Founded in Malibu, the organization has a national and international role affecting environmental decisions impacting coastlines worldwide

“We founded Surfrider Foundation in ’84,” said Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, who co-manages the Malibu Pier, served twice as Malibu’s mayor and owns Malibu’s oldest surf shop. “Surfrider was founded 10 years prior tocityhood.” 

Surfrider Foundation, Wagner noted, is a nonprofit organization that had its beginnings on Surfrider Beach — a group of Malibu surfers were concerned about increasing coastal development at their favorite surf spot, and they took action, forming a nonprofit organization that is recognized worldwide for its advocacy.

As the Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary, Wagner reflected on its impressive spearheading of many coastal and ocean environmental causes over the years.   

“Surfrider was instrumental in getting the world surfing reserve established at Surfrider Beach,” he said. “Lance Carson was also very active in the Foundation.” Carson was a Malibu legend who was recognized as one of the best surfers in the world in the 1960s, Wagner noted.

How it all began

The event that motivated the founders of Surfrider Foundation to become proactive advocates is legendary in the surfing world. In 1983, the first time a bulldozer started carving a channel outflow for the lagoon toward the point at Malibu’s Surfrider Beach, Carson went up and tried to explain what the State Parks personnel were doing might ruin the world-class wave. 

The park ranger’s response to Carson’s concerns was dismissive. He said, “I don’t know who you are, but you are not part of this conversation.” Then, the ranger continued to give instructions to the operator of the bulldozer.

According to Surfrider’s website, Carson tried to protest and a young grom from Malibu even sat down in front of the bulldozer. However, the park ranger just ignored them as the Caterpillar D-4 bulldozer fired up. Carson pulled the grommet out of the way, and the destruction of Malibu’s first point began.

Malibu’s Andy Lyon, who grew up in the colony, well remembers those days. He recalls that Steve Woods and Glenn Hening tried to stop the bulldozer. 

Hening is quoted on the organization’s website as saying, “Those guys at State Parks are destroying first point — I tried to stop them, but they just ignored me! They took down the ‘Surfrider Beach’ sign and changed the name to Malibu Lagoon State Park.” 

Hening continued, “They carved up the lagoon, and when it starts to overflow, they bulldoze a channel straight toward the pier — the outflow gouges a channel across the bottom and the shape [of the wave] has been completely ruined andthe State Parks guys could care less.”

Henning and Lance were soon joined by Chris Blakely and Tom Pratte, an expert on the California Coastal Act. Joined by a group of surfers who were concerned about the environmental threats posed by escalating coastal development at their favorite surf break, Surfrider Beach, the trio started the nascent Surfrider Foundation. 

Lyon is critical of Surfrider for its position supporting a second lagoon project. His view is that the organization “stabbed Malibu in the back” by ultimately giving its imprimatur to the second project, which Lyon maintains rendered Surfrider beach “a mess.” He has a skeptical perspective about the organization being beneficial to Malibu, stating, “Surfrider Foundation may do good things internationally, but it’s ironic that when it comes to Malibu — the place that was the genesis of its existence — Surfrider went along with the second lagoon project and now, the point is horrible; the surf has a big bump in it.”

Independent of the controversy about the Malibu Lagoon, which engendered the formation of Surfrider Foundation, the organization has burgeoned over the last four decades.

Forty years on, Surfrider Foundation has a national and an international coastal advocacy presence

Over the years, Surfrider has grown to more than 200 chapters and student clubs fighting for more than 100 active environmental campaigns across the country.  Starting with the foundation’s success in 2014 advocating California’s statewide ban on single-use plastic bags — the first in the nation — the organization has helped to pass 134 plastic ban laws nationwide, thereby helping to preserve ocean and coastal ecosystems and to reduce plastics in the ocean, much of which ultimately goes into food sources for humans and other species.

“Surfrider Foundation has been very instrumental in addressing the Global Plastics Treaty, including the huge issue regarding small plastic pellets that find their way into all of our oceans with no enforcement stopping that from happening.” said Katina Zinner, who grew up on Malibu’s beaches and swimming offshore in Malibu and still does so now. 

