Which of California's beaches are the worst? Come
get surprised!
The New York Times published a story
this morning titled California Today:
Surf, Sun and Bacteria which mostly seems like a rude and
unnecessary east coast stone throw especially since there was no
real new information inside.
Nearly half of California beaches earned grades of C to F
during the wet weather, 12 percent more than the five-year
average.
Sarah Sikich, Heal the Bay’s chief scientist, said solutions
lie in programs known to mitigate runoff pollution such as
increased urban green cover and projects to capture, clean and
reuse storm water.
“It’s indicative of a water mismanagement issue in
California,” she said. “If we were doing a better job of rethinking
that runoff we could turn it from a nuisance into a
resource.”
Blah blah blah. Am I right?
The fun part, though, comes when it is revealed which of
California’s beaches are the worst according to Heal the
Bay‘s annual report card. And guess which beaches were
bad bad. Like the worst bad. Can you?
Wrong!
The worst worst is in Humboldt County!
Humboldt County’s Clam Beach, which is fed by two creeks,
was named California’s most polluted beach by Heal the
Bay.
The problem there has vexed local environmentalists who cite
a panoply of possible causes: bird poop, campground toilets, old
septic systems, livestock and more.
“There’s no shortage of theories,” said Jennifer Kalt, the
director of Humboldt Baykeeper, an environmental group.
Bird poop, campground toilets, old septic systems, livestock and
more! That’ll keep the crowds down, I bet. Which other beaches are
in the bottom 10? Ladies and gentlemen without further ado I give
you…
10) Salt Creek!
9) Mother’s in Marina del Rey!
8) Luffenholtz Beach in Humboldt!
7) Capitola!
6) Santa Monica pier!
5) La Jolla Cove!
4) Lakeshore park in San Mateo!
3) Cowell Beach!
2) San Clemente pier!
With Clam Beach, as previously noted, taking the top slot. I
will say, it surprised me how many northern California beaches were
shitty. Does that surprise you too?
Viva the San Clemente pier!
