Surfrider News & Events: February ‘10

By: John Hearin

Surfrider Foundation, Cocoa Beach Chapter
By John Hearin
surfrider.cocoabeach@gmail.com
www.surfrider.org/cocoabeach/

The Cocoa Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has joined a statewide coalition of political, business, and environmental organizations to oppose oil drilling off the Florida Coast. We feel that the risk to our beaches and waters does not justify the benefits claimed by the oil lobby and that the money and effort would be better spent developing clean, sustainable energy sources for our state. The City Commissions of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and Titusville have all adopted resolutions against oil drilling. We will be seeking resolutions from the Cocoa and Rockledge commissions as well.

Surfrider will participate in the statewide “Hands Across the Sand” program on February 13. The purpose of the program is to demonstrate to the media and state politicians that the residents of Florida oppose oil drilling in our state waters. We encourage everyone who opposes oil drilling off our coast to come out to Lori Wilson Park at 1 p.m. on February 13 to join hands and send a strong message to our lawmakers in Tallahassee. For more information about the event, go to: www.handsacrossthesand.com.

Engineers from the Jacksonville Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have graciously volunteered to make a presentation on beach nourishment to the Cocoa Beach Surfrider Chapter. This will be an informal meeting wherein they will explain the process and answer questions. The meeting will be held at the Cocoa Beach City Hall on Wednesday, February 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and all interested residents are encouraged to attend.
Upcoming Surfrider events:

February 3: Corps of Engineers Presentation on Beach Nourishment, 6 to 8 p.m., Cocoa Beach City Hall

February 13: “Hands Across the Sand” to oppose oil drilling, Lori Wilson Park, 1 p.m.

February 16: Dune Planting Workday with Hard Rock Cafe, 3 to 5 p.m., location TBA

February 16: Monthly meeting, 6 p.m. at the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum in the Ron Jon’s Annex

Whether you surf, body board, swim, fish, bike, walk or just enjoy a clean healthy beach, please consider joining the Surfrider Foundation. We hold regular meetings on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum located at the Ron Jon Watersports Building , 4275 North Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Hope to see you there.