Surfrider launched its Ocean Friendly Restaurant Program in 2013, an effort to drive change in consumers’ behavior regarding the use of disposable plastics. The program recognizes restaurants that are committed to cutting out wasteful single-use plastics.

Surfrider.org provides a map allowing consumers to locate ocean-friendly restaurants and a user-friendly way for restaurants to join the program. Surfrider is expanding as it launches an ocean-friendly hotels page as well.

On America’s East Coast, the organization has been impactful in many coastal environmental safety efforts. Examples include when the foundation prevailed in an action to retain beach access for surfers at the Jersey Shore along the borough of Deal, just north of Asbury Park. Surfrider has also garnered numerous successes in ensuring beach access along other parts of the East Coast. The foundation’s Virginia Beach Chapter helped ensure that state legislators voted down a bill that would have opened their coastline to gas and oil exploration. Finally, the foundation won a public beach access case in Maine when that state’s Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled in McGarvey v. Whittredge that private ownership rights in the intertidal lands do not allow the oceanfront property owners to exclude the public from crossing the wet sand to reach the ocean for scuba diving access.

Here in Southern California, the organization has spearheaded efforts to ensure that all can enjoy America’s coastal beaches and has worked on ensuring clean water protection at the border between the United States and Mexico. It settled a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission, which required the IBWC to research the feasibility of using environmentally sensitive ponding systems rather than chemical wastewater treatment for the border area. In 2008, the foundation won a huge victory when the California Coastal Commission ruled against a proposed SR-241 toll road extension that would have threatened San Onofre State Park and Trestles surf beaches. 

Surfrider has many international chapters, all of which strive to ensure that marine ecosystems are protected. Its Climate Action Program is designed to connect volunteers to restoration projects that help protect local coastlines from erosion, sequester carbon, remove invasive species, and protect local ecosystems. 

The organization’s most successful program is its Blue Water Task Force, established in 1990. The volunteer-operated water testing, educational, and advocacy program provides valuable health information to beach goers, creating public awareness and the political will to find and fix sources of beach pollution along our nation’s coasts. 

Celebrating Surfrider Foundation’s four decades as an environmental advocacy organization that now has a worldwide presence, Zuma Jay Wagner notes that it all began at Surfrider beach in Malibu. Holding up a decal designed when the organization celebrated its first quarter century, he notes that the foundation and like-minded citizens and organizations have much to do as they strive to protect oceans, beach access, and clean water all the while fighting against plastic pollution and grappling with climate change and sea level rise.

Artwork by Malibu students, featuring sponsoring Malibu businesses, adorn calendar that highlights school events

Every year, the Shark Fund, a parent-led organization that raises funds for Malibu’s public school students, creates a stunning calendar that showcases students’ creative artworks and celebrates Malibu High School and Malibu Middle schools’ arts and athletic events, all while helping school families and calendar owners stay organized. 

“This year’s calendar features beautiful student artwork curated by the talented Carla Bowman-Smith, MHS’s visual and performing arts department chair and visual arts teacher,” said Karin Mihkels, a parent who is spearheading the calendar project. “The calendar marks important dates for school events that are open to the entire Malibu community and covers from September 2024 through August 2025.” 

The calendar is free for parents at the school and community members that sponsor businesses while supplies last, she added.

As school commences, the PTSA seeks community support for our public schools

The calendar is made possible by the generosity of local businesses. With a $500 tax-deductible donation, sponsors receive prime placement of their logo and link in the Parent Teacher Student Association’s newsletter and on the Shark Fund website, thesharkfundmalibu.org. A few sponsorship spots are still available and interested businesses can contact Karin at info@thesharkfundmalibu.org.

“This calendar is a joint effort by the Shark Fund, PTA, Athletic Booster Club and Arts Angels to foster community pride and celebrate our incredible students — it’s a showcase of our students’ talents and a celebration of our schools’ arts and athletic events,” Mihkels said. “From the thrilling homecoming game on Oct. 18 to the captivating high school play on Nov. 21, The Middle School Musical and enchanting orchestra, band, and choir performances — it’s all there!”

