Recent News

Local News Update

Recently the breakwall and local water quality has gotten some attention in the newspaper. Looks like we had a great summer for swimming with water quality near the beaches and bay getting grades of A and A+. Recently as of May some areas were listed  by Heal the Bay as ”beach bummers,” which denotes worst in the state. Hopefully these clean water reports will continue to hold.

Read the stories directly at the Press Telegrams website here and here.

Also an interesting story of where the surfboard rentals ended up after the Breakwall was constructed. Pretty sad to read where all those boards ended up. Check it out here.

Have a good weekend and enjoy the water.

Breakwater Awareness Month 2011

Join Long Beach Surfrider in some fun this month with movies, paddling, and pizza. Check out the flyer below to get the dates and times. Hope to see you there!

Write a letter to Army Corp Now!

We need your help in securing federal funding for the breakwater feasibility study.  The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, is making recommendations for funding in the fiscal year 2011 work plan.  It is critical for us to get the breakwater project on the work plan so that the feasibility study can move forward. 

Please write her a support letter that this is an important project for you.  (see sample letter below).  Also, we are using this opportunity to write to Colonel Mark Toy who is the LA District Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers to show our local support for the breakwater project. (see Sample letter further below).  Time is limited, so act now! Click the link to open your email client, copy and paste our message below or use your own. Thanks!


Copy this letter and Email to Assistant Secretary Darcy (ASACWPOC@conus.army.mil):

Subject Line: To Assistant Secretary Ellen-Jo Darcy

Date:

The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works

108 Army Pentagon

Washington DC 20310-0108

Assistant Secretary Darcy:

It is an honor to write you regarding the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project, also known as the Long Beach Breakwater Study.

The study will examine the potential reconfiguration of the Federal Breakwater in the City of Long Beach.  I am writing to respectfully request that this study be included in your recommendations for funding in the FY11 Workplan.  This study is vitally important to the environmental health and economy of our region, and has the support of the full Long Beach City Council, regional leaders and the community.

The City of Long Beach has entered into a partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake the feasibility study.  This project has the potential for ecosystem restoration, improved water quality and increased recreation

Your consideration of this feasibility study into your recommendations for funding is greatly appreciated by all stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Mailing address


Copy this letter and Email to Colonel Mark Toy (jeanne.h.imamura@usace.army.mil):

Date:

Colonel Mark Toy
Los Angeles District Commander
United States Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 532711
Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325

Colonel Toy:

Thank you for your past support of the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project, also known as the Long Beach Breakwater Study.

I am writing to respectfully request that the feasibility portion of the study be included in the Army Corps of Engineers’ fiscal year 2011 Workplan. This study is vitally important to the environmental health and economy of our region, and has the support of the full Long Beach City Council, regional leaders and the community.

As you are aware, the City of Long Beach has entered into a partnership with the Army Corps to undertake the feasibility study. This effort has the potential to improve water quality, increase recreation, and provide an economic boost to the region.

Your consideration of inclusion of the Breakwater Feasibility Study into the Army Corps of Engineers workplan is greatly appreciated by all stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Your name
Your Mailing address

Council Members looking for funds in D.C.

A good report on a couple of Long Beaches Councilmen helping Long Beach get funds for cleaning up our water and a quick recap of the Feasibility Study.

“Councilmen Robert Garcia and Gary DeLong are back in Washington this week lobbying for funds to help clean up the Colorado Lagoon and continue breakwater restoration efforts.

DeLong and Garcia made a similar trip in February 2010, gaining an agreement with the feds to help fund an $8 million study on the impact of altering the 2.5-mile rock seawall.”

Read the full article at presstelegram.com

My personal favorite excerpt:

“The Corps noted in a preliminary report that the harbor remains a cesspool of stagnant, polluted water unsuitable for many types of marine life – and possibly humans.”

East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Signing Ceremony

It was another beautiful day in Long Beach for the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem signing ceremony (aka – Waves in Long Beach Breakwater Study).   This signing is the official agreement between the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Long Beach to conduct a feasibility study of the East San Pedro Bay. Pictures are of Mayor Bob Foster, Colonel Mark Toy of the Army Corps, Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell and some familiar Long Beach Surfrider Chapter members.  Thanks to all who made it to the event!

More pictures of the event after the jump.

Pictures Before the Breakwater

So many incredible pictures of Long Beach before the breakwater (posted by Ian Lind)

First National Surfing Championship – Nov. 13, 1938

Surfers in and around Long Beach, California, 1938-39

Breakwater article on Truthout

Read the most recent breakwater article at Truthout website!

East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Signing Ceremony 11/30 10am

 (or the Waves in Long Beach Breakwater Study!)

You are cordially invited to the signing ceremony for the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Study (formerly the Long Beach Breakwater Project).  This event will celebrate the official agreement between the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Long Beach to conduct a feasibility study of the East San Pedro Bay.  The goal is to identify opportunities for ecosystem restoration, water quality improvements and increased wave activity.  Please join Mayor Bob Foster and Colonel Mark Toy of the Army Corps for this momentous occasion.

The ceremony will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2010; between 10 and 11AM at Bluff Park, on the south side of Ocean Boulevard, between Cherry and Junipero Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802.

Breakwater Film by Grant Eads

Mother Wants Her Beauty Back Film

Watch and learn.  Most comprehensive short film about the Long Beach Breakwater.

Surfrider Has It’s Own Martini

Long Beach Surfrider Foundation activist, John Apodaca, has invented his own martini to celebrate the Sink the Breakwater Campaign.  He says it tastes much better than the water off our shores and recommend you try it at home.  A clip of John and his buddy Mark on the internet radio show “Martini in the Morning” is available online at http://www.cocktailtelevision.com/.  In the clip they’re introducing the Surfrider Cocktail and giving a plug for the Surfrider Foundation.
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