Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter

CORE TRAINING CANCELLED!

erica — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:48:38 +0000

The CORE training for this weekend is CANCELLED due to the lack of RSVPs for the event. We will send another survey out at the end of the month to try to reschedule this for February instead. Hope more folks can attend next month.

Okaloosa County Action Alert!!!

erica — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:22:22 +0000

On January 17th, Okaloosa County Commissioners will be voting on whether or not to move forward with a highly controversial beach project permit due to the concern that the proposed sand is not good beach quality. We are asking all Okaloosa County residents to please take a moment and call your County Commissioners let them know that you would like them to reject moving forward with the project. To learn about the recent legal case and what to say check out the Florida Surfrider Action Alert website for more info.

Emerald Coast Chapter Recognized with 2012 Wavemaker Award

erica — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:51:29 +0000

Once a year we take a moment to recognize the people and partners that have contributed in extraordinary ways towards our mission of the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches.

ALL of us at Surfrider Foundation offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who engaged with our mission and made a difference in 2011, but the following people get an extra thanks.

We are especially pleased to announce that one of the recipients is from Florida!

Chapter Leadership Award
Mike Sturdivant – Emerald Coast Chapter
Awarded to an individual or group of individuals selected for service to a
chapter (US or International) that showed leadership and inspiration.

Coastal Impact Award
Peter Douglas

Surf Industry Partner Award
Malibu Surfing Association

Environmental Activism Award
Portland Bag Ban Crew
Chapter leaders:
Tara Gallagher
Staj Pace
Matt Spencer
Stiv Wilson
Mason Brock
Ryan Cruse
Lisa Lynch
Drew Kerr
Tristan Fields
Jocelyn Gary
Gregg Hayward
Jacque Rodriguez

Corporate Partner Award
KROQ

Distinguished Service
Dr. Carl Berg – Kauai Chapter

Outstanding Contribution
Marisla Foundation

Development Award
Jeff Berg

The Wavemaker Awards will be held on Saturday, February 4th at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente, CA at 6:30pm.

Click here to see previous winners.

Volunteer Training Survey – Input Needed

erica — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:50:35 +0000

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustees Call for Public Input

erica — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:06:57 +0000

On December 14th, the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustees released the Deepwater Horizon Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (DERP/EA) for public comment. The plan proposes the initial eight projects – two each in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi – to receive funding from the $1 billion Early Restoration Framework Agreement announced by the Trustees and BP on April 21, 2011. The proposed projects include shoreline marsh creation, coastal dune habitat restoration, nearshore artificial reef creation, oyster cultch restoration and construction of boat ramp facilities. The Trustees will hold 12 public meetings in January and February 2012 throughout Gulf Coast communities and in Washington, D.C. to solicit formal public comment on the DERP/EA.

Florida’s meeting will be held on Jan 11 in Fort Walton Beach and Jan 12 in Pensacola.

Visit www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov to view the DERP/EA, access public meeting details, view additional details of the proposed Early Restoration projects, and submit public comment. The public comment period will end February 14, 2012.

“Ban Toxic Dispersants Act” Introduced in the House

erica — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:04:59 +0000

On December 5th, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced the “Ban Toxic Dispersants Act” (H.R. 3562), which would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish new procedures for the use of chemical dispersants in oil cleanup efforts. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out a new rulemaking procedure to establish baseline levels of toxicity and effectiveness, taking into account a study of the acute and chronic risks posed by the use of dispersants. The EPA would be required to determine whether it is safe to use these dispersants before granting any approvals. The bill includes a temporary moratorium on the use of dispersants until the rulemaking and study ensuring their safety is complete. The EPA, however, could grant conditional approvals if it determines that there will be no negative impact on human health or the environment. The bill would also require that the ingredients and the location of applied dispersants be made available to the public online.

Surfrider & On Wings Of Care- Coastal Recon Mission!

Emerald Coast Surfrider — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:44:26 +0000

Surfrider, On Wings of Care, and coastal geologist Rip Kirby teamed up to do an aerial survey of the Gulf Coast. We continue to address issues concerning the BP Oil Disaster. In addition to sampling the oil remaining on our beaches, we are paying attention to dredge and fill “Beach Nourishment” projects and their potential to re-introduce sea floor hydrocarbons onto our beaches. Of course, we also are on the look out for new oil slicks and any animals in distress. To see more of how aerial recon contributes to this effort visit www.OnWingsOfCare.org To learn more about the continued impact of oil on our beaches visit EmeraldCoast.Sufrider.org.

Join us for the sunset and chapter meeting, 11-8-11

Emerald Coast Surfrider — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:35:05 +0000

We will meet at the Blue Mountain Beach public access and enjoy the sunset, followed by a brief chapter meeting and general discussion of current Surfrider activities. (Follow CR#83 to the sea) Arrive when you like, we’ll talk shop after the sun goes down. We have new Surfrider t-shirts and hats, etc. if you would like to purchase any…$20 each. Get them while they last!

State of the Beach Testing -Navarre 5pm, 11-3-11

Emerald Coast Surfrider — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:30:45 +0000

Join Surfrider in Navarre Beach Thursday evening as we continue to sample the beach and detect oil. We’ll meet at the beach pavilion (straight ahead as you pull into the pier parking area.) Look for the Surfrider flag, from around 5 til 8pm. Come prepared to dig trenches and dress warm!

Surfrider Rocks DeLuna Fest in Pensacola!

Emerald Coast Surfrider — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:31:52 +0000

Thank you to everyone who supported our efforts at Deluna Fest last weekend! Local Surfrider members and a crew of volunteers from the University of Florida Surf Club worked together to accomplish great things at this years concert weekend. We collected over 500 signatures for the oil drilling petition. We interviewed and obtained surfboard autographs from many of the 80 bands. We applied Surfrider Tattoos to rock stars, fans and children. We sold Surfrider stickers, t-shirts and hats. We also raised over $30,000 for the Surfrider Foundation and our local oil testing program. Deluna Fest really came through for us, as did Waterboyz, and the Cross, Forsyth, Provencher, and Sturdivant families. Thanks for supporting Surfrider!