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Heal the Bay Blog

Category: Beach Report Card

Know Before You Swim in the O.C.

05.29.2012 |

Beach Report CardBeach Report Card SpanishSouth Bay

Ocean lovers in the Orange County now have a newly-enhanced resource for assessing water quality conditions before going for a swim.

 The Orange County Health Agency’s Ocean Water Protection Program just upgraded its public web tool, making it more user-friendly with features that include:

  • An interactive Google Earth map on the homepage that allows a quick status check of current ocean water quality conditions.
  • Color-coded map pins (green-yellow-red) indicating the current ocean water quality conditions.
  • A “menu bar” along the top of the Google Earth map that provides an easy-to-use drop down list to find your favorite local beach area, from Huntington Beach to San Clemente.
  • Clicking on the drop down list provides a close up view of the local beach area with water quality status, current weather conditions, beach amenities and beach information links.
  • Clicking on a color-coded pin provides a photo and directions to the beach along with information about the monitoring location and its sampling frequency.

Give it a try!

Read how California beaches fared in Heal the Bay’s recently-released annual Beach Report Card® . Weekly grades are also available from your iPhone or Android or online at www.beachreportcard.org. In addition, grades can now be viewed on Weather Underground.

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Heal the Bay's 2012 Beach Report Card

05.23.2012 |

About UsBeach Report CardBeach Report Card SpanishLong Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice Beach

California beachgoers can head to the shore with little anxiety this summer, as their beaches are generally very clean, according to Heal the Bay’s 2012 Beach Report Card®. In fact, 407 of the 441 beaches monitored throughout California’s summer dry weather received very good to excellent (A and B) grades; a 2% improvement from the previous report.

The Report

Press Releases

Online Beach Report Card

This is the 22nd time Heal the Bay has released an annual Beach Report Card, which provides water quality information to millions of people who swim, surf, dive or fish along the West Coast, including Oregon and Washington.

This year’s grades encompass more than 650 locations along the West Coast for summer dry weather and more than 300 locations year-round on an A-to-F scale. The grades represent the risk of adverse health effects from bacterial pollution.

Overall, only 25 of the beaches (6%) monitored statewide received D or F grades during summer dry weather, when most beachgoers typically use the ocean. High bacteria counts at these sites are linked to such potential illnesses as stomach flu, ear infections and major skin rashes.

Los Angeles County once again leads Heal the Bay’s annual Beach Bummer List, with seven locations in the ranking of the state’s 10 most polluted beaches. Avalon Beach on Southern California’s Catalina Island, troubled by outdated and leaking sewers, claimed the No. 1 spot.

On the positive side, San Diego, Orange and Ventura counties once again had superb water quality in dry summer. Central and Northern California ocean beaches also continued their trend of outstanding water quality in dry weather, save for some troubled spots in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.

Read the full report.

Beachgoers can check Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card weekly grades from their iPhone or Android, or online at www.beachreportcard.org. In addition, grades are now available on Weather Underground.

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Weather Underground, HTB Partner on Beach Report Card

05.07.2012 |

About UsBeach Report CardLong Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyNewsPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice Beach

Just in time for summer vacation planning, weather information site Weather Underground is now providing Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card grades to beachgoers in California and the Pacific Northwest on its Beach Weather pages, potentially reaching 12.5 million users each month in the U.S.

Not just weather geeks, but tourists, surfers and swimmers alike can assess water quality before heading to the shore, as well as real-time weather forecasts, wind conditions and tidal phases. Live webcams and satellite images also document up-to-the minute conditions.

Grades from our Beach Report Card are also available as a free iPhone or Android app and at www.beachreportcard.org.

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'Vampire Diaries' Star: 'Trash Sucks'

04.19.2012 |

Beach Report CardNews

Ian Somerhalder, (The Vampire Diaries) appeared on the Good Day LA morning show on Fox11 Thursday, April 19 to discuss why he has a stake in protecting the planet. When he sees trash on the beach he said, “My heart breaks a lot. We tend to be careless with our stuff.”

To help pick up all that stuff, Ian will join Heal the Bay’s Earth Month Nothin’ But Sand cleanup Saturday, April 21 as part of the “Get Dirty Where You Live, Work & Play” Earth Day 2012 Initiative in collaboration with Heal the Bay, the California Coastal Commission and Whole Foods Market.

To find out more, visit the IS Foundation.

 

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Marking 40 Years of the Clean Water Act

03.20.2012 |

About UsBeach Report CardLong Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice Beach

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 |

About UsBeach Report CardMalibu / Pacific PalisadesSanta 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: 99¢ Only Stores Logo

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 |

Beach Report CardLong Beach / AvalonSouth 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 CroakerBecause 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 |

Beach Report CardLong Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice 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.

Tell the EPA to protect your family at the beach.

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Sewage Spill Closes L.B. Beaches

02.13.2012 |

Beach Report CardBeach Report Card SpanishLong Beach / AvalonNews

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 |

Beach Report CardBeach Report Card SpanishLong Beach / AvalonMalibu / Pacific PalisadesMarina del Rey / Playa del ReyPalos Verdes PeninsulaSanta MonicaSouth BayVenice 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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