Toxic Debris on our beache
Protect Will Rogers State Beach and Topanga Creek
As our coastline struggles to recover, the Federal emergency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a hazardous waste sorting site at Will Rogers Beach parking lot, ignoring public outcry and environmental risks.
This decision threatens our ocean, our air, our wildlife, and our health. The ash, soot, and debris from the Palisades Fire have already infiltrated our shoreline, yet no large-scale cleanup has been conducted. Instead of addressing this crisis, the EPA is bringing even more toxic waste to our coast.
Mitigation Request: FEMA/EPA Assistance Removing Soot, Ash and Debris trapped around our Storm Drains.
Future of Will Rogers Beach Parking Lot
After our meeting with the EPA regarding the Will Rogers parking lot, we understand that once the EPA completes lithium battery sorting within 30 to 60 days, the Army Corps of Engineers will assume control of the site. However, the EPA representatives were unable to provide further details on the type of debris that will be managed in the beach parking lot.
Red Tides and Domoic Acid Toxicity
What Is Domoic Acid?
Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by certain harmful algal blooms, particularly those involving Pseudo-nitzschia australis. This toxin accumulates in small fish, such as sardines and anchovies, which are primary prey for marine mammals like sea lions.
Once ingested in significant amounts, domoic acid attacks the brain and heart, leading to seizures, neurological impairment, and even heart failure. If untreated, it often results in permanent brain damage. While the toxin naturally clears from an animal’s system over time, repeated exposure can lead to long-term and more severe effects.
When affected marine mammals receive care before substantial damage occurs, they can often recover. Treatment typically involves administering fluids to help flush out the toxin, providing a diet free from domoic acid, and managing seizures with anti-convulsant medications similar to those used in human medicine.
Domoic Acid and Its Impact On Humans
Domoic acid is responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), a condition that can affect humans who consume contaminated seafood.
- Sources: Shellfish, sardines, anchovies, and other filter-feeding marine organisms can accumulate the toxin.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, dizziness, confusion, short-term memory loss, seizures, coma, and, in severe cases, death.
- Onset: Symptoms can appear within 30 minutes to 24 hours after ingestion.
- Treatment: There is no known antidote for domoic acid poisoning; care is supportive.
On Marine Mammals
Domoic acid poisoning has been widely reported in sea lions, otters, cetaceans, and other marine mammals.
- In California, the toxin has been linked to hundreds of sea lion illnesses and fatalities.
- Affected animals often display disorientation, tremors, seizures, and abnormal behavior.
- Chronic exposure can cause irreversible brain damage, leading to long-term neurological deficits.
Domoic acid remains a significant threat to marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for monitoring harmful algal blooms and protecting vulnerable wildlife from exposure.
From Baywatch to toxic waste - LA's iconic beaches unrecognisable
With its sun-drenched lifeguard towers, bronzed surfers and bikini-clad volleyball players, Will Rogers State Beach is one of the most recognizable stretches of sand in the world thanks to the global cult classic "Baywatch".
But now the iconic beach is surrounded by the ruins of burned homes and palm trees, its parking lot a sorting ground for hazardous waste from the wildfires. The beach babes have been replaced by Environmental Protection Agency crews in hazmat suits sifting through melted electric car batteries and other hazardous waste before it's trucked away to landfills.
Concern for Public Health & Environmental Disaster
If this plan moves forward, we are risking:
- Carcinogenic waste seeping into the ocean with every storm.
Hazardous particulates carried by the wind into our homes, schools, and parks. - A tourism-based economy collapsing as visitors avoid a debris filled coastline.
- Marine life poisoned by toxic runoff.
Even Heal the Bay toured the Topanga and Will Rogers sites and publicly stated that the EPA’s safeguards are inadequate. This is a reckless and unnecessary risk to our environment.
Our Public Comment at Santa Monica City Council Meeting
I am here tonight to bring urgent attention to the alarming amount of soot, ash, and fire debris that has accumulated on our beaches following the Palisades fire.
Every day that passes without immediate action, we lose the opportunity to properly remove and remediate these contaminants before they become a long-term environmental hazard.
Right now, people are walking barefoot and swimming in water so thick with ash it looks like lava. This crisis is not only environmental, but also a grave danger to public health . The toxins in wildfire ash include heavy metals, asbestos, and other hazardous materials that, once broken down, will mix into the sand and disperse with the ocean currents. Every high tide carries these pollutants onto the sand, every low tide pushes them further into the marine ecosystem, endangering wildlife and posing significant risks to human health.
Santa Monica takes pride in being a leader in environmental responsibility, and yet we are standing by as toxic debris spreads into our waters. I am urging the city to take immediate action: deploy cleanup crews, conduct water and sand testing, and coordinate with environmental experts to ensure this contamination is addressed before it’s too late. LA County is not acting on this matter, and if you believe they will, please walk down to the channel road storm drain and will rogers, the conditions are inexcusable. The window to act is rapidly closing—every tide, every wave, every footstep on the beach is dispersing these toxins further.
We cannot afford to delay. I ask this council to prioritize emergency remediation efforts before this pollution becomes an irreversible part of our coastline.
Scripps Institute of Oceanography
Rehabilitating Lahaina On Reuters
Over the weekend, beneath the runway at LAX, a whale carcass washed ashore at DRockweiler Beach. The 40-foot gray whale was examined by marine mammal specialists, and found to have bite marks consistent with either sharks or killer whales, and its head was reportedly almost decapitated.
Protect Will Rogers State Beach and topanga creek
As our coastline struggles to recover, the Federal emergency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a hazardous waste sorting site at Will Rogers Beach parking lot and Topanga Creek ignoring public outcry and environmental risks.