Oceans

Sacramento, CA – The California Supreme Court has denied an appeal challenging the Los Angeles County reusable bag ordinance, upholding the appellate court’s ruling in Los Angeles County’s favor. The lawsuit, brought by plastic bag manufacturer Hilex Poly Co. and named individuals, had sought to repeal the county’s 2010 plastic bag ban. A unanimous appellate court upheld the ban in March.

Calabasas, CA – Environment California has delivered over $20,000 for California Wildlife Center to rescue stranded sea lion pups along the coast. The money will help cover the cost of building temporary sea lion and seal housing at the Center and provide for the care, feeding, and rehabilitation of stranded sea lion pups.

Sacramento – Legislation to ban single-use plastic bags across California took another step toward becoming law. The Senate’s Environmental Quality Committee voted this morning to approve SB 405, moving the legislation closer to a final vote on the Senate floor later this session. Written by Alex Padilla (Pacoima), the bill would ban single-use plastic checkout bags in grocery, drug, and convenience stores.

On Tuesday, April 16, ocean conservation advocates and experts from across California will convene at the California State Capitol for Ocean Day. Efforts to lessen sea level rise impacts, reduce marine debris, and implement the Marine Life Protection Act have created a groundswell of support for smart and science-based ocean policy. Residents and activists will meet with legislators to send the message that marine conservation should continue to be a priority for the state. With California’s ocean economy driving $43 billion in revenue and nearly 400,000 jobs each year, sustainable management is a wise investment.

Sacramento – Legislation to ban single-use plastic bags across California took another step toward becoming law. The Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee voted this afternoon to approve AB 158, setting the stage for a final vote on the Assembly floor later this session. As written by Assemblymember Marc Levine (San Rafael), the bill would ban single-use plastic checkout bags in grocery, drug and convenience stores.

The Huntington Beach City Council voted tonight to ban single-use plastic bags within city limits. With its vote, Huntington Beach became the 70th local government in California to take action against plastic bag pollution. Over seven million Californians, nearly one out of every five people residing in the state, now live in a community that has approved a single-use plastic bag ban.