First, Happy Thanksgiving! Second, allow us to apologize for the lack of communication in recent weeks. Between the storm and other duties, we’ve been swamped, but rest assured we’ve been staying busy.
For proof, check the latest North Beach Sun. Our chapter placed an ad on the back to support our “Clean Beaches = Healthy Businesses” campaign, informing the public of the potential threat from offshore drilling and how to contact Dare County legislators. (Thanks Brent Nultemeier and BN Design.) It goes to Outer Banks residents as well as homeowners who live off-island. Look for it and let folks know there’s plenty of great talking points to educate the unaware. (Among the points we included was the disaster off Australia using ‘state-of-the-art’ technology that spilled for 74 days. It’s finally stopped, but the mess is just beginning as officials say it will take seven years to clean up the mess. ) Our next step is to get on the different town meeting agendas and start stockpiling resolutions in opposition. Look for more on that after the holidays.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other ways to help defend our shores. First, in the wake of the storm, it’s a great time to go clean a beach — adopted or otherwise. Also, we received plenty of outcry over various towns pumping the storm water out into the ocean. Some surfers even complained of illness. This is an issue we want to put on the front burner, so we’re asking all chapter members to email us via the website’s contact page — http://www.facebook.com/l/c2ab3;surfrider.org/outerbanks/contact.cfm — with the following details:
1. If you saw places where towns were pumping, please email us exactly where and if there were closure signs posted to warn people
2. If you surfed/swam and got sick, let us know where you were and detail the symptoms.
Also, we’re considering two new campaigns to keep litter off our beaches. One is a filament recycling program that would encourage fishermen to put their used line in receptacles at key locations. We’d be responsible for checking the stations on a regular basis. If you’re interested in helping, email us.
Finally — and this project’s already in the works — we’re taking part in a program that recycles plastic bottle caps. Apparently, when you throw all those soda water and shampoo bottles in the green bin, they remove the caps and throw them away. As a result, Aveda – the hair product company – has begun sponsoring efforts to gather and recycle them. They even pay for shipping. We’re going to encourage schools and other folks to collect them from beaches and in the home. Again, email us to get involved. (And learn more here: http://www.facebook.com/l/c2ab3;aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp)
As far as events go, we have a pasta dinner and slide show at the Pit on Dec. 16 and a beach clean-up on Dec. 5 (location TBD.) We know the holidays are busy, but please take time to attend or help in whatever fight fires you up. If nothing else, maybe take the time this coming weekend to hit the beach, gather some trash — and burn off some turkey.
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving. And thanks, as always, for the support.
Sincerely,
Your Outer Banks Surfrider Executive Committee
——————–
On March 31, 2010 the Obama Administration announced it would open up large portions of the East Coast and Eastern Gulf Coasts to offshore oil drilling and exploration. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) will be holding meetings on to hear public testimony about the proposed seismic testing. Seismic testing represents the first step in offshore oil drilling.. The first round happens next week.. You CAN attend Norfolk and still talk about NC.. Also, if you are attending, let us know which meeting so we can group people and they can select varying points to discuss. For this meeting, focus on the concerns surrounding ‘seismic testing’, including commercial fishing (see attached talking points).
Again, it’s crucial we fight at every step. The political figures are paying attention to which communities are screaming most. For more proof, just look at Obama’s decision on where to open exploration: every state that voiced firm opposition at last April’s rally didn’t get opened; the states who were wishy-washy or — as in the case of NC — didn’t show at all, got thrown under the bus. It’s that simple.
Nancy
outerbanksharvest
Michelle
