Conservation Bonds Helping Clean California Beaches & Ocean Water
Coastal Cleanup Day a Reminder of How Important California's Coast is to Residents
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday marks the state's 25th annual Coastal Cleanup Day and Californians will be flocking to the coast to help remove garbage that is strewn along beaches from the North Coast to San Diego. As focus turns to cleaning up our beaches, Conserving California is reminding residents of the important investments they have made in our beaches, ocean and coastline during the past decade. Californians have approved $15.5 billion in water and conservation bonds since 2000, with a significant portion of those funds dedicated to coastal projects.
"Coastal Cleanup Day is a visible demonstration of the love Californians have for the state's natural resources and their commitment to protecting its beaches, lakes and waterways. So too is Californians' continued support for investing in the state's land, water and parks. This strong support has made California the leading state in the nation in investments in beach water quality improvements," said Kaitilin Gaffney, Pacific Ecosystem Program Director, Ocean Conservancy.
Funds from past conservation measures are providing money for projects, such as stormwater runoff treatment projects that prevent toxic contamination and pollution of beaches and coastal waters. These programs are essential to protect public health and make it possible for residents and visitors to safely enjoy California's beaches and ocean waters.
Through the "Clean Beaches" Program alone, more than 100 coastal projects have received funding. Here are just a few examples of how our investments in conservation have improved beaches and ocean water quality:
Loma Alta Creek, Oceanside: Received $5 million from Proposition 40 to construct an ultraviolet treatment facility to clean urban runoff
Poche Beach, Orange County: Received $1.5 million from Proposition 40 to treat urban runoff
Surfrider Beach/Malibu Lagoon, Malibu: Received more than $2 million from Proposition 13 to help treat urban runoff
New Brighton/Seacliff Beaches, Santa Cruz County: Received more than $1.7 million from Proposition 40 to upgrade sewer system, protecting beach water quality and public health
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Received $1.5 million from Proposition 40 to divert urban runoff
Conserving California is a public education program aimed at spreading awareness of the great successes we've had in conservation and the great need that still exists. Investments in conservation have increased and improved the state's vital water quality and supply, created urban and state parks that provide recreational opportunities to help families stay healthy and helped clean up California's rivers, coastal waters and beaches. California's investments have also helped combat climate change and save critical natural habitats, wildlife corridors and working landscapes.
For more information on Conserving California and to read about conservation successes throughout California, please visit our web site, http://www.conservingcalifornia.org.
Conserving California is a public education program about our essential investments in land, water and parks presented by Audubon California, California Council of Land Trusts, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and WiLDCOAST.
