Last week more than 180 students, surfers, local business leaders, scientists, and passionate coastal stewards from 28 states and territories met with their representatives in congress as part of Surfrider’s 10th Coastal Recreation Hill Day. Although Surfrider’s network of 250 chapters and student clubs actively works on federal policies year round to protect our coast and ocean, this event marks a pivotal moment in the organization’s national level advocacy efforts.
Over the past decade, Coastal Recreation Hill Day has provided the opportunity for more than 1,300 Surfrider volunteers, staff, and partners to speak up to their representatives in Washington D.C. about issues that affect our ability to access and enjoy healthy coastlines. Not only does the event provide an important opportunity for constituents to meet with their leaders in congress, it also helps hone their skills as ocean advocates while building relationships within Surfrider’s network and D.C. offices.
This year, Coastal Rec Hill Day focused on three key issues: 1) underfunded programs for monitoring water quality on our beaches; 2) divestment in coastal adaptation and climate readiness; and 3) the threat of new offshore oil drilling. These issues present urgent threats to our coasts, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, the Atlantic to the Pacific. During Hill Day, we had the opportunity to influence policy solutions at a critical moment in the federal government’s planning for 2027.
Water Quality Monitoring on Our Beaches
As we have for the last 20 years, Hill Day participants advocated for robust funding for the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act, or BEACH Act, grants program. This Environmental Protection Agency program provides funding for states to monitor water quality and provide the public with the information it needs to stay safe when swimming, surfing, and playing at our local beaches.The program has been chronically underfunded for the last 20 years, causing gaps in state and local water quality testing programs and leaving beachgoers unknowingly at risk of exposure to contaminated water.
This year we asked congress to support more than $17 million for the program in next year’s budget and to make some much needed changes to how and where water quality is monitored. These requests significantly increase funding for the program and allow states to identify local sources of pollution to restore clean water. The ask was met with bipartisan support demonstrating that all Americans agree on the right to recreate safely at our beaches.
Protect NOAA Funding
President Trump’s budget proposal for 2027 directly targets National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs that are critical for the protection of our coasts and communities. It includes a 20% reduction in funding for the management of coastal and ocean resources, weather monitoring, climate research, and habitat protection. During Hill Day, Surfrider asked for investment, not divestment, in these programs. We advocated for increased funding for coastal zone management, the National Sea Grant College Program, National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and other critical programs. Like clean water, all parties should agree that our shorelines and coastal communities must be protected against storms, erosion, sea level rise, and the loss of habitat and wildlife.
No New Drilling
Lastly, we asked our representatives in congress to stop the threat of new offshore drilling in U.S. federal waters. As the Trump Administration proposes new offshore drilling for California, the Gulf, and Alaska, it is critical that coastal users, businesses, and leaders speak up against this plan. A 2024 poll showed that more than 60% of American voters oppose new offshore drilling despite claims by the federal government that we need more drilling in order to achieve energy independence. In fact, the United States has been the largest producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and a total net exporter of oil since 2020.
Surfrider’s Hill Day delegations advocated for bills to stop new offshore drilling in Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Arctic federal waters while informing offices of the upcoming release of a final five-year drilling plan. The event came at a critical moment when our congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle have the opportunity to weigh in on this plan.
This year, Surfrider met with Congress in person and virtually, allowing volunteers and students from all U.S. coasts to participate.
Once again, Surfrider’s Coastal Recreation Hill Day for 2026 was a major success, mobilizing a vast network of ocean users from all U.S. coastline to advocate for critical and urgent issues. If you couldn’t join us this year you can still make your voice heard. Click here to take action today and protect our ocean, waves, and beaches.