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BEACH HAVEN, N.J. - Robert Pacicco has owned the two-story house on the end of Merivale Avenue for a decade, but the Atlantic Ocean now seems poised to move in for the winter and beyond. Last winter, the waves broke over the foundation slab, from which the house rises on stilts. This year, half the pilings under the foundation have been exposed by the tides. more
Click on this link and check out this site.
The "Save Trestles" campaign is alive and kicking. Using a backround of rock and punk rock visual metaphors... they are engaging thousands. Yes, over a thousand came to the first event a few weeks back. If you care about saving Trestles get a shirt, get a sticker on your car... don't be swindled... help save Trestles!
Click on any of the pages below...
Talkin' 'Bout Wave Degeneration
by ALEX BRANT-ZAWADZKI
In your full manhood and womanhood, you will want what nature once so bountifully supplied and man so thoughtlessly destroyed. (Theodore Roosevelt, 1907)
Nature works in great complexity at Trestles, a spot known worldwide as the Yosemite of surfing. more
Recently, the Oregon Chapter of Surfrider enjoyed a visit from Jim Moriarty (Executive Director) and Steve Blank (Director of Development). We spent 3 busy days meeting with Surfrider volunteers, speaking with state coastal managers, and traveling Oregon’s beautiful coast. 
Surfrider has a rich history of accomplishments in Oregon. These include important victories related to shoreline access and water quality monitoring. As recently as 2002, Oregon did not have a state water quality testing program for its beaches, but thanks to Surfrider advocacy and input, the state now conducts regular testing at 25 beaches along the coast. 
The Oregon Chapter of Surfrider was also fortunate to have Rick Wilson (Coastal Management Coordinator) attend our Chapter Training Retreat in Lincoln City. Rick gave a presentation on the Blue Water Task Force program and provided valuable input to our volunteer water quality testers. And, unlike Jim and Steve, Rick remembered to bring his wetsuit and joined the rest of us in catching some cold Oregon swell!
Thanks again to Jim, Steve, and Rick for visiting us here in Oregon!
Pete Stauffer
Oregon Policy Coordinator
Surfrider Foundation
TAHOE CITY, Calif.
— The fight over a proposed toll road through San Onofre State Beach Park moved north Friday as the State Park and Recreation Commission urged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to block the controversial 16-mile project.
At a TahoeCity meeting chaired by Commissioner and actor-director Clint Eastwood, the panel unanimously called for Schwarzenegger and Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer to intervene in the Transportation Corridor Agencies' project to relieve congestion in south Orange County by building an $875-million toll road from Oso Parkwaynear Mission Viejo to Interstate 5 near San Clemente.
The commission's action followed a contentious Nov. 3 meeting in San Clementeattended by more than 1,000 people who were largely against the most likely route for the proposed Foothill South.
The toll road is opposed by environmental groups and public land advocates because it would slice through 320 acres of the state park's sensitive habitat and within eyesight of the famous Trestles Beach surf break.
"I used to surf down there at San Onofre in the early 1950s," Eastwood said. "I don't find the idea of putting a highway through a state park very appealing."
"I grew up surfing Malibu, I’ve been going there since I was ten. If you frequent a beach for forty, forty-five years, you see it deteriorate. I sit in the water all the time, it just became obvious to me to do something."
"It’s a gargantuan thing—water pollution. It’s interesting to learn about it—just how bad that problem is, it’s so monumental. What it comes down to is: Surfrider—it’s about awareness, they are not going to solve anything. You raise $20,000, $25,000 dollars and it’s just a drop in the bucket. It’s a multimillion dollar problem. "
- Ned Evans The complete interview
The Ned Evans board from the recent Art for the Oceans
We’re always stoked to read about the efforts of our friends Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) in the U.K. In addition to some very worthwhile educational events, these guys seem to specialize in media-grabbing demonstrations that do a great job to highlight the very real human health and environmental effects of discharging inadequately treated sewage into the ocean.
