Desal Update // Huntington Beach
Over 150 people rallied in Huntington Beach on October 19 to urge the State Lands Commission to #SayNoToPoseidon and their billion-dollar boondoggle desalination plant. SCPR covered the event.
Unfortunately, the State Lands Commission opted to endorse this terrible project, unanimously voting to approve the environmental report and lease amendments. We're extremely disappointed Commissioners opted not to listen to the legal arguments why more review is needed and to the hundreds of community members who don't want their water privatized and their ocean harmed. Here's a recap of the hearing in the LA Times.
“We don’t need desalination, and we don’t want Poseidon. Orange County has already taken steps to guarantee long-term water security. We have a water recycling plant that produces twice the water for a fraction of the cost, and are expanding it now,” said Garry Brown, Executive Director, Orange County Coastkeeper. - Voice of OC
Here's a recap of the State Lands Commission meeting and why Surfrider is fighting against Poseidon's proposed desal plant.
Legal Update // Martin's Beach
BREAKING: CA Supreme Court declines Martins Beach appeal. Surfrider for the win – AGAIN. "We are encouraged that courts have agreed with Surfrider’s case unanimously, which ultimately aims to re-open access to this treasured community beach.” – Angela Howe, Surfrider Foundation’s legal director. Read the most recent update in Court House News!
In other news, Governor Brown unfortunately vetoed SB 42. We are extremely disappointed. SB 42 was broadly supported and could have sped up the battle for access as Martins Beach. Californians deserve better than a veto.
Science Update // Sea Level Rise
"On the other hand, if the world limits global warming to the Paris climate agreement emissions target, the study finds that sea level rise might be held as low as 1.7 feet by 2100, on average..." Read about the most recent science on sea level rise in the Washington Post.
Plastics Update // #NoStrawNovember
If you haven't forgone the plastic straw yet, consider a #NoStrawNovember test run! Check it out.
Activist Spotlight // Joel Cesare
Have you met Joel? We're glad to have him on our side! Here's why.
Campaign Update // No Border Sewage
Pleased to see momentum on this ongoing, extremely serious water quality problem in San Diego County. More info in the SD-UT.
Campaign Update // SONGS Nuclear Waste
The October Coastal Commission was held in Chula Vista and featured an update on the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station decommissioning and spent fuel storage process. Many local activists testified to voice their concerns about safety. "After listening for two hours from people living in the shadow of the now-shuttered nuclear facility, commissioners made plans to urge federal authorities to find a solution to the country’s growing stockpile of spent nuclear fuel." Read the full summary in the SD-UT.
Also, Surfer Magazine published an excellent summary of the San Onofre nuclear waste issue.
News Update // Puente Power Plant
Ventura County Star on the recent rejection of a new coastal power plant: "We have long argued against building coastal power plants, in Oxnard or anywhere else in the state, especially when there are better, inland sites available. The California Coastal Act of 1976 aims to protect our coastal resources, and we don’t think industrial operations are conducive to that." Check out this huge victory for the coast!