It's All About the Water
Guest Speaker: Jeff Pienak from Surfrider Foundation.
Mr. Pienak took a few moments to read us the Mission Statement of Surfrider. Mr. Pienak is an ocean-lover, surfer, surf rider, and quite concerned about the condition of our oceans and water ways. "It's all about the water" was reiterated several times. We had a quick lesson on what happens to the water at the treatment plant in Pismo and found out it travels by pipes to Oceano and then out into the ocean. Mr. Pienak is concerned that we all become dedicated -- because of pollution -- to the protection, concern, activities, research, and education of people and the ocean. He has been surfing since he was thirteen. Surfrider is a way to give back.
Mr. Pienak shared stories, magazine articles, books, and authors with us. We also learned of the Blue Ribbon Task Force that meets with the government officials in Pismo Beach, heard that Cal Poly has a $650,000 grant for the study of the waters off of Pismo Beach, that water shortage is an issue, is concerned about "SLO Green Build," learned about grey water, the importance of low impact development on water systems, the importance of water sheds, learned about public forums in Los Osos, and heard that Mr. Pienak visited the Coastal Commission for several meetings as he remains involved in his passion.
Mr. Pienak's 'pipe dream' is for water to be reused and not dumped into the ocean. Remember, the earth is a filter and should be treated with respect.