http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=617

“The dedication was well attended, be that in poured rain the whole day…La Nina…
The location was atop of Greenmount Hill, where the Gold Coast City Council had erected a marquis and provided seating, a table for the plaques and a microphone and dias.

The area dedicated in the new Surfing Reserve runs from Snapper in the south up to Burleigh Heads in the north and includes Kirra and Currumbin and the Alley.
Brad Farmer, Director of National Surfing Reserves, spoke first and told of the importance of protecting iconic surf sites and thanked all involved, including SEA.
He was followed by the Queensland Governor, Ms.Penny Wensley, and then a speech from Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke.
All well stated with the bias for the surfing industry and what a great effect it has on the Gold Coast economy etc, etc..
Then Wayne Dean and 2 others spoke on the main breaks, one each for Snapper/Kirra, Currumbin Alley and Burleigh Heads.
Mention was made by these three speakers about the effects of the pumping and the loss of several
breaks.

Wayne Dean later told me that they were working towards a new longer pipe to be placed further out that may help sand migration in a far more friendly manner and with the eye on getting some breaks back. He said that Kirra had not been the same for the ten years that they have pumped. Hence the QuickSilver/Roxy Pro being held at Snapper and not Kirra.

After these speeches Brad had Mark Richards, Wayne Bartholemew and Peter Townend come forward say a brief message about each break followed by the unveiling of the 3 plaques with Governor, Mayor and Brad.There was good media coverage and this ensued before we all scurried to the Komune Hotel for refreshments and an open mic.

Adam started the ball rolling and introduced me and SEA. I commented as follows (more or less)
“Surfer’s Environmental Alliance is stoked to support the Gold Coast National Surfing Reserve. We know Australia’s National Surfing Reserves are a model for other efforts to establish surfing reserves world-wide, and at SEA we support any such efforts wherever they may be because this is all about coastal preservation and surf-break protection.”

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of SEA we sincerely thank Steve for volunteering to represent SEA on this important issue. If you know and surf with Steve please give him a thumbs up and a set wave.

Sincere Thanks!
Andrew Mencinsky
Executive Director

Read the article in The Link

http://thelinknews.net/2012/02/23/group-adopts-beach-access-point-by-tradewinds/

“I’m honored to work with the LSC to preserve and protect our wonderful coastline and our world-class surf breaks,” Jim says. “The dedication event…or events…will make big news in the surf-world and will gain large amounts of media exposure around the globe. Santa Cruz city and county is an area with many active wave-chargers on the pro level, a community known for its strong environmental ethos, and a long history of surf culture that helps identify the community, so I’m sure the Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve will be seen as a model for other coastlines as the WSR program expands.”

The LOCAL STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL exists

• To protect, preserve, and bring awareness to the importance of conserving the enshrined WSR;

• To share the break’s mystique, beauty, and value with the local community as well as broader communities;

• To educate local, national, and international audiences on the importance of protecting and preserving the surfing Reserve;

• To help share the sport and culture of surfing locally and with the world in a sustainable fashion

SEA was the key force in gathering support to establish the SCWSR, so we hope to see an excellent dedication event in April.

Learn about World Surfing Reserves at www.worldsurfingreserves.org

Click for original Press Release

2.  Diversify the portfolio of in-state electric generation

3.  Promote energy efficiency and conservation

4.  Benefit from emerging technologies

5.  Achieve a Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) of 22.5% by 2021

Below is a breakdown of the generation sources in NJ, keeping in mind that approximately 25% of all electricity consumed in NJ is generated out-of-state.

It is important to note that the target RPS was reduced from 30% in the 2008 EMP to 22.5% in the 2011 EMP.  The state claims the 2008 plan was “aspirational” and “had no basis in law or regulation.”

SEA has been reviewing the EMP, with a particular focus on how new generation capacity may impact our waters.  One of the largest initiatives is offshore wind, which has the potential to produce up to 3,000 MW. However, the EMP notes that wind is extremely intermittent, and there is a high likelihood that it will not produce energy when it is needed most, such as those hot summer days in July when there is not a breeze in the air.  Furthermore, this technology has never been installed in the United States.

The EMP also states that NJ has the potential to provide “at least 9,000 MW of electric power in average wave conditions” utilizing wave energy.  This technology would be installed approximately 100 miles offshore.  Wave energy can be more predictable and less visual than offshore wind.   However, this technology needs to be developed further and there is little information about it in the EMP.

Tidal energy is also highlighted in the EMP.  Tidal stream generators produce energy from the movement of tidal water and currents through underwater turbines.  Tidal energy is one of the most consistent forms of renewable energy due to the predictable nature of tides.  A pilot project will be launched in the Manasquan River sometime in early 2012.