Their latest such event was when the “chemical sisters” (male cross-dressed SAS campaigners in wetsuits and carrying surfboards) appeared at the European Parliament to highlight the hormone disrupting nature of many of today's toxic chemicals.
Along with Surfrider Europe, SAS is carrying the fight for clean water to the halls of political power on the other side of the pond.
A few days ago we were finishing up a trip through the Pacific Northwest. I have total respect for the crew in Oregon and Washington . Their version of surfing is pretty different from our experience in the southern regions of the country. Surfing really isn’t the same sport from one place to the next. Even if one compares the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast (Maine, Mass, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey) it’s different.
In the Pacific Northwest there is a sense of adventure and trekking that isn’t the same as other places. Sure the water’s cold and sharky in places . . . but that’s once you get to the coast. Just getting to the oceans edge falls somewhere between an art (knowing where to go), a science (knowing local conditional characteristics, no Surfline cams in these environs) and a sojourn (it’s nothing to hike 20 – 30 minutes through dense woods to just check the conditions). Surfers also look different… no surf garb here… Gore -Tex , Carhartt and boots are the call.
Me and Ian Miller on top of a private dam, a project we’re working to take down. Ian is our Washington Field Coordinator.
Another view of the dam. This baby is tall... and it's just one of two dams on the block to be taken down... the other dam is over 200 feet tall. Repeat after me... "free the sand and the barrels will follow".
River runs through it. This is an unnamed river ending it’s run at… an unnamed break. In all my travels on the globe I've never met a group more protective of thier breaks. Once you... eventually... find your way to a break you start to understand why. This land is gorgeous... the backdrops over the coasts are thousand year old forests and miles and miles of coast.
A big thanks to all the crew in Oregon and Washington for an amazing week. Your coast is… stunning definitely worth fighting to protect. See that... I wrote this entire piece and named... nothing.
Jim Moriarty
Executive Director
CONGRESS APPROVES SIGNIFICANT INCENTIVES FOR CHARITABLE GIFTS IN 2005
Under the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act ("KETRA") you might qualify to deduct charitable gifts of cash to any qualified public charity up to 100% of your contribution base (generally your adjusted gross income). Deductions for charitable gifts of cash are normally limited to 50% of your contribution base. To qualify, these gifts must be made between August 28, 2005 and December 31, 2005.
Consult your tax advisor to see if this incentive applies to your specific situation.
YEAR END GIVING
If you're like most people, you do your major giving toward the end of the year. Some do this for tax purposes; others do it just in the spirit of the season. Before you ring in the New Year we hope you will consider making a gift to the Surfrider Foundation to help us in our efforts to protect and preserve the nation's oceans, waves and beaches. To make an outright cash donation visit our secure online giving page. To find out about alternate ways to make a gift to the Surfrider Foundation such as transfer of securities or tribute and memorial gifts please contact our Director of Development at (800) 743-SURF
DON’T FORGET ABOUT MATCHING GIFTS
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please contact your company's human resources department or email us at membership@surfrider.org. Most companies match dollar for dollar, and some will double or triple match donors' gifts. If your gift is eligible, simply request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it - completed and signed - along with your gift, to:
Surfrider Foundation - Director of Development
PO Box 6010
San Clemente, CA 92674.
To Scott and the crew at Publicis and David and the crew at Optimedia, THANK YOU for the 30 billboards you created and posted throughout the Seattle region. You teams are amazing. Here's a sample of the work.
Jim Moriarty
Executive Director
Surfrider Foundation is an idea just as freedom is an idea.
Such an idea becomes notable when people get behind it, work on its behalf and devote their talents to furthering that idea. An idea becomes great when people put a larger portion of their time, energy and money towards it.
The more people I meet that are connected to the idea of Surfrider Foundation the more I see its potential, transcontinental application and power. In a simple way… Surfrider Foundation is the sum of the talents of people, banded together to protect oceans, waves and beaches all over the world. This group of people includes members, activists, staff, partners, pro surfers, musicians, industry leaders and a host of others. It also includes our Board of Directors.
