Ways You Can Help!
Latest Casa Beach News:
March 26, 2010
Thousands of people attend Earth Day in Balboa Park. This year, it will be April 18th from 10 am to 5 pm.

La Jolla Friends of the Seals has a table with shade on the main street - the Prado West. We meet and greet lots of people.

We'll have something to sign and something for young people to do. We usually have an item to raffle if we can find something of value that is donated. Please call Ellen Shively at 619-479-3412 to sign up for a 2 or 3 hour shift to tell people our wonderful story. Bottled water and cookies provided.

March 15, 2010
As always, we are looking for new docents. We provide excellent training and have been active in educating the public and protecting the seals.

Since pupping season started, LJFS has funded a "night watch". This is a professional guard service with all employees licensed and bonded. We hope to continue this watch through 30 June to cover the weaning period, as both moms and pups are especially  vulnerable at this time. Would you please help? The cost is $128 per shift and we are asking each of you to help with a generous donation. Please send what you can to LJFS, PO Box 2016, La Jolla, Ca 92038. Mark your check for "Night Watch". Remember, it is tax deductible!. You can also donate on-line below. Thanks!

Please write, call or email City Council members and the Mayor urging them to give the seals greater protection by creating a marine mammal park. Mailing address is City Administration Building, 202 "C" Street, San Diego, CA 92101. Handwritten letters generally have more impact, but emails and phone calls are great too. Click HERE for sample letters to use as templates that you can modify using your own wording. Letters include ones for adults, students, older and younger children. The more letters that are sent, the more likely it is the Mayor and City Council will listen to us.

District 1: Sherri Lightner (619) 236-6611
SherriLightner@sandiego.gov

District 2: Kevin Faulconer (619) 236-6622
kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov

District 3: Todd Gloria (619) 236-6633
toddgloria@sandiego.gov

District 4: Tony Young (619) 236-6644
anthonyyoung@sandiego.gov

District 5: Carl DeMaio (619) 236-6655
carldemaio@sandiego.gov

District 6 : Donna Frye (619) 236-6616
donnafrye@sandiego.gov

District 7: Marti Emerald (619) 236-6677
martiemerald@sandiego.gov

District 8: Ben Hueso (619) 236-6688
benhueso@sandiego.gov

Mayor Jerry Sanders: (619) 236-6330 
JerrySanders@sandiego.gov

September 22 - City Council voted 7-1 NOT to certify the final Environmental Impact Report which proposed dredging Casa Beach. Council Member Donna Frye noted the document did not provide an analysis of the impact of SB-428, creation of a marine mammal park or the impact of the MLPA process. It is also inconsistent with the City's General Plan which promotes aquatic biodiversity and habitat recovery. She wants to see an analysis of ALL alternatives and preparation of a joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers. Marti Emerald seconded her motion, and only Sherry Lightner voted in opposition. See more information HERE.

September 17 - Judge Yuri Hoffman was disqualified from the Animal Protection and Rescue League (APRL) and the O'Sullivan cases!!! Thanks to Bryan Pease of APRL for getting him dismissed. There will be no hearing on October 6 on seal dispersal. The presiding judge, Judge Timothy Taylor, will assign somebody else to the case, but it will take time and most likely not much will happen before January 1st, when SB 428 goes into effect. See the SD Union Tribune article for more DETAILS.

TELL CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR WE WANT THE ROOKERY PROTECTED! GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NEED TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC AS TO WHAT WE WANT! BE SURE TO FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Please write City Council members and urge them to create a marine mammal park at Casa Beach. SB 428 gives them the power to do so starting January 1, 2010. We need the residents of San Diego to tell their representatives that we want more protection for the seals. Pupping season begins in November so they need to hear from their constituents now.

Please tell them the existing policy of shared use isn’t working. They should review ways to end harassment of the seals and enforce compliance with State, Federal, and City laws. Ideally we want them to close the beach. Viewing access to the seals is more important than physical access to the beach. Creating a marine mammal park will also do much to end the existing controversy. Children, residents of the City, as well as tourists from other parts of California, all states in the country, and around the world want the harbor seal rookery protected and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Council Members are Sherri Lightner in District 1 where Casa Beach is located in La Jolla:
SherriLightner@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6611; Kevin Faulconer in District 2, kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6622; Todd Gloria in District 3, toddgloria@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6633; Tony Young in District 4, anthonyyoung@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6644; Carl de Maio in District 5, carldemaio@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6655; Donna Frye in District 6, donnafrye@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6666; Marti Emerald in District 7, martiemerald@sandiego.gov,, 610-236-6677; and Ben Hueso in District 8, benhueso@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6688.

Letters can be sent to all at 202 C St, MS 10A, San Diego, CA 92101.

To find your City Council member, please click HERE. Please also consider emails, phone calls and letter to Mayor Sanders at JerrySanders@sandiego.gov, 619-236-6330, 202 C Street, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA  92101.