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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
West Coast Governors' Agreement
 On July 29, 2008, the Governors of Oregon, Washington, and California released the finalized Action Plan for the West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health. The plan identifies specific collaborative actions between the three states to better manage the ocean and coastal resources along the entire west coast. The Action Plan addresses the following priority areas: a) clean waters and beaches; b) healthy ocean & coastal habitats; c) ecosystem-based management; d) offshore development; e) ocean literacy; f) ocean science; and g) sustainable economic development. The report is available online at http://westcoastoceans.gov/. This historic agreement provides an important opportunity for Surfrider Foundation chapters to advance our mission through leveraging our grassroots campaigns and projects with a major regional initiative. Stay tuned for more information as implementation efforts move forward!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Finavera Buoy Recovery
 It sank to the bottom in 150 feet of water just one day before its planned retrieval. After nine months of waiting, divers and salvage vessels are currently on site to assist in the rebirth of a 75-foot, 40-ton wave energy buoy. The buoy, now in separate pieces, is being towed up the Yaquna River to a salvage yard. The first piece (the 10-foot surface ring) came in at 2:00 am Thursday morning. The Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation submitted comments and requested disclosure earlier this year to the Department of State Lands and Finaveras plans for removing the buoy prior to the expiration of the temporary use permit. 'We were concerned that the state was going to be left holding the bag on this, and we didnt want it to set precendent for future salvage efforts that will surely come as we explore new alternative energy projects in Oregon,' said Newport Chapter's Joe Haxel. 'Its great to see Finavera following through on the salvage.' The Surfrider Foundation is excited about the prospects for new alternative energy projects but recognizes the need to move forward with cautious yet optimistic planning. Finavera said they would use the data gleaned from the buoy before its demise to 'move forward with technological development'. We hope the local/state agencies and various stakeholders can embrace this as a learning experience to better prepare Oregon for the development of this new technology.
Friday, July 25, 2008
GP License Agreement Hearings Continue
 The 3rd hearing for the City of Newport's license agreement for rights of way of the effluent line for the Georgia Pacific Toledo Pulp Mill was packed again and the testimony from both sides of the issue continued on. The city council announced that Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be coming to the August 4th meeting to answer questions from the council in light of all the technical and environmental concerns raised by citizens. Many, restless from DEQ's long-awaited reconsideration of the NPDES permit, spoke in favor of forming a technical and scientific task force to investigate monitoring and wastestream treatment options. Recent local press on the issue:
Monday, July 21, 2008
Alternative Ocean Energy Policy
 While meeting in Newport, Ore. on June 28th, the Surfrider Foundation Board of Directors passed an Alternative Ocean Energy Policy that defines our approach toward renewable energy projects along the worlds coasts and oceans. The policy highlights the importance of seeking energy sources that can reduce our dependency of fossil fuels, while also adequately addressing environmental, public safety, and recreational issues. This adopted global policy was heavily based on the Oregon Wave Energy Statement that was crafted by our chapters and statewide membership last year. Click here to read: http://www.surfrider.org/whoweare7.asp Thanks to all of you who participated in developing this! Also, as a reminder, we have a wave energy blog that includes info for activists on wave energy. http://surfriderwaveenergy.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 11, 2008
Surfer Injured by Dory Boat in Pacific City
 On July 6, 2008, a 14-year-old boy lost his arm in Pacific City after a dory boat struck him while surfing. Other surfers were able to recover his arm and administer aid. The boy was air lifted to Emanuel Hospital in Portland where he underwent surgery to reattach his arm. Witnesses say the Dory boat approached the beach at a high speed with no warnings even though its mandated to blare the boats horn within 100 yards of the beach. A very sad incident indeed. Surfrider is following this issue closely and we hope that future incidents like this can be avoided. Surfrider Foundation chapters in Oregon have strong ties with both surfers and fishermen, and we hope this incident will not compromise the use of the area for either user group. As a grassroots organization that advocates for surfer access, we are engaged in discussions with members of the PC surf community, and willing to provide support, as needed. Hopefully we can all work within this community to better educate all users so something like this never happens again.
