Surfrider Foundation Files Appeal

Stellar Magazine

June 19, 2006

SOLANA BEACH, California – The Surfrider Foundation appealed the lower court’s ruling in Surfrider v. City of Solana Beach today. On April 13, 2006, Judge Anello ruled against the Surfrider Foundation on five out of six claims. Although Judge Anello ruled that the City of Solana Beach must change its ordinance before granting any further seawalls, he upheld the City’s Master Environmental Impact Report on seawalls, upheld the permits tiered off of the Master EIR, and upheld the granting of an emergency seawall permit for the Las Brisas Condominium Complex.

Attorney Todd Cardiff, from Coast Law Group, the law firm which represented the Surfrider Foundation, admitted that it was odd to appeal a case that the Surfrider Foundation had prevailed on. Mr. Cardiff explained “There are three reasons that Surfrider feels it must appeal Judge Anello’s ruling. First, we simply believe that the Judge’s Ruling is not in accordance with the law and facts. Secondly, we are concerned that the City will attempt to continue to use the Master EIR to avoid proper environmental review. Finally, we simply cannot allow Las Brisas to build a seawall using a ‘fake emergency.’ This case must be appealed.”

Mr. Cardiff noted that co-plaintiff, CalBeach Advocates is not participating in the appeal. A Local Coastal Program (LCP) has been proposed by a citizens group made up of members CalBeach Advocates, the Surfrider Foundation and blufftop property owners, and submitted to the City.

Founded in 1992, Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego County Chapter is the largest chapter within the national organization. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans waves and beaches through conservation, activism, research and education. San Diego County Chapter membership totals more than 4,000 people. Nationally, Surfrider Foundation membership includes more than 52,000 concerned lovers of the ocean and beaches.

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