Solar is also highlighted in the EMP, primary due to NJ’s prominent position utilizing this technology.  Due to government incentives, NJ now ranks second in the nation for installed photovoltaic solar capacity (second to only CA).

SEA is supportive of renewable generation initiatives, and will continue to monitor the development of various technologies.  SEA goal is to ensure that any development of generation, whether from hydrocarbon or renewable sources, does not have a negative impact on the environment or on surf breaks.

The most effective way to reduce our carbon footprint is simply to reduce our consumption.  This can be done from being more cognizant about turning off lights, using appliances at night, unplugging chargers when not in use, and purchasing energy efficient products.  Conservation is critical.

The full 138 page EMP can be viewed at the following website: http://www.nj.gov/emp/docs/pdf/2011_Final_Energy_Master_Plan.pdf

Once again our waterways are being threatened by new legislation. Both the Senate and The House are attempting to undermine the Clean water Act of 1972 which could negatively affect one-fifth of the nation’s wetlands. SEA firmly believes these attempts to de-regulate our waterways will have negative impacts on our drinking water supply and the environment while allowing development in sensitive areas creating new risk to property, infrastructure and to the eventual occupants.
For more information please read a recent New York Times editorial on the topic.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/opinion/latest-dirty-water-bill.html?_r=2&ref=todayspaper

Letter – RE: Oppose Barrasso – Heller Dirty Water Rider to Energy and Water Appropriations (H.R. 2354)

As part of efforts to protect waves around the world, Surfrider Foundation Europe (EU), Surfrider Foundation (US/INTERNATIONAL) Dr. Tony Butt (UK), in partnership with Save The Waves Coalition (US) Surfers Against Sewage (UK), Salvem o Surfer (PORT) and other partners, organized the first major international conference on the recognition of the value of the waves and their international protection. In attendance and participating were also Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) (US), WILDCOAST (MEX), National Surfing Reserves Australia (AUS), New Zealand Surfbreak Protection Society (NZ), Surfrider Japan (JAP), Surfrider Holland (HOL), a South Africa Environmental Educator (S.AF), a French socialist (FR), a Spanish Oceanographic Engineer (SP), and Surfing Federation of the Canary Island (SP),  among others.

West Coast Environmental Project Director Jim Littlefield represented SEA at this ground-breaking international event. on October 24-25 in Biarritz, France and San Sebastian, Spain.

Jim reports: “This truly was an inspiring event focused on how to protect surfing coastlines worldwide from the effects of climate change and the impacts of increasing populations on the coast. I’m very pleased that SEA was part of this historic meeting of the minds, and I hope to continue partnerships with some or all of the many wonderful NGOs represented to work jointly on wave and coastal protection issues around the world.”

The following questions were raised, along with the conclusions that were reached, during the conference:

    * How to set the value of a wave?

        In addition to the recreational benefit that waves provide surfers worldwide, surf breaks also provide local economic benefits, such as food, lodging, and surf equipment.

    * What are the threats on the waves and coastlines?

        Coastal development that results in the modification of existing surf breaks, such as harbor development, breakwaters, beach fill, and dredging were all key concerns.  Additionally, direct and nonpoint source pollution were addressed.  Delegates from Japan discussed how a local surf break in front of a nuclear power plant was destroyed by the tsunami earlier this year, resulting in the first known wave lost to radiation.

    * What strategies can be implemented to protect them?

        The key theme was that we must be proactive.  We must attempt to protect the existing breaks before they are threatened, such as the establishment of the National Surfing Reserves in Australia and the World Surfing Reserves Program.  Conference attendees also discussed strategies regarding how to best engage the community, government, businesses, and surf-related groups to protect existing surf breaks.

As a direct result, conference attendees realized that we all have issues in common, no matter where we may live: wave destroying “improvement projects”; pollution; governments not respecting surfers as a legitimate concerned group and thus weakening our political voice, for example. Serious discussion is  ensuing regarding forming an international “steering committee or council” to work together, speaking with one global voice, on projects to save waves and protect natural coastal resources.  SEA hopes to be a part of this forming international group, and to jointly fight for waves and public access wherever the problem exists.

Further information, as well as videos of the actual presentations, is available at the conference website:http://www.globalwaveconference.com/

This conference was a huge step for global waves protection, and SEA looks forward to working closely with fellow organizations and activists to conserve the surfing coastline for generations to come.

Jim Littlefield

West Coast Environmental Projects Director, SEA

scseasurfer@gmail.com

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