estuary) is slowly drifting to the Outer Banks coastal region; noticeably in the Oregon Inlet and Hatteras beaches. For the upcoming year, the Outer Banks Chapter will be focusing on these key water quality issues that are affecting their local coastal zone. Chapter activists will begin implementing the Blue Water Task Force and Beachscape coastal monitoring program. Oregon The Oregon Chapter of Surfrider Foundation has been focusing their efforts on guarding public access and initiating the Blue Water Task Force Program. With the help of a grant from Surfrider Foundation National, the chapter has begun developing a campaign to implement their water quality testing program along the Oregon coasts. The chapter hopes to document the water quality to determine where problems or potential problems might arise in association with the increase in population and tourism to the coastline. In conjunction with this the Oregon Chapter has begun the Beachscape Mapping Program where coastal areas are documented for beach access, water quality, outfalls, and anything else that stands on the beach. Chapter activists feel it's extremely important to document the Oregon State coastline in order to advance the needs for strict public access and water quality needs along the coast. One way they have increased the public awareness to this issue was by holding their first annual Beach Rally and Clean Water Paddle Out last spring in Newport, Oregon. If you weren't there, you should plan on attending next year's. Contact the chapter. Rhode Island Rhode Island Chapter members are

putting the finishing touches on their Blue Water Task Force Campaign Plan 2000. The chapter plans on working with two Rhode Island High Schools to implement coastal water testing into the criteria for the school year. The chapter is currently determining the frequency and locations of the actual testing. This program was made possible by funding from a Surfrider Foundation National grant through the Lattner Foundation. In coordination with the Rhode Island Chapter's environmental and educational outreach programs, they are also teaming with the Eastern Surfing Association for a couple of surf contests. The chapter feels that partnering with the ESA will help increase the awareness of the new chapters efforts and active membership. In addition to evenly splitting the entry fee with the ESA, the Rhode Island Chapter will also provide the contest jerseys which will include the Surfrider logo, chapter name and the event insurance coverage. The Rhode Island Chapter of Surfrider Foundation will continue to build a strong base of support, credibility and awareness around the

preservation and protection of the Rhode Island coastline. Washington The Washington State Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation reached a settlement with the Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to stop the extension of a rock revetment (wall) across the entire beach at Half Moon Bay in Westport, Washington. An administrative hearing before the Pollution Control Hearings Board was sought by Surfrider Foundation's Washington State Chapter to challenge the Washington State Department of Ecology's failure to extract a long-term commitment from the Army Corp of Engineers to nourish the beach. The chapter's suit challenged that regular beach nourishment was critical to assure that erosion does not degrade the beach and expose the smaller existing rock revetment, thereby eliminating surfing and even beach walking in Half Moon Bay. The suit charged that Army Corp of Engineers' planned solution to nourishment problems was misguided, ineffective, expensive and only a short-term solution. In addition, the settlement requires the Department of Ecology to improve its Coastal Zone Management Program. Making public comment periods and public participation in the planning process more accessible and abundant, these changes will increase public participation in critical decisions affecting the future of Washington State coastlines. With this victory, Surfrider Foundation's Washington State Chapter has made it more likely that surfers and other beachcombers will be able to continue to enjoy the surf and beach at Half Moon Bay in the future.