We’re opening an album of photos related to the Big Wave development in Princeton. We’ve started with the slides from a presentation by Midcoast Community Council member Sabrina Brennan, but you’re invited to send us your photos and graphics for inclusion.

It’s difficult to get a handle on just how big Big Wave is and what its impact will be on the Coastside.  Your photos can help us understand what’s being proposed.

The Advisory Council of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary will hold a public meeting in Pacifica next Thursday. The sanctuary manages marine resources from from northern Marin County, southward to waters along the San Mateo County coast. Residents of the coastal areas and inland communities will be interested in many issues and actions affecting the general region.

For more information on the Sanctuary Advisory Councils, please visit the website: http://farallones.noaa.gov/manage/sac.html

For more information on the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary please visit the website: http://farallones.noaa.gov/

Agenda after the jump.

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District approved $50,000 to be used towards the purchase of a new emergency vehicle for the La Honda Fire Brigade, an all-volunteer fire department serving the San Mateo County Coastside area.

Half Moon Bay needs a miracle if it’s going to avoid a crushing debt of $18 million to pay off its Beachwood settlement. The city needs to convince two-thirds of the state legislature to give it $10 million in parks bond money, in a year when our legislators really should be paying attention to more important matters.  The good news is that the city has the support of its state senator and its assemblyman.

The bad news is that the city does not have the support of the property rights zealots who play an outsize role in Coastside politics—particularly with the current city council majority.

At Tuesday’s Half Moon Bay City Council meeting, Senator Leland Yee and Assemblyman Jerry Hill demonstrated they understood the significance of AB- and SB-650 by showing up for a Half Moon Bay City Council meeting and speaking on its behalf. This is something only one citizen bothered to do.

However, one wanna-be city council member and a cluster of property rightists rose to condemn the plan, armed with only two talking points:

• If the city were to change its definition of wetlands, it could "build the homes we need".
• Houses produce tax revenues, and parks do not.

There is no evidence that the city can solve its problems by redefining the meaning of "wetlands". The city attorney has said that if it were possible, they would have done it last April, instead of settling for $18 million. Does anyone believe that if it were possible, this city council majority would not have done it?

Moreover, no serious person believes that houses produce more revenue than costs for any city.

Anybody who cares about the future of Half Moon Bay and the Coastside as a community recognizes that any workable solution to this problem is going to involve bringing the community together and sharing the pain. And it’s reasonable for citizens to wait until they know more about the details and implications of AB/SB 650 before deciding whether to support it.

But in their irrational, reflexive opposition to a flawed but honest compromise to save the city from a crushing debt, the Coastside’s defenders of property rights have shown us their single-mindedness.  They would rather see the city crushed than see a wetland go undeveloped.

Activists bused in from around California will hold a protest against the Minerals Management Service’s (MMS) proposed five-year plan for oil and gas development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Demonstrators will be making speeches, waving signs, and speaking at the hearing to tell the MMS and public how the increase in offshore oil drilling and this proposed plan could critically impact some of the world’s most pristine marine ecosystems and lead to the destruction of important habitats that are home to a diversity of wildlife.

Join Surfrider Foundation activists, members, volunteers from California, Oregon and Washington, surfers, beach enthusiasts, and local, regional and national elected officials

Thursday, April 16, 2009
Doors will open at 8:00 AM
Hearing begins at 9:00 AM and will conclude by 8:00 PM

Noontime rally and demonstration that will feature speeches from
various elected officials and activists, along with live music.

University of California, San Francisco
Mission Bay Conference Center
Robertson Auditorium
1675 Owens Street
San Francisco, CA

In order to speak at the hearing, RSVP to [email protected]

For the second year in a row, the Pacific Fishery Management Council today closed commercial and most recreational salmon fisheries off the coast of California in response to the collapse of Sacramento River fall Chinook.

The Mercury News carried the story yesterday from Julia Scott on Tuesday’s tentative vote to close the fishery.

Half Moon Bay fisherman and salmon advisory council member Duncan MacLean said the closure was necessary given the numbers, but he is worried about the survival of the industry and his livelihood.

"I fear for my future in fishing," MacLean said. "I just hope I get to do it again in my lifetime."

MacLean is leading an effort to get another round of federal subsidies for small fishermen hard-hit by the closure. About $48 million may be left over in last year’s fund.

Full press release after the jump.

Run, walk or toddle down the beautiful Coastal Trail on a sanctioned half marathon course, mostly flat. This is perfect for novices or personal bests. There will be T-shirts, Goody Bags for Kids and Prizes for Winners. Click to register today. Early Bird Pricing available through April 24. Call 650-726-7416 or visit http://www.coastsidecdc.org for more information.

UPDATE: He’s been located.

The Sheriff’s office has reported

an escape from Camp Glenwood boys’ detention facility in La Honda at about noon today.  

The subject is a 16 year old white male, 5’3" tall, 132 pounds, with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He’s wearing a dark blue jeans, dark blue jacket, and a light blue T-shirt.

If you seen him, please notify local law enforcement or dial 9-1-1.  Do not attempt to contact him.

UPDATE: The Sheriff sent out a correction calling this an "escape", rather than a "walkaway".