State Resources Secretary, Scripps Researchers, and Local Beach Advocates to Address Threats to California Beaches at Special Science Briefing

Who:
Mary Nichols, Secretary, State of California Resources Agency
Dede Alpert, California State Senator
Dr. Charles Kennel, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography

What:
State Resources Secretary Mary Nichols will brief local officials, Scripps scientists, and environmental advocates about key state programs to protect California's coastal environment. These vital issues include the $100 million Clean Beach Initiative, the $10 million sand renourishment program, and other important coastal and ocean management programs. Highlights from Scripps scientists will include the proposed development of new technologies to more rapidly detect beach water pollution and a $1 million Scripps study on beach erosion funded by the State of California.

When:
Friday, March 23, 2001 • 12:15 p.m.
Press briefing will begin promptly at 12:15 p.m.

Where:
Munk Laboratory Conference Room, IGPP 8800 Biological Grade on the Scripps Inst. of Oceanography campus (From La Jolla Shores Drive, enter Scripps at Naga Way, head north. Watch for BLUE directional street signs to media-only parking.)

Interviews:
Immediately following the briefing, reporters are invited to tour the Scripps laboratory conducting new beach erosion research and to interview Scripps scientists regarding coastal water quality and beach erosion. For more information, contact the Scripps Communications Office at 858/534-3624.

### ###

Background
The State of California and Scripps Institution of Oceanography have a long history of working together on critical public policy issues. State officials are once again calling on the expertise of Scripps researchers to help preserve and protect California’s precious beaches. At this briefing, two of the biggest threats to California’s beaches will be addressed: water quality and beach erosion.

Water Quality
Research on water quality to better understand, utilize, and protect California's coastal and marine resources is critical in a state where most of its expanding population live in coastal areas. State Resources Secretary Mary Nichols is visiting Scripps to learn more about new technologies proposed by Scripps scientists to more rapidly detect beach water pollution. Governor Gray Davis recently announced a $100 million Clean Beach Initiative. The initiative is designed to clean up storm-water runoff, reduce beach closures, and to develop and improve technologies for reducing marine pollution. With proper funding, key new research initiatives by Scripps scientists can produce improved methods of pollution detection and create new tools for source identification.

Beach Erosion
Addressing California's coastal erosion also is a priority for Governor Davis. Secretary Nichols will outline the Resources Agency's efforts to protect and properly manage the shoreline. She will highlight recent investments in this area, including research currently under way at Scripps that will increase our understanding of beach erosion and monitor the effectiveness of sand replenishment projects along California's coast. Through the efforts of Governor Davis and Secretary Nichols, Scripps researchers have been awarded $1,000,000 in funding for the Southern California Beach Processes Study.

Impacts on California
The importance of properly managing California's coastline cannot be overstated. Preserving and protecting California’s beaches are important economically and environmentally and are of vital concern to public health.