February 5, 2007
In This Issue
Sign Up
Quick Links

Last issue, we reflected on Coastkeeper’s achievements in 2006. Now it’s time to look ahead at what’s happening in 2007! With two new projects to add to our current programs, it promises to be a very busy year. There are endless ways you can join our effort to protect our coast, and in this issue you’ll find out how.

Also, be sure to check out our Quick Links to learn about last week’s landmark US Appeals Court ruling on coastal power plants and once through cooling.

Fish

Coastkeeper Magazine, the California Artificial Reef Enhancement Project and the Coalition for Enhanced Marine Resources are sponsoring a Rigs to Reefs Conference. Though we are finalizing the agenda, information about the event is available on the website. Currently, we are having technical difficulties with credit card payments, but we are accepting payment by check.

A FEW OF THE DETAILS:
Date: Friday, March 30, 2007
Time: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: Waterfront Hilton Huntington Beach, CA
Registration Fee: $25 per person

More information will be emailed out this week and invitations will be mailed shortly thereafter.
Harbor

In the past few years, Orange County Coastkeeper has focused our Marine Research Program on pollution in Newport Back Bay. This month we are pleased to announce the launching of our latest research project for the City of Newport Beach: the Lower Newport Bay Metals/Stormdrain Study. While our previous projects have identified the type and amount of metals found in Newport Bay, this project looks to the sources of this pollution, specifically urban runoff carried through stormdrains.

Over the next year and a half, Coastkeeper will collect samples during storm events and dry weather from 20 stormdrains that empty into Lower Newport Bay. Our data will help determine the contribution of stormdrains to metals pollution in the Bay.

We are looking for Stormdrain Teams to volunteer during rain events this year, so please follow the link below for more information.
Nursery

While people may not think of nurseries and agriculture when you mention Orange County, there are over 100 nurseries currently operating in the area. Unfortunately, common practices such as over watering and poor site design can result in polluted discharges entering our waterways. With the right technology and use of Best Management Practices (BMPs), nursery operators can reduce their runoff and improve water quality. That’s why Coastkeeper and the U.C. Cooperative Extension are collaborating to help nurseries operators reduce water pollution through implementing BMPs.

After an initial sampling of nursery runoff, this project will offer free BMP training to nursery operators and create demonstration projects to evaluate new BMP technology. Our ultimate goal is to decrease polluted runoff coming from nurseries and in effect improve the water quality of our local waterways.

Volunteers and interns are needed to collect samples during rain events and dry weather.
Volunteers

With our new projects and the expansion of existing programs, Coastkeeper is actively recruiting volunteers in a wide range of areas to fits anyone’s interests:

• Restoration: Coastkeeper is putting together volunteer teams for our first Coastkeeper Garden. Our immediate volunteer needs include weeding and soon we will need help planting. So get those gardening gloves and work pants on and grab a shovel. Check out the Coastkeeper Garden page for more information.

• Water Monitoring: Coastkeeper needs teams ready to collect water samples at local creeks and stormdrains for our two new projects. Volunteer Now!

• Education: With over 300 students at over 8 schools, we are busy with field trips throughout the school year. If beach cleanups, marine life inventories sound like fun to you, and if you like to work with kids or take pictures, Become a WHALES volunteer!

Thank you for your interest in Orange County Coastkeeper and Inland Empire Waterkeeper. Please feel free to distribute our e-newsletters to others you think may be interested.

Sincerely,

 Garry's Signature
Garry Brown
Orange County Coastkeeper