Heal the Bay makes the call for volunteers to clean beach
By Daily Press staff
SM BEACH — This year’s “first flush” has rendered the beach a virtual toilet bowl, prompting Santa Monica-based nonprofit Heal the Bay to schedule an unprecedented, emergency beach cleanup today.
The first significant rain of the season has fallen, which means thousands of pounds of trash that had clogged the storm drain system since the last big storm has now emptied onto the beaches and into the oceans. The areas around the Pico/Kenter storm drain are particularly bad, said Heal the Bay spokesman Chris Schmidt.
“We are trying to get as many people out there to clean up trash as possible before it harms marine life,” Schmidt said.
Organizers are asking people to help clean up from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the Pico/Kenter storm drain, located at the end of Pico Boulevard between Shutters Hotel and Casa Del Mar.
Participants are asked to use parking lot 4S, which is just south of Pico Boulevard. A guide will be on hand with parking passes.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 20, 2005. Read the original PDF.