Thursday, December 19, 2013
2013 Fourth Quarter Update
As 2013 winds down, Surfrider California Chapters have a lot
to be proud about. They scored many
victories to protect California’s 1,100 miles of coastline—and their success
wouldn’t be possible without your support.
Thank you for engaging with the Surfrider Foundation to protect our
oceans, waves and beaches.
Enjoy this statewide update and have a wonderful holiday
season!
Sea Level Rise on
The Rise
Surfrider views Sea Level Rise as one the biggest challenges
California will face in the coming decades.
A recent report by National Research Council estimates that sea levels
could rise two feet in many parts of the state by 2050. Super-Storm Sandy
offered a window into what we can expect from climate change. Given accelerating Sea Level Rise and the increase in
sever storms, we can no longer overlook climate change connections along our
coast.
Fortunately
the Coastal Commission released a draft Sea Level Rise guidance document to work with local
municipalities and planning agencies to implement strategies that can protect
coastal resources and communities. Surfirder and our colleagues attended the
Commission hearing to discuss the document.
Read comments made by Commissioners during the hearing.
Today in State History
It has been one year since California
established a network of marine protected areas (MPAs). On this one-year anniversary, it’s time to
reflect on this milestone and celebrate California being the only state in the
nation with a complete system of MPAs. Studies
show MPAs improve ocean health and resiliency.
But did you know MPAs are also considered some of the best places to
surf? Check out this recent article
about surfing in MPAs and click to here to see a new video produced by our
friends at the Ocean Conservancy. Happy
Birthday, California MPAs!
Think Coastal
Act Local
With a Grain of
Salt
After nearly ten years of the Surfrider Foundation and local
residents raising concerns about plans to build a seawater desalination facility
in Huntington Beach, the Coastal Commission reviewed the project and sent it
back for improvements. The Commission made it clear to Poseidon that new
facilities must be designed with modern technology to avoid impacts to marine
life and water quality whenever feasible. Here is a great article about the
hearing.
Keep Informed and Help!
We’re committed to keeping you up to date on California's coastal issues. We send an email every quarter with important statewide policy issues and high profile campaigns. The idea is to provide our supporters with more substantive content. Please consider actively supporting Surfrider’s work by becoming a member or making a donation
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sea Level Rise Planning.
Sea Level Rise (SLR) will inevitably impact coastal resources. Surfrider Foundation is striving to better understand exactly how climate change will alter our coast and what we can do to mitigate harm to nearshore ecosystems, public access and recreation.
Fortunately the Coastal Commission is also taking climate change seriously and has recently released a SLR Guidance document. This document will help local municipalities and planning agencies implement policy changes that will not only protect coastal resources, but will also safeguard California's pocket book by implementing long-term, comprehensive land management.
The Commission is taking comments from the public on their document. We strongly encourage people to get involved. Surfrider will be submitting a formal comment letter on the document and will be presenting testimony at the December hearing. If you want to better understand the issue, read the document and sign up for a webinar the CCC is hosting.
We will keep you updated as the process unfolds.
