Surfrider Foundation Japan Update

Dear Chapter Leaders,

We have been in contract with Hideyasu Kato from SF Japan to ask how we can best support them. He told us that things are changing and evolving so rapidly at this point that it is not clear how we can help. He did imply that there is going to be work to do for many years so our support might be better served once the initial disaster settles down. We'll continue to maintain regular contact with our friends in Japan and provide updates regarding future support in conjunction with their efforts. For the time being the best thing is for us to keep them in our thoughts and they all appreciate your concern throughout this horrific tragedy. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Edward Mazzarella
Director of Chapters
Surfrider Foundation

Mega coal terminal threatens coastal waters

Proposed coal terminal threatens sensitive ecosystems, public health, and coastal waters. Please read and sign onto RE Sources' position statement regarding the coal export facility proposed for Cherry Point in Ferndale, Washington.

read more:
Bellingham Herald
People for Puget Sound

Oil spill bill passed the House with bipartisan support

HB 1186 to strengthen Washington's oil spills program passed out of the House by a vote of 62-35. Huge thanks to legislators championing this bill and to everyone who contacted their representatives and asked for their support. Now the bill is in the Senate and again, we will need your help to let Senators know how important this bill is for Washington's marine waters.

Sponsored by Rep. Christine Rolfes, from Bainbridge Island, HB 1186 bill will:
• Improve funding for the Department’s Oil Spill Program, which is currently running a multi-million dollar deficit.
• Strengthen requirements for stockpiling appropriate spills response equipment to ensure that we are ready for a large spill in Puget Sound and on the coast.
• Expand spill response “drill” program to test assumptions made in our spill response plans and to better train responders.
• Train, equip, and drill commercial fishermen for oils spill response to increase the region’s response capacities.