In October 2007, a Finavera wave energy AquaBuOY deployed as a pilot project sank off the coast of Newport a day before its scheduled removal. The 72 foot buoy composed of metal and rubber has remained on the ocean floor since then, with Finavera representatives citing winter ocean conditions as an impediment to the buoys removal. In April 2008, the Newport Chapter of Surfrider sent a letter to the Department of State Lands (DSL) requesting an update on the salvage plan and expressing concerns over potential environmental, public safety, and ocean user impacts. During the recent Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) meeting, DSL Director Louise Solliday emphasized the agencys commitment to securing removal of the buoy. Solliday indicated that if Finavera does not remove the buoy by July of 2008, (Temporary Use Permit expires) the agency will make arrangements to remove the buoy. We thank DSL for their commitment to keeping our ocean floor free of large debris! To read Surfrider’s Statement on Wave Energy, please see the Issues section of this website.
The 7th annual Clean Water Classic surf contest just wrapped up this past weekend in Westport, Washington. The event, organized and put on by volunteers from the Pacific Northwest chapters of Surfrider Foundation, is a major fundraising event for the local chapters of Surfrider Foundation. Volunteers from southern Oregon all the way to British Columbia host the event which attracted over 1000 spectators and nearly 150 contestants (photo credit: Chris Aruda). The Classic is the only Pro/Am contest held in the region. ‘Our chapters and activists work hard to put this event on every year, and it represents one of the biggest fundraising opportunities and membership drives’, says Charlie Plybon, Oregon Field Coordinator for Surfrider Foundation. ‘These funds help support a variety of campaigns and programs that focus on water quality, beach access, ocean health, and shoreline preservation. All of the proceeds are split evenly amongst participating chapters to provide crucial funding to Surfrider initiatives at the local chapter level.’ For contest recap and results please see the first comment to this post.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), supported by recommendations from Newport Chapter has made reconsideration of the wastewater permit for Georgia-Pacifics pulp and paper mill in Toledo its top water permit issue. ‘With this now our highest priority, we hope to have something by the end of the year, if not before,’ said Steve Schnurbusch, DEQs senior water quality permit analyst. On March 28, 2008 Surfrider submitted a report to DEQ with recommendations for strengthening the wastewater permit of the Georgia Pacific mill. The primary outfall of the mill is located off Nye Beach and the facility releases an average of 11 million gallons a day of treated wastewater (see photo). In related news, a packed house attended a recent public hearing held by Newport City Council concerning a new lease agreement with Georgia Pacific for use of the city rights-of-way for the effluent pipeline.
To see some recent press on the issue click here:
NewsTimes.htm
To see the full report and fact sheet click here:
FACTSHEET.doc
On May 21 and 22, the Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will hold meetings in Charleston on marine reserve planning and wave energy development. All meetings will be held at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology and include opportunities for public comment. OPAC is currently working to identify nine or less marine reserve ‘study areas’ by Jan 1, 2009. The nomination process will be supported by local nearshore action teams, comprised of coastal residents, ocean users, and other interested parties. Marine reserves are places in the ocean that are protected from human impacts, including extraction and habitat damage. Science shows that reserves almost always result in greater abundance, size, and diversity of marine organisms inside their boundaries. Reserves can also promote resiliance for ocean ecosystems to withstand cumulative impacts from human and natural stressors. Please join a coalition of ocean users that’s participating and supporting this process. For more info on these upcoming meetings: http://www.lcd.state.or.us/LCD/OPAC/index.shtml. For info to get involved pstauffer@surfrider.org.
Fellow Surfriders and friends of clean water…May marks the beginning of the fourth season of Catch Basin Marking (Catch Basins are the grated inlets in streets that channel water to the City’s storm drain systems). The Portland Chapter of Surfrider continues with its Community Service Project sponsored by the City of Portland. The City provides all the necessary supplies to volunteers and volunteers provide the enthusiasm. (that’s YOU!) Since we began this project, Surfrider volunteers have marked approximately 850 catch basins. Every month, we will meet on the third Tuesday and the following Saturday morning for a couple of hours (except May). I will have maps showing the locations of the catch basins in the area and all the supplies. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your neighbors … this event is open to all volunteers!
