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Action Alert Update
Regional Board Votes to Implement Zero-Trash Limits for the L.A. River
Posted: December 10, 2009
On December 10th, the L.A. Regional Water Quality Control Board unanimously voted to incorporate the L.A. River Trash TMDL into the Municipal Stormwater Permit! This is a huge win for the environment, as the L.A. River Trash TMDL is now enforceable after withstanding many years of legal challenges. This action is a huge step forward in reducing trash in the L.A. River and supports Heal the Bay's marine debris work. |
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Action Alert Update
Malibu Septics Ban Approved by Regional Water Board
Posted: November 6, 2009
On Nov. 5, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board voted 5-2 to approve a moratorium on septic systems in the Malibu civic center area. The moratorium bans any new septic system in the area and existing systems by 2015 for commercial properties and 2019 for residential properties. Although Heal the Bay was not in full agreement with the Regional Board, this decision marks a historic step forward in solving the chronic water quality problems in Malibu Creek and Lagoon and at iconic Surfrider Beach. The Regional Board has finally held Malibu accountable for water quality in the Malibu Lagoon and at Surfrider, which Heal the Bay has advocated for nearly two decades, as Surfrider Beach frequently receives “F” water quality grades on our Beach Report Card.
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2009 Summer Beach Report Card Released – Water Quality Still On Rise Statewide
Posted: September 30, 2009
Marking an encouraging trend, California beachgoers basked in a third consecutive summer of excellent water quality, according to the 2009 End of Summer Beach Report Card®.
Full Report (PDF)
Press Release (PDF)Online Beach Report Card |
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Coastal Cleanup Day 2009 – New Records Set!
Posted: September 19, 2009
Some 14,038 community members – an all-time high number -- scoured beaches, parks, alleys, creeks, highways and stormdrains on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at 69 sites throughout the county. Volunteers removed a record-setting 300,413 pounds of debris and recyclables. This year’s haul marked a stunning 65% increase from last year’s total of 181,000 pounds. The increased total is due to more aggressive public works efforts coordinated in concert with Heal the Bay to clear bulky, heavy items from so-called “Code Red” sites. The inaugural program designated five sites in or near heavily urbanized, debris-choked waterways.
CCD 2009 Totals for Los Angeles County
Volunteers: 14,038 (new record!)
Trash and recyclables: 300,413 lbs (new record!)
More
Watch CBS2/KCAL9 TV Special (new window)
Press Release (PDF - new window)
CCD 2009 Photos (at Flickr – new window)We're All Lifeguards (Volunteer blog - new window) |
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Red Tide — What’s Going On?!
Posted: September 11, 2009
What's going on with that rusty, brownish-red color and brown foam that we've been seeing in our local coastal waters? Welcome to the ever present and extremely persistent red tide. More |
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Alex von Furstenberg to Sponsor the Beach Report Card
Posted: September 10, 2009
Alex von Furstenberg, philanthropist and co-managing member and chief investment officer of Arrow Capital Management, LLC, is donating $150,000 to support Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card over the next three years.
.gif) Press Release | News article |
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The Legacy of Dusty Peak
Posted: August 18, 2009
Dusty Peak, a passionate husband, father, surfer, community leader and environmentalist, passed away Monday, August 17, 2009. Dusty was an incredibly charismatic person that cared deeply about the environment and was a major activist in Malibu. At Heal the Bay, we could always count on Dusty to be a strong voice for clean water at hearings and meetings. A website has been established to celebrate Dusty's life.
In lieu of flowers, the Peak family has requested donations be made to Heal the Bay and the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families. |
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Gregarious Octopus Floods Aquarium
Posted: July 7, 2009
On February 26, 2009, our curious two-spotted octopus played with its tank valve, releasing hundreds of gallons of seawater flooding the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium which generated world-wide media and public attention. |
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Annual Beach Report Card for 2008-2009
Posted: May 20, 2009
California beachgoers enjoyed near-record water quality in 2008-09, according to Heal the Bay's 19th annual Beach Report Card. Heal the Bay analysts assigned A-to-F letter grades to 502 beaches along the California coast, based on levels of weekly bacterial pollution reported from April 2008 through March 2009. During the high-traffic 2008 summer season, 91% of beaches statewide received A or B grades, meaning very good to excellent water quality. That figure marks a slight 2% dip from last summer, which earned the best grades ever issued by Heal the Bay. Overall, only 32 of the beaches (6%) monitored statewide received D or F grades last summer. High bacteria counts at these sites are linked to such potential illnesses as stomach flu, ear infections and major skin rashes. |
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Victory in Ventura!
Posted: May 8, 2009
After a grueling and tense 12-hour hearing on Thursday, May 7, the Southern California Regional Water Board approved a new stormwater permit for Ventura County on a 5-1 vote. The permit follows over two years of contentious debate involving Ventura County, its muncipalities, the Building Industry Association, the environmental community and the Regional Board. Read more at the Spouting Off blog |
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Action Alert SUCCESS!
AB 1141 Fails Passage by the CA Assembly Natural Resources Committee
Posted: May 1, 2009
AB 1141 failed passage in the Assembly Natural Resources committee on April 27, 2009! Letters and responses to our Action Alert were successful in convincing our legislators in Sacramento to defeat this bad policy. Our message to the plastics industry was loud and clear: we cannot continue to recycle our way out of this problem and must come up with more effective solutions to help stop the 19 billion plastic bags from entering our oceans every year. Thank you for supporting our efforts! We urge you to continue to take action and support Assembly Bill 68 (Brownley), an effective approach that will encourage consumers to use reusable bags. |
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Celebrate Earth Month 2009 with Heal the Bay
Posted: April 10, 2009
Celebrated since 1970, Earth Day (April 22nd) and Earth Month continue to be the most popular time to raise our environmental awareness and celebrate our connection to world around us. So take a moment this April to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet and to do your part by joining us for one of our Earth Month events. |
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A Green Facelift for the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Posted: February 4, 2009
September 2008 was “sustainability month” in Santa Monica, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium celebrated by becoming a certified green business. |
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Follow HtB on Twitter
Posted: January 29, 2009
Join our community of online activitists on Heal the Bay's new Twitter network at www.twitter.com/healthebay! Get up-to-the-minute Tweets of news and environmental info and share your own questions, happenings, ideas and feedback with us. |
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Join Speakers Bureau! First Training in 2009 Begins Feb. 3rd
Posted: January 28, 2009
Join Speakers Bureau and become one of Heal the Bay's most elite volunteers. Speakers present the causes and consequences of ocean pollution to groups throughout Los Angeles County. Speakers Bureau is a great opportunity to take action and meet other dedicated volunteers. WInter 2009 training begins Feb. 3rd. Learn more and sign up today! |
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HtB Study Reveals State Water Board Inaction Allows Toxic Wastewater to Foul L.A. Since 2000
Posted: January 8, 2009
The State Water Resources Control Board has allowed dischargers to spew millions of gallons of toxin-laden effluents into Southland water bodies with virtual impunity over the past eight years, according to a detailed study released today by Heal the Bay. An extensive review of regulatory files by Heal the Bay’s scientific staff reveals a nearly decade-long pattern of state officials shirking their responsibilities when public sewage treatment works and industrial facilities flout narrative and numeric limits for chronic toxicity in discharged wastewater. According to the study, the outflows of effluents laced with heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins have created conditions injurious to aquatic life and have exacerbated ecosystem impairment throughout the region.
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Study Document: “License to Kill”
