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2009 Press Releases

Conservation Organizations Join Legal Effort to Protect Endangered Blue Whale:

Recent Ship Strike Mortalities Again Demonstarte Consequences of Government’s Decade-Long Delay in Implementing Blue Whale Recovery Plan
Friends of the Earth, Pacific Environment, and Center for Biological Diversity, national and international conservation organizations with a combined membership of more than 120,000 people, today joined a notice of intent (submitted by EDC in August) to sue NMFS for the agency’s failure to implement the 1998 Blue Whale Recovery Plan.

Local Conservation Working Group Named National Marine Sanctuary Partner of the Year

On Tuesday, October 27, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory’s Conservation Working Group (CWG) was presented with the Partner of the Year Award by the Office of the National Marine Sanctuaries for its outstanding dedication and service. The CWG is being recognized for its volunteer work to support the Sanctuary, and–in particular–to help the Sanctuary identify and minimize new and rising threats to the Santa Barbara Channel including ocean acidification.

County Takes Steps to Rescind A Giveaway at Naples

On October 20, the Board of Supervisors initiated the rescission of two ill-conceived development agreements for the Santa Barbara Ranch Project at Naples. The Board also took steps to facilitate Coastal Commission review of the Project and restated its own commitment to reviewing Naples related issues with a wide lens and an open mind.

Conservation Groups Bring Lawsuit Channenging Government’s Failure to Protect Southern Sea Otters

The Otter Project and the Environmental Defense Center filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on September 30, in response to the Service’s failure to issue a final decision repealing the no otter zone–an outdated rule prohibiting southern sea otters from reestablishing historic populations in California waters south of Point Conceptions.

Letter to the Editor

Goleta Beach Decision a Victory for Area’s Beaches
The California Coastal Commission’s recent 9-1 vote to deny a massive erosion control structure proposed for GoletaBeach County Park was a victory for beaches and people who love the coast.

Coastal Commission Denies Santa Barbara County Beach Armouring in Resounding 9-1 Vote

Local environmentalists applauded the Coastal Commission’s denial today of Santa Barbara County’s proposed groin project at Goleta Beach.  The opposition was led by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) and its client, the Surfrider Foundation, who were joined by other groups including the More Mesa Preservation Coalition, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Urban Creeks Council.

County Rejects Santa Barbara Ranch Project MOU Revisions

On March 3, 2009, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors revisited a controversial proposal to develop more than 70 estates at Naples on the Gaviota Coast; by voting to reject an amendment to the Santa Barbara Ranch project MOU, approvals may not be set in stone.

Environmental Defense Center and Get Oil Out! Receive 2009 Ryerson Memorial Award

The Environmental Defense Center and Get Oil Out! announced today that they have both received 2009 grant awards from the Jim Ryerson Environmental Foundation. The Awards were presented to the two groups by his widow, Christine, on Thursday, February 19, in commemoration of what would have been Jim’s 63rd birthday.

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