August 2006

Surfrider News
by Greg Gordon

A friendly neighbor has been keeping the community up to date on the possible smoking ban in Cocoa Beach and wanted to know what Surfrider thought about it. I replied, "We need to discuss it during a local chapter meeting, and then someone needs to write up our position, and then we will vote on it." That is how a local, grassroots organization needs to work. It is not my opinion, not the National Office opinion, not the San Diego Chapter's position, but the consensus of the members of the Sebastian Inlet chapter.

I don't think that everyone understands what it means to be a part of an ocean-loving grassroots organization. It is not just sending in your membership dues, getting a sticker, and clearing your conscience. It is not an excuse not to express your own opinion and communicate it your community leaders. It is a chance to become ACTIVE in your community, to gain strength in numbers of those with similar interests and concerns, an opportunity to meet other locals who share your love for the oceans and beaches.

I joined in 1999 because I thought I could make a difference. I saw the potential problems with ocean water quality and noticed that Surfrider was doing something about it, independantly testing the water and reporting the results. Since then, there have been lots of opportunities for me to be active in the chapter. We've helped convince Royal Caribbean to upgrade their treatment systems, we've educated hundreds of kids about water pollution and how to prevent it, and we've monitored and provided input on dredge and fill projects along the coast. These are victories we could not have done without the resources of our members.

The only way Surfrider stays afloat is with active volunteers. If you are a member, or just someone who wants to keep the beach clean, contact Rick Hayes, Chapter Chairman, at surfridersi@yahoo.com and write what you want to change. Or call Brian Lind, volunteer coordinator, at 749-8557, and ask how you can help.

Midreach Update

The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners received a letter from the US Army Corps of Engineers in April informing them that their proposal for placement of approximately 1.8 million cubic yards of sand along 7.6 miles of beach in the mid-reach will “likely result in significant degradation of the aquatic ecosystem” due to the stretch of nearshore area being designated an essential fish habitat.  On July 25, after public comments by Erika D’Avanzo, Surfrider Florida Regional Manager, encouraging the Board to consider fixed sand transfer plants as a better long term solution, and comments by Rick Hayes, Surfrider Sebastian Inlet chapter chair, encouraging the Board to contemplate the wisdom levied by the Army Corps in protecting the essential fish habitat, the Board approved an option to proceed that would call for “nourish[ment of] 1.1 miles [and] truck haul remainder” purported to be the “least damaging alternative that provides sufficient beach stockpile to optimize sand quality for truck haul dunes.” Surfrider activists have worked along the entire Florida coast to prevent dredge and fill projects that would have destructive consequences for the coastal ecosystem.

Gambling Boat Pollution - Clean Ocean Act Update

Surfrider members met with city and state officials to discuss how to effectively campaign for the passing of the Clean Ocean Act, which would make the 12 gambling boats around the state pump their sewage to a shoreside treatment plant rather than dumping it three miles offshore (or they can treat it to a level equalling 'reclaimed water') With the November elections, there should be new representives on both of the committees that voted down the bill, and the decided course of action was to expand alliances to other cities with ports, and get more citizens educated on how the law would improve coastal water quality.

Oil Drilling Update

Surfrider National has put out an Action Alert (http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/florida_oilbill) to all members asking them to contact their representatives to tell them to oppose a bill going through Congress (HR 4761) that would open up both coasts to oil and natural gas exploration. The concerns are two fold. One, that the exploration and drilling would damage the environment and possible spills would wreck the beachside economies of affected communities. And two, that the expected returns would not affect our dependence on foreign oil. International oil companies are posting the biggest profits ever, while Congress is handing them even more of our nation's natural resources over to them. Other alternatives are being overlooked, like encouraging consumers to conserve energy through economic incentives and requiring higher MPG standards on new cars and trucks.

August Calendar

8/10 at 7:30 p.m.
General Meeting (snacks and drinks provided)
Satellite Beach Recreation Center
1089 S. Patrick Ave.

September Calendar

9/9
Surfrider Paddle for Clean Water
Nation-wide paddleout to support Clean Ocean Initiatives
Time and Place TBA

9/14 at 7:30 p.m.
General Meeting
Sebastian Inlet Fisherman's Museum
south side of Sebastian Inlet

9/15 - 9/17
Information Booth at Surf Expo at the Orlando Convention Center
Workshop on the Florida Open Beaches Act
volunteers needed in 2-hour shifts

Check the local Surfrider website for more events and news - www.surfrider.org/sebastianinlet

SURF EXPO in Orlando

To All,

I am in full swing for planning for Surf Expo this year. The date is Sept 15-17 at the Convention Center in Orlando. http://www.surfexpo.com/index.asp

We have a fantastic booth location and I know many of you do attend this event every year to stock up on your favorite goodies and work the guys for free stuff!!!!

So as usual we are requesting volunteers for this event on all three days. You will get free admission to the event if you help for at least 2 hours at the booth. This way everyone will get a chance to run around and check out all the gear and goodies. I would really love to have representation from all chapters if possible.

In addition Im planning a workshop at the Expo in Saturday from 3-5:30pm (a room is already reserved for us) so that we can begin to frame this year’s statewide chapter campaign for FLORIDA OPEN BEACHES ACT. I have a lobbyist from Tallahassee (used to actually by sponsored by Natural Art when he was a kid) who will be helping us with our strategy to hit our legislators hard with the importance of this bill. I have put this together at your request from our conference.  I will be willing to reserve rooms in advance at the Days Inn for those who will be participating in this workshop. Rooms are $50/night. Room Booking Link This is a really great deal and should allow us to get folks there. This is really close to the convention center. I am trying to find in my budget paying for 1 room from each chapter.

Please let me know which executive board members will be attending the workshop (and needs a room) and who will be willing to help out at the expo booth.

Ericka D'Avanzo

Regional Manager

Surfrider Foundation

PO Box 683

Jensen Beach, FL 34958

Phone: 772-225-3780

Cell: 516-643-2514

Attachments - Florida Open Beach Act Text
FOBA News Article from Jacksonville