Coastal Blog — Beach Access
April 08 2013
California’s Landmark Law Under Attack
Beach Access Blue Water Task Force Coastal Preservation Know Your H20 Ocean Ecosystems Water Quality
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is one of California’s most important laws—not only because it helps protect our environment and “quality of life”, but CEQA also promotes democratic participation in the decision-making process—giving citizens a say in what happens in their local communities. Unfortunately over the past few years,…
March 13 2013
Surfrider Foundation Sues to Open Martin’s Beach to the Public
Martin's Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, is a beautiful stretch of sandy beach that has been enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations. However, locked gates and signs were erected at the entrance to the beach road several years ago. After over two years of outreach and advocacy, the…
January 22 2013
Surfrider Overcomes Big Challenge to Access on the Big Island!
In Hawaii, Surfrider Foundation’s Hilo Chapter has fought for over the past two years to open up trail access to Papaikou Mill Beach, one of the few sandy beaches on the East side of the Big Island. Known as a popular surfing, fishing and recreational spot, the beach is also…
November 07 2012
Flyspecking Preservation Efforts: a case on off-road recreational access v. preservation
Surfrider Foundation has long worked to secure low-impact beach access for all people. Our work in realizing this goal has not gone without recognizing the omnipresent balance between beach access and the ecological integrity of our beaches. This balance is often implicated in beach driving. The Southern Four Wheel Drive…
October 21 2012
Another Victory for Beach Access in Maine!
Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine will be kept open to the public per a ruling by the State of Maine Superior Court on October 16, 2012.
August 13 2012
Beach Driving: Part 2
Beach Access Coastal Preservation Legal
Beach driving not only involves ecological considerations; it also involves beach access and freedom to enjoy coastal resources. This blog explores how beach driving has shaped the law and, in turn, how the law has responded to beach driving.
August 03 2012
Beach Driving: Part 1
Beach Access Coastal Preservation
This is part 1 of a 3-part blog series that explores issues related to beach driving through several case studies as well as by highlighting impacts that can occur even in places that do not allow public beach driving.
June 29 2012
5th Circuit Denies Amicus Brief in Beach Access Case
In a curt and unreasoned statement, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the application of Harris County, Texas, to file an amicus brief in support of rehearing of the Severance v. Patterson case. This recent case denied the State of Texas interpretation of the Texas Open Beaches Act to…
May 31 2012
Texas Open Beaches Act Takes a Hit
On March 30, 2012, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of private property rights over the public beach access rights of the people of Texas. Surfrider Foundation Texas Chapters have pledged to resurge support to strengthen the state's beach access law.
January 27 2012
Surfing Access in Chicago
By now much of the surfing world has heard the story about Rex Flodstrom getting arresting for surfing in Lake Michigan at Oak Beach in Chicago. The story of his arrest and the outrage that surfing is illegal that ensued, including the likes of Kelly Slater, was heavily covered in…
August 25 2011
Maine High Court Ruling – Scuba Diving: 6, Exclusive Intertidal Zone: 0
Six Maine Justices Rule for an Expansive Interpretation of Public Trust Activities Today, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor of beach access rights with the McGarvey v. Whittredge decision regarding the public access of recreationalists like scuba divers through the intertidal zone in Maine.
August 10 2011
California Dreaming. Parks of the Sea and Land…
People come to California for many reasons. One of the main attractions to our state is its natural beauty—on both land and in the water. According to a recent study, California receives nearly $52 billion dollars a year in “leisure and hospitality.” Much of that leisure and hospitality takes place…
June 21 2011
California’s Coastal Parks in Peril
For about three years, the state of California has delicately danced around the idea of closing state parks in order to "close the budget gap." While California is the 8th largest economy in the world, its budget demands often require brutal cutbacks. Unfortunately the ax fell on May 13 when…
June 08 2011
Tearing Down Walls: Beach Access Litigation Victory at Dana Point Strands Beach
Surfrider Foundation vindicated public beach access rights in San Diego Superior Court, receiving a favorable ruling from Judge Joan Lewis this week. The ruling held that the "urgency ordinance" of the City of Dana Point declaring a public nuisance state to restrict beach access hours and lock gates to a…
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.
November 08 2010
