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Mahalo to Chapter Eco-Activism Part I: West Coast Chapter News MAKING WAVES, Dec.-Jan. 1998-99 |
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San Diego Chapter Founded in 1989. One of Surfrider's oldest chapters, the San Diego Chapter has been working the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on establishing a water quality report for San Diego County. The chapter has been spearheading an effort to halt a proposed seawall along Highway 101 in Cardiff. The chapter has suggested that a study be conducted to research other scientifically feasible alternatives that provide a long-term solution. The San Diego Chapter was awarded First Place by the "I Love a Clean San Diego Foundation" for the chapter's Blue Water Corps Program. San Clemente Chapter Founded in 1995. Although they are only 3 years old, the San Clemente Chapter has made great headway in the battle to save their coastline. They were the only environmental group to take the lead in trying to halt the environmentally destructive U.S. Marine Corps housing development on San Mateo Point. Although unsuccessful in stopping the project, the chapter was successful in reducing the number of houses developed, moving the project further back from the bluff and having storm water retention basins installed. The chapter has also joined a coalition with the Sierra Club, NRDC, and other groups to stop an environmentally catastrophic tollroad that could destroy surrounding watershed and beach area. In addition, the chapter has been actively implementing the Respect the Beach and Blue Water Corps school water testing program in 5 local schools. Laguna Beach Chapter Founded in 1990. The Laguna Beach Chapter successfully convinced the City of Laguna Beach to incorporate and implement a 10 point ocean pollution reduction plan that was developed with the help of the chapter. Over the years, the chapter has been instrumental in alerting the public about water quality problems in Aliso Creek and has provided input for solutions to this horrendous runoff problem. The chapter has continued to have active Blue Water Task Force and Respect the Beach programs. Newport Beach Chapter Founded in 1990. For 4 years, the Newport Beach Chapter has conducted their "Teach and Test" educational water quality testing program at 3 local area high schools. Additionally, the chapter was instrumental in the installation of an innovative debris boom at the Santa Ana rivermouth to collect trash before it hits the beach. They have also continued their efforts to find a solution to the pollution problem at River Jetty's. Huntington/Long Beach Chapter Founded in 1990. The chapter has successfully campaigned and worked with other community groups, federal, county and state officials to convince the Federal government to buy a large part of the Bolsa Chica wetlands and protect it. Currently, they have been working to save the remaining sections from environmentally destructive development proposals. Their most recent efforts have been devoted to researching and campaigning for the removal of the Long Beach breakwater. The chapter and other city leaders believe that the removal of this breakwater will restore waves and cleaner water to the Long Beach shore. South Bay Chapter Founded in 1990. Responsible for most of the Santa Monica Bay, including Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan and El Segundo beach areas, the South Bay Chapter has their hands full. Their most notable project has been their involvement in obtaining permits to build an artificial surfing reef in El Segundo. The chapter has also been providing scientific expertise, community outreach and support in the battle to save the Ballona Wetlands from a massive development project proposed by Dreamworks Studios. The chapter also continues to present the Respect the Beach Program to area schools and has participated in the upgrading of the program on a national level. Malibu Chapter Founded in 1990. Most of the Malibu Chapter's efforts have been centered on the restoring the Malibu Creek watershed. They were instrumental in establishing the Malibu Creek Watershed Committee to develop solutions to the severe water pollution problems affecting the area. The chapter was awarded a $25,000 grant from the City of Malibu for their continued efforts. Annually, the chapter hosts the "Save the Malibu" event. This event brings together scientists, celebrities, and city officials to raise funds and discuss the methods and manners these individual groups can work together for a healthier Malibu coastline. Ventura Chapter Founded in 1991. After years of testing the water for unhealthful bacterial levels along their local coastline, the chapter was able to pressure Ventura County to begin water testing. Ventura County was the last county in California to start a comprehensive water quality testing program. The chapter has also been engaged in finding a solution for the eroding bike path near their fairgrounds. The Ventura Chapter has been seeking a long term solution to this erosion problem. One such solution is the removal of the Matillaja dam, which is no longer useful and is blocking the natural flow of sediment to the beach. The chapter has continued to present the Respect the Beach Program and has been assisting in the development of Beachscape, Surfrider's new mapping program. Isla Vista Chapter (Santa Barbara County) Founded in 1994. "IV" as the chapter is known, has led a strong grassroots campaign, which included the production of a documentary video on the environmentally damaging effects of a proposed seawall and their efforts to stop its construction. They have continued to conduct water quality testing in the area and have presented the Respect the Beach program to local schools. Santa Barbara Chapter Founded in 1990. The Santa Barbara Chapter has been actively opposing the constant threat of coastal development by seeking national seashore designation for the Gaviota Coast. In addition to their legal battle to preserve the coast, they continue to conduct water quality testing and present the Respect