Ocean Protection

BY ANNE SOBLE

Election politics are in full swing in California, and if that results in increased efforts to clean up the ocean, we’ll take it with whatever baggage comes along on the campaign trail. There might be a few caveats, but the need to address the global concerns of coastal pollution defies partisan labeling, except by fringe elements who cannot see politics any other way. Experts from a cross-section of disciplines are gathered this week at the California and the World Ocean ’06 Conference in Long Beach to address how nations can implement the universal responsibility to assure the sanctity of the seas. Timed accordingly, the governor has just signed seven bills that can help protect the ocean and enhance the state’s water quality. “California has a proud history and tradition of leading the nation in protecting the ocean,” Gov. Schwarzenegger said at the signing, but this self-praise shouldn’t ignore the fact that Californians can also demonstrate rank indifference, if not callous disregard, for the consequences of the impact of wasteful water usage and ineffective water protection policies on the coast.

These new measures will come at no small cost to industry, small businesses and individuals throughout the state, but the alternative to being willing to pay this price is too grim to be acceptable. Among the tools that will help to effect change is a requirement that water quality control agencies make enforcement information available on the Internet and require local and regional coordination on water quality issues and public awareness of rates of compliance. The need for funding this increased ocean protection in California drives the campaign for the passage of Proposition 84—the Clean Water and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. The $5.4 billion bond measure on the November ballot provides funding for safe drinking water, improved local water supply reliability, strengthened flood protection and preservation of parks, lakes, rivers, beaches and bays, as well as the ocean and coastline. The state’s 1100 miles of coastline and a population that will soon surpass 50 million deserve no less. Adding to this is the recently announced tri-state Pacific governors’ partnership that takes regionalism to the next level. If states can work together, then nations can work together. It might even become a habit.