Heal the Bay Blog

Category: Beach Report Card

Marking 40 Years of the Clean Water Act

03.20.2012 | Heal the Bay

2012 is the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the nation’s law for protecting our most irreplaceable resource.

This year EPA and others will highlight the tremendous progress in reducing pollution since 1972, the many milestones along the way, the ways that the job is far from over and the tough challenges we face today and in the future. To mark 40 Years of the Clean Water Act, the EPA has set up a central location for information, activities, news and networking at www.epa.gov/cleanwater40.

You can also find the Office of Water on Facebook.

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On Our Radar: Earth Day 2012

03.13.2012 | Heal the Bay

About Us Beach Report Card Malibu / Pacific Palisades Santa Monica

View all Earth Month events and updates

Heal the Bay celebrates each Earth Day in a big way — by turning it into a whole month. For the entire month of April, we ensure that “Earth Day is every day.” Our month is chock-full of great events for all ages — cleanups, tablings and more. We welcome volunteers to join us in April to get their hands dirty, meet a few new friends in the community and learn all about the Santa Monica Bay at our Aquarium.

To check out our upcoming opportunities, download our Earth Month flyer:

Volunteer Orientation – April 9

When: Monday April 9, 7 – 9 p.m.

Where: Heal the Bay Main Office, Large Conference Room, 1444 9th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Get started by attending one of our monthly Volunteer Orientations. Learn more about Heal the Bay, our mission, and the many ways that you can get involved. Orientation is an important first step (and required for some volunteer programs).

Malibu Creek State Park Restoration – April 14

When: April 14, 8:45 a.m. to Noon

Where: Malibu Creek State Park, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas

Join Heal the Bay and the Mountains Restoration Trust to restore areas of Malibu Creek State Park.

Nothin’ But Sand – April 21

When: April 21, 10 a.m. to Noon

Where: Santa Monica Beach, 2600 Barnard Way (at the end of Ocean Park, Tower 27)

Volunteer for a beach cleanup!

Nothin’ But Sand beach cleanups sponsored by:

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Earth Month Celebration – April 21 & 22

When: April 21-22, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. both days

Where: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
($5 admission/$3 minimum suggested donation, children 12 & under free)

Enjoy special Earth Day activities and family fun and free admission to everyone who cleans the beach that weekend.

Earth Day Cleanup – April 22

When: April 22, 9 – 10:45 a.m.

Where: Surfrider Beach and Malibu Lagoon, 23050 Pacific Coast Highway, parking lot #23500.

Join Heal the Bay and the City of Malibu for a joint beach and kayak cleanup

WIP FLASH – April 27

When: Friday April 27, 6 – 10 p.m.

Where: Broadway Art Space 929 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90402

WIP FLASH is a MOPLA (Month of Photography L.A) event featuring Women In Photography.

The WIP FLASH exhibition “First Nature” is in Santa Monica for one night only. The exhibition will start at 6 p.m. for Heal the Bay members with a private, VIP reception. The exhibition will open to the public at 7 p.m.

Enjoy complimentary drinks and cocktails. Valet service available.

WIP FLASH will donate 20% of photography sales proceeds to benefit Heal the Bay.

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Tumor Found in Local Fish

02.28.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Long Beach / Avalon South Bay

A group of scientists at the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro is analyzing the presence of a tumor on a White Croaker captured in the port of Long Beach. Historically, the existence of tumors in this fish has been associated with contamination from toxic chemicals (DDT and PCBs) that are still present around the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Scientist from Cabrillo - Tumor found on White Croaker Because DDT and PCBs accumulate in the fatty parts of the fish, we recommend eating only the filet and discarding the head, skin and internal organs to avoid contamination. The health risks are much greater in children and women who are breastfeeding. High exposure to DDT and PCBs can cause cancer, liver damage and adverse effects on the immune and endocrine systems.

In order to keep your family safe and healthy please heed all signs and health advisories found near the many piers and coastal areas of southern California, particularly between the Santa Monica pier and Seal Beach, and avoid eating certain fish that can cause serious health problems such as White Croaker, Barracuda, Black Croaker, Barred Sand Bass and Topsmelt.

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Double Whammy for Beachgoers

02.15.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

Beach water quality just took a major hit, with the Environmental Protection Agency announcing its plan to eliminate federal funds for testing water contamination.

The plan would cut $10 million in grants the EPA gives each year to state and local agencies in coastal and Great Lakes states to test for tainted water.

“It feels like a double whammy to beachgoers,” Kirsten James, Heal the Bay’s water quality directortold the Los Angeles Times. “The EPA is on multiple levels telling them they are swimming at their own risk every time they go to the beach.”

