Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
A Few Minutes Could Help Save Two Irish World-Class Breaks
Photo of Crab Island by Mickey Smith.
The fight continues to save Doolin Point and Crab Island. Despite the recent approval by the Clare County Council to build a pier that threatens the world-class waves of Crab Island and Doolin Point, the project now must acquire a foreshore license by the Department of the Environment, which is being applied for now. Please urge the Department of the Environment to rethink this project. Letters must arrive before the 21st of April, so don’t wait. Send you letter today! See guidelines below.
The Foreshore Unit,
Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government,
Newtown Road,
Wexford.
Ireland
Date: ____________
Re: Section 19 of the Foreshore Act, 1933. Clare Co. Co. application to Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government for permission to occupy an area of foreshore at Doolin, Co. Clare for the purpose of constructing an access road, pier structure and associated dredging works at Doolin Pier, Doolin, Co. Clare.
Ref: MS/51/11/234
Dear Sir/Madam,
The following points are of concern and we would ask each of you to choose some of these points and maybe add some additional issues of your own, elaborate upon them with a few sentences and submit to the above address by post to arrive before 21st April 2011. The following points are the opinion of the West Coast Surf Club in light of our assessment of the proposed development:
• The new pier structure has the potential to destroy a highly regarded surfing wave at Doolin Point and potentially have a significant impact on the surfing quality of the world renowned wave at Crab Island.
• The new pier structure will be located where surfers currently safely access the water. The new development will result in a significant danger to surfers as they will have to enter the water at either the shore side of the pier, crossing the ferry paths, or at the seaward side of the pier where the reef is extremely dangerous and this will be compounded with the backwash from the new pier.
• The proposed pier, as designed, will create significant currents in the water in and around the area where surfers paddle. This will create a serious health and safety hazard and surfers may be dragged onto rocks, the new revetment or into the paths of ferries.
• The proposed pier is of an extremely large scale which will be visible from many surrounding areas, in particular the renowned views of the point from the hills to the south.
• The pier will involve significant blasting and dredging of the seabed. The full impacts that these activities will have on the environment in and around the subject site have not been assessed appropriately. The works will have potentially disastrous repercussions for different aquatic species in the area including dolphins. A full Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared.
• The pier requires a new tarmac access road which will be constructed on the existing limestone pavement at Doolin Point.
• The development could have a significant impact on the amenity value of the Doolin area for surfers, sightseers, walkers, bird watchers, hikers, due to its size, and location.
• There is a need for a new pier. However, a design which will not have the above negative impacts can be provided and should be designed as an alternative to the current proposal.
The above points are to guide you in your submission. However, we would ask you to make your submission as personal and unique as possible. Please include your full address in the submission.
Follow this effort on the "How You Can Help Save Crab Island" Facebook page.
Contact the West Coast Surf Club at info@westcoastsurfclub.com for more information.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Will Peru Take the Final Steps to be a Global Leader in Surf Spot Protection?
Photo: Leonel Romero
Ten years ago the Peruvian Government passed Law 27280, the Law for the Preservation of Waves. This world’s first federal law that specifically protects surf spots actually includes an official registry of waves, listed by geographic coordinates, and these waves are protected from physical harm under this law.
However, this important law hasn’t gone into effect yet. For the law to be implemented, several ministries, federal agencies, and institutions must “approve” its language and enshrine it as the rule of the land. As a consequence, Peruvian waves are still facing constant threats.
Photo: Web ISA
Peru is blessed with a coastline of world-class breaks, some of the top surfers on the globe, a vibrant surf culture, and a fascinating surf history. Many Peruvians have recognized the importance of protecting the coastline to not only preserve Peru’s heritage, but also for the country’s economy. Peru has become a top surf destination, with national and international surfers chasing swell up and down the coast.
To keep the pressure on the Peruvian government to implement Law 27280, more than 100 surfers and body boarders recently paddled out at Playa Waikiki in Miraflores, Lima to ask authorities to implement Law 27280. Check it out:
FENTA, Sociedead Peruana de Derecho Ambiental, and Save The Waves will continue to urge the Peruvian government to protect its breaks by implementing this landmark legislation.
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