Heal the Ocean Stays the Course in Finding Ocean Pollution Solutions

Tracy Shawn, Noozhawk Contributor

“Ten years ago, Hillary Hauser became outraged when Santa Barbara beaches started closing. In response, she wrote a newspaper commentary that sparked a public protest over polluted waters.

On Aug. 19, 1998, while the demonstration was in full form in front of the County Administration Building, Hauser and Santa Barbara attorney Jeffrey Young (now chairman of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board), co-founded Heal the Ocean. Under the umbrella of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Institute, Heal the Ocean became a nonprofit organization with Hauser as its executive director.

Heal the Ocean’s primary philosophy is that the ocean no longer can be used as a dump. Armed with this simple, yet profound, premise, the group has been diligently working to make this a reality. . .”

Creek Pollution Linked to Humans

Scott Hadly, Santa Barbara News-Press

“Humans waste is the largest single source for the stew of fecal bacteria flowing down Rincon Creek and into the ocean, according to a recent DNA study of water samples taken from the area.

Paid for by the environmental group Heal the Ocean and the county’s Environmental Health Services, the study showed that much of the bacteria - which has made the popular surf spot also one of the most polluted beaches in the county - is coming from human sources. . .”

Hepatitis A Found in Water at Beaches, Treatment Plant

Melinda Burns, Santa Barbara News-Press

“Researchers have discovered the hepatitis A virus in water samples from South Coast beaches, a creek and the city’s sewage treatment plant, raising questions about the potential risk to the public’s health.

For the present, however, that threat appears not to have materialized into an actual source for widespread disease.

Heal the Ocean, a citizens group, collected the samples at six local beaches and one creek in October and sent them to a University of Southern California laboratory for analysis. The lab found the hepatitis A virus in samples taken in the surf zone at Leadbetter Beach and the east end of Goleta Beach, Las Palmas Creek in Hope Ranch, and the treated wastewater at the city’s El Estero plant. . .”

Another Day at the Beach - One Year Later

Hillary Hauser, Santa Barbara News-Press

“Exactly one year ago my guest commentary, “Another day at the beach?” was published in the News-Press Sunday Perspective section, and from the community there came an immediate outcry of pain that was nothing less than chilling.

Radio announcers read the commentary over the air, there was a demonstration at the county building, with 200 people showing up with signs and placards that said things like “Ocean or Outhouse?” and my telephone rang off the hook, with sad and angry people wanting to know they could do.”

Riding a New Wave - Beach Closures Spur Anti-Pollution Drive

Mark Van Kamp, Santa Barbara News-Press

“Jeff Young normally would let his children frolic in the ocean during the hot days of summer.

But this year local coastal waters are too polluted, the Santa Barbara said.

“It’s a sad day in paradise when I have to think twice about letting my kids go to the beach,” he said.

Because of bacteria spilled from creeks, lifelong surfer Wayne Babcock of Carpinteria said he and his friends get ear infections and skin rashes. . .”