According to the Times story, “the grants slated for elimination pay for local health and environmental protection agencies to conduct water quality tests and post warning signs or even close the beach when bacteria levels indicate the water is too contaminated. Swimming in polluted water exposes people to pathogens that can can cause gastrointestinal illness, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rashes and ear, eye and staph infections.”

California is eligible for about $500,000 each year.

This announcement comes on the heels of the EPA’s December announcement that it was weakening its criteria for judging the acceptable risk of illness. Under the proposal, it would be OK if 1 in 28 swimmers got sick from swimming at a beach.

There’s still time to voice your concern to the EPA about their new budget and pollution criteria proposals.

T ell the EPA to protect your family at the beach.

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Sewage Spill Closes L.B. Beaches

02.13.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Beach Report Card Spanish Long Beach / Avalon News

A 12,000 gallon sewage spill on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Compton flowed into the Los Angeles River. City of Long Beach officials ordered all open coastal beaches closed.

According to the Long Beach Post, this spill–attributed to a blocked sewer line–is similar to the Studio City spill of last year and Burbank spill in 2010, each effectively shutting down the coastal areas of Long Beach.

The Los Angeles River ends in Long Beach, where beaches will remain closed until the Long Beach Health Department testing indicates the water is safe to swimmers.

For the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality, call the Water Hotline at 562.570.4199.

For up-to-date beach closure information, download the free mobile app for iPhone and Android, or visit the Beach Report Card.

Follow the Beach Report Card on Twitter.

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And the Winner Is…

02.08.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Beach Report Card Spanish Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

The “Ocean Lover’s Choice,” El Matador, won our Facebook poll, which asked supporters to share their favorite romantic beach along the West Coast. You can’t get much more dramatic than this secluded rocky cove.

Discover the other top 10 most romantic beaches in our Valentine’s Day Beach Guide for Ocean Lovers.

Encinal Canyon, El Matador State Beach in Malibu, a Flickr photoset by “Mulling it Over”

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A Sickening Change in Water Quality Rules

02.07.2012 | Matt King

Beach Report Card

Today’s Los Angeles Times features an Op-Ed by Mark Gold, Heal the Bay’s former president, about his disappointment with new EPA beach water quality criteria that actually weaken public health protections for millions of recreational ocean users. It’s now OK for one in 28 people to get sick when they take a dip in the sea, the EPA says. Crazy, huh?

Read more of Gold’s thoughts and please urge the EPA to amend these ill-conceived regulatory revisions.

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Tell EPA to Protect Your Family at the Beach

01.31.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Beach Report Card Spanish Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

As top vacation destinations in the country, beaches are critical for recreation and the U.S. economy. Specifically, California’s coastal tourism, which generates substantial revenues, is largely dependent on clean waters. Yet, every year, millions of people become sick after visiting America’s beaches. This can ruin not only your vacation, but can lead to lost work and productivity.

A new EPA proposal to address pollution at U.S. beaches contains the startling conclusion that EPA thinks it is acceptable for 1 in 28 people to get sick when they go to the beach! Children are especially vulnerable, perhaps because they tend to submerge their heads more often and are more likely to swallow water when swimming. Imagine a school field trip to the beach – for every large conventional school bus, nearly three kids are put at risk of getting an illness like diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

EPA’s proposal also allows water testing to be averaged over a period as long as 90 days and for one in every four samples to exceed safe levels before pollution reduction is required. Both of these approaches could mask a serious pollution problem and expose families to an unnecessary risk of illness. Families shouldn’t be exposed to high levels of bacteria—and have increased chances of getting sick—just because the levels of contamination are lower on one day than on another. Beachgoers don’t need loopholes like this in the safety standards that are supposed to protect us.

Please tell EPA to make sure America’s beaches are safe for all beachgoers, especially children.

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Protect What You Love for Valentine's

01.26.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Beach Report Card Spanish Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey More Ways to Give Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

Show the special ocean lover in your life what they mean to you by donating a gift to Heal the Bay this Valentine’s Day. At the same time, you’ll be making a significant difference to our local waters.

If you like, Heal the Bay will send notification of your dedication gift along with your personal note to the person of your choosing.

Dedicate a gift.

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Vote for Your Favorite Romantic Beach

01.24.2012 | Heal the Bay

Beach Report Card Beach Report Card Spanish Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

Last chance to cast your vote! Get your vote in today!

El Matador Beach Photo by Barry M. VS. Ranchos Palos Verdes Photo by Eric Magnuson

With Valentine’s Day approaching, we want to know the ideal coastal spot for sparking a romantic mood. It can be anywhere along the U.S. West Coast, from California to Oregon and Washington. El Matador and Ranchos Palos Verdes have garnered top votes, which one will claim the top spot?

Cast your vote!

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