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On July 29, 2008, the Governors of Oregon, Washington, and California released the finalized Action Plan for the West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health. The plan identifies specific collaborative actions between the three states to better manage the ocean and coastal resources along the entire west coast. The Action Plan addresses the following priority areas: a) clean waters and beaches; b) healthy ocean & coastal habitats; c) ecosystem-based management; d) offshore development; e) ocean literacy; f) ocean science; and g) sustainable economic development. The report is available online at http://westcoastoceans.gov/. This historic agreement provides an important opportunity for Surfrider Foundation chapters to advance our mission through leveraging our grassroots campaigns and projects with a major regional initiative. Stay tuned for more information as implementation efforts move forward!
It sank to the bottom in 150 feet of water just one day before its planned retrieval. After nine months of waiting, divers and salvage vessels are currently on site to assist in the rebirth of a 75-foot, 40-ton wave energy buoy. The buoy, now in separate pieces, is being towed up the Yaquna River to a salvage yard. The first piece (the 10-foot surface ring) came in at 2:00 am Thursday morning. The Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation submitted comments and requested disclosure earlier this year to the Department of State Lands and Finaveras plans for removing the buoy prior to the expiration of the temporary use permit. 'We were concerned that the state was going to be left holding the bag on this, and we didnt want it to set precendent for future salvage efforts that will surely come as we explore new alternative energy projects in Oregon,' said Newport Chapter's Joe Haxel. 'Its great to see Finavera following through on the salvage.' The Surfrider Foundation is excited about the prospects for new alternative energy projects but recognizes the need to move forward with cautious yet optimistic planning. Finavera said they would use the data gleaned from the buoy before its demise to 'move forward with technological development'. We hope the local/state agencies and various stakeholders can embrace this as a learning experience to better prepare Oregon for the development of this new technology.
The 3rd hearing for the City of Newport's license agreement for rights of way of the effluent line for the Georgia Pacific Toledo Pulp Mill was packed again and the testimony from both sides of the issue continued on. The city council announced that Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be coming to the August 4th meeting to answer questions from the council in light of all the technical and environmental concerns raised by citizens. Many, restless from DEQ's long-awaited reconsideration of the NPDES permit, spoke in favor of forming a technical and scientific task force to investigate monitoring and wastestream treatment options. Recent local press on the issue:
While meeting in Newport, Ore. on June 28th, the Surfrider Foundation Board of Directors passed an Alternative Ocean Energy Policy that defines our approach toward renewable energy projects along the worlds coasts and oceans. The policy highlights the importance of seeking energy sources that can reduce our dependency of fossil fuels, while also adequately addressing environmental, public safety, and recreational issues. This adopted global policy was heavily based on the Oregon Wave Energy Statement that was crafted by our chapters and statewide membership last year. Click here to read: http://www.surfrider.org/whoweare7.asp Thanks to all of you who participated in developing this! Also, as a reminder, we have a wave energy blog that includes info for activists on wave energy. http://surfriderwaveenergy.blogspot.com/
On July 6, 2008, a 14-year-old boy lost his arm in Pacific City after a dory boat struck him while surfing. Other surfers were able to recover his arm and administer aid. The boy was air lifted to Emanuel Hospital in Portland where he underwent surgery to reattach his arm. Witnesses say the Dory boat approached the beach at a high speed with no warnings even though its mandated to blare the boats horn within 100 yards of the beach. A very sad incident indeed. Surfrider is following this issue closely and we hope that future incidents like this can be avoided. Surfrider Foundation chapters in Oregon have strong ties with both surfers and fishermen, and we hope this incident will not compromise the use of the area for either user group. As a grassroots organization that advocates for surfer access, we are engaged in discussions with members of the PC surf community, and willing to provide support, as needed. Hopefully we can all work within this community to better educate all users so something like this never happens again.