Florence, Oregon - Local Surfrider activists have won a victory for public access. The Lane County commissioners, responding to considerable pressure, rescinded the $3 day use fee they had imposed simply for taking in the view at Harbor Vista County Park, known popularly among locals as Chicken Point. For many, frequenting the point is a daily morning ritual, and the view allows surfers, fishermen, and other ocean users to check conditions at the jetties and Siuslaw River Bar. Area residents and Surfrider activists responded swiftly by gathering over 250 signatures on a petition to eliminate the fee, as well as providing crucial public testimony to the Lane County Board of Commissioners. West Lane Commissioner Bill Fleenor championed the cause and quickly instructed park staff to remove the user fee sign from the viewing area. Big Ups and Massive Respect to all those who signed the petition, and helped gather signatures. Many thanks to Gus for leading the charge, and Mark, John, Scott, Seth and Charlie for giving public testimony to the board, and cheers to our friends at The Sportsman and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition CoastWatch program for all their help in this campaign victory!

The City of Long Beach just made headlines in the LA Times for this and other provocative water conservation spots on YouTube.

City of Long Beach Water Conservation Program

Kudos to them it is working - they have reduced their water consumption between 5-8%.

Check out this cool pic just sent in to the Surfrider Foundation.

"Our son was in a competitive surf competition on Saturday in Carlsbad. While my wife focused the camera on him, a few of the worlds best surfers joined in. Not sure if you could use this shot, but we thought it was amazing and unusual,"

—Peter & Nancy Berk

On Oct 11-12, a diverse group of 50 marine scientists met in Newport, OR to discuss potential ecological impacts of wave energy development on Oregon's coastal ecosystems. The workshop included discussion of possible effects to benthic and pelagic habitats, as well as fish, seabird, and mammal species. The State of Oregon is interested in wave energy development as a clean, renewable resource. The findings of this workshop should help inform efforts to avoid or mitigate impacts to ocean ecosystems. To this end, Oregon Chapter of Surfrider is using these workshop findings in developing recommendations for research and monitoring of wave energy projects. To read summary of the workshop findings: http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/waveenergy/

The Eastern Long Island Chapter held a fundraiser for the Montauk 8; eight surfers who were ticketed for....surfing in Montauk Point State Park. East end artist Peter Spacek created the tee shirt above just for the event. You've seen his work in the Surfer's Journal and he is a strong supporter of the organization.

Red Rock Returns, Nancy Atlas, and the Bastards of Boom provided the evening's entertainment at the Stephen Talkhouse. Proceeds will be used to fight the tickets given for surfing. Read a description here in Dan's Papers
and see pictures of the event here compliments of Sara Wasilausky

The tee shirt will be available through a link on the Chapter's website, or at Ditch Ink

John Weber

project BLUE Rolls Out "All I Want for Christmas is a Clean Ocean"


Laguna Beach, CA - Just in time for the holidays, project BLUE is rolling
out a new "All I Want for Christmas is a Clean Ocean" feature on its
website. This feature allows visitors to send an e-card to friends and
loved ones to let them know what tops their holiday wish.

"project BLUE products make great gifts with a message," says founder Vipe
Desai. "Consumers have an opportunity to shop responsibly while supporting
something that gives back to our oceans."

Hands down the hottest brand collection of the year, project BLUE features
signature apparel accessory items by such brands as Reef, Billabong, Nixon,
O'Neill, DAKINE and Electric. Each project BLUE product not only features
exclusive colors and designs, $2 from every item goes back to support the
Surfrider Foundation and their efforts to protect and preserve our world's
oceans, waves and beaches.

During the month of December, shoppers can go directly to the project BLUE
website and select which items they would like, then send a customized
e-card to their friends and family.

To send your "All I Want for Christmas is a Clean Ocean" e-card, simply go
to www.betruetoblue.com

Surfrider Maui will join the protests this week over the US Coast Guard's plan to close Kahului Harbor to surfers, boaters, divers, paddlers and swimmers for up to 4 hours daily to accommodate the Hawaii Superferry. Outraged citizens and groups are invited to make signs and banners and join peaceful demonstrations planned below. For more info, go to www.savekahuluiharbor.com and www.surfrider.org/maui.
The "Give Back Our Harbor" rally is scheduled for the first day of the Superferry operation which is (at this time) Thursday, December 6 from 9-11 a.m. at Ka'ahumanu Ave and Pu'unene.
The "Rally for Maui" will take place on Saturday, December 8 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Citizens are welcome to peacefully demonstrate opposition to this embargo of Kahului's Port of Call to request the government reconsider its decision to close the harbor without seeking public input.
Maui Police Department will insure legal behavior toward the Superferry while upholding citizens' First Amendment rights to assemble and protest government actions.
Sign wavers must remain six feet from the edge of the motorway pavement and 50 feet from traffic signals. The setbacks will be makeds. Rally participants are asked to keep to the back of sidewalks that are next to the highway.
It is illegal and unsafe to stand on the median, in the road or on traffic islands.
Along Pu'unene Avenue where there are no sidewalks, yellow barriers will mark the 6 foot setback. Pedestrians should not step into the road and should be careful to walk on the shoulder well back from the pavement. Pedestrians should cross only at crosswalks.
People are free to be on the harbor beach and even demonstrate in the water fronting the beach. DLNR will be in the water to warn people if they stray into the Coast Guard zone. .The Coast Guard is responsible for enforcing the zone.
Rally participants are asked not impede local businesses including First Hawaiian Bank, Century 21 and Hideaway, being careful not to park in their lots, block their driveways, entrances or pedestrian traffic.
Should Hawaii Super Ferry move its start date, the Give Back Our Harbor rally will move to the next planned sail date.

Surfrider Foundation's Long Beach Chapter came out in serious style on December 1st at the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade in Long Beach, CA. The South Bay Chapter's Chair, Alan Walti, graciously offered up the use of his mint convertible '57 Chevy... which hosted veteran Chapter members Ed Hendricks and Robert Palmer, along with local businessman and Chapter supporter, John Morris. The Chapter partnered up with the Wilson High School surf club for a truly one-of-a-kind surfboard drill team. Surf club members wore classic red and white santa hats and carried real surfboards down the street. A member of the LB Chapter worked on choreography with the kids, who were doing some pretty fancy moves with their boards while marching.