News
Update: November 20, 2006
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION RECLAIMS SURFERS POINT
Ventura Chapter Wins Decade Long Battle To Restore Beach
Ventura, CA (November 20, 2006) – Last night the California Coastal Commission unanimously voted to approve a plan to restore the beach at Surfer’s Point in Ventura.
The decision culminated over a decade of work by the Surfrider Foundation’s Ventura Chapter, to relocate a crumbling bike path and restore the beach to a more natural state. Once the bike and foot path have been moved inland, the beach will be rebuilt with cobble and sand.
“This is a huge milestone,” said Ventura Chapter activist Paul Jenkin. Jenkin, who helped lead the local coalition to reclaim the point, spent nearly 12 hours at the meeting on Thursday to be on hand for the Commission’s final decision.
“The hope is now that this is approved, we can move full speed ahead to get it completed.”
The Surfrider Foundation is already heralding the victory as a landmark accomplishment.
“Surfer’s Point is nationally significant project that demonstrates the viability of retreating from an eroding coast using a reasonable and measured approach,” said Chad Nelsen, Environmental Director for the Foundation. “This project should serve as a model for other communities faced with coastal erosion problems.”
The City of Ventura already has half of the projected $4 million dollar necessary to complete the project, and is applying for state and federal grants so it can begin construction.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 64 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil.
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