SUNCOAST CHAPTER
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION
St Pete Beach, FL
suncoast
FREE UPHAM
This page is dedicated to the FREE UPHAM Campaign!
Want to help?!?! Contact your Board Here.
Suncoast Chapter Plan of Action
FREE UPHAM!
- Statement of position: PhD from Western Carolina University and 42 others
- Characteristics of a Chronically, Rapidly Eroding Beach by: Alyssa L. Saint John
- Progress Report for the Period of April – Oct 2007 by: Dr. Wang & Tiffany Roberts Performance of Upham Beach T-Groin Project and Its Impact to the Downdrift Beach
Where you can help
- Attend Surfrider events
- Get a petition sheet filled out and send it in to the chapter
- Attend the City/County Meetings
- Get the Word out!!
- Volunteer to research or make calls to obtain more information
- Reach out to other Environmental friends to join us in the cause
What's next for Upham?
The Free Upham Campaign Continues On
Beach Nourishment schedule for 2009 on Upham Beach. The tubes will stay in place until a more permanent structure is implemented. Surfers have the assurance that planners will take into account the viability of surfing on the Gulf Coast when desiging the permanent structure.
Suncoast Surfrider Chapter members dedicated to Free Upham in 2007. The issue of the geo tubes being on the beach and the messy surfbreak it produced are just part of the reason Suncoast Chapter formed a year ago. Since that first meeting, chapter members have logged hours of research, activism, community service, and education for the Free UPham Issue.
Upham in the Press
UPHAM UPDATES:
Council Meetings
Suncoast Chapter members attended the St. Pete City council meeting on July 22nd, at City Hall. Dr. Nicole Elko presented a well choreographed report to the Commissioners and audience, in general about the benefits of the tgroin project. It seemed almost eighty percent of the people present were for the geotubes being in place. Suncoast Chapter Chair Mike Meehan and Jessica Emery spoke to the Commissioners opposed to the tgroing project however giving props to Dr. Elko's presentation.
In the end the esteemed commissioners agreed to allow the project to continue as is until 2010, for experts to be brought in to examine the area for alternatives such as an artifical reef. The commission asked that during the study period, surfers to be taken into consideration when speaking of the permanent structures.
It's more than just the surfers concern of coarse. The permanent solution, rock jetties, or some alternative, will still be paid for by tax payers. 50% State funded and 50% County funded. No other water front property owner is afforded such a benefit when it comes to storm protection.
A complete federally funded renourishment is scheduled for 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Suncoast Chapter members Julie Pappas, John Pappas, Jessica Emery, Jake Respondek and Carl Anderson attended the Pinellas County Commissioners meeting on June 21st.
Each of the "J's" presented an aspect of the Free Upham issue to the commissioners.
They welcomed the chapter presence and expression of concern while inviting us to present more data and information on the issue.
We need a bigger presence all if we truly want a chapter win!
Contact Us NOW with how you can help!
--------------------------Upham Committee Members attended the St. Pete beach City Council Meeting on June 10th at City Hall.
Mike Meehan, and Julie Pappas addressed the council while John Pappas and Carl Anderson were present for support.Mike briefly explained Surfrider Foundation to the council, then he spoke of the t-groins and our sucessful petition drives. He stressedthat Surfrider is in no way against re-nourishment of the beach and advised we don not condone any of the vandalism which occured on at least one of the tubes earlier this year.
Julie then spoke about the people she first hand witnessed climbing on, running on, and jumping off the groins to point out the dangers of the them and invited the council to go take a look for themselves.
Linda Cheney of District 2, the Upham district, asked both Mike and Julie for more information on the topic. They both agreed they would send the commission information. Over all they drew attention to the Upham issue without opposition from anyone else in the audience.Free Upham party was a huge success!
Three killer bands rocked the house: Four Souls, Sarge and the Aeromen, and Wina. With an awesome voice, the Four Souls lead singer belted out edgy covers. Sarge and the Aeroman, a 3 piece band including a stand up bass player, dressed in military flight suits, jammed out rockabilly tunes as well as donated a skim board for the silent auction. Wina, got the girls dancing and rocked the stage until midnight.
The silent auction and donations at the door brought in nearly $450.00. Some of the items auctioned off included a Disney wine/bottle opener set, women’s surf wear, a Fosters wall hanging surfboard and a giant Mick Fanning Tour Poster.
Many thanks goes out to:
Surfshack for the sticker and t-shirt toss outs!
Rosies Clam Shack for the three dinner coupons, t-shirts and coolie cups, and the Fosters surfboard.
Lenny’s for channeling the surf wear.
Barry Morse for the poster.
Colourations Hair Studio for two free hair cuts.
Primal Paddling for the half day kayak trip.
Reef for the discount card & auction itmes
Ezekial for the clothes
Volcom for the hats and shirts
Four Souls
Sarge and the Aeromen
Wina
Ricky T’s staff and owners for letting us use the space in your place!
All the folks who came.
All the members who put this gig together, great work guys!
Where we have exposure:
Surfers Village Creative Loafing
Gulfster Creative Loafing - again!
Global Surf News Barrier Island Gazette
Tampa Pirate
Space Coast Web
Surf Line
Where have you seen FREE UPHAM?
Other News?
Know of where the chapter has gained exposure, how to get the chapter exposure, or want to contribute in general? Contact us today!
We welcome your questions, queries, and input!. Please see our Contact Us page for complete contact information.
St Pete Beach, FL
suncoast
