Welcome to the Slo Coast Journal. Published online monthly, the Journal is here to bring you information specific to our part of California's Central Coast.
"The notion of a free press, of an institution that monitors those in power and those who wish to be in power, that ferrets out truth from lies, that draws public attention to the pressing issues of our times, is a cornerstone of a liberal democratic theory."
Robert McChesney in the Political Economy of the Media
Allegations,Accusations and Denials - MWH and Its Customers
When New Orleans Inspector General Edouard Quatrevaux issued his report, "Review of City of New Orleans Professional Services Contract With MWH Americas, Inc. For Infra-structure Project Management," Los Osos and Morro Bay activists were intrigued. Read More
Morro Bay Community Pool Foundation Picks New Board Members
The Morro Bay Community Pool Foundation has appointed six new members to its’ nine person board, which is composed of Morro Bay/Los Osos/Cayucos professionals who care deeply about their community. Read More
Life - Experience it all!
Break into a strain of "Figaro! Figaro! Figaro" and listeners will immediately recognize a refrain from The Barber of Seville. This opera features familiar music and comedic antics, beloved by many and even parodied in at least five different cartoons including Bugs Bunny in the Rabbit of Seville, Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Droopy Dog, and the dog Spike from the Tom & Jerry cartoons. Read More
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Neighbors of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant are likely to start thinking about living close to the plant in the wake of the catastrophe involving the nuclear plants in Japan, and what to do about it. And they already are. The questions are: should it be closed if it were practical to do so, would the public and their elected representatives support closure and could it be shut down based on regulatory, legal or political means to do so? Read More
Central Coast Dodges 'Devastating' Tsunami
A local tsunami surge about six feet high, triggered by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off of Japan that created a catastrophe, severely damaging the nuclear plants there, hit the coast of San Luis Obispo County at about 8:15 a.m. on Friday, March 11. The Morro Bay harbor got the worst of it—but a great deal less than it might have been because the ocean swell came at low tide. Read More
Health Commission Supports County Resolution
for Suspending Installation of Wireless Smart Meters
In a unanimous 9-0 vote, the San Luis Obispo County Health Commission took action supporting the SLO County Board of Supervisors’ request for a suspension of the installation of wireless smart meters in order to allow county residents to choose alternatives to the devices. The boards' resolution addressed numerous county residents' complaints about the utility meters, including health, and indicated that several county residents have testified to experiencing adverse health effects after the installation of such meters. Read More
Dredged Materials May Contain "Emerging" Contaminants
Sediments dredged from harbors are frequently deposited on nearby beaches, as was done during the recent dredging of the Morro Bay Harbor. Before any such operation can take place, sediments must be tested to ensure that contaminants are within safety limits. However, the legally-required sediment tests do not cover a wide range of chemicals referred to as "emerging contaminants." Read More
Morro Bay's Relationship with the California Coastal Commission
Morro Bay city officials and staff have long demonstrated what many residents consider a dismissive and disrespectful attitude toward the California Coastal Commission (CCC), the Coastal Act, associated state laws, and even its the city's own Local Coastal Plan. Some residents believe that the only way the city can mend its relationship with the CCC is to start showing respect for the agency, and to demonstrate a willingness to work cooperatively with CCC staff and commissioners. Read More
Wastewater Treatment Plant Sunk by Coastal Commission
It took the California Coastal Commission two minutes to reject the proposed multi-million dollar Morro Bay /Cayucos wastewater treatment plant on March 11. Now, where does the project go? Read More
County Gets Go Ahead on Sewer Plant
The Los Osos sewer project passed a major milestone when the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors officially agreed to accept responsibility to build the new plant, which is estimated to cost in the $190 million range, after more than five years of being bogged down in controversy over what to build, where to build it, and which governmental agency would undertake it. Read More
Sierra Club Awards Eco-Grant to Morro Bay High School
Morro Bay High School Environmental Club -
Top row (left to right)Katie Lockwood, Shalica Riley, Eliane Neilson, Melissa Galinato, Yescencia Leyva.
Bottom row: Steve Gade, Ginna Orr, John Wilcox, Mariah Weaver, Joyce Lo, Dorothy Upton.
Photo by Steve Gade.
The Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club has announced the four recipients of mini-grants for the inaugural year of its Chapter's Local Youth Working to Heal the Planet program, which helps fund environmental projects at local schools.
Students and faculty sponsors in secondary school programs throughout San Luis Obispo County were eligible to apply for funding for student projects with a budget of up to $350.
Morro Bay High School's Environmental Club will build a compost/ vermiculture bin for the school garden that can accommodate food waste from the cafeteria. They will use the grant to purchase wood, worms, sawdust, and a breathable landscape tarp, supplementing the grant with additional funds from a community yard sale.
