Green
Nature & Ecology
« Previous Entries
By Maribel R. Andonian, Co-Leader Citizens Climate Lobby
On Wednesday, February 7, the City of Pacific Grove unanimously (7-0) voted to endorse Carbon Fee and Dividend, national carbon pricing legislation proposed by Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) and presented to the Council by the Monterey chapter. Pacific Grove is the third local city (along with the cities of Monterey and Marina) to endorse CCL’s national carbon pricing plan.
The Mayor and Council members did for Pacific Grove what more and more cities, their mayors and city council members are doing these days to overcome the lack of leadership from the President and his administration—they took local action to protect current and future generations from the destructive effects of the increasing carbon dioxide pollution that results from burning fossil fuels.
Climate advocates rank climate change as the most important issue facing humanity today and work to find effective, immediate, solutions to this urgent problem. Climate change affects all aspects of our current lifestyle. It threatens national security, economic security, and public health to name just three immediate impacts. We must act now to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels or our children and grandchildren will inherit a vastly different—and less livable–world. Read more…»
Monterey One Water (M1W) formerly known as Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA) encountered an equipment control failure at the Regional Treatment Plant in Marina this morning 1-20-18 and discharged untreated wastewater into the Monterey Bay through their ocean outfall discharge pipe. The discharge pipe extends out into the ocean two miles.
The Agency is still calculating the exact amount of wastewater released into the ocean but estimates are over a million gallons. M1W promptly notified the offices and appropriate personnel of the Marina Fire Department, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Monterey County Environmental Health Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). M1W staff immediately started sampling the local beaches near the spill site for elevated bacteria levels.
Results from these samples will be posted on the M1W’s website immediately after they are compiled. Subsequent information will be provided on the Agency’s website as it becomes available.
Turnouts and beaches closed for health reasons!
UPDATE: Estimates now are that 4.9 million gallons were spilled
Assemblymember Mark Stone sent us a copy of the letter that went out to CEMEX, the sand mining operation in Marina, which is on the edge of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and has for years threatened sensitive coastal habitat, damaged public and private property, and exploited state resources without paying for them. CEMEX Lapis plant letter 5-16-17
The San Jose Mercury News has an excellent article about the well-being of the endangered California condors which make Big Sur their home.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_30211503/big-sur-fire-condors-safe-now-but-biologists
On June 16 the City of Pacific Grove Planning Commission will discuss the Implementation Plan dated June 1, 2016 and a recommendation to Council. A Special Planning Commission meeting the week of June 20, 2016 may also be considered. Council will continue the item from June 15 to a Special Meeting on June 29. Read more…»
Senate Bill (SB) 1363, authored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel), passed off of the Senate Floor and now heads to the Assembly. The bill requires the Ocean Protection Council (OPC), in coordination with the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), to establish a program to restore eelgrass in order to mitigate the impacts of global warming on the ocean and on California’s coastal plant and animal species.
Read more…»
The Coastal Commission will report out on recent workshops concerning the Local Coastal Program Planning process and Sea Level Rise Planning at their May 11, 2016 meeting in Newport Beach. Read more…»
By Bruce Cowan
There are several species of oxalis occuring locally, including native redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) with white flowers growing under redwood trees in Big Sur, and several others–mostly small non-native weeds. The most invasive is the pretty yellow one often referred to as Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae) shown in last week’s front page photo. This species is from Africa, not Bermuda, and was probably introduced as an ornamental. Sourgrass is another name because it has oxalic acid to give it a sour taste. Read more…»
Favorable weather boosts population but numbers remain relatively low Read more…»
On Thursday, December 13, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Avenue, Coastal biologist Dave Shonman will tell us how the wind, the waves, the ocean currents and rivers interact with plants and animals (including people) to create, maintain and sometimes damage our region’s beaches and dunes, Read more…»
Sustainable Pacific Grove and the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History will co-host the launch of a new book that includes a never-published essay by the famed biologist. It’s about a 10-week trip from the Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska. . .and so much more.
Read more…»
Despite the misgivings of some, the State Water Resources Control Board today [11-18-15] awarded a $7.2 million loan at 1% interest to the City of Pacific Grove for use on the Local Water Project which will divert sewer water for treatment to be used for nonpotable water needs such as the Golf Links and El Carmelo Cemetery. Mayor Bill Kampe, representatives of Cal Am, and Dave Stoldt from Monterey Peninsula Water Management District were among the proponents speaking in favor of the matter before the State board.
As we approach winter and the likelihood of an El Niño weather pattern, SPG encourages the public to examine the prospect of sea-level rise and of increasingly severe storms. Is our beautiful coast ready? Is our infrastructure at risk?
Read more…»
Being fans of wordplay and of Edward Gorey (you see his drawings if you watch “Mystery!’ on PBS) we could not resist reprinting this allegorical tale provided by the Xerces Society, advocates for insects and particularly Monarchs. Enjoy it. Read more…»
Save Our Shores’ 7th annual award recognizes leaders in marine conservation
Read more…»
By the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Read more…»
Pufferfish wash up after Monterey Bay red crab tide
Last weekend, Oct. 17-18, Save Our Shores Program Director, Rachel Kippen, walked the Monterey Bay coastline to scout new places for student field trips. Along her 20 mile trek from Sunset State Beach in Santa Cruz County to Del Monte Beach in Monterey Bay County, she came across what looked like two pufferfish washed up in the wrack line about a four miles south of Marina State Beach.
Read more…»
The City’s Local Coastal Program is in the midst of an Update and you are invited to participate in TWO upcoming Community Workshops: Workshop flyer rev Read more…»
The season of orange and black is nearly upon us.
Monarch butterflies will return to the Monterey Peninsula beginning in October, with even higher numbers expected to arrive in November. With the start of their over-wintering season, Sanctuary docents with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History will once again staff the site beginning Saturday, October 3, from noon to 3 p.m. Read more…»
D.E.I.R. Proves Alternate Sites are Superior for Pebble Beach Inclusionary Housing
Read more…»
What do astronauts, musicians, inventors, photographers, mythbusters, magicians, aviators, archeologists, a 100 year-old cardiologist, Alan Turing experts, and a great big bat all have in common?
Read more…»
Save Our Shores cleaned 10 sites on April 18 with the help of 408 participants
An early start could be beneficial for this shorebird species threatened by sea level rise and storm surges, but they need the help of beach goers.
Read more…»
An abandoned harbor seal pup is rescued by Marine Mammal Center’s experienced people. Don’t try this yourself – contact Bay Net volunteers or Marine Mammal Center. Pups are not always abandoned which seem to be. Hope you’re a facebook member and can see this very short video.
https://www.facebook.com/cedarstreettimes
Harbor Seals of Pacific Grove
Kim Worrell
Seal Pup #1 and his mom at Hopkins Beach
Read more…»
« Previous Entries
archive
