In This Issue

Coastal Commission Meeting for Toll Road

MPA Site Selection Process

A Season for Sampling

Quick Links

-Orange County Coastkeeper

-Inland Empire Waterkeeper

-Toll Road Project

-Marine Life Protection Act

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As Coastkeeper kicks off 2008, we face two important coastal protection issues in Southern California: the Foothill South Tollroad and Marine Protected Areas. In this newsletter, you can also read about how our Water Monitoring Projects keep us busy during the rainy season.

When it rains in your neighborhoold, anything on the street and sidewalks will wash down local stormdrains and impact our waterways. This winter, please remember to prevent polluted runoff and keep our streets clean!

Feb. 6: Coastal Commission Hearing for Toll Road!

On February 6, the California Coastal Commission will vote on whether the Foothill South Toll Road Extension is consistent with the Coastal Act. Coastkeeper will attend this crucial hearing to testify on water quality. Open to the public, this hearing takes place at Wyland Hall, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Friends of the Foothills will provide free bus transportation, lunch and a t-shirt to those who want to attend the meeting. Check out the latest updates:

Governer Schwarzenegger to speak at Inland Empire Waterkeeper Event on Feb 11

IE Waterkeeper is hosting the event "Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future" at the Riverside Convention Center on Monday, February 11th. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the keynote speaker for the event. Honorees include Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, Mr. Ali Sahabi and Mrs. Jane Block for their work to improve the environment of the Inland Empire. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Riverside Land Conservancy.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Irma M. Flores at 951-684-2585

MPA Site Selection Process Coming to SoCal in 2008!
Rigs to Reefs Recap

Right now in California, a process is underway to create new Marine Protected Areas (MPA's) that will do a better job of protecting and restoring California's marine resources. The first marine protected areas in the Central Coast region went into effect in September, 2007. The North Central Coast is predicted to be done in May or June. The next region will be in Southern Coast from Point Conception to the Mexican Border. Although no specific timetables have been set, a task force of stakeholders will be assembled and a science advisory panel will be appointed for Southern California in early 2008. Applications will be due in April for the Science Advisory Group. Coastkeeper is coordinating with other Southern California environmental groups and members of the California Coastkeeper Alliance to ensure that the necessary areas are protected.

"Ocean Protection coming to Southern California" - OC Register, December 9, 2007
Stay informed! - For more information about the MLPA Initiative and opportunities for involvement, please visit the MLPA page on the CA Dept. of Fish and Game website and the Coastkeeper website.

A Season for Sampling: Coastkeeper stays busy with wet-weather water monitoring

An important part of our mission is research: identifying sources of polluted runoff and working to solve water quality problems. During rain events, Coastkeeper sends teams across the county to collect samples from stormdrains, nursery operations and San Onofre State Park. Some of our samples are sent out to professional laboratories, and we conduct several tests at our own lab.

Please click the links below to learn more about:

Thank you for your continued interest in Orange County Coastkeeper and Inland Empire Waterkeeper.

Sincerely,

Garry Brown
Orange County Coastkeeper