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Help Our Cause
Your support will allow us to continue testing our beaches effected by the Palisades Fire for toxins and contaminants.
We are testing for: Heavy Metals, Asbestos, Dioxins, Furans, Mercury, Volatile Organic Compounds, Pesticides, Herbicides, Pyrethroids, and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
About Coastal Alliance
Our Mission
The Coastal Alliance is a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated to protecting and restoring marine ecosystems through science-driven advocacy, community engagement, and policy initiatives. Our mission is to safeguard coastal environments, address pollution threats, and promote sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of our oceans and marine life.
We achieve this by:
- Conducting research and monitoring programs to assess the health of marine habitats.
- Advocating for policies that reduce coastal and ocean pollution, including hazardous waste management and plastic reduction.
- Engaging communities through education, outreach, and volunteer-driven conservation efforts.
- Collaborating with scientists, policymakers, and environmental organizations to advance marine protection initiatives.
- Holding industries and government entities accountable for actions that impact marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems.
Toxic Waste at Our Coastline
We recognize the extreme devastation the recent fires have caused—homes reduced to ash, businesses lost, and lives upended. The urgency of cleanup is undeniable. But declaring the coastline safe based on incomplete data is premature, irresponsible, and misleading.
For months, the Palisades Fire debris—contaminated with carcinogens like asbestos, dioxins, and heavy metals—has polluted our beaches, leaching into the soil and ocean. Yet, no large-scale cleanup effort was conducted.
Los Angeles County officials have been assuring the public that our beaches and waters are safe—without conducting the necessary level of testing to justify such claims. Initial assessments have been limited in scope, lacking the diversity, frequency, and transparency needed to make a conclusive determination.
Without extensive and ongoing environmental testing, the true impact of wildfire debris contamination remains unknown—yet hazardous waste continues to accumulate at our shores.
The Palisades Fire left behind toxic remnants—carcinogenic ash, heavy metals, asbestos, dioxins, and other hazardous pollutants. These materials continue to accumulate on our beaches and in storm drains, posing a serious risk to public health, marine life, and our coastal ecosystems.
Yet, instead of implementing a rapid-response containment and cleanup plan, officials have failed to prevent contaminated debris from washing into the ocean with every high tide. Without proper removal, wildfire ash and hazardous materials are continuously reintroduced into the marine environment, increasing the long-term damage to our beaches and wildlife.
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Toxic Debris on our beache
Protect Our Beaches, Protect Our Future
Wildfire Impacts on California’s Coast and Ocean Health
The Southern California wildfires have deeply affected individuals and entire communities, with many experiencing devastating losses – loss of life, loved ones, homes, and livelihoods – leaving a profound and lasting impact.
Some of the effects will also impact California’s ecosystems. However, the size and scale of Southern California wildfires are unprecedented. The urban location lends to more toxic runoff with a greater potential to harm coastal and marine ecosystems that could pose significant threats to California’s health, economy, and identity.
Protect Our Beaches, Protect Our Wildlife
Detecting such wildfire effects on whale and dolphin populations can sometimes take years to observe and confirm. Valuable time may be lost waiting for such confirmation, during which conservation interventions should be implemented.
Red Tides and Domoic Acid Toxicity
What Is Domoic Acid?
Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by certain harmful algal blooms, particularly those involving Pseudo-nitzschia australis. This toxin accumulates in small fish, such as sardines and anchovies, which are primary prey for marine mammals like sea lions.
Once ingested in significant amounts, domoic acid attacks the brain and heart, leading to seizures, neurological impairment, and even heart failure. If untreated, it often results in permanent brain damage. While the toxin naturally clears from an animal’s system over time, repeated exposure can lead to long-term and more severe effects.
When affected marine mammals receive care before substantial damage occurs, they can often recover. Treatment typically involves administering fluids to help flush out the toxin, providing a diet free from domoic acid, and managing seizures with anti-convulsant medications similar to those used in human medicine.