For distribution locations when the calendar is debuted, contact the email address shown above. 

Malibu High and Webster Elementary bus service to resume

To the relief of many families, bus service will resume for children attending Malibu Middle and Malibu High schools and Webster Elementary School. The transportation service that was abruptly canceled in June as the school year ended was not scheduled for the upcoming semester, but after a team of concerned parents brainstormed ideas and pushed for what they called a “fundamental service,” Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District leaders solved the problem of finding qualified bus drivers.

According to SMMUSD, the school bus transportation is planned for the first semester only at this time while school officials evaluate the service and status of the new drivers. The service will be provided by First Student Transportation, a business that was already one of the bus companies contracted by the district, and with qualified drivers still in tight supply, SMMUSD is still accepting applications for school bus drivers “so we may return to providing service through our SMMUSD transportation department,” according to the district. There are currently four candidates going through the review process.

The new bus service provides just two routes for general education students in Malibu. SMMUSD does not provide transportation for Santa Monica general education students. Special education students district-wide will continue to be supported with bus service as designated in their Individual Education Plans (IEP) and bus service for California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) athletics and field trips will continue as they did in the 2023-24 school year.

There are 65 bus passes per each Malibu route. Passes are on sale now through the bus pass webpage at www.smmusd.org/cms/lib/CA50000164/Centricity/Domain/306/BusPassApplication.pdf

MMS/MHS students may also purchase passes at Get Your Stuff Day on Aug. 15, but passes are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Bus pass prices increased also, due to rising costs according to the district. Prices start at $405.41 for the semester.

MMS/MHS PTSA President Kevin Keegan and other concerned Malibu parents spent hours this summer working to find a solution for dozens of families who have relied on school buses to get their children to school. In an email to the The Malibu Times, Keegan said, “Restoring general education bus service for Malibu public schools’ students by the First Day of School 2024-25 has been the primary goal of Malibu parent leaders and school advocates since June 25 when we received the SMMUSD announcement of their plans to cancel bus service. Today’s announcement of bus service restoration is meaningful because many Malibu school parents can breathe a sigh of relief, many Malibu students now have confidence they can return to school with their friends later this month, and our teachers can now better plan knowing what their classroom rosters will look like.

“The Malibu brain trust who rallied together to problem solve and support our families were led by AMPS and PTA leaders.  Chad Peters in his role as Transportation Chair for AMPS, with support from AMPS President Wade Major, put in many hours seeking contacts and information that, in my judgment, helped encourage SMMUSD’s action to reverse course and restore bus service.

“Our elementary schools’ PTA presidents Bobbi Thomason and Kelsey McKinnon pitched in at key moments to offer ideas and ensure our updates were distributed widely. Karin Al-Hardan and Elena Eggers put in a lot of time, helped assess proposals, and participated in all our discussions throughout the summer.

“Malibu’s SMMUSD Board of Education Representative Stacy Rouse offered support and a sounding board throughout this process.

“Lastly, while the City of Malibu could not serve any formal role or offer resources to fill the gap, city leaders stepped up several times to provide advice. Moreover, their encouragement lifted our spirits during the days when it was difficult to be optimistic about our prospects for a positive outcome.

Bus service is important for Malibu public schools — and really all parents with students in Malibu public schools — for several reasons, including enrollment, funding, accessibility, and more. What drove us forward to today’s good news was our belief in this fundamental school service that Malibu students and parents deserve and should expect. Today, we are happy for the Malibu families, parents, and students who will have bus service on the First Day of School!”

Public meeting addressed all aspects of the planned five-year project and explained next steps to be taken

The proposed expansion of the Topanga Lagoon and restoration of all or part of the historic Topanga Ranch Motel thatwas built in the 1930s and is owned by State Parks has been contemplated for more than two decades.

On Aug. 5, representatives from various involved state and county agencies and their consultants held a Zoom meeting to present the final environmental impact review and answer any questions from stakeholders. 

