piers in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, San Clemente, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, San Diego, and Solana Beach. Help Keep our Beaches and Parks Clean!
