Press Release
May 21, 2008
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Julie Pappas
Telephone: 727-322-2392
Email: suncoast@surfrider.org
Free Upham Beach

Saint Petersburg, FL (May 9, 2008)- After a year of negotiations with the County Coastal
Coordinator, the Suncoast Chapter of Surfrider Foundation decided to reach out publicly. On
Friday, May 9th, the chapter published the Free Upham Beach Petition on the Care 2 Petition
website. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/free-upham-beach#signatures In so doing, the Suncoast
Chapter has achieved a major milestone in the National mission to preserving the diversity and
ecological integrity of Florida’s coastal environment and healthier waters – leading their first
local campaign.

The Suncoast Chapter will soon be seen patrolling neighbors in Pinellas County armed with
pictures, copies of DEP records, and a position paper by a PhD from Western Carolina
University, along with 42 others, have published a statement against the use of erosion control
structures. Education is a core mission of the Surfrider Foundation. Thus, the Suncoast Chapter
plans to rally support for their campaign by educating the public – one person at a time.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers’ Coastal Engineering Manual describes
groins as: “…probably the most misused and improperly designed of all coastal
structures…(USACE, 2002)”. http://www.wcu.edu/4402.asp

“I worked with USGS and USF St.Pete campus on the original erosions studies for
Upham Beach placing a beach camera on the condo at the jetty to monitor the conditions
overtime. The conclusions then were that nothing would correct the problem of erosion
caused by man’s building and maintaining the pass/jetty. This is a known situation not
only at Upham but at all beaches where we continue to alter natural processes”, Randy
Johnson commented on the petition.

Supporters are logging countless volunteer hours on this campaign – and they have only just
begun. Over 400 electronic signatures have already been collected toward the chapter goal of
1,000 in under a month. The Suncoast Chapter wants the (five) 5 Geotextile tube
experimental project removed off of Upham Beach – with promise of no future
permanent structure.

Press Release
April 30, 2008
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Ericka D’Avanzo
Telephone: 772-225-3780
Email: edavanzo@surfrider.org

Surfrider Wins Major Victory as Legislature Passes Clean Ocean Act

Tallahassee, FL (April 30, 2008)- After a three-year campaign, the Clean Oceans Act (HB897
and SB1094), passed with tremendous support. In so doing, the Surfrider Foundation’s Florida
chapters have achieved a major milestone in their mission to preserving the diversity and
ecological integrity of Florida’s coastal environment and healthier waters.

The law requires owners and operators of day-cruise gambling vessels to implement sewage and
other wastewater pump-out systems at ports, or adopt closed-loop system technology just as the
cruise ships largely have begun doing. While restrictions in Federal Maritime Law state that
Florida cannot enact legislation banning sewage dumping from these vessels when they are
beyond 3 miles from the east coast and 9 miles from the west coast of the State, the bill does lay a
framework in which Florida can ensure coastal consistency and petition the Federal government
to extend sewage dumping restrictions into Federal waters.

Armed with definitive studies from the Pew Oceans Commission, Congressional Reporting
Service, U.S. General Accounting Office, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Florida Keys
Marine Sanctuary that vessel discharges are contributing factors to degradation of our oceans;
Senate Sponsor Mike Haridopolos (R-Indialantic)and House Sponsor Stan Mayfield (R-Vero
Beach) embraced their constituents wishes for action and the need for stronger coastal
stewardship. Senate and House committee meetings regarding the Clean Oceans Act showed that
gambling ships having the capacity to dump 44 million gallons of partially treated grey and black
water (sewage) off Florida’s coast every year.

“We are elated to have the Legislature’s support and would also like to thank our sponsors and
co-sponsors for their tireless efforts,” said Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter Chair Mike
Meehan.

“Supporters have logged countless volunteer hours on this campaign over the last three years,”
said co-sponsor Representative Tony Sasso (D-Cocoa Beach), who had worked on this campaign
as a Surfrider member prior to his election. “This decision was an incredible affirmation for our
efforts, and a testament to the power of mobilizing grassroots activism.”

The Surfrider Foundation will continue to direct its efforts till end of session this week toward
similar coastal and ocean protection legislation regarding the closure of South Florida outfalls
(HB7139 and SB1302) and also inlet and beach management (HB1427 and SB1672).
Additional information about the Clean Oceans Act can be found at:

http://www.surfrider.org/sebastianinlet/news/gambling.htm

About the Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and
enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary
surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and
80 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to
www.surfrider.org.

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In other news:

• We have our own Upham BLOG on National!
• It looks like El Bano sent word to National!
• Check out the National Blog on FL Legislative Session.

Below are some past chapter events:

• June 07 Suncoast Anniversary Party
• 2007 Madiera Beach Protest
• Video of Madiera Beach Protest