Updates and Activity - South Coast Chapter of Surfrider

The South Coast Chaper of Surfrider met up for their third meeting this year at the Westport Winery on September 26th. With the intention to focus emphasis on Washington's southwest coast, the chapter was organized just this summer. September's meeting coincided with Grays Harbor's Watershed Awareness Week. So we invited Janel Spaulding, Watershed Facilitator for Grays Harbor College, to join us along with Surfrider's Washington Policy coordinator, Jody Kennedy.

As with all chapter meetings, the public is invited and welcomed to participate and meetings are usually scheduled for the second Friday of each month at the Westport Winery.

A lot was accomplished and much information was shared about Washington's watershed week activities and in particular key environmental topics of concern along Washington's coast as presented by Jody Kennedy. In particular we discussed the current status of the offshore drilling moratorium, the upcoming Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary public comment meetings, and updates on Grays Harbor's Marine Resource Committee implementation whose next public meeting will be held on October 10th from 10:00-3:00 at Montesano City Hall.

In addition we all enjoyed cheesecake donated by Stiffy's Pub in Hoquiam and delicious wine from Westport Winery which donates proceeds from every bottle sold to regional causes. We also had a chance to discuss several Surfrider fundraising ideas including the possibility of a winter surf/paddle contest in February 2009, so stay tuned for that!