Will Council Member Haylynn Conrad, A Surfer First, Step Up to Stop the Environmental Threat?
Malibu’s waves have long been a sanctuary—where surfers carve through the Pacific and connect with the rhythm of nature. Our beaches are more than just a backdrop; they are the heart and soul of this community.
But now, an outrageous proposal threatens to turn our coastline into something unthinkable: a toxic waste dump.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—the very agency tasked with protecting the environment—is considering using a section of coastline near Malibu and Topanga to dispose of hazardous materials. This move, if allowed to proceed, could devastate our surf breaks, poison our waters, and permanently damage the coastline we call home.
If anyone is going to stop this, it’s Malibu’s surfers—the people who know these waves better than anyone and who have always fought to protect them. And with newly elected Council Member Haylynn Conrad—who ran on a platform of protecting Malibu’s coastline and is a surfer herself—there is hope that the city will take a stand.
While Conrad has not yet spoken publicly on the EPA’s proposal, many in Malibu’s surf community expect and urge her to take a strong stance against it.
As someone who understands the importance of keeping our waters clean and safe, she could play a key role in leading the fight against this reckless plan. Meanwhile, local environmental advocate Trevor Neilson has already been leading the charge, rallying opposition to ensure Malibu does not become the next victim of federal environmental negligence.
But there is no time to wait. Later city council meetings will be too late—decisions are happening now, and Malibu’s surfers must act immediately.
The EPA’s Toxic Track Record: Why We Can’t Trust Them
The EPA claims to protect the environment, yet its past failures tell a different story. Why should Malibu’s surfers trust an agency that has repeatedly failed communities across the country?
Gold King Mine Spill (Colorado, 2015)
The EPA itself caused one of the worst toxic spills in modern history. In 2015, EPA contractors triggered a massive wastewater spill at the Gold King Mine in Colorado, releasing millions of gallons of heavy-metal-laden sludge into a river that supplied drinking water. They were supposed to clean it up—not make it worse.
Flint Water Crisis (Michigan, 2014-2016)
The EPA failed to act while thousands of children in Flint, Michigan, were poisoned by lead in their drinking water. Even when their own reports confirmed the contamination, the agency dragged its feet, leaving families exposed to irreversible damage. If the EPA failed an entire city’s drinking water, how can we trust them with our ocean?
Toxic PFAS Chemicals (Nationwide, Including California)
The EPA has been painfully slow to regulate PFAS chemicals—dangerous, long-lasting toxins that have been found in California’s water supply. These chemicals accumulate in fish, marine life, and even humans. If the EPA isn’t even regulating them properly, how can we be sure they won’t dump these and worse chemicals into our backyard?
Superfund Site Failures (Los Angeles & Beyond)
There are over 100 Superfund toxic waste sites in California alone, many of which remain uncleaned decades after being designated hazardous. The EPA’s inability to manage toxic waste safely should disqualify them from dumping anything near Malibu’s beaches.
Why Malibu’s Surfers Must Respond Now—Not Later
Surfers are the first line of defense against this reckless proposal. We are the ones who are in the water every day. We see the changes in the waves, the coastline, and the wildlife. And we are the ones who will suffer first if toxins seep into our ocean.
While Council Member Haylynn Conrad has not yet made a public statement on the EPA’s proposal, surfers and environmentalists across Malibu expect her to take a strong stance in defense of our coastline. Her election was seen as a victory for ocean advocates, and this could be the defining moment where she proves her commitment to protecting Malibu’s waves.
One thing is certain—the surf community isn’t waiting to act. By the time this reaches future city council discussions, it could already be too late.
What’s at Stake?
If the EPA’s plan moves forward, the consequences could be catastrophic:
🏄 Wave Contamination: Toxic runoff could permanently alter Malibu’s famous surf breaks, affecting waves at Topanga, Surfrider Beach, and County Line.
🐟 Ocean Pollution: Chemicals dumped near the coast could poison marine life, killing fish and harming the delicate ecosystems surfers cherish.
💨 Airborne Toxins: Winds could carry hazardous particles inland, affecting not just surfers but everyone living near the coast.
🔥 Fire & Earthquake Dangers: Malibu is no place for hazardous waste storage—we’re in an earthquake zone and face annual wildfires. One disaster could send toxic materials straight into the water.
🏡 Property & Tourism Collapse: Malibu thrives on tourism and real estate—what happens when the EPA turns our coastline into a toxic dump?
🚨 Surfers cannot wait. The time to act is NOW. 🚨
Immediate Actions to Take:
✅ Show up at protests and paddle-outs to make it clear that Malibu will not accept a toxic waste site on our coastline.
✅ Call and email city officials NOW—later council meetings may be too late.
✅ Spread awareness on social media—rally surfers, beachgoers, and ocean lovers everywhere.
✅ Sign petitions and donate to legal efforts aimed at blocking the proposal.
✅ Demand that Council Member Haylynn Conrad speak out—Malibu’s surfers are looking to her for leadership.
Final Word: Surfers Must Defend Malibu’s Waves
Malibu has always been a community of ocean defenders. Surfers have fought for clean water, protected marine life, and stopped developers from wrecking the coastline. This is our next battle—and we must not let the EPA turn our ocean into a toxic wasteland.
As Malibu surfers rise up to fight this, the spotlight is now on Council Member Haylynn Conrad. Will she stand with the surf community to defend Malibu’s waves? Many hope—and expect—that she will.
But one thing is clear: Malibu’s surfers cannot afford to wait. The decisions being made right now could define the future of our coastline.
🚨 Surfers, our waves are under attack. The time to protect them is NOW. 🚨
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