Monday, July 23, 2012

 

Surfrider’s Perspective on Department of Parks and Recreation Surplus Funds.

On July 20, 2012 the Sacramento Bee published information about an investigation that found the Department of Parks and Recreation concealed approximately $54 million in surplus funds.  Surfrider Foundation was shocked and extremely disappointed to hear about the news; and we were dismayed that the funds were not used to help keep parks open when the State was planning to close nearly 70 parks because of a supposed lack of funds.

Surfrider recently wrote about how the parks that were slated to close will now remain open (due to local contracts with nonprofits and because the Governor and the legislature approved funds for the next fiscal year).  Read that post here

Despite the realization there are extra funds in Department of Parks and Recreation, our state park system is not out of the woods. The economic situation that led to potential closures does not go away, even with the newly discovered funds.   Surfrider Foundation will continue to work with the Save our State Parks coalition to ensure that the newly discovered funds will be directed to keeping parks open, functioning, and ensuring long term financial plans.  Continue to check this blog to stay up-to-date on the issue; and if you have questions, please email Stefanie at: Ssekich@surfrider.org  

Monday, July 9, 2012

 

June Updates

Keeping an Eye on Tsunami Debris

Tsunami Debris.  Photo NOAA
Over the last few months, our neighbors to the north witnessed the first signs of debris from the 2011 tsunami that devastated Japan.  In Washington State, a 20-foot boat washed ashore and a 66-foot pier washed up in Oregon.  Knowing it’s only matter of time before the debris makes its way down to California, Surfrider Foundation volunteers are working with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help identify potential debris and plan cleanup efforts. 

Cea Higgins, from the Sonoma Coast chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is featured in an article describing the work she is doing with NOAA to prepare and monitor for potential debris.  As Cea says…. right now it’s too early, but winter storms will bring debris to California beaches.  Read the article here



California Establishes Nation’s First Statewide Network of Marine Protected Areas. 

Photo Dana Murrary. 
On June 5th, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to adopt the final set of coastal Marine Protected Areas (MPA)-- establishing the Nation’s first complete network of MPAs.  For several years, the State of California has been working with local communities to establish MPAs through legislation that was passed in 1999.   In order to implement MPAs effectively, and with community involvement, the State was divided up into sections (north coast, south coast, central coast and north central coast).  Surfrider has been supporting the implementation of MPAs throughout the state and we are pleased to see the final section has been adopted. Here’s a great article talking about the new MPAs that stretch from Oregon to Mexico.  

(Still) Saving Trestles…

For over 10 years, Surfrider and our Coalition partners have been working to stop a toll road from running through San Onofre State Beach.  In 2008, thousands of people attended public hearings to defend Trestles and San Onofre--beating down the project!  While Trestles and San Onofre are technically safe, toll road developers (TCA) are not giving up on their plan to build the road. Surfrider routinely attends TCA’s public Board meetings to keep an eye on them.  Currently, the TCA is proposing to complete the road in 4 segments (the exact same road that was rejected by the Coastal Commission and Bush administration in 2008).  However, there are several flaws with this approach.  For starters, they don’t know where the last segment of the road will be located (considering that part of the road is highly contentious and would be near the State Park and Camp Pendleton).   Secondly, they do not have funding to complete the road, nor a comprehensive plan to fund it.  And of course, they are glossing over environmental impacts (not only for the first section of the road, but also the other sections of the road).   Read our latest blog about TCA shenanigans and what Surfrider is doing to keep the road at bay.   Rest assured, this road will not happen on our watch! 

International Surfing Day Success

Every year, Surfrider hosts International Surfing Day in June. The idea is to celebrate the sport of surfing and to give something back to the oceans, waves and beaches that give us all so much.  This year the Surfrider Foundation successfully coordinated 138 separate International Surfing Day events in 22 countries (including 90 events here in the United States).  Event activities included beach cleanups, habitat restorations, learn-to-surf clinics, movie nights and more.  Everyone at Surfrider enjoyed the day and we are celebrating the new members we added to our tribe.  If you’re not already a member (or you want to buy a membership for someone) go here.  



Hands Across the Sand


On August 4th, join hands to oppose offshore oil drilling and demand clean energy! People will be gathering on beaches around the world to draw a metaphorical and an actual line in the sand against the threats oil drilling poses to America’s coastal economies and marine environment.  You can join an already organized event, or create your own.  To find out more, go here.  






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  CA Policy Manager:
Stefanie Sekich-Quinn
ssekich@surfrider.org

Southern California Field Manager:
Nancy Hastings
nhastings@surfrider.org

Legal Director
Angela Howe
ahowe@surfrider.org


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