Victories
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.
West Los Angels/Malibu Chapter
The West Los Angeles/Malibu Chapter is the original chapter of Surfrider Foundation and represents approximately 31 miles of coastal environment from the Los Angeles and Ventura County line to Ballona Creek, including all inland cities.
September 2010
On Tuesday, September 21, 2010 the California State Water Board voted unanimously (5/0) to support the Regional Water Board’s prohibition of septic systems in the Malibu Civic Center area. Commercial facilities must be off septics by 2015 and residential sites must be off by 2019.
Septic systems in Malibu have long contributed to the chronic pollution problems at Malibu Creek, Lagoon, and Surfrider Beach. A central sewer system will significantly improve water quality by reducing the risk of septic systems leaching into the groundwater and contaminating the Malibu coastline with high levels of bacteria. This victory will also reduce the task of management and enforcement of on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) that are faulty or not to code, a responsibility that the City of Malibu has repeatedly failed to accomplish. Millions of people visit Surfrider Beach each year. Removing septic systems in the lower Malibu Creek Watershed will significantly reduce the health risk for all who surf/swim along this stretch of coastline.
Coalition / Partners – Malibu Surfing Association, Santa Monica Baykeeper, and Heal The Bay.
October 2008
Smoking Banned on All Beaches in Santa Monica Bay
The City of Redondo Beach passed a ban on smoking at city beaches and parks. This is the final city in all of Santa Monica Bay to do this.
This ban eliminates smoking on the beaches thus improving the health and recreational experience of all beachgoers, reduces cigarette butt litter, reduces potentially harmful effects of cigarette butts being mistaken as food by birds and marine life, reduces the risk of burn from unextinguished cigarette butts in the sand, reduces the choking hazard of butts by children playing on the beach, and improves local water quality from cigarette butts leaching toxins into the sand and
water zone.
The South Bay Chapter is part of the South Bay Coalition for Smoke-Free Beaches which includes American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Beach Cities Health District and Girls Club of LA.
July 2008
Plastic Bags Banned in Los Angeles
Surfrider’s Rise Above Plastics campaign gained another boost from Los Angeles City Council when they voted to ban plastic carryout bags in the city’s supermarkets and stores by July 2010, if the state fails to impose a 25-cent fee on plastic shopping bags. In addition, the council members voted to reduce urban blight and marine debris by banning all expanded polystyrene (EPS or Styrofoam) food service products from City-owned facilities and city-sponsored events by 2010. The city’s resolution is geared at motivating consumers to begin carrying reusable bags to reduce the amount of plastic that washes into the city’s storm drains and the ocean. Representatives from Surfrider’s West Los Angeles/Malibu and South Bay Chapters were present to give testimony regarding the City’s proposal. The ban was proposed by Councilman Ed Reyes, who called plastic bags “the graffiti of the L.A. River.”
May 2008
Plastic Bag Ban in Malibu
In support of Heal The Bay’s effort to address the problem of plastic bag litter in the marine environment, the West LA/Malibu Chapter successfully helped to convinced the Malibu City Council to ban both regular and biodegradable bags in all retail stores. This victory was part of the Chapter’s Rise Above Plastics campaign efforts to educate members, the public, and local government officials about the dangers of plastic marine debris.
November 2006
Topanga water quality
Convinced State Parks Department to test for and clean up ongoing water quality issues related to leaking septic systems at Topanga Lagoon and Beach.
September 2006
New Water Quality Measures for Santa Monica Bay
Adoption of bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) into Regional Water Quality Control Board (WQCB) Storm Water Permits for all of Santa Monica Bay.
July 2006
Santa Monica Bay beaches smoking ban
Partnered to ban smoking on beaches throughout Santa Monica Bay, home to most of Los Angeles County’s beaches.
