Pollution Stains Seal Beach Memories

* Seal Beach is extremely sentimental to me and probably to thousands of people who learned to surf there as I did 19 years ago.

Back then the jetty smelled like wet sand and it had healthy kelp growing with large greenish leaves. There were pelicans all over the rocks because of the abundance of fish. I used to collect pretty little shells on the sand, and tried to catch all the crabs climbing in the rocks.

Well, I went back to surf there and was horrified. In place of my pretty little shells there was trash and debris including jagged tin can lids. The water was black and had a foul odor.

Walking out in the water was difficult because of all the trash and debris wrapping around my legs. Worst of all I broke out in a rash on my face and neck that evening.

I understand that the pollution is coming from other sources, but it is (the city’s) responsibility to have the water checked when it gets as bad as it was when I was there in August.

It’s also its responsibility to close the jetty when it’s that polluted.

Eventually people will stop going to the beach on their own. Word will spread through the community. When the ocean looks, smells and even feels bad from debris and trash, and when kids say, “Look mom, the water is black!” as I heard one boy say, that is the beginning of the end of local tourism. Shops, restaurants and parking fees will all suffer.

The community would probably be willing to donate for cleanup and a search for the main source of pollution. Even if most of the pollution comes from storm drains, then we need to start a campaign to educate people to not throw oil, paint, transmission fluid, et cetera in their gutters. Whatever it takes, I’m willing to donate my time to help. Please don’t ignore this letter!

I love Seal Beach. It has nothing but good memories for me. I would love to see it restored for all our children and grandchildren.

MARLENE FALCIONI

Buena Park