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It was over six months ago that 100+ activists filled the Metropolitan Water District in Downtown Los Angeles to demand clean water at world-famous Surfrider Beach. They came seeking a solution, unified by a passion to preserve this place and a concern for its chronic water quality problem.
The result? Following 8 long hours of testimony from these activists as well as city officials, scientists, and others, the Los Angeles Regional Water Board took historic measures to protect water quality in Malibu: amending their master plan (Basin Plan) to prohibit and phase out septic tanks in the city’s Civic Center Area. Commercial properties will comply by 2015, and residential properties by 2019.
What comes next? Making this change a reality requires some more love from the surf community. The Regional Board’s Basin Plan amendment must be reviewed and approved by the State Water Board in Sacramento. Since the November 2009 hearing, the Regional Board has finalized their amendment and has sent their findings, and other supporting materials, to the State Board. State Board Staff have started their review with and will schedule a date for a presentation to the full State Board.
We continue to be in touch with State Board staff and monitor their progress. Surfrider WLAM, along with our partners Heal the Bay, Santa Monica Baykeeper, and the Malibu Surfing Association, will keep working to ensure that we get Clean Water at the Bu.
Malibu city officials filed a formal request April 7th, asking the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to reconsider and amend its Nov. 5 decision prohibiting septic systems in the Civic Center over the next five to nine years. On May 4th, the board respectfully declined, asking the City of Malibu to ” Please notify us when there is new information and details about the City’s plan to adress the underlying issues”.
April 14th, the Malibu City Council election occured, bringing on new Board Members Lou La Monte and Laura Rosenthal. The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters commented that ”Rosenthal represents new leadership for the City of Malibu, and will make cleaning up Malibu ’s water the priority it needs to be.”
Save the Waves Coalition, a global non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the coastal environment, is considering adding Surfider Beach to their their World Surfing Reserves program.
Save the Waves Coalition article
Surfing Mag article
World Surfing Reserves describes their program as “An initiative designed to enshrine and protect the world’s greatest surfspots: the most sacred, cherished, environmentally rich and culturally significant areas. The program pro-actively designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments,around the world. It serves as a global model for preserving wavebreaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing the positive environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits of waves.”
The designation as a WSR is not legally defined and provides no additional level of protection or enforcement. Rather, it is an honorpresented to a select group of surf breaks (only 6 in CA) for theirimportance to the sport.
According to Surfer’s Village, ” Several surf areas in Australia, California, and Hawaii have been proposed for enshrinement as initial WSRs. These were selected from over 125 iconic beaches nominated from 34 countries. The nominations include sites like North Narrabeen and Manly Beach in Australia, Malibu and Santa Cruz in California, and Waikiki and Oahu’s North Shore in Hawaii, in addition to many others around the world.
Beyond its cultural and aesthetic significance, each WSR is a meeting of land and sea selected for the unique and salutary nature of its waves and natural setting. The dedication of each WSR seeks the protection of this coastal zone of waves and habitat from wanton destruction and exploitation – through no other mechanism but the positive force of appreciation and valuation.”
Kelly Slater and Yvon Chouinard have lent their support to this initiative. Chouinard commented “Why not have surf breaks, famous, great breaks like Jeffrey’s Bay, Rincon and Malibu as [UNESCO] World Heritage Sites so that the whole world sees their value and wants to protect them?
 Photo C. Porter
Malibu Magazine recently published a two-part story called “The Politics of Sewage”, a thoughtful history of the pollution situash at Malibu/ Surfrider. Writer Sonja Magdevski rolls through Malibu development and sewage issues since it’s original incarnation as a Spanish land grant in 1805. Read more malibu history
Magdevski interviews people from every perspective and gathers great detail and insight on this complex issue. She asks the question “Do sewers today mean over development?”, and points out that it may not “because of checks and balances provided by local zoning ordinances, which are the strictest in the State of California, Malibus’ own Local Coastal Plan, and the General Plan-including the city’s mission statement”. You can find the article in the January issue on newstands only.
Publisher Jason Rouse took a personal interest in the story, mentioning in his intro comments “Why, you ask, would I continue to subject myself to the risks associated with surfing in polluted water? Simply for the love of it.” My reasons for working on this issue are similar~I am a girl of loyal habits, and Surfrider is the wave I love. I am debating whether I should surf despite F water ratings this week. Think I should?
The State Water Quality Board is due to review the LA boards ban on septics in the next few weeks~
Check for the yet to be announced date: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/calendar/index.shtml#2010
The Malibu City Council decided to organize a trip to learn more about a type of wastewater treatment plant located in Victorville, which could potentially offer a less expensive way to build a sewer system in Malibu. Manufactured by MicroMedia Filtration Inc., this system can be installed on one-tenth of the footprint for about one-half to one-third the cost of a conventional sewer, while also boasting benefits of consuming less the one-fifth the electricity and converting some of the waste into usable energy.
