Friday, April 15, 2011
Brian Brennan Chosen as Coastal Commissioner
Brian Brennan was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Coastal Commission yesterday to serve as the elected representative for the South Central Coast.
Brian Brennan is currently a Ventura City Council member. Brian’s record on the Ventura City Council is also an excellent example of the knowledgeable and multi-dimensional approach that will be utilized in the Commission decision-making. In his position on the Ventura City Council, he has built consensus among competing stakeholders to allow for coastal access to complement development. His experience as a business owner in coastal communities gives him a unique perspective on the use and protection of the coast in a responsible, sustainable manner. Most importantly, Brian was a founding member of the Ventura County Surfrider Chapter. He has been a champion of the coast for many years.
Read more about the appointment here.
Brian Brennan is currently a Ventura City Council member. Brian’s record on the Ventura City Council is also an excellent example of the knowledgeable and multi-dimensional approach that will be utilized in the Commission decision-making. In his position on the Ventura City Council, he has built consensus among competing stakeholders to allow for coastal access to complement development. His experience as a business owner in coastal communities gives him a unique perspective on the use and protection of the coast in a responsible, sustainable manner. Most importantly, Brian was a founding member of the Ventura County Surfrider Chapter. He has been a champion of the coast for many years.
Read more about the appointment here.
Labels: CCC appointments
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ocean Day in Sacramento and Movement for SB 568 Polystyrene Ban
On April 4, 2011, over 60 individuals from 30 environmental groups around the state descended on the Capitol for the 4th annual "Ocean Day", in order to educate state legislators and their staff about the important ocean issues of the year. The agenda included advocacy for plastic pollution and water quality issues, marine protected areas, and sustainable marine ecosystems and fisheries. Surfrider Foundation had eight representatives from our network and staff present to help with the lobby day, including Humboldt Chapter's Jen Savage, Monterey Chapter's Tony Tersol and Central Coast Manager Sarah Damron pictured below.
Also, on April 4th, Ocean Advocates were able to express their support for SB 568, a bill to prohibit polystyrene take out ware in restaurants throughout the state. Polystyrene foam particles have been found as a leading component of beach and marine litter. In addition to harming marine life, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and sea birds every year, reports have linked polystyrene to threatening human health by leaching toxins into our food chain. In order to address this problem, already 47 local jurisdictions have banned polystyrene food containers in California. Yesterday, the Senate Environmental Quality Committee heard this bill and passed it on to the Senate Floor by a vote of 5 to 2.
Labels: Ocean Day, ocean litter, polystyrene
