Coastal Blog
May 2011
May 31 2011
Trash Free Seas Act Introduced
The Trash Free Seas Act (S.1119) was introduced on May 26, 2011 by Senator Daniel K. Inouye to address the pervasive issue of marine debris (also known as largely "plastic pollution"), which diminishes the quality of our oceans, waves and beaches. The bill is actually a reauthorization and strengthening of…
May 25 2011
North Carolina Legislature Removes Coastal Protections
Coastal Preservation Shoreline Armoring
North Carolina has long had one of the strictest coastal management laws limiting the use of hardened structures on the beach for erosion protection. Unfortunately their legislature recently moved to allow the construction of terminal groins to try to control sand movements near tidal inlets.
May 25 2011
Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project & Surfing
Surfrider Foundation commissions external review on the effects of the proposed Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project on surfing and seeks solutions to influence inlet breaching for multiple benefits.
May 24 2011
Big plastic sues reusable bag company, story at 11.
In the latest of a series of desperate measures, plastic industry giants have sued a California reusable bag company. The ChicoBag Company, a reusable bag company, has announced it is the sole defendant in a lawsuit filed by Hilex Poly Company, LLC, Superbag Operating, LTD., and Advance Polybag, Inc.; three…
May 18 2011
Keep It Up California!
Good news on the plastic pollution front: the City of Long Beach passed a carryout bag ordinance last night that will ban carryout plastic bags at supermarkets, large pharmacies and farmers markets within city limits. Meanwhile, SB 568 to ban styrofoam at restaurants sits in the state senate and ready…
May 18 2011
LID in Action in San Francisco
Know Your H20 Low Impact Development
The City of San Francisco and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency broke ground last week on the Newcomb Avenue Streetscape Model Block Improvement Project, a first of its kind project to transform a street block into one of the most sustainable streets in San Francisco. The pilot streetscape improvement project will…
May 17 2011
South Bay Chapter Hosts Teach and Test Program Year-end Party and Presentations
On May 15th at SEA Lab in Redondo Beach, 29 students from 5 South Bay high schools participating in the Surfrider Foundation’s Teach and Test Program presented their results that reflect seven months of water quality testing at 15 South Bay beaches as well as the Ballona Creek Wetlands.
May 16 2011
Wastewater Recycling Advances in San Diego County
Know Your H20 Wastewater Water Recycling
An article published in the San Diego Union Tribune today discusses plans for wastewater recycling projects throughout San Diego County and the growing public acceptance of this practice. From the article: "More than half of the region’s major water districts are planning or exploring expansions of recycled water use. Projects…
May 13 2011
Shut Your Tap!
Know Your H20 Wastewater Water Recycling
We were pleased to see a great blog post from Chad Reese, who is an MBA candidate in Sustainable Management at Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. Chad points out the wasted energy and misspent resources (not to mention the pollution impacts to the ocean) from leaving your tap running…
May 12 2011
Congress Opens Our Coasts for Drilling
The House of Representatives today passed HR 1231 "Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act", the third in a trio of bills that would accelerate and expand offshore drilling in the United States. More than ever, now is a critical time to call your senator to ask him/ her to support…
May 12 2011
It’s a whale of a problem.
As debates go on about reducing plastic bag usage in many places marine life continues to suffer. An alarming story recently came out of Puerto Rico regarding a Gervais beaked whale death while across the pond some high profile people are raising awareness.
May 09 2011
Poop to Power in Orlando
Know Your H20 Wastewater Water Recycling
While we've blogged a lot on closing the wastewater loop via indirect potable reuse and reclaimed water use, there has been less attention paid to the solid side of things. Traditionally, "biosolids" have been utilized as soil amendments and have occasionally been used as a supplemental fuel in such industrial…
May 08 2011
Blue Vision Summit: May 20-23
Registration is open for the Blue Vision Summit in Washington DC on May 20-23!
May 06 2011
Youth Power Activate!
Education and outreach are big parts of Rise Above Plastics! High school efforts have been a driving force lately and here are a few examples.
May 05 2011
Flexing Our New Website to Engage - Newport, Oregon
Blue Water Task Force Partnerships Youth
The Newport, Oregon Chapter is working on an Ocean’s Today Kiosk, that will live at the Oregon Coast Aquarium with nearly 1 million visitors per year. The kiosk will rotate screens about the local BWTF program, it has QR codes embedded for visitors to link directly to our website, learn…
May 04 2011
Can California Rise Above The Foam? Only With Your Help…
Do you live in California or know someone who does? Better yet, do you know a business that might sign-on in support?
May 02 2011
USACE Erects Cable to Restrict Vehicle Access on the South Jetty in Newport, OR
USACE installs cable gate at popular beach access point in Newport Oregon.