Surfrider Foundation has a Board of Directors that has a diverse spectrum of talents, experience and wisdom. At last months board meeting both Mark Spalding and Mike Orbach transitioned out of roles that had massive impact on this organization.
Mark Spalding, on the left in the photo, has been the guiding force for promoting the understanding and expansion of our mission in areas outside the United States. He’s literally been the board-level glue that has bonded the four international affiliates together with Surfrider Foundation USA. He’s built the capacity for these international groups to work more together. Beyond this he has been a guiding light on board policy and he as helped shape our growth as an environmental non-profit organization. An example of his commitment is further illustrated in the fact that he has also never missed a Board meeting… ever. Mark is transitioning off the Board of Directors and to say he’s leaving large shoes to fill is a gross understatement… yet accurate. When I think of eco-warriors that I’ve met out in the field that are fighting with everything they’ve got… Mark is part of that crew. Mark, we’ll miss you. Thank you for sharing your unique talents and commitment to this organization.
Mike Orbach, on the right in the photo, is Professor of Marine Affairs and Policy and Director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory. Mike Orbach isn’t leaving the Board of Directors, however he is stepping down as Chairman of the Board. Click on his name and you’ll see that Mike, on his Duke University
“The power of one” is a concept that an individual, drawing on their unique talents and skills, can have great impact. Mark and Mike certainly fall into this category. Together they are even more powerful. Please join me in wishing them both mahalo as they journey forward.
Jim Moriarty
Executive Director
The South Orange County Chapter has been engaged for several years in an effort to avoid a possible toll highway through the San Onofre State Beach, the home to some of California's (and the world's) best waves, including Trestles. This State Beach was established in the early '70's by President Nixon and Governor Reagan to preserve the beautiful beach, waves and surrounding land for the public to enjoy forever. The California State Parks Commission held a hearing to get the public's input on the potential impacts the toll road might have on the State Beach.
Well, the public sure had something to say, all 1,057 of them. That's right, this is such a hotbutton issue for the community that they filled the main room with 500 people, then filled two overflow rooms and the fire marshall had to turn away hundreds waiting outside. Many locals and visitors spoke loudly to proclaim their desire to protect San Onofre and Trestles. It was a great night that displayed the power of grassroots activism.
Here are a couple articles covering the evening and the paddle-out from the previous weekend:
The following article appeared in the Summer 1990 edition of Making Waves. It was written by John Conover, who was then a member of Surfrider's Board of Directors. John is also publisher of the Tidelines calendars that many of us enjoy. It's as true and as relevant as it was 15 years ago.
I was in the Surfrider office working the other day when Surfrider Foundation Administrative Director, Teri Schulz, related a concern she has heard on more than one occasion. A Surfrider member wanted to know why we weren't at a particular meeting relating to the possible temporary closing of a beach. "Where were you guys? They're talking about closing off our surf spot," he exclaimed. It seems that "we" aren't always present at environmental functions, that "we" aren't always being quoted in the newspapers, and that "we" haven't attacked all the problems affecting the shoreline environment. So I ask, who are we?
My involvement with the Surfrider Foundation is motivated by one basic premise: that the organization allows for individuals to become involved. The Surfrider Foundation is a "foundation" on which one may stand and deliver his or her beliefs on the state of the environment. A Surfrider member stands supported by an active organization thus freeing himself or herself to speak powerfully. A member can become active with the assurance that the Foundation will support action with all possible means.
There is presently something occurring in your beach community that requires your involvement. I know this is true regardless of where you live. There is currently a plan in the works that will affect your future enjoyment of the ocean. The magical playland we tend to take for granted is at risk. You don't have to look far to see this.
Who are we? We are you who stand up and speak out. We are you who are willing to take action. We are you who are willing to become involved.
Who are you willing to be?
Dam removal gets a boost
Coastal Conservancy OKs $1 million to help with project planning
Ventura County Star
By Tony Biasotti
October 29, 2005
The effort to blow up Matilija Dam and return the Ventura River to a more natural state got a $1 million boost this week from the California Coastal Conservancy. more
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