Legislation and Policy Advocacy

San Diego Coastkeeper believes that smart, effective, science-backed laws and policies are a crucial component of maintaining the health of our environment. Regulations that prioritize the environment and protect our communities create the framework for a sustainable future. As such, we actively support environmentally protective legislation, advocate for regulations that will help prevent pollution and degradation, participate in writing effective permit language, and call out agencies when their actions fail to uphold their environmental obligations.

Where existing laws are out of date or failing to meet the needs of our communities, we work with stakeholders, decision makers, and community members to advocate for the best possible updates and replacements. From city hall to the state capitol, we are committed to making sure the environment has a champion in every room where decisions are being made.

Recently Signed Letters of Support

May
2024

Featured

Waterkeeper Alliance Urges $11B in FY2025 EPA Funding

Waterkeeper Alliance requests $11 billion for the EPA in FY2025 to protect clean air, land, and water and support environmental justice efforts.

Apr
2024

Recipient: City of San Diego

CEQA Comments on the City of San Diego's "Blueprint SD" Development Plan.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report fails to appropriately analyze the Project’s impact on GHG emissions, ensuring the City will fail to meet its GHG reduction goals, successfully implement its Climate Action Plan, and mitigate GHG impacts at the individual project level.

Apr
2024

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Comments on City of San Diego's request for a waiver from secondary treatment requirements for the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant

Coastkeeper supports this waiver as the Pure Water San Diego project will recycle a portion of this plant's wastewater into drinking water, thus reducing water waste and substantially lowering the total volume of treated sewage dumped into the ocean. Coastkeeper also supports the Regional Board's decision to add monitoring for PFAS at the Point Loma plant.

Mar
2024

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Comments on the Lower Tijuana River Bacteria and Trash Advance Restoration Plan (ARP)

Coastkeeper opposes this ARP because it is non-binding, unenforceable, and allows for continuing inaction regarding the ongoing environmental and human health catastrophe unfolding in the Tijuana River Valley. All prior voluntary efforts have failed to address the crisis, and we fear this ARP will merely continue this unacceptable trend.

Mar
2024

California

NGOs Push for Stronger Urban Water Conservation Standards

Environmental groups call on the State Water Board to adopt robust near-term and long-term standards requiring investments in urban water efficiency.

Jan
2024

Recipient: Port of San Diego

CEQA Scoping Comments re Topgolf development Project to the Port of San Diego.

This project is an inappropriate use of waterfront tidelands, and runs afoul of the Public Trust Doctrine and Coastal Act, the core purposes of which are to protect the public’s right to use California’s waterways. Futher, the massive nets, flood lights, blaring music, synthetic turf, and errant golf balls would negatively impact water quality, biological resources, aesthetics, and present safety hazards.

Dec
2023

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Revised Time Schedule Order regarding the IBWC International Wastewater Treatment Plant

The San Diego Coastkeeper scoping comments raise concerns about the Seaport San Diego project's impacts on traffic, air quality, greenhouse gases from the major increase in development square footage and parking spaces. The EIR must thoroughly assess these issues.

Nov
2023

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

CEQA Scoping Comments on the Seaport San Diego Redevelopment Project.

The scoping comments raise concerns about the Seaport San Diego project's large size and potential impacts on biological resources, water quality, sea level rise, and public access. The EIR must thoroughly assess effects on wildlife, contaminated sediment, stormwater runoff, and the substantial increase in traffic, air quality and greenhouse gas impacts.

Nov
2023

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Comments Supporting Lake San Marcos and San Marcos Creek Tentative Cleanup and Abatement Order

With Coastkeeper's support, the Regional Board adopted this aggressive enforcement order requiring dischargers to identify and clean up multiple pollutant sources which continue to threaten publicy safety and choke the life out of Lake San Marcos and San Marcos Creek. The lake has been heavily polluted for decades, threatening human health through direct contact, or even via inhalation of harmful toxins produced by algal blooms. The Lake is surrounded by homes, golf courses, recreational trails, and a high school. Polluted water from the lake is used to irrigate the golf course.

