IMPORTANT UPDATE!
Hello Coastal Defenders,
First and foremost, thank you. You are the heartbeat of this movement, and together, we are growing stronger. We all share the same goal: protecting our beaches and oceans. Our voices, our persistence, and our collective action are making an impact.
Upcoming Strategy Call – Saturday, February 22 at 1 PM
We have a Zoom call scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 1 PM to discuss our next steps. It is critical that we come together to strategize how to hold our elected officials accountable and demand action. The Zoom link is at the bottom of this update.
Agenda:
- New Hub of Information - Launch of new website www.CleanUpTheBeach.com
- Overview of activities since the protest
- Overview on Our Meeting with EPA and what we learned
- What we tested the samples for and when we expect results
- Next Steps for Community Action & How to get involved!
- Ocean Protection Council Meeting – March 3, 2025
- Question & Answer
- Community Contribution - We want to hear from you!
We need your input and participation to plan our next steps. Your voice matters. Together, we will make a difference.
Time: Feb 21, 2025 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89421780119?pwd=3DSmTu7HFkiimFzLgz1JaIc5aZGb0u.1
Meeting ID: 894 2178 0119
Passcode: 220799
Current Situation – The Fight Continues
As many of you know, our beaches remain in terrible condition, covered in soot and ash from the Palisades Fire. Contamination is now spreading south of Santa Monica, yet LA County and Governor Gavin Newsom have failed to take meaningful action.
Meanwhile, the EPA is moving forward with its toxic debris sorting facility at Will Rogers Beach, a decision that was made with little transparency and without community input. We will not stand by while our coastline is turned into a hazardous waste site.
Updates & Actions Taken This Week
✅ New Website & Hub for Advocacy
We have launched www.CleanUpTheBeach.com a central hub for updates, advocacy efforts, and conversations with government agencies. Sign up for our email list to stay informed and get involved.
✅ EPA Meeting & Letter Submission
We met with the EPA regarding the Will Rogers Toxic Sorting Site and have published a summary of the meeting and key questions on our website. Additionally, we submitted a formal letter outlining our demands for toxic debris removal and comprehensive coastline remediation. Read the full letter on the website.
✅ Independent Testing & Public Health Concerns
LA County continues to claim the beaches are safe, but they have provided no lab results or hard data to support this assertion. Out of caution, we strongly advise avoiding contact with soot, ash, and fire debris until independent testing is completed.
Our own lab tests are pending, but we have expanded the testing to include a wider range of chemicals and toxins. The University of Hawaii will review our results, ensuring independent, expert analysis. We demand full transparency on environmental assessments before any further actions are taken.
✅ Political Advocacy & Legislative Action
We have been in contact with Traci Park’s office, and we understand she is preparing an amendment to address fire debris removal and necessary remediation. We will update you as we learn more.
Ocean Protection Council Meeting – March 3, 2025 (1-5 PM via Zoom)
We have another critical opportunity to be heard at the Ocean Protection Council Meeting on March 3rd. This meeting is meant to discuss the state’s climate action plan for the ocean, yet there is no mention of the toxic debris crisis or wildfire contamination.
📢 What You Can Do:
1️⃣ Submit a public comment (deadline: Friday, February 28th) or request to speak during the meeting.
2️⃣ Make your voice heard—demand toxic debris removal be prioritized.
3️⃣ Follow instructions here to submit a comment: https://opc.ca.gov/2025/01/council-meeting-march-3-2025/
Sample Public Comment (Make It Personal!):
As a resident of (your city), I am deeply concerned about the State’s lack of action and transparency regarding the toxic debris contamination along our coastline.
Governor Gavin Newsom and state agencies have failed us. Our ocean is becoming more toxic by the day, putting public health and marine life at risk. Additionally, allowing the EPA to establish a toxic sorting facility at Will Rogers Beach, next to a residential neighborhood and a beloved coastal area, is reckless and dangerous.
We demand the following:
🔹 Commit to large-scale beach remediation efforts to remove hazardous wildfire debris.
🔹 Conduct comprehensive air, soil, and water testing—especially after rain events.
🔹 Provide full transparency on all environmental safety assessments.
🔹 Reevaluate the use of Will Rogers Beach for toxic waste sorting and explore safer alternatives.
🔹 Hold a public town hall to address community concerns and environmental risks.
🔹 Release reports on toxicology, marine life impacts, and debris removal progress.
🔹 Stop toxic storm drain runoff into Santa Monica Bay.
🔹 Honor tribal consultation on this NAHC-registered sacred land before taking further action.
📢 Call Governor Gavin Newsom – Demand Action Now
We need to escalate this to the state level and demand urgent action from Governor Newsom.
📞 Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office: (916) 445-2841
Tell him: We will not accept inaction. We demand immediate toxic debris removal and a halt to the Will Rogers Sorting Site.
With determination and gratitude,
Ashley
ash@cleanupthebeach.com
Join Us on Zoom – Saturday, February 22 at 1 PM
We need your input and participation to plan our next steps. Your voice matters. Together, we will make a difference.
You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Time: Feb 21, 2025 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89421780119?pwd=3DSmTu7HFkiimFzLgz1JaIc5aZGb0u.1
Meeting ID: 894 2178 0119
Passcode: 220799
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