SURFING SOAPBOX: Beach fouled by wastewater

How is it that on the very stretch of beach (Treasure Island to Victoria Beach) that has brought such contr- oversy over kayaking tours and the effects it may or may not have on our precious beaches’ ‘ECO-systems’ that one can find a pond of black waste.

Yes, a small pond of black wastewater is at the mouth of the outfall that sits just to the left of the Victoria Street beach ramp.

This black pond of wastewater is hiding in a small corridor between the ramp and a strip of sea wall, yet it is wide enough for children to play in.

I have seen this firsthand, in fact you can find children’s balls and other toys floating in this muck. That makes one want to puke just looking at it.

For months I have wondered why this black pond of muck is there and why the city doesn’t do a better job of managing it.

Armed with cameras, our meter maids work like busy bees, writing tickets and taking pictures of these “extreme” parking violators.

Yet we can’t get two city employees with shovels to throw sand over the muck?

Never mind a tractor, what about a simple diversion?

Heck, I would do it myself but I wouldn’t want to risk being cited for trespassing or for some other city violation. Yet days have turned to months and the black pond still sits as if is of no concern.

Maybe the city is unaware.

Maybe the city doesn’t care.

But I do, as do others, and that’s why I am writing this column because in a year that saw a record low rainfall we still have this mess, and it does not belong here.

Not only on one of the nicest beaches in Laguna, but on none of them. One can’t shut down a business (kayaking tours) over complaints out of concerns over the beaches eco-systems and then keep a closed eye to such a public mess and hazard on the same stretch of beach.

What’s sad is that kayak tours and other businesses of this nature can help better educate the public on our precious eco-systems and how to be better care for them. There are solutions out there if we are willing to work toward them. However, a black pond of waste is just that — a waste.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com