Monday, April 28, 2008
Clean Water Classic - May 16-18
Please join us for the 2008 Clean Water Classic to be held in Westport, WA on May 16-18! The Clean Water Classic is Surfrider's annual surfing contest that raises crucial funds for our chapters in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Weekend will feature great surfing, silent auction, live music, raffle, and collection of some of the coolest folks in PNW. Also, there will be lots of information on Surfrider campaigns and programs and how to get involved! Open divisions include Pro-Am, Mens, Womens, Masters, Juniors, Keiki, and Stand-Up Paddle. Every surfer that enters receives free Surfrider membership! We are doing online registration this year, so please sign up soon before it fills up at the event website: http://www.cleanwaterclassic.com/. Also, volunteers are desperately needed to help us staff event. Please contact Matty Darcy at rimquiv108@comcast.net. to sign up! Thanks to Global Surf Industries, the Islander Hotel, and the rest of our sponsors.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Cinco De Mayo: Plastics Campaign Event!
On May 5 at 7pm, Portland Chapter will host Monterey Surfrider Activist, Ximena Waissbluth's traveling presentation on marine debris and the effects of plastics in our oceans at Ecotrust Building, Billy Frank Jr. Conferenc Rm (721 NW 9th Ave). This event will mark the kickoff of Portland Surfrider's statewide plastics campaign. Ximena's presentation will last about 45 minutes. The purpose of the event is education and networking for non-profits and activists working in the Portland area who are interested in building a coalition for change on our state's relationship to plastics in the environment. Much of the evening will be devoted to hob-nobbing, and Portland Surfrider will provide free Hot Lips Pizza and beer. Come and invite your friends!Saturday, April 12, 2008
MARINE RESERVES UPDATE
On March 23, Governor Kulongoski issued an Executive Order directing the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) to serve as lead agency for the marine reserve recommendation process. ODFW will work with the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) to identify nine or less marine reserve 'study areas' by Jan 1, 2009. The nomination process will be supported by local nearshore action teams, comprised of coastal residents, ocean users, and other interested parties. Marine reserves are places in the ocean that are protected from human impacts, including extraction and habitat damage. Science shows that reserves almost always result in greater abundance, size, and diversity of marine organisms inside their boundaries. Please join a coalition of ocean users that's participating and supporting this process. On April 21, the OPAC Marine Reserve Workgroup will meet in Lincoln City with opportunities for public comment. For more info on Oregon's planning process http://www.oregonmarinereserves.net/. For info to get involved pstauffer@surfrider.org.WAVE ENERGY NEWS
The State of Oregon and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate procedures for review of wave energy projects in state waters. The agreement should provide Oregons state agencies and coastal communities with an enhanced role in wave energy planning to ensure that projects are sited thoughtfully and minimize impacts to the environment and ocean users. We thank the Governor for his leadership on this important issue! In other news, Oceanlinx recently withdrew their permit application for a project off Florence. Surfriders Florence Organizing Committee had filed a Motion of Intervention on this project, citing environmental, aesthetic, recreational, and public safety concerns with the project as proposed. Congrats to Gus and the rest of the Florence crew on this victory! Finally, Surfrider continues to participate in a settlement process with Ocean Power Technologies, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders to agree on terms for installation of 1o wave energy buoys off Reedsport. Key elements include scientific monitoring and an adaptive managment program. Surfrider supports renewable energy, but we want to make sure projects minimize impacts to the ocean environment and are sited thoughfully. To read Oregon Chapters Statement on Wave Energy: http://www.surfrider.org/oregon/issues.html
