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Surfrider Chapter News February 1999 |
For more info contact: Ed Mazzarella at (949) 492-8170, emazzarella@surfrider.org South Florida Chapter Buenvenidos Miami! Surfrider Foundation's South Florida/Miami Chapter will soon be implementing the Blue Water Corp water quality testing and education program. This effort has been made possible with grant funding from Surfrider Foundation National Headquarters and Wild Oats Market Inc. The chapter will be working with students at the Mast Academy on Virginia Key in Miami. The students will take ocean water samples from local beaches 5 days a week for a two month period beginning in February 1999. The results of the tests will be analyzed for total coliform and e-coli bacteria and posted on the South Florida Chapter's web site. Along with the physical testing of the water the students will also learn about coastal ecology and the Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider Foundation's Blue Water Corp Program incorporates aspects of Surfrider Foundation's Respect the Beach and Blue Water Task Force Programs. It provides students with the hands on educational experience of testing local water quality. It also brings an educational water testing program directly to the school for immediate and regular implementation. For information on the Blue Water Corp Program please contact Surfrider Foundation at (949) 492-8170. Delaware Do it Clean. The Delaware Chapter of Surfrider Foundation has been actively monitoring water quality on local coastlines and beaches since the inception of their chapter last year. Improvement of the coastal water quality is one of the chapters major campaigns for 1999. Another victory for clean water in Delaware was achieved recently when Townsends Inc., the 10th largest poultry processor in the United States announced the introduction of a new method to prevent 375 million gallons of treated waste water from entering the Indian River each year. Townsends' Chief Operating Officer announced that the company has decided to voluntarily give up its permits to dump treated wastewater into the Indian River, which feeds into the inland bays and eventually flows to coastal waters. The Indian River dumps out at the Indian River Inlet one of Delaware's best surf spots. To reduce this massive discharge, the company plans to build a wastewater lagoon where nutrients and bacteria can be removed so that the water can be sprayed on local fields. The cost of creating the lagoon and buying treatment equipment will be about $2 million and is scheduled to be operational by 2006. Huntington/Long Beach and South Bay Chapters Bridge Over Troubled Waters Surfrider Foundation's Huntington/Long Beach and South Bay Chapter's recently teamed up with local research groups and the Los Alamitos High School Marine Science Club to test the water quality at local beaches. Over 20 sites, from Marina Del Rey to South Seal Beach, were tested once per week, over a 5-week period, for total and fecal (e-coli) bacterial contamination. Their results will be included in a summary report currently being prepared by scientific staff at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP). The Huntington/Long Beach and South Bay Chapters are planning to repeat these tests during the winter months. When compared with other professional water quality testing results, the Surfrider tests were some of the most accurate. This type of research helps the Surfrider Foundation, water quality agencies, and government agencies to identify "hotspots" and develop solutions to water quality issues facing our coastal waters. The Huntington/Long Beach Chapter been instrumental in making the Surfrider Foundation an active participant in the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Santa Barbara Chapter We Shall Overcome On September 2, 1998 members of Surfrider Foundation's Santa Barbara Chapter ventured into a meeting with the Local Agency Formation Commission or LAFCO in defense of the threatened Gaviota Coast. At issue was the annexation of the ARCO property by the Goleta Water District, that would allow construction of several golf courses. As they have often done over the years, chapter members made presentations before a commission dominated by individuals known to be hostile to environmental concerns. To the Santa Barbara Chapter's credit several key issues were brought to light and placed in the public record for future reference. Despite the chapters best efforts, the fate of Haskill's Beach is hangs in wind. Construction is immanent for this environmentally damaging development once funding is secured. Sadly, Haskill's Beach is suffering the fate of many Southern California beach towns-over development. The Gaviota Coast has always represented a significant stretch of relatively undeveloped and wild coastline in Southern California. We fear that the mauling of Haskell's Beach foreshadow the beginning of the end for Santa Barbara County's beautiful undeveloped landscapes. The time is now to raise our voice and stop this wanton coastal development and all of the negative environmental impacts that follow. Haskell's Beach has already suffered from extensive grading, and the construction of two bridges, but at this time no homes have been built. The Surfrider Foundation's Santa Barbara Chapter will continue fighting this senseless development using all the resources and means available. Please our Santa Barbara Chapter with this fight by calling them at (805) 899-BLUE. Remember this could be happening in your backyard one day. Isle Vista Chapter If the Kids are United Congratulations to the Isla Vista Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, a UCSB campus affiliate, for winning a major victory in stopping a propose seawall in Santa Barbara. Both the Isla Vista and Santa Barbara Chapter's dedication was reward when the California Coastal Commission (CCC) came out against the Campus Point Seawall. On the heals of this denial, the CCC has decided to review the appeal brought by Surfrider Foundation regarding the permitting of the Del Playa Seawall, another senseless coastal structure. Surfrider Foundation's Isla Vista Chapter has been busy since organizing in 1994. Besides working closely with the Santa Barbara Chapter on joint issues, they have doing regular beach clean ups and testing the water quality. They have also created a documentary on the Isla Vista seawall and have been mobilizing the students of UCSB to act on issues that affect their environment. This year they plan to address of pollution generated by small business in Isla Vista and work with the University on the proposed housing project for the area surrounding the Devereux. Washington DC Chapter I Love Livin' in the City Surfrider Foundation's Capitol Chapter members have been successful in their efforts to convert Surfrider's Respect the Beach program into a larger program called the Surfrider Environmental Education in Annapolis Outreach Project (SEA-OP). The SEA-OP was established to extend Surfrider Foundation's awarding winning educational video "Keepers of the Coast" to all Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Schools in Maryland. The science office of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools gave "Keepers of the Coast" film and study guide high marks and will be given up to 22 copies of the film for each middle and high school in Arundel by the Capitol Chapter. Anita Morris, acting secondary science coordinator at the Anne Arundel County School Board said, "the committee was very impressed with both the production and content of the video". Ms. Morris went on to say that students "will find the content in the video very informative as they study the effects of pollution on marine life and coastline formation". The Capitol Chapter plans to provide in-classroom support to teachers and to inform them on other local Surfrider activities. Incorporating the SEA-OP Program in marine biology, oceanography and environmental science classes in Anne Arundel County, is a major accomplishment. Capitol Chapter Chairman Darryl Hatheway was elated when he said, "this will make "Keepers of the Coast" the largest outreach program in the Washington DC metro area-great things are starting to happen". The Surfrider Environmental Education in Annapolis Outreach Project has been created in memory of Chad Dyer, a 23-year old Surfrider Foundation member from Annapolis who passed suddenly. A Memorial Fund was established by the Dyer Family and has funded this exceptional educational program. The Capitol Chapters next step is to expand the program and the endowment of a Chad Dyer Scholarship Fund to support students as they head off to college. |
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