Coastal Blog
July 2011
July 27 2011
Congressional Attack on Clean Water and the Environment
The House of Representatives is forging an attack on America's long standing environmental laws. The House has been busy passing 'dirty water bills' and tacking on riders to the 2012 federal budget that restrict the EPA's authority to enforce the Clean Water, Clean Air and Endangered Species Acts.
July 25 2011
Last Chance To Enter Your Ocean Friendly Garden In The 2011 National Greenscape Challenge
There’s only one week left in the Cali Bamboo, Surfrider Foundation 2011 National Greenscape Challenge Contest. Inspired by the Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Gardens program, contestants are encouraged to submit photos and descriptions of their landscapes and gardens that were designed with Surfrider Foundation’s OFG method of CPR: conservation, permeability and…
July 25 2011
Wastewater Recycling Expands in Texas
Both reclaimed water systems (treated wastewater used for irrigation) and potable reuse systems are expanding in the Fort Worth area and throughout the state of Texas. Although this is partially in response to the current drought, it makes sense even in non-drought times. In Big Spring, a local water authority…
July 25 2011
When Restoration is Not Restoration
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 aims to make the public and environment whole for injuries to natural resources and natural-resource services resulting from an oil spill. Under the OPA, BP is liable for all damages to natural resources resulting from last year’s massive oil spill in the Gulf of…
July 21 2011
Portland is next as the plastic dominos start to fall
Earlier this month news came out of Washington that the City of Bellingham banned plastic bags and put a fee on paper bags. Last week a similar story is coming out of Portland, Oregon. After state legislators failed to act on SB 536 this year, which would have enacted a…
July 14 2011
Surfrider Makes a Splash at the National Ocean Policy Sessions
Surfrider members recently attended a number of listening sessions held around the country on the new National Ocean Policy. At sessions in New Jersey, California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, and elsewhere, Surfrider members expressed strong support for the National Ocean Policy, while also pushing federal officials to strengthen actions identified in…
July 14 2011
California Supreme Court Rules for Bag Bans
Today, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of the City of Manhattan Beach’s single-use plastic bag ban, holding that state law does not require the City to complete a full Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) in order to impose the ban. This decision undoubtedly will make it easier for cities…
July 13 2011
Bellingham Washington ‘Rises Above Plastics’ and Reduces Carryout Plastic Bags!
Four months after initially presenting an ordinance to Bellingham City Council members to reduce single-use bags, on July 11th, the Bellingham City Council voted 7-0 in favor of the ordinance to ban carry out plastic bags and implement a 5 cent fee on brown paper bags starting July 2012. This…
July 12 2011
Hands-On Workshop to Follow OFG Basics Class in Santa Barbara
With a great OFG Basics Class in the books, Class attendees will use the (new) knowledge to evaluate a site for how well it "applies CPR - Conservation, Permeability and Retention" - the principles behind Ocean Friendly Gardening. Everyone is welcome to attend the Hands-On Workshop, not just Class attendees.
July 12 2011
Wastewater Recycling - College Students Get It
A recent opinion piece in San Diego State University's Daily Aztec by senior Randy Wilde points out the multiple advantages of operating the Water Purification Demonstration Project and potentially building a larger-scale version of this facility to establish a reliable, local drinking water supply at a lower cost than ocean…
July 11 2011
We’re going on tour with Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance!
We're going on tour! Surfrider Foundation has been invited to go on the 2011 Honda Civic Tour this fall with Blink-182 & My Chemical Romance! Surfrider will be partnering with Reverb, a company dedicated to creating "green" tours with a goal to engage fans and raise awareness regarding environmental issues…
July 11 2011
Source Tracking in Puerto Rico
Blue Water Task Force Partnerships Source Identification
The Rincon Chapter's BWTF has been participating in a University of Puerto Rico, source study of bacterial pollution in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve.
July 06 2011
Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter Sues Over Injection Wells
Surfrider Foundation sent a Notice of Intent to Sue for Clean Water Act violations to Maui County on June 28, 2011. The suit stems from the nearshore water quality impairment caused by the ongoing violations of the Lahaina Wastewater Treatment Plant. The County’s facility injects millions of gallons of wastewater…
July 01 2011
Surfrider Joins Global Protest Against Offshore Drilling
On June 25, Surfrider Foundation activists joined tens of thousands of people around the world in participating in Hands Across the Sand, a grassroots event in support of protecting our coasts from offshore drilling.
July 01 2011
Testing the Waters 2011
Blue Water Task Force Partnerships Solutions Source Identification Water Quality
NRDC released their annual Testing the Waters report this week. There were over 24,000 beach closures and advisories issued in 2010, the second highest level of the past two decades.
July 01 2011
It’s Official. South Coast MPAs Go Into Effect Oct 1, 2011
Ocean Ecosystems Marine Protected Areas
The Fish and Game Commission officially voted this week that October 1, 2011 will be the implementation date for the southern California Marine Protected Areas. For over two years the State, local stakeholders and other organizations have been working to create a network of MPAs that protect sea life and…
