Heal the Ocean Stays the Course in Finding Pollution Solutions
Looking forward to the future while celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Santa Barbara organization has become an international model.
Ten years ago, Hillary Hauser became outraged when Santa Barbara beaches started closing. In response, she wrote a newspaper commentary that sparked a public protest over polluted waters.
On Aug. 19, 1998, while the demonstration was in full form in front of the County Administration Building, Hauser and Santa Barbara attorney Jeffrey Young (now chairman of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board), co-founded Heal the Ocean. Under the umbrella of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Institute, Heal the Ocean became a nonprofit organization with Hauser as its executive director.
Hauser says one of Heal the Ocean’s biggest accomplishments has been to help get seven miles of beach property — a stretch of land that includes Rincon, Sand Point, Sandyland and Padaro Lane — approved for hooking into the public sewer line instead of private septic systems.
It’s an important victory because, as Hauser says, septic systems often leach into groundwater. Since septic systems rely on the properties of soil to filter waste, there is a very high rate of unreliable filtration process, especially in coastal zones with high-density septic systems, sandy soils and shallow groundwater. Depending on the area, the groundwater then flows to creeks, rivers and, in coastal communities, straight to the ocean — human contamination included.
Another hard-fought achievement of Heal the Ocean has been to facilitate the legal route for the Goleta Sanitary District to work toward upgrading its system from a blend of primary — which only takes solids out — and secondary-treated sewage to a complete secondary system. This upgrade allows for much cleaner output.
Hauser says the study is focused on the Montecito Sanitary District because the discharge in the area falls into 35 feet of water. She says Hammonds Beach, which is near the outfall, is listed as an impaired beach by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The tracking project is just one of many studies Heal the Ocean engages in and, as Hauser says, “works on getting rid of the problems.”
Heal the Ocean is based in Santa Barbara but has become an international model. Coastal communities from Chile to Hawaii have contacted the group for help and education derived from its research.
“The ocean is powerful. It is the reason we can live on this planet — it creates oxygen, clouds, rain, fresh water,” Hauser says. “It is time to respect this force.”
As Heal the Ocean’s flags wave on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara until Aug. 29, it’s a time not only to admire, but to consider. Click here for more information on Heal the Ocean or call 805.965.9060.
Meanwhile, as part of Heal the Ocean’s 10th anniversary celebration, Jack Johnson, a UCSB alumnus and the king of “green rock ‘n’ roll,” will help Heal the Ocean and other local environmental groups raise funds. Johnson’s charity, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, will match every dollar donated online or at his Aug. 27 concert at Harder Stadium to All At Once nonprofit partners, up to $2,500. Click here to make a donation and designate Heal the Ocean as the beneficiary. Donor names will be entered in a drawing for two free tickets to the concert.
Tracy Shawn is a local freelance writer who writes about sustainability issues as a Noozhawk contributor.
» wrote on 08/19/08 @ 07:02 PM
Thank you for commending such an important grassroots group that has made such a difference to the environment in which we live. Articles like these are a constant reminder for all of us to take personal responsibility for the ocean. Everyone concerned should show up at their city council/water board meetings to monitor variances that can give authorities the leeway to dump additional bacteria and pollutants in the water. It is too easy for all to look away and not be involved in decision making regarding one of our most precious resources.
» wrote on 08/23/08 @ 04:19 PM
Issues of sustainability and our Earth’s natural resources are of an up most importance, more now than they have ever been. During my time as a student in Santa Barbara, I have noticed many “Heal the Ocean” bumper stickers, but was never certain of the organization. After reading Tracy Shawn’s article, I feel I have a clear understanding of Heal the Ocean, what they have accomplished, and what they are working towards. Tracy Shawn presented this information in a very clear and comprehensive manor. Good read!