Wednesday, July 9, 2014
First Quarterly Update 2014
Welcome to our first 2014 newsletter.
Our Chapters hit the ground running this year and we are excited
about recent victories. Before we jump into our update, we need your help. Please take 2 minutes to send an action alert to the Coastal Commission asking them to deny a mega-resort in Monterey Bay. This project does not belong on a sensitive habitat area that is subject to erosion and sea level rise. To read more about Surfrider’s concerns view a recent letter we submitted. And please send a message to the Commission here.
about recent victories. Before we jump into our update, we need your help. Please take 2 minutes to send an action alert to the Coastal Commission asking them to deny a mega-resort in Monterey Bay. This project does not belong on a sensitive habitat area that is subject to erosion and sea level rise. To read more about Surfrider’s concerns view a recent letter we submitted. And please send a message to the Commission here.
Pack it Up…Pack it In…
Our South Bay Chapter has been working full steam on banning plastics that foul our beaches. Last month, all the Chapter’s hard work paid off when the Manhattan Beach City Council voted to prohibit restaurants from distributing single-use carry-out plastic bags and to extend its ban on polystyrene products to include utensils, straws, cup lids and foam coolers. Check out the story and a great quote from out Chapter Chair.
Take Down that Gate Mr. Khosla.
Martin's Beach, south of Half Moon Bay, has been loved over generations by local families and tourists who have spent countless hours there. That came to an end in recent years once billionaire venture capitalist, Vinod Khosla, purchased the property adjacent.jpg)
to the beach and decided to keep the public out. In addition to the initial action of blocking public access, he cloaked his identity as the property owner, refused requests to meet and discuss the matter, hired security to patrol the property and ward off beach goers, and sought a restraining order to keep the public from the beach. Send a letter to Mr. Khosla asking for his cooperation. Surfrider is also supporting legislation that will help resolve this matter.
to the beach and decided to keep the public out. In addition to the initial action of blocking public access, he cloaked his identity as the property owner, refused requests to meet and discuss the matter, hired security to patrol the property and ward off beach goers, and sought a restraining order to keep the public from the beach. Send a letter to Mr. Khosla asking for his cooperation. Surfrider is also supporting legislation that will help resolve this matter.
What the Frack?
As we mentioned in a recent quarterly update, fracking has been occurring off California’s coastline with little to no oversight. Surfrider and partners wrote a brief report outlining how we think the State ought to be regulating offshore fracking. Check out this piece from the Huffington Post that explains what Surfrider is asking for.
Helps Us Understand How Sea Level Rise Will Affect Surfing
The ocean is changing. Waves are changing. Surfers are on the frontlines of these changes. Who better to help document, explain, and predict these changes than surfers – no one else watches the ocean as carefully as we do! This is what science4surfing is all about. Giving surfers the opportunity to contribute their wave knowledge will improve our understanding of the threats facing the ocean, coasts, and waves. With this knowledge, we can better protect what we all share and love. Help by taking the survey here.
7th Annual Ocean Lobby Day a Success.
Surfrider, along with several statewide organizations, plans an annual “Ocean Day” where advocates hit the Capitol to s
peak with decision makers. This year was particularly exciting for Surfrider because 25% of our Chapter leadership attended the lobby day. In all, over 70 activists from various organizations visited 100 Senate and Assembly offices to discuss: climate change and sea level rise planning; ocean ecosystem protection; plastic pollution solutions; and various pieces of legislation that will help protect our ocean and coastline. Legendary author David Helvarg wrote a great piece for National Geographic highlighting the day. Photo of Speaker Perez Meeting with Coastal Advocates
peak with decision makers. This year was particularly exciting for Surfrider because 25% of our Chapter leadership attended the lobby day. In all, over 70 activists from various organizations visited 100 Senate and Assembly offices to discuss: climate change and sea level rise planning; ocean ecosystem protection; plastic pollution solutions; and various pieces of legislation that will help protect our ocean and coastline. Legendary author David Helvarg wrote a great piece for National Geographic highlighting the day. Photo of Speaker Perez Meeting with Coastal Advocates 
