MAJOR Victory as Legislature Passes Clean Ocean Act!

We're excited to announce that Surfrider scored big last week in Tallahassee! After a three-year campaign, the Clean Ocean Act (HB897 and SB1094), passed with tremendous support. We achieved a major milestone in our mission to preserving the diversity and ecological integrity of Florida's coastal environment and healthier waters.

The law requires owners and operators of day-cruise gambling vessels to implement sewage and other wastewater pump-out systems at ports, or adopt closed-loop system technology just as the cruise ships largely have begun doing. While restrictions in Federal Maritime Law state that Florida cannot enact legislation banning sewage dumping from these vessels when they are beyond 3 miles from the east coast and 9 miles from the west coast of the State, the bill does lay a framework in which Florida can ensure coastal consistency and petition the Federal government to extend sewage dumping restrictions into Federal waters.

Major thanks go out to Senate Sponsor Mike Haridopolos (R-Indialantic), and House Sponsor Stan Mayfield (R-Vero Beach) and House Co-Sponsor Tony Sasso (D-Cocoa Beach), who embraced their constituents wishes to stop the dumping of partially treated grey and black water (sewage) off Florida's coast. We'd also like to thank everyone who attended our meetings, protests, paddleouts, and other events to help educate the public about this issue. Without all of you, this grassroots effort would never have reached this level of success!

Our mission doesn't end here! Surfrider will continue to direct our efforts toward similar coastal and ocean protection legislation, as well as working to make sure that this legislation is enforced (see the information below about our next meeting).

Additional information about the Clean Oceans Act can be found at: www.surfrider.org/sebastianinlet/news/gambling.htm.

Upcoming Events

May 8

General Meeting at Bunky's Satellite Beach at 7pm. Everyone is invited. Come celebrate the passing of the Clean Ocean Act! We will also be discussing challenges to the Florida Open Beaches Bill. Enforcement of the law (which grants protection to beach access points) is currently being threatened in the Melbourne Beach area.

June 21

International Surfing Day: Celebrate the start of summer with a beach clean-up, surf clinic, and exclusive surf movie premiere. If you are interested in helping out, please email sebastianinlet@surfrider.org or call 321-426-4235.

Thanks for helping make a difference! Hope to see you at this week's meeting.

See you in the lineup,

Sebastian Aravena
Chapter Chairman
Surfrider Foundation - Sebastian Inlet Chapter
sebastianinlet@surfrider.org