Volunteer Water Monitors Recognized by Seagrant. Posted Sunday, June 28, 2009
West Coast Sea Grant Regional Research Report Recognizes Volunteers.
In the fall of 2007, a workshop at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) was held, at which time thoughts on the pressing research and information needs for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem were presented. Included in this report are recommendations and acknowledgements of the contributions that volunteers have made to this important West Coast Regional Research and Information Needs Report.
For example, this report states in part;
“Engagement of citizen volunteers in scientific monitoring of ocean and coastal health is one approach that has led to meaningful stewardship. Organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation, local Waterkeepers, Reef Check, the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, and Marine Resources Committees of the Northwest Straits Commission have demonstrated the value of this approach. Citizen-science also serves to meet the critical need for widespread
monitoring of threats to ocean health.
Also stated in this report;
“The Environmental Protection Agency supports a nationwide volunteer monitoring program that is a coordinated effort to train volunteers to build awareness of water-quality problems and increase the
amount of water-quality information available to decision makers at all levels of government.”
We are truly grateful of the help, advice and support that our Chapter received from the staff at the EPA, California Sea Grant, the Southern California Coastal Research Project (SCCWRP), Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI) and to the other members of Citizen Watershed Monitors of Orange County (CWMOC) that participated in, or contributed to this West Coast Regional Research and Information Needs Report.
For information regarding stakeholder comments;
http://www.seagrant.oregonstate.edu/research/RegionalPlanning
The final report and all stakeholders input are available for download at:
http://www.usc.edu/org/seagrant/RegionalPlan.html
Don Schulz
Local Beaches Placed on EPA’s List of Impaired Water Bodies. Posted Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Every two years, the State of California is required by section
303(d) of the federal Clean Water Action (CWA) to develop and submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for approval a list of “water quality limited segments”, waters where applicable water quality standards (which include beneficial uses and water quality objectives) are not being attained or are not expected to be attained with the implementation of technology-based controls.
The Listing Policy requires that all waters that do not meet water quality standards be placed on the CWA section 303(d) list of water quality limited segments, in one of two categories: (1) waters still requiring a TMDL; and (2) waters where the water quality limited segment is being addressed.
Water Bodies Still Requiring a TMDL by 2019:
Anaheim Bay (Dieldrin, Nickel, PCB’s)Source Unknown.
Balboa Beach (DDT, Dieldrin, PCB’s) Source Unknown.
Bolsa Chica State Beach (Copper, Nickel) Source Unknown.
Huntington Beach State Park (enterococcus PCB's) Source Unknown.
Huntington Harbour (Chlordane, Copper, Lead, pathogens, PCB’s) Source Unknown.
Newport Bay (Chlordane, Copper, DDT, PCB’s)Source Unknown.
Seal Beach(Enterococcus,PCB’s)Source Unknown.
Proposed Additions to the 303(d) List – 305(b) Category 5 Water Bodies And Proposed TMDL Schedule:
Newport Beach- Body Contact Recreation (Enterococcus) TMDL required by 2021.
Seal Beach- Body Contact Recreation (Enterococcus) TMDL required by 2021
Proposed Additions to List of Impaired Water Bodies
Where no TMDL Required:
Newport Bay- Body Contact Recreation (Pathogen Indicators)
In addition to these State Parks, Harbors, beaches and bays, the list also includes a number of rivers, creeks, and streams that serve as tributaries to our watershed beaches that also fail to meet SARWQCB beneficial uses and water quality objectives.
REF: Region 8 303d listings
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/santaana/board_info/agendas/2009/01_23/01-23-2009_item_11.pdf
The Listing Policy and the Final Functional Equivalent Document
(FED) (SWRCB, 2004) that was developed to support the provisions of the Listing Policy can be viewed at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/tmdl/303d_listing.shtml.
Factsheets with the respective supporting information are not attached to this report but can be obtained from the Regional Water Board website at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/santaana/2008_integrated_report.
Don Schulz
Wine Cork Recycling Posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Any and all wine corks! They are not recyclable and are going into our landfills at an exponential rate. So please create a zip lock or jar and start saving them.
Then bring them with you next time your at River's End Cafe. You know, the place at the end of First Street, down there right on the sand.
Once enough are collected they well be taken to
http://www.terracycle.net
Where they well be recycled.
Thanks for the help
Huntington/Seal Beach Surfrider Ohana Day Posted Sunday, May 10, 2009
Huntington/Seal Beach Surfrider Ohana Day a great event!
The Surfrider Foundation hosted a community beach party in Seal Beach Sunday, April 19th. An early celebration of Earth Day that brought families down to enjoy a day on the sand.
The gathering was just one of many held along the coast that weekend, and there will be more beach clean-ups to celebrate Earth Day.
Early in the morning, lifeguards did a mock rescue to show beachgoers how they rescue people who get stuck in a rip current.
Mike Burney and his daughter Rachel, 8, watched from the sand.
“A lot of our kids in California spend days at the beach … whether they do ocean safety or not, it’s good to know they are safe,” Mike Burney said.
A sting ray exhibit was set up for people to observe - and even pet - with rays that were caught off shore in Seal Beach. Lifeguards here treat about 1/3 of the nation’s report of sting ray injuries. Cal State Long Beach experts were on hand to answer questions. They estimate that anywhere from 16,000 to 40,000 sting rays can be found in Seal Beach.
Throughout the day, booths were set up, Surfrider hosted a raffle, and beachgoers picked up trash. Free surf lessons were given by M & M Surf School.
Michael Uraine watched from the sand and cheered as his three daughters caught waves.
“I love it. It’s good for them to be able to come out here and try this,” he said. “And it’s a good excuse to get out of the house and away from yard work.”
REF: www.orangecounty.com
2009 National Beach Conference in Huntington Beach Posted Monday, April 13, 2009
2009 National Beach Conference
The 2009 National Beach Conference will be held April 20-22 in Huntington Beach, California. This 3-day conference, "Riding the Wave of Emerging Science," is sponsored by EPA's Office of Water and will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world to discuss water quality at beaches. It will provide a national framework for discussion of beach water quality issues, exchange of information, and coordination of efforts in research and decision-making. The conference format will consist of presentations, panel discussions, and a debate between prestigious universities. World-class waterman and big wave surfer, Laird Hamilton, will be one of the keynote speakers.
Registration is open to all and attending the conference is free. For more information, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/meetings/2009/ .We look forward to seeing you there!
Action Alert Posted Monday, March 16, 2009
Attention Chapter Leaders,
Below you will see an Action Alert posted on Surfrider Foundation's ACTIVISTS listserv by Chad Nelsen today. Additional information has been posted on Surfrider Foundation's "Not The Answer" Blog on Oil Drilling here: http://oilonthebeach.blogspot.com/2009/03/oil-drilling-here-there-everywhere.html
Please share this action alert and information with your members on your Chapter website, MySpace / Facebook pages, and to your e-mail lists.
Thank you!
Nancy
Bolsa Chica State Beach Cleanup. Posted Sunday, March 1, 2009
RECORD BREAKING BEACH CLEAN-UP
Over 144 volunteers showed up to the Beach Clean Up on Saturday, February 14, 2009. Debris was collected from the beach near Tower 21 at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Volunteers picked up plastic, Styrofoam, paper, bits of metal and wood. Many of the volunteers were high school and college students, but there were also families, and even a few surfers who lent a hand before going out for a morning session. Thanks for everyone's hard work!
Next Beach Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, March 14. Bolsa Chica State Beach, Tower 21, 8am-noon.
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