Martin's Beach 5: Battle for the Beach

We've heard it before: a picture's worth 1000 words. 



By that logic, a film's worth would be exponentially greater.   

The rock stars over at The Inertia have been working for months on a documentary film about the battle to open Martin's Beach, and have sought to capture and convey the history of the beach, the beach's natural majesty, and the recent stories of those working to make the beach publicly accessible once again, all within the course of about seven minutes.  I'd say they did a pretty epic job.  The value of this film to tell the story of Martin's Beach, and of other beaches that have been suddenly closed to the public, is immense.

The value of an open beach to current and future generations of beach goers?  The ability to enjoy sun (or fog), sand, waves, fresh air, fishing, reliving old memories or making new ones?  Arguably, it's priceless.

What's the value of an open beach to you?
Click here to donate your money. 
Click here to lend your voice or donate your time.  

Check out the film here. 

Special thanks to Jonathan Bremer, Kyle Foley, Austin Murison,  Tyler Schmid, and David Pringle for putting it on the line for the rest of us, and to The Inertia for sharing their story.

Seawall Construction on Borrowed Time

The "emergency" revetment that is slated to be built along Martin's Beach was reprieved recently, with the California Coastal Commission and County of San Mateo granting the applicants/owners an extension on the construction deadline.

Although the permit for construction of the "emergency" revetment was issued by the County and Coastal Commission, both agencies required that:
1. the construction of the emergency revetment be completed by July 20, 2013
2. an application for a regular Coastal Development Permit for the revetment be filed by July 28, 2013
3. the emergency revetment would be removed on or before July 28, 2014 if a regular Coastal Development Permit was not issued by that time.

The property owner's attorney wrote both agencies to obtain an extension on these deadlines, arguing that the agencies' actions and conditions caused delay.  Hence, the County and Commission have changed the deadlines to:
1. the construction of the emergency revetment be completed by October 3, 2013
2. an application for a regular Coastal Development Permit for the revetment be filed by September 30, 2013
3. the removal date (July 28, 2014) remains unchanged

Thus, construction of the emergency revetment will be starting any day now.



Here's to hoping the revetment doesn't cause beach loss or serve as a foot in the door for a permanent wall to protect some future unknown development.







What can you do?

• Help us keep tabs on construction and timing.

• Join our Action Alert system so we can alert you of future opportunities to take action (such as when the Coastal Development Permits are considered by the County and Coastal Commission).