The FEIR calls for renewing animal, fish, and bird habitats, protecting two endangered fish — the tidewater goby and steelhead trout, which only breeds in Topanga Creek in the Santa Monica Bay — and improving coastal access for visitors, consisting of a visitors pavilion, restrooms, and other amenities.

The expansive project budget will be finalized in the design phase and, to date, has cost an estimated $100 million, according to John Ota, an environmental scientist for California State Parks. The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains is involved in the project and in its funding.

Representatives of the offices of Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Assemblyperson Jaqui Irwin, Sen. Ben Allen, Congressman Brad Sherman, Los Angeles City Councilperson Traci Park, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, California State Parks (which owns the land where the project is located), Caltrans, District 7 (which will spearhead the construction project), Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (which operates the lagoon and beach), consulting architects and engineers, and interested citizens all gathered on the Zoom meeting. Representatives of the FEIR team presented a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of all the options that officials and contracted consultants considered and their final recommendations.

After reviewing all alternatives that it rejected, the team stated the preferred alternative will include a reduced motel configuration that will restore up to 15 units of the Topanga Ranch Motel and expand the lagoon from its current 1.1 acres to 8 acres, according to Jamie King, one of the project managers of the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project. The bridge that runs over the lagoon will be replaced and lengthened. The project also calls for an increase in visitor parking on the landside of the intersection of Topanga Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, improved visitor facilities and services, and a new area to accommodate a helipad, provide access for emergency services, and provide improvedlifeguard towers.

Details in the FEIR

“The California Environmental Quality Act is unique to our state and mandates that our team identify all potentially significant impacts to the environment for any project we undertake,” said Tom Barnes, the environmental associate who supported State Parks in the FEIR process. “The watershed is 185 square miles and is the second largest in the Santa Monica Mountains and we took many factors into account.”

The team members explained that their selected alternative project best meets natural and cultural resource protection goals and best improves coastal access, sea level rise resiliency, and visitor service opportunities. 

In conducting the evaluation process, the team took into account the effect of storms in 2023 and 2024, which worsened the ongoing erosion to the motel slope and noted that slope stabilization for the full motel would likely result in creek disturbance and would impact species in the area. Accordingly, they concluded that the best option was to restore only 15 of the Topanga Ranch Motel rooms, especially since the area behind the motel is geologically fragile, as most recently evidenced by the fact that one of the structures fell into the creek last year.  Officials from various agencies and their consultants will determine what the renovated rooms will be used for during the design phase. Uses that are being considered include a museum, low-cost overnight accommodations, and a visitor’s center with interpretive elements. 

With regard to the lagoon side of the project, Barbara Tejada, a cultural resources resources program manager at California State Parks, began by displaying old pictures of Topanga Lagoon dating back to 1876, the earliest known image of the mouth of Topanga Creek. Tejada noted significant changes to the lagoon over time, noting that in the past 150 years, 95 percent of California’s coastal wetlands have been lost due to development.

“This project is important for endangered fish as the constriction of the creek’s mouth has a fire hose effect and impedes steelhead trout, a species that has an anadromous life cycle, meaning that they travel from the ocean to freshwater,” Barnes explained.  

Jamie King, a resource conservation biologist, explained that ultimately, after extensive deliberation concerning wastewater management options, they chose to install seepage pits, as opposed to extending the Pacific Coast Highway sewer to the affected area, because a geotechnical analysis evinced that there is very shallow groundwater.

Other details in the FEIR address relocation of emergency services with a new emergency helipad near the beach level and improved and expanded visitor services.

Attendees’ concerns and questions and the effect on businesses in the area

Dozens of residents of Topanga, Malibu, and surrounding neighborhoods submitted public comments during the FEIR comment period. 

At the end of the Zoom meeting, Kathy Eldon, a resident of a neighborhood near the lagoon, expressed grave concerns regarding the “profound impact of traffic on nearby residents, other locals, businesses, and the approximately 15 million visitors who travel to Malibu annually over the projected five-year-long project.”  

Various neighbors residing on parcels adjacent to the project expressed concerns that the project would exceed five years as well and felt that further studies regarding the impact on area neighborhoods should be conducted before the project proceeds.

