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

Surfrider recently joined forces with other coastal advocates to launch ActCoastal—the California Coast Accountably Project.  ActCoastal will empower millions of Californians who support coastal protection to engage effectively with the California Coastal Commission and have a voice in important decisions that matter to them and to the future of the state.   The campaign will monitor and report on recent and pending actions before the Coastal Commission and will publish a monthly scorecard as well and an annual vote chart.  Check out our new website

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.

Climate change is now a reality--but what does that mean for our coasts?   One only needs to harken back to "Super Storm Sandy' to see how larger, and more powerful storms, wreck havoc on coastal resources.  But how will incremental changes unfold?

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.











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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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