Save Our Shores and Surfrider Monterey team up to conclude documentary filming on Jan. 16. Public urged to come
Save Our Shores and Surfrider Monterey will host a demonstration at the CEMEX sand mining plant in Marina on Martin Luther King Day. The demonstration will be part of a documentary about the illegal operation and the environmental, economic, and social impact the mine has along the Southern Monterey Bay. Save Our Shores and Surfrider Monterey are asking interested community members and ocean advocates to join them in their effort to build community awareness about why the mining operation needs to be shut down. More details at saveourshores.org/save-sand
“This is a great opportunity for people to walk and talk together, see the site for themselves, and understand the magnitude of the taking of a public trust resource right here in our own community,” said Ximena Waissbluth, Surfrider Monterey programs coordinator.
“While we are grateful that the California Coastal Commission has put the CEMEX sand mine on notice and is advocating for our Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, we are still committed to keeping our constituents engaged about how the sand mine is eroding our coast at well above average rates,” explains Save Our Shores executive Director, Katherine O’Dea. “We hope our action along with Surfrider Monterey will speak volumes and will encourage the Commission to expedite a decision, which we believe must be a complete shutdown of the CEMEX operation.”
WHEN: Monday, January 16 from 10:00am-noon (Martin Luther King Day)
WHERE: 3399 Dunes Dr, Marina. (park along the road where permitted, demonstration group will walk together along the beach to the dredge pond, conducting a causal beach cleanup along the way)
WHO: Save Our Shores, Surfrider Monterey, Film Crew, and Community Members
WHAT: Documentary Shoot, Marine Conservation and Health, Ocean Activism, Erosion Awareness, Sand Mining, MBNMS, Dredge Pond Watch Program
NOTE: Demonstration will occur rain or shine! Please RSVP for information updates
LEARN MORE & RSVP: saveourshores.org/save-sand
ABOUT THE SAND MINE
The six decade-old plant, located in the City of Marina along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is the last coastal sand mining operation remaining in the United States. Based on numerous academic and scientific reports, the mine is responsible for unsustainable coastal erosion rates in southern Monterey Bay, which carries a significant economic and environmental burden. The plant was deemed illegal based on several Coastal Act violations cited in a “notice of intent” letter (a precursor to a cease-and-desist order) issued by the California Coastal Commission in March of 2016. Since then, the current mine operator, CEMEX, an international building materials company, has been granted multiple extensions to respond to the notice. To date, no action has been taken by either party.
ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY
A short 5 minute documentary by Ed Schehl, a filmmaker focusing on environmental and human rights issues, exposing the illegal sand mining operation and its 6 decade-old history in Marina, California. The film captures informative sound bites from scientists, ocean advocates, policymakers, economists, and coastal engineers as they explore the environmental, economic, and social impact of the mine along the Southern Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
“When I read about the sand mining plant in Marina, I felt it was important to make a short documentary about this issue to reach as many people as possible,” explains filmmaker Ed Schell. “So we can work to protect the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.”