Lloyd Ahern, who serves as president of a nearby homeowners association, expressed concerns about the logistics of project personnel relocating approximately 250,000 cubic feet of dirt away from the project, noting that large trucks are not allowed in Malibu other than those that are delivering within Malibu.

Rosi Dagit, senior conservation biologist at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, responded that the team is “very aware of restrictions on moving trucks in Malibu and has taken native soil samples from the hillsides, confirming that there are no contaminants or aerially deposited lead below the top one to two feet of soil — all the rest of the soil will be placed in the near shore for beneficial use.” 

Various neighbors residing on parcels adjacent to the project expressed concerns that the project would exceed five years as well.

Project timeline

The FEIR will be finalized in September and the design phase will not be conducted until 2026, a process that includes design charette and complete design and permitting approvals from all relevant jurisdictions. In 2027, construction is scheduled to begin, and it will last until approximately 2032. Post-construction monitoring to ensure that ecosystems and habitats are developing and thriving will be conducted by State Parks for five years after the project is completed.

According to Dagit, after all the designs and permits are approved, the agencies will seek full funding to implement the entire project and they can quantify the budget when 65 percent of the design has been completed. 

For more information: 

Readers should visit the project website, topanga lagoon restoration.org, where they can access the FEIR and the meeting at the “What’s new” tab. Interested persons can also email topangalagoonrestoration@gmail.com.

Commission hopes city will hire a dedicated senior planner to focus on projects like the Snack Shack and Skate Park

The Public Safety Commission received an update on projects, citations, enforcement, encampments, and home wildfire assessments. 

Public Safety Director Susan Dueñas began the commission meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 7, with providing an update on the wildfire assessments and said there has been a total of 530 assessments completed since the program started in 2019.

“I can’t believe it’s almost been five years since we’ve been doing this now — it’s amazing,” Dueñas said.

The home wildfire assessments provide an exterior inspection and checklist of steps to take to harden their property to make it more resilient to wildlife. Through these inspections homes are made more resilient through home hardening and vegetation management. If the recommendations are implemented, the chances of the home surviving a wildfire increase dramatically.

Aside from improving a neighborhood’s preparedness for wildfires, under the California Insurance Commissioners Safer from Wildfire program, becoming a recognized Firewise USA Community is one of the factors that can lead to insurance discounts. In addition, Firewise USA sites may be prioritized for grant money for wildfire safety or fuel mitigation.

Dueñas also mentioned the ongoing hazardous tree removal. 

In 2021, the city received a $324,000 grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for the implementation of a Hazardous Tree Removal Program. The program aims to eliminate dead or dying trees that pose a threat to infrastructure, to reduce fuel loading, and those that hinder emergency access and egress. In June 2022, the grant was increased by an additional $350,000. Due to the program’s success, a third iteration of the grant was awarded in April 2024, in the amount of $326,000. This phase of the program is now in progress with approximately $280,000 in funding remaining. To date, approximately 550 trees have been removed from 62 properties.

This program allows citizens of Malibu to have trees removed from their property that are dead and still standing withthe potential to fall and injure citizens or land on structures. It also serves to remove trees that could block access or egress to their properties. Lastly, it removes dead fuel that would easily ignite in future fires.

Dueñas also announced the upcoming annual Public Safety and Preparedness Fair. The event is scheduled on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Malibu City Hall, and will offer a broad assortment of public safety and disaster preparedness information and resources on subjects including traffic safety, bicycle safety, animal safety, and disaster preparedness. The fair will feature a “Touch-a-Truck” event with vehicles from the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s departments, SoCal Edison, Waste Management, and Tip-Top Tow. The bicycle safety nonprofit Safe Moves will host a bicycle, scooter, and pedestrian rodeo to teach pedestrian and bicycle safety. There will be an earthquake simulator that recreates a realistic and educational experience of a major earthquake inside a house. Lastly, the fair will feature a rock-climbing wall.

The fair provides an opportunity for the community to learn about emergency preparedness and meet our local public safety and law enforcement professionals in person.