Thursday, November 5th was a beautiful day. LA Times headlines that afternoon read “Hundreds Pack Hearings on Malibu Septic tanks” About 160 people attended Thursday’s hearing to show their support for Clean Water at Malibu. Our chapter was in effect at the hearing and handed over around 1,150 petition signatures.
There was point that Regional Board had so many comment cards they stressed out a little-concerned that we’d be there till midnight hearing everyones opinion. But then the Board’s Vice Chair Frances Spivy Weber counted through the ones that were non-speaker cards. She held up 135 cards for supporters, and a meager 5-10 opposed to the prohibition. Tom Nefcy from MSA waved his support card from the back and she smiled saying “Make that one thirty six”.
In the end they had enough time to make a decision, in part because we limited our speakers. They voted 5-2 to ban any new septic systems in central and eastern Malibu, and existing systems will have to stop wastewater discharges -residential by the year 2019, and commercial by 2015.
TIn a KPCC interview, Tracy Egoscue, the executive director of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, says Malibu’s past is one of the best reasons to take action in the present. Egoscue says it’s the third time the regional water board has considered dramatic action. “The City of Malibu has been under a memorandum to clean things up,” she points out. “They have resisted this effort from the beginning and, they have failed to do what they have promised to do, so obviously what we’ve been doing isn’t working and we have to do something more.”
  
It was a once in a lifetime experience to be part of this victory for Malibu, and to see our community come together for this historic win at Surfrider Beach. The boards decision provides enforceable deadines for the cleanup of septics polluting Surfrider, and we look forward to a comprehensive wastewater plan for the Civic Centers’ wastewater needs-to meet the generous deadlines set out in the prohibition.
We had incredible support this year from the dedicated volunteers, and our coalition with Malibu Surf Association, Santa Monica Baykeepers, and Heal the Bay is a strong voice for clean water in Los Angeles-one that will continue make it’s mark and improve water quality in LA in the coming years.
Surfrider Foundation was founded to protect this wave, and we are honored to have inherited the work of decades of volunteers for a win at Malibu. This win can encourage us all to keep the faith in our work on complex, long lasting fights for our right to clean water. We can improve the environment in this pocket of coast against all odds. This is our day to know that for sure.
Thank you for your support for Clean Water at the Bu!!!
VICTORY Press links:
surfline
latimes
msa testifies
KPCC
 
Aussie surfer/photographer Dane Peterson recently showed his support for Clean Water at the Bu. We love to have support from the artists, shapers, and surf heros that turn up every summer at the Bu.
I love this classic photo of Bindy Baggs, recently the cover of Surfers Journal. Check out more of Dane Petersons’ lush photography
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpimagery/
Join our new Facebook cause and find out how you can support as well:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/335579
Sign the petition at: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/cleanwateratthebu_06_09
 Joel Tudor, Malibu Carl, and CJ Nelson show support for the campaign-we’ve been getting tons of support talking to everyone this summer about ending the F ratings at Surfrider beach. Joel’s delicious boards: www.kookboxx.com
Kassia Meador supports our efforts to get clean water at Malibu.
Our task force volunteers are out in full force this summer, spreading the word about recent victories for Clean Water at the Bu. LA County’s powerful Regional Water Quality Control Board has heard the public’s voice, and has stepped in to make a wastewater plan for the area surrounding the beach!
Surf was small at Call to the Wall this Saturday, but there was an epic swell of support for Clean Water at the Bu. It was amazing to get support from several generations of surfers. Thanks a ton to the chapter volunteers that helped, and to everyone there for supporting. It was cool to see everyone slap a sticker on their van.
 
 
Late May is the time of year Heal the Bay releases their annual Beach Report Card. Again this year, the Bu (Surfrider Beach) gets an F for high levels of water pollution. In fact, out of the 23 beaches that got F’s, Surfrider Beach was the 8th dirtiest. We really can do better than ”exceptionally nasty” for this lovely wave.
In a year when 91% of California beaches recieved a A-B, we are still hurting surfing the Bu. Why is this? We need a smart, forward thinking plan for stormwater and wastewater treatment for the lower Malibu watershed. We are still waiting for a wastewater plan from the City of Malibu.
I want to surf the Bu and not have worry about kids playing in the lagoon breach-I’m always walking by wondering if their parents know how gross that water is. This problem is old, and it’s foul. Too gross to mention, but to important to ignore. According to Heal the Bay, “high bacteria counts at these (top ten) sites are linked to such potential illnesses as stomach flu, ear infections and major skin rashes.” Barf!
