Action Alert: Help Prevent Pollution at Malibu’s Surfrider Beach
Up the road from Patagonia HQ, the fight to ban septic tanks at Rincon is making good progress. A similar shift is now being proposed for Rincon's southerly sister, Surfrider Beach in Malibu. The Malibu Surfing Association is one of many groups working on this issue and they're asking for your help. Take action: Help prevent pollution at Malibu's famous Surfrider Beach. Sign the online petition, and if you live in Los Angeles County, attend the public hearing on November 5th in downtown LA. Read on for more from Michael Blum, President of the Malibu Surfing Association…
As you know, Surfrider Beach is one of the state's most polluted beaches and certainly its most polluted surfing beach. A double shame given the iconic, even transcendent status Malibu holds in the history of our sport as well as popular culture.
For the past couple of years, our surfing club (MSA) has been working with a coalition of groups (Surfrider Foundation West LA/Malibu Chapter, Heal the Bay, and Santa Monica Baykeeper) to urge the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) to take action on poor water quality at Surfrider. The RWQCB is important here as they are the 'buck stops here' agency mandated to protect resources like Surfrider Beach with respect to water quality.
I'm proud to say RWQCB has responded and has proposed a prohibition on septic tanks in the area surrounding Surfrider Beach. I'm not a flashy or hyperbolic type … I truly believe this is the once-in-a-generation opportunity to address summer weather water quality at Surfrider. And, by extension, preserve one of California's important surfing beaches.
The RWQCB is scheduled to hold a public hearing on this proposal Thursday, November 5th in downtown LA. As with other public hearings (e.g., Trestles Toll Road) turnout and engagement is important and makes a difference.
Simply, our coalition needs help — your help — to reach the larger surfing community and get the word out about the hearing and our online petition.
Thanks for your consideration.
Regards,
Michael
President, Malibu Surfing Association
TAKE ACTION: CLEAN WATER AT MALIBU
2) Spread the word on Facebook
4) Attend the public hearing on Nov. 5
[Sharing this graphic is an easy way to spread the word. Thank you for helping.]
