The Next SPUR Public Workshop

Coastal Access at Sloat

Greetings Surfriders and Friends,

The SPUR website has just posted public comments from SPUR's public workshop number two, the Alternatives Phase. See http://www.spur.org/ocean-beach If you read the comment summary sections, it should become crystal clear why it is so important that people from our community show up, fully informed and ready to participate at these meetings. Again, the next and final SPUR public workshop is Saturday October 29th at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center 6101 Fulton St @ 37th Ave 10am-12:30pm. Please mark the SPUR workshop date on your calendars!

In addition, SF Baykeeper is currently featuring an informative article about sea level rise and Managed Retreat on their website. The piece mentions our plight at Sloat with a quality link to a historical background of the issue. See: http://baykeeper.org/blog/bcdc-approves-amendment-bay-plan-addressing-sea-level-rise
Finally, the Rip Curl Pro WCT contest is coming right on the heels of the last SPUR workshop. Surfrider National and the local chapter will be co-sponsoring the opening party on Tuesday November 1 at the Mezzanine. The theme of the party will be raising awareness of the Sloat issue. See more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=258782484157893

Ocean Beach Master Plan Open House at the Park Chalet

Just in case you missed the SPUR workshop at the zoo January 15, there will be another chance for the public to review and comment on the Ocean Beach Master Plan. On Saturday March 5, from 10am - 12noon, the Park Chalet will host the workshop material. All folks that want to see our beach restored at Sloat are urged to weigh in at all SPUR workshops. In addition to the Sloat issue, there are other important issues getting addressed in the Master Plan: restrooms, bike paths, garbage collection, native plant restoration efforts, etc. Feel free to bring the family has there will be free root beer and facepainting for the kids. Thanks to Lara Truppelli of the Park Chalet and SandOB for sponsoring this event.

Bank Swallows Now Nesting in the South Sloat Bluffs

Greetings Surfriders and Friends,

DPW wanted us to help spread the word that the Bank Swallow (a Ca State threatened bird species) is now nesting in the South Sloat bluff area – above the new revetment - and that beach users should take care to avoid disturbing their habitat. DPW has cordoned off the area with orange construction fencing. Please access the beach further north of the new revetment

It is also important to note that the presence of the Bank Swallow is preventing DPW from working on Phase II of the emergency project - the stabilization of the bluffs and the re-opening of the southbound lanes. The Swallows should be finished nesting by sometime late this summer. Look for construction activity to commence sometime in September. Meanwhile, in other news, SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research) has one a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy and is now planning the government/public stakeholder meetings on crafting a long term solution for Sloat. Dates TBA. One more note; Please continue to inform the community about what's going on at Sloat. There are still many in our community that do not know what is going on down there, the issues at stake, the history, and the solutions on the table. Going forward, it is in everyone’s interest to have informed public participation at these meetings… Thanks!

Bill McLaughlin
San Francisco Chapter Erosion Committee