You can help by signing our petition, or by writing a letter to LA’s Regional Water Quality Control Board asking for a comprehesive wastewater and stormwater solution for Malibu Creek Lower Watershed. The board members like to hear from you on issues that affect your health-let them know that F grades are unacceptable at the Bu!
Los Angeles Regional Quality Control Board
310 West Forth Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles CA 90013
What role does the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Play?
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) protects ground and surface water quality in the Los Angeles Region, including the coastal watersheds of Los Angeles. It operates as part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CAL/EPA), and has the power to permit and regulate wastewater projects in Malibu. In April 2009, the board identified 39 Malibu businesses and public facilities are violating water quality standards, and issued notices of violation to them. In addition, the RWQCB has instructed their staff to create a plan for wastewater treatment in the area of Surfrider Beach by November of this year. www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/
Photo courtesy of Malibu Surf Association.
 Memorial Day is always such a sweet time of year-the water starts to hit 60 degrees, extra long weekend, summer fever kicks in. This year it’s extra sweet, because SCCRWP scientists will be starting an amazing new study-to find out what’s really going on with water quality at the Bu.
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project www.sccwrp.org/bu represents the colaboration of many enviro labs and researchers and they’re about to focus their joint powers directly on the Bu. Yes!!
SCCWRP was formed in 1969, and since then has been busy developing better water quality monitoring methods, looping water quality testing groups together to share info. Their goal this summer is to correlate human sickness with water quality data.
 Our task force members spoke to SCCWRP recently- and they shared their plans with us:
SCCRWP will test the 3 locations that LA county currently samples at Surfrider Beach. There will be three arms of the SCCWRP project:
1. SCCRWP will conduct the same tests the county is already doing, to see if they are working.
2. SCCRWP will collect samples for Enterococcus, Fecal Coliform, and Total Coliform, and analyzes them with DNA fingerprinting technology. The 3 terms are bacterial indicators that could explain some swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness. The DNA tests can have results within two hours-much quicker than the county’s current methods.
3. SCCRWP will collect water samples and analyze them for different types of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that may affect human health. They’ll be looking in particular for Bacteroides found in the human digestive system, and risk to humans from animal sources.
Additionally, swimmers will be interviewed and tracked two weeks after their exposure to the water at the Bu. UC Berkely will be interviewing people at the Bu throughout the summer to see how the water sampling results and people’s wellness may correlate.
The project will begin on Memorial Day and last through Labor Day.
Read more here: www.sccwrp.org/bu
All photos courtesy of SCCWRP. Cheers!!!
 I spent the day at the Malibu Pier today, talking with people about how to get clean water at the Bu. It’s amazing that this world famous wave failed to meet clean water standards 74 times during the dry season last year. Hundereds of people showed their support for our campaign by signing our petiton requesting a wastewater treatment solution for the areas surrounding Surfrider Beach.
You can support too by signing the petition linked below. LA’s Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) likes to hear from the public, and we want to let them know that there is public support for wastewater solutions in Malibu.
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/cleanwateratthebu
I am very pleased to report that LA’s Regional Water Quality Control Board is taking action to stem the flow from area septics into our beloved wave. They have identified 39 Malibu businesses and public facilities are violating water quality standards, and issued notices of violation to them. In addition, the board has instructed their staff to create a plan for wastewater treatment in the area of Surfrider Beach by November of this year.
According to the LA Times,
“The Malibu Country Mart, Malibu Colony Plaza, Cross Creek Plaza and Serra Retreat Center were among more than three dozen businesses and public facilities cited Friday by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board for a variety of alleged violations related to water quality.
The board said notices of violation and orders to comply were sent after its staff began finding trouble spots while researching whether to prohibit septic tanks in the Civic Center area. In November, the board directed its staff to propose such a prohibition to protect water quality in that area, which contains many old septic systems that the board says leach sewage into Malibu Creek and Lagoon and the ocean.”-April 24th
In a KPFK interview friday, RWQB Executive Officer Tracy Egoscue explained
“We took a map, we looked at the county records. We saw who has building out there, we found commercial establishments that have no permit, and then we actually looked at monitoring reports and saw that there were chronic and really bad exceedances of not only permit requirements but water quality standards.” -April 24th
Read more here:
Regional water regulators crack down on violations in Malibu (KPCC)
http://bit.ly/e5Yfr
LA water quality board cites 38 Malibu businesses (Malibu Times)
http://bit.ly/sdjl9
Malibu businesses cited in water rules violations (SF Chron) http://bit.ly/m8atS
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