 Anti-cigarette-butt-litter bumper sticker from the Outer Banks Chapter Mahalo to Chapter Eco-Activism Part II: East Coast Chapter News MAKING WAVES, Dec.-Jan. 1998-99 |
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South Florida Chapter Founded in 1998. Less than 1 year old, the South Florida group has already started implementing the Blue Water Task Force water testing and Respect the Beach programs. In addition, they have been monitoring a potential threat to beach access on South Pointe due to a proposed development and the continuing issue of the expansion of the Port of Miami. Suncoast Chapter (Florida) Founded in 1998. Recently ratified, the Suncoast Chapter has been conducting beach clean ups to help build community awareness about the Surfrider Foundation and their chapter. They have also been working to form a relationship with Clearwater Marine Aquarium. They have made plans to begin implementing the Beachscape Mapping and Respect the Beach programs in the near future. Palm Beach Chapter Founded in 1996. Palm Beach Surfrider activists stopped a proposed environmentally destructive breakwater in Palm Beach County and worked with city and county officials to educate them on environmentally friendly alternative solutions. The chapter has also participated in the planting of 60,000 mangrove trees at 2 county wetland restoration areas near Waterway Park and Munyon Island. Sebastian Inlet Chapter Founded in 1997. The Sebastian Inlet Chapter has been monitoring a proposed groin that could potentially have negative consequences to the local shoreline. They have been spearheading a grassroots effort to gain support for standardized national ocean water quality testing. The chapter has also been organizing annual beach clean ups at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge which protects sea turtle nesting habitat. St. Augustine Chapter Founded in 1998. The St. Augustine Chapter has been busy establishing themselves in their community. They have been making preparations to implement the Respect the Beach Program at local schools. Gainesville Chapter Founded in 1990. Surfrider Foundation National and a new group of coastal activists in Gainesville have been working together to reorganize the chapter. Myrtle Beach Chapter Founded in 1998. The Myrtle Beach Chapter is one of Surfrider's newest chapters. They have been working to recruit new chapter members and educate local communities about coastal issues. They have been focusing on storm water runoff problems. Cape Fear Chapter (North Carolina) Founded in 1993. The Cape Fear Chapter has been working on introducing legislation that would improve water contamination problems caused by animal waste disposal in North Carolina. In a 2 month period, 8.6 million gallons of chicken waste spilled into headwaters that drain to the ocean, adding to the 25 million gallons of hog waste that polluted the ocean. In another effort to improve water quality, the chapter built and installed pooper scooper boxes on local beaches to help curb residential animal waste problems. Through their efforts, the chapter became an honorary member of the Wrightsville Chamber of Commerce for their commitment to the environmental well-being of the community. The Cape Fear Chapter has also begun to map their coast for the Beachscape mapping program. Outer Banks Chapter Founded in 1990. The Outer Banks Chapter was successful in stopping offshore oil drilling in the North Carolina coastline by Chevron by using grassroots activism to garner local opposition to the project. They have been preparing to renew the fight against offshore drilling proposed by Exxon. Through a successful campaign to raise awareness about poor water quality, the chapter was responsible for instigating the County of Dare to begin a water testing program for the area. The chapter has also gained beach access by working with local officials to increase parking. This included dune restoration projects and the construction of a walkway to the beach that minimized impacts on the natural environment. Virginia Beach Founded in 1991. The Virginia Beach Chapter has been working with city officials on comprehensive planning and development projects, including the Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project. The chapter has also kept beach access open to a popular beach through persistent community relations efforts, public educational outreach, and beach clean ups. They have continued to present the Respect the Beach Program to community organizations and schools. Capitol Chapter Founded in 1996. Our "beltway" chapter has been busy restoring beach dunes in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Natural coastal dunes act as a trap for coastal sand thereby minimizing sand loss and reducing erosion problems. The Capitol Chapter spearheaded our information campaign to illustrate the importance of the Beaches Environmental Assessment Closure and Health Act (BEACH Bill), which would create a standardized national water testing program. The Capitol Chapter has also been actively promoting the Respect the Beach Program in 17 schools. Delaware Chapter Founded in 1998. Small but growing, the Delaware Chapter has participated in regular dune grass restoration planting and has completely mapped a 12 block area as part of the Beachscape coastal mapping program. They have just begun to implement the Blue Water Task Force water testing program to identify areas the chapter feels pose a health risk to users. New Jersey Chapter Founded in 1990. "Got a beach access problem?" Call the New Jersey Chapter. They have become experts on opening beach access and have been successful in obtaining access for all! Over the years, the chapter has gained beach access to 3 beaches where surfing was either banned or severely restricted by working actively with town officials. In addition to their strong access work, the chapter has implemented the Respect the Beach education program in area schools and modified it from its generic format to a more localized version. They have also begun the Blue Water Task Force water quality monitoring program and have worked jointly with the State of New Jersey on water testing. New York Chapter Founded in 1991. The New York Chapter, along with other local organizations, has restored dunes along the Long Island Sound. Natural dunes protect the shoreline, reducing the need for environmentally destructive "hard" structures (i.e., groins, breakwaters, bulkheads, and seawalls). The New York Chapter gained beach access to Robert Moses State Park for ocean users. The chapter worked on this project for 3 years with state, federal and local agencies. Surfrider spearheaded this effort when no other group would step forward to tackle this issue. The chapter has also been testing the waters off the Long Island coast. Boston Chapter Founded in 1997. The Boston Chapter successfully gained access to Egypt beach for all ocean users. They accomplished this rewarding accomplishment by demonstrating local beach stewardship, conducting local beach cleanups, and educating the local community on environmental and beach safety issues. The chapter has also been busy incorporating the Respect the Beach program in 5 area schools. Portland and Ogunquit Chapters (Maine) Founded in 1996. Although these 2 chapters got off to a great start, both Maine Chapters have been in the process of reorganization. If you are interested in becoming active and lending a hand, please contact them. |
Next Article: Mahalo to Chapter Eco-Activism, Part III
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