Oct
2023

Recipient: Port of San Diego

Time Schedule Order regarding the IBWC International Wastewater Treatment Plant

This massive 102-acre project proposes 128,290 sf of floating docks, 159 boat slips, 2.7 million sf of mixed-use development, a 500-ft tower, and more. Coastkeeper requested the Port assess impacts to water quality, marine life, scenic vistas, emissions, and public access.

Sep 2023

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Comment in support of a Regional Board Proposed Cease & Decist Order against Pine Hill Egg Ranch Delmer Bros.

San Diego Coastkeeper supports the Tentative Cease and Desist Order against Demler Brothers for their egg and pullet farms. The farms, housing up to 2.4 million chickens, have repeatedly violated waste management regulations, polluting groundwater and surface water. Coastkeeper urges the Regional Water Board to adopt the order and consider civil penalties for the ongoing, willful violations.

Sep 2023

San Diego

$310M for Tijuana Sewage Plant Repairs

Organizations ask Senate leaders for $310 million in emergency funds to repair the failing South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant at the US-Mexico border.

July 2023

California

Coalition Supports CA's Outdoors for All Initiative

The Community Access Coalition provides feedback on CA's Outdoors for All Initiative to promote equitable access to outdoor spaces.

May 2023

National

Coalition Asks DOI to Swiftly Phase Out Single-Use Plastics

Coalition Asks DOI to Swiftly Phase Out Single-Use Plastics Summary: Over 200 organizations urge the Department of the Interior to implement a strong plan to eliminate single-use plastics in national parks by 2032.

May 2023

National

Groups Urge EPA to Strengthen Coal Plant Wastewater Rule

Environmental organizations ask the EPA to finalize the strongest possible standards to eliminate toxic wastewater discharges from coal power plants.

Dec 2022

California

Conservation Groups Back Proctor Valley Acquisition

Environmental groups urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support public funding to acquire Proctor Valley in San Diego County for conservation.

Recently Signed Letters of Support

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Jan 2, 2024

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Jan 2, 2024

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Jan 2, 2024

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Jan 2, 2024

View All Recently Signed Letters of Support

Over Two Decades of Advocacy

Since our founding 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper has been at the forefront of advocating for laws, permits, regulations, and policies that protect and restore San Diego County’s waters. Over the years, our advocacy has taken on many issues and many forms. We have engaged state lawmakers to pass groundbreaking water conservation and efficiency legislation, and we have advocated before local decision-makers on plastic bag and styrofoam bans to protect our coastline and marine life. From regular campaigns before the San Diego Water Quality Control Board seeking stormwater or wastewater permits that require measurable, enforceable pollution reduction, to testifying before the Coastal Commission on offshore pollution discharge permits, our staff has maintained a leadership role in advancing measures protective of our inland and coastal waterways and communities.

Backing It With Science

Being a successful advocate takes time, effort, and commitment. It also takes participating in scientifically sound studies aimed at understanding challenges, answering questions, and identifying ways to reduce or remove barriers to achieving clean, safe, resilient water for San Diego. Throughout our history, San Diego Coastkeeper had held positions on numerous technical advisory committees and participated in several large-scale studies that allow us a unique opportunity to offer expertise, gain insight into current trends in water management, and ensure plans, processes, and outcomes are aimed at achieving comprehensive environmental protection.

Legislation and Policy Advocacy

Recently Signed Letters of Support

Featured

Recipient: City of San Diego

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

California

Recipient: Port of San Diego

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

Recipient: Port of San Diego

Recipient: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

San Diego

California

National

National

California

Recently Signed Letters of Support

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Advocating for Funding for the EPA in 2024 Budget

Over Two Decades of Advocacy

Backing It With Science

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