The commission also addressed the Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras and speed cameras. The Public Safety and Public Works staff are working to place ALPR cameras in high-traffic volume areas, such as canyon roads and entrances/exits to the city. The project plans outlining installation details and ideal camera locations are currentlybeing reviewed and finalized. Once the project plans are completed, the Public Works maintenance teams will begin procuring the necessary materials and proceed with the installation of the cameras on city property. The city will also be requesting encroachment permit(s) from Caltrans for any cameras that will be installed on the state agency’s property.

The commission received an update on the KBUU Booster Antenna, which is in the process of obtaining a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to install the FM booster antenna at Malibu Bluffs Park in partnership with Zuma Beach FM Emergency and Community Broadcasting, Inc. (KBUU).

KBUU station manager Hans Laetz attended the meeting and was frustrated with the time it has taken to get to the Planning Commission.

“It was an entire administrative mess with Mr. Mollica’s office that we’re here in the first place,” Laetz said. 

Laetz said the city asked him to implement an antenna, and he began, but issues continue to rise at the department.

“I can’t keep waiting for the city to get this antenna up and running,” he said. 

Dueñas said they are working with the consultants and designers to complete the antenna. 

“There’s a lot more to the story, but I feel like we’re getting close,” Dueñas said. 

Public Safety Liason Luis Flores provided an update on homelessness and encampments in Malibu. City staff conducts regular field checks alongside the LA County Sheriff’s Department and the city’s Homeless Outreach Team to monitor homelessness in the city and respond as needed when new encampments arise.

The most recent report online is for June 2024. The total number of contacts made by the People Concern Malibu Outreach Team was 288, with 70 unduplicated contacts. Thirteen individuals were contacted in permanent or temporary housing.

For commissioner comments, Commissioner Josh Spiegel said he hopes the city will hire a dedicated planning director to focus on the department’s projects such as the Malibu Bluffs Snack Shack, the permanent Skate Park, and the KBUU booster antenna. 

Malibu/Lost Hills Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided an update on traffic enforcement, crime, and safety. Soderlund said there’s a significant decrease in traffic collisions since last year. 

According to the report, on May 31, at 2 a.m., a Winnetka resident was arrested for driving under the influence near Carbon Beach. Also:

• A Burbank resident was arrested for driving under the influence and causing injury during a collision near Las Tunas Beach.

• A Hawthorne transient was arrested for shoplifting from the Trancas Market.

• A Malibu transient was arrested for residential burglary on Lunita Road.

• A Malibu transient was arrested for residential burglary at PCH / Tuna Canyon.

• A Van Nuys resident was arrested for possession of an unregistered firearm at PCH and Serra Road. 

Soderlund also said the city’s parking enforcement has been a huge help.

On July 3, Malibu’s new Parking Enforcement Services, provided through LAZ Parking, commenced operations to provide an additional layer of support to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs) during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. They issued 567 citations for illegally parked cars. Illegal parking is a common problem that impacts Malibu’s public safety, coastal access, and quality of life. Three LAZ parking enforcement officers were directed to areas where enforcement was most needed — Point Dume, Winding Way, and central Malibu. LAZ Parking also conducted enforcement throughout the city to help ensure public safety, emergency responder access, and beach access for residents and visitors. The holiday weekend parking enforcement operation signals the start of a permanent parking enforcement team that will be assigned to the city later this month. The City Council approved a contract with LAZ Parking on June 10, following recommendations by the Public Safety Commission in order to address the increasingly severe impacts of illegal parking on neighborhoods throughout the city.

“Well, I definitely noticed the highway is slower and it seems like there’s more enforcement everywhere,” Public Safety Commissioner Brian Merrick said. “It’s seems a lot better, things are getting better.” 

To thank the beach team for all their hard work, Soderlund said Dermot Stoker will be having a barbecue for them on Friday, Aug. 16, at 12:30 p.m. at Zuma Beach.

To see the full report visit www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08072024-2327.

The next Public Safety Commission meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Malibu City Hall in the multipurpose room.