SAN FRANCISCO
Tens of thousands of volunteers return to in-person events at the 37th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day
After more than a year of suspending in-person activities during the pandemic, tens of thousands of Californians turned out to take part in the 37th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest annual volunteer event organized by the California Coastal Commission.
Volunteers gathered hundreds of tons of trash at beaches, shorelines, and inland waterways, cleaning up at hundreds of locations in 55 of California’s 58 counties. Cleanups took place up and down the coast, from the Oregon to Mexico border, and as far inland as Lake Tahoe. California’s event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
With 50% of the cleanup sites reporting, the statewide count stands at 20,029 volunteers. Those volunteers picked up 153,281 pounds of trash and an additional 9,256 pounds of recyclable materials, for a total of 162,538 pounds or more than 81 tons.
The Coastal Commission continues to highlight the damage that trash, especially single-use disposable plastics, can cause to California’s wildlife, economy, and even human health. According to past cleanup data, about 75 percent of the trash removed today was plastic, a material that never completely biodegrades and has numerous harmful environmental consequences. Plastic debris can kill wildlife, leach toxins into the environment, and even introduce them into the food chain. Since up to 80 percent of the trash on the California coast originates on land, volunteers across the state helped prevent enormous amounts of trash from ever reaching the ocean, no matter where they participated.
In addition to organized cleanups, the Coastal Commission has continued its COVID-19 -inspired push to encourage volunteers to run self-guided cleanups throughout neighborhoods across the state. The self-guided cleanups serve the same purpose as California Coastal Cleanup Day: to stop trash where it starts and prevent it from harming the environment and wildlife. To date this month, over 1,000 Californians have conducted a neighborhood cleanup, removing close to 6,000 pounds of trash during 362 cleanups. Cleanups recorded through the Clean Swell app during September will count toward Coastal Cleanup totals.
If you participated in the Cleanup, go to www.coastalcleanupday.org to fill out the Coastal Cleanup Survey and receive a free taco from Rubio’s. You will also be entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes. To stay involved with the cleanup efforts throughout the year, please visit the “Join a Cleanup” page on the Coastal Commission’s website.
—Submitted
LAKE COUNTY
Potable, drinkable water available to 280 properties affected by health advisory
On Wednesday evening September 15, approximately 280 properties in the Oaks and Lower Arms of Clear Lake that use a personal, private intake to draw their household water directly from the lake were advised by Public Health Officials not to consume their tap water, due to high cyanotoxin levels.
Thanks to the swift and collaborative efforts of local officials, local water systems, and the State Water Resources Control Board, alternative filling stations have been established to provide potable, drinkable water to the affected property owners.
• Fill Station for Houses in the Blue Zone: 10680 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake: provided by Golden State Water Company, 1-800-999-4033,
• Fill Station for Houses in the Red Zone: 4980 Hawaina Way, Kelseyville*: provided by Mt. Konocti MWC, (707) 277-7466, * There will be a sign that reads, “POTABLE WATER”.
Water availability is strictly limited to property owners affected by the Health Advisory. This water is intended to meet very basic household needs (e.g., drinking, cooking), please limit to 25 gallons per week per household. The treatment process and testing are designed to ensure that the water delivered to our customers meets all water quality standards. The finished water has been tested and meets health guidelines for cyanotoxins. Once the water leaves the point of connection, the Water Systems can no longer guarantee that the water continues to be free of contamination. Individuals should bring their own clean containers that are meant for food or beverage storage.
—Submitted
—Compiled by Ariel Carmona Jr.
