THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1999

Sink the Breakwater

By Michelle Devera

On-Line Forty-Niner

In an effort to foster a healthier Long Beach coastline, five Cal State Long Beach communications students joined forces with the Surfrider Foundation by organizing a "Sink the Breakwater" benefit last week.

Seniors Michelle Rea, Jeremy Cook, Scott Hambey, Kris Cash and Steve Johnson coordinated the event for their communication studies 337 class. More than 200 people attended the event which showcased ska bands such as The Cabin House Band, The Ziggens and The Bredrin Daddies. The foundation set up booths to promote the removal of the eastern Long Beach breakwater.

"Breakwaters not only stopped the waves," said Mike Murphy, a Surfrider Foundation volunteer, "it's trapped urban run-off of the entire Los Angeles Basin such as motor oil, lawn pesticide and dog crap."

The U.S. Navy built the long, rock-wall type structures about half a mile offshore to protect the Pacific fleet 50 years ago, Murphy said.

"If the water quality inside the breakwater improved, then the habitat would be improved," he said. "If habitat is restored, the project qualifies for port mitigation funds [to sink the breakwater]."

But before the Port of Long Beach can appropriate the funds for the breakwater removal, the city council must first approve an environmental impact study, Rea said.

"Our goal was to not to raise money per se," she said, "but to get 500 signatures to take to the city council...whatever money we do raise, we'll give it to the foundation."