the Beach Program to schools. San Luis Bay Chapter Founded in 1994. The San Luis Bay Chapter has been monitoring the clean up efforts of the UNOCAL Guadeloupe Dunes oil spill at Avila Beach. They have also been actively opposing a proposed beach access fee at Montana de Oro Beach. Additionally, the chapter was successful in stopping the issuance of a poorly researched seawall permit. Monterey Chapter Founded in 1990. During their first 7 years as a Surfrider chapter, the activists in Monterey have: Implemented the Storm Drain Stenciling Program in Salinas, Monterey and Carmel; helped to minimize additional development of roads and buildings during the conversion of the Fort Ord Military Base; worked on photographing and mapping each outfall pipe on the Monterey Peninsula for publication on a CD-ROM. Santa Cruz Chapter Founded in 1991. The Santa Cruz Chapter has established themselves as one of the premier grassroots water testing groups in California and they are currently working with city and county agencies on water quality issues. The chapter tests anywhere from 12-25 sites weekly. This active chapter has presented the Respect the Beach Program to over 1,200 students through 50 presentations at 19 schools. Additionally, the chapter has received a "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition" for outstanding and invaluable service to the community from California State Senator Sam Farr. San Mateo County Chapter Founded in 1998. The newly founded San Mateo County chapter has been busy implementing the Blue Water Task Force water testing program to help address water quality issues facing the city of Half Moon Bay. They have also been conducting regular beach clean ups to further encourage community grassroots participation in their chapter and forming coalitions with environmental groups to purchase open space through local land trusts. San Francisco Chapter Founded in 1990. Recognized by San Francisco's Clean City Coalition for their grassroots efforts on beach clean ups, the San Francisco Chapter has continued their activism in Marin County. They have been involved in the review of the "Ocean Resource Plan" which addresses water quality and beach pollution issues. Their goal is to develop long-term solutions to improve water and beach quality in the Bay Area. They were also awarded a grant from the Bank of America for their continued efforts to educate inner-city children about coastal ecology. Marin County Chapter Founded in 1998. Recently ratified as a chapter, the Marin County Chapter has been working to adopt a section of beach in Marin County for beach monitoring and maintenance, similar to the adopt-a-highway program. The chapter has been planning to implement the Blue Water Task Force and Respect the Beach Programs in their community. North Coast Chapter Founded in 1995. Formally known as the Sonoma County Chapter, the North Coast Chapter has implemented the Storm Drain Stenciling Program by stenciling more than 1,620 drains with the words "no dumping-drains to ocean." To compliment this effort, they also coordinated a doorknob hanging campaign to educate people about the problems and solutions to non-point source pollution. The chapter has also conducted water quality testing along the Russian River to identify problem areas and seek solutions for them. Humboldt Chapter (California) Founded in 1992. The Humboldt Chapter was founded after pulp mill Clean Water Act violation cases of the early 1990s. The chapter has installed an emergency call box (that has already saved lives) and a shower at the North Jetty as part of the mitigation. The chapter has been busy monitoring the compliance of the Louisiana Pacific Pulp mill to ensure that the requirements of their Clean Water Act violations are met. Lately, the chapter has been re-organizing to bring new people and programs into the group. Oregon Chapter Founded in 1996. The Oregon Chapter gained free beach access to the Oregon Dunes for surfers crossing federal land. A federal magistrate ruled that the U.S. Forest Service couldn't charge a fee for people who are only accessing the beach and not using park facilities. They have adopted 2 miles of Oregon coastline to monitor and maintain as part of the state coast watch program. The Oregon Chapter has begun to implement the Blue Water Task Force to monitor problem areas on the central coast of Oregon. Bozeman Chapter (Montana) Founded in 1998. From the mountains to the sea, Surfrider shall be there with the help of the Montana Chapter. The chapter has implemented the storm drain stenciling program to remind residents that local storm drains empty into the East Gallantin River. The chapter has also conducted ski resort clean ups and educational tablings that include "Snow Garbage Clean Up Day." The chapter has also been learning more about the hydrologic cycle by measuring snow pack in the local mountains with the U.S. Forest Service. Walla Wall Chapter (Washington) Founded in 1996. The Walla Walla University Chapter's primary focus has been to supply research materials for the NW Washington chapter and to raise the level of environmental education in the State of Washington. Northwest Washington Chapter Founded in 1995. In their 3 years of existence, the Washington Chapter has accomplished much for their ocean-going public. They have worked with state agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, on an advisory committee to enhance oil spill recovery methods. They were instrumental in getting officials to conduct a more thorough environmental study before igniting 2500 gallons of crude oil on the state's coastline. The chapter's biggest effort has been working to halt a proposed seawall in Half Moon Bay and Ocean Shores that would not only alter nearshore processes in the area and potentially threaten the surf and public access, it would also open the Washington coast to the bad habit of shoreline armoring. In addition, the Chapter has been implementing the Respect the Beach Program and Beachscape Mapping Program. |
Next Article: Mahalo to Chapter Eco-Activism, Part II
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