By April 2013 the public in Santa Barbara County will have an opportunity to comment on the Recycled Water Plan for South Santa Barbara County. HTO has had a role in development of the $100,000 plan through its involvement with the Santa Barbara County Integrated Water Management (IRWM) program and was instrumental in helping RMC Consultants, Los Angeles, convene the water and wastewater managers throughout the south County to get the plan rolling. HTO has advocated for the production of recycled water as a way of cutting down – hopefully and eventually eliminating – the disposal of wastewater effluent into the ocean. We are currently advocating for $1 million of Proposition 84 funds, distributed through the IRWM process, to be contributed to the City of Santa Barbara $10 million plan for upgrade of its recycled water plant – not only to get the plant going again, but to add microfiltration and partial reverse osmosis to the recycled water processing.
HTO Asks City of Santa Barbara to Tighten Up Climate Change Plan
On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 HTO appeared before the Santa Barbara City Council to testify that the City’s proposed Climate Action Plan inadequately addresses the expected impacts of a rising sea level under climate change. With the City’s own Plan Santa Barbara showing the El Estero Wastewater Plant and Airport threatened by more severe flooding by the end of the century, HTO stated to the Council that the time to initiate serious planning for potential damage is now, and pointed out the danger of polluted groundwater rising and mixing with the ocean (see graphic above of Plan Santa Barbara map showing old Estero flooding superimposed over a field of monitoring wells charted for serious pollutants by the State Water Resources Control Board Geotracker program). Read our comments on the City’s Climate Action Plan here, and our live statements at the City Council on September 18 here. (Go to 1:42 on the video screen.)
HTO Helps City of LA with Septic Problems
The City of Los Angeles has sent Heal the Ocean a letter of thanks and commendation for helping address its problem of septic system pollution. With Heal the Ocean’s help, and the help of HTO consultant Rick Merrifield (former Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services director), the City of Los Angeles has developed a focused strategy for tackling the numerous old and substandard septic systems within City limits. This collaborative work has enabled the City of LA to submit a $5 million Proposition 84 grant application to the State Water Resources Control Board with the full support of HTO. The LA staff was a pleasure to work with and we look forward to continue supporting them in moving LA off substandard septic systems. Read the Letter!
HTO was horribly saddened to hear of the passing of Paul Hunter Turpin on August 18, 2012. Paul was a lover of the ocean, a surfer and fisherman. “The ocean was where Paul found joy and solace,” says his obituary. “From his beloved Padaro to the Hollister Ranch, he was never far from the sea.” Paul and
many of his family members within the Turpin Family Foundation – wife, Evan, sons Hunter and Travis, brother Gebb and parents Polly and George – have all been gloriously generous supporters of Heal the Ocean for years. We send all our love and prayers to the family in this time of terrible loss
Rincon Update
HTO Imaginary Fishes Gala A Success!
Cars for Causes
Early in September, Heal the Ocean received a generous check from Cars 4 Causes, a non-profit dedicated to raising funds for charities and organizations through the sale of automobiles, boats, trucks, and RVs. We are grateful to be included in this wonderful program. If you have an old car, boat, truck or other vehicle you’d like to dispose of – even if it doesn’t run – all you have to do is click here (or call 1-800-766-2273) and arrange for pickup, and tell them the proceeds go to Heal the Ocean. Thank you!Support Our Doggy Bag Sponsors
Our Doggy Bag Program is rolling right along and we are grateful for Dr. David Dawson, for continuing his annual funding for the bags that are stocked in 8 dispensers from Summerland and Montecito to Arroyo Burro (Hendry’s) Beach. Dr. Dawson owns Montecito Pet Hospital, San Roque Veterinary Hospital, HydroPaws and Santa Barbara Veterinary Group. Please patronize our wonderful sponsors, and please ask your dog if he or she would like to buy 1,000 bags ($60) to help stock unsponsored dispensers! Your dog can be the opening numbers in our “HTO Dog Show” – check it out on the HTO home page, where we have installed a new and prominent home for all of the wonderful dogs supporting the HTO Doggy Bag program. All dogs interested in buying doggy bags, please head over to the HTO Donations page! ARF!Heal the Ocean extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Alexander (“Zander”) von Wiesenberger, who died in September 11, 2012 at the tragically young age of 22. His mother, Leslie von Wiesenberger, a longtime friend to Heal the Ocean, is also the sponsor of the Rincon dog bag dispenser…Thanks again to the Poehler-Stremel Charitable Trust (and Bill, Pam and Lily Poehler) for funding HTO communication with the public…COME SEE US at the Harbor & Seafood Festival in the Santa Barbara Harbor on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a great celebration of the ocean!
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HTO thanks the Poehler-Stremel Charitable Trust for providing funds to publish our newsletters and e-letters!