Domoic Acid and Its Impact On Marine Mammals
Domoic acid poisoning has been widely reported in sea lions, otters, cetaceans, and other marine mammals.
- In California, the toxin has been linked to hundreds of sea lion illnesses and fatalities.
- Affected animals often display disorientation, tremors, seizures, and abnormal behavior.
- Chronic exposure can cause irreversible brain damage, leading to long-term neurological deficits.
Domoic acid remains a significant threat to marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for monitoring harmful algal blooms and protecting vulnerable wildlife from exposure.
What is happening to Southern California Beaches?
Recent wildfires in Los Angeles have impacted Santa Monica Bay's water quality, leading to elevated nutrient levels, a persistent brown foam, and a dangerous algal bloom killing marine mammals.
Kelp Forests in Santa Monica Bay
Kelp forests, vibrant underwater ecosystems, thrive in the Santa Monica Bay, providing habitat and food for numerous marine species.
- The Santa Monica Bay kelp forests are known for their diversity and productivity.
- The kelp and sea grass that wash ashore and accumulate along the high tide line is known as beach wrack, which is a source of food and shelter for many animals.
- The long term solution is to restore a population of sea otters, the sea urchin's natural predator.
What is happening to our kelp forests?
Loss of Habitat and Food Source:
- Kelp forests are crucial habitats for a wide variety of marine life, including fish, abalone, sea urchins, and other invertebrates. When kelp forests decline or disappear, these species lose their shelter, food, and breeding grounds, leading to population declines.
Ecosystem Shift to Urchin Barrens:
- The loss of kelp can lead to a shift in the ecosystem to "urchin barrens," where sea urchins, which feed on kelp, proliferate and overgraze the seafloor, leaving behind a barren landscape devoid of kelp and other algae.
Collapse of Fisheries:
- Kelp forests support commercially and recreationally important fisheries, such as those for abalone and red urchins. The decline of kelp forests can lead to the collapse of these fisheries, resulting in economic losses and job losses.
Reduced Coastal Protection:
- Kelp forests help protect coastlines from storm surges and erosion by absorbing wave energy. The loss of kelp forests can increase the vulnerability of coastal communities to storms and other natural disasters.
Reduced Carbon Sequestration:
- Kelp forests play a role in carbon sequestration, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The loss of kelp forests can reduce the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, potentially contributing to climate change.
Sea Otter and Sunflower Star Impact:
- Sea otters and sunflower stars are natural predators of sea urchins, which are voracious consumers of kelp. The decline of these predators, due to diseases or other factors, can lead to a surge in the sea urchin population, further exacerbating the decline of kelp forests.
Examples of Kelp Forest Decline:
- In Northern California, kelp forests have experienced a dramatic decline, with some areas losing over 90% of their kelp cover.
- The collapse of kelp forests has led to the closure of recreational abalone fisheries and the decline of commercial red urchin fisheries.
- The loss of kelp forests has also impacted other marine species, such as rockfish and lingcod, which rely on kelp as nursery habitat.
From Baywatch to toxic waste - LA's iconic beaches unrecognisable
With its sun-drenched lifeguard towers, bronzed surfers and bikini-clad volleyball players, Will Rogers State Beach is one of the most recognizable stretches of sand in the world thanks to the global cult classic "Baywatch".
But now the iconic beach is surrounded by the ruins of burned homes and palm trees, its parking lot a sorting ground for hazardous waste from the wildfires. The beach babes have been replaced by Environmental Protection Agency crews in hazmat suits sifting through melted electric car batteries and other hazardous waste before it's trucked away to landfills.
Historical Examples of Wildfire Contamination
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay)
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay)
Red Tide and Toxic Runoff:
Fire debris and runoff from the Santa Cruz Mountains flowed into Monterey Bay, increasing nutrient loads and potentially contributing to a harmful algal bloom (red tide).
Scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) found elevated nutrients and organic pollutants in nearshore waters.
Impact on Kelp Forests and Fisheries: Ash deposits coated kelp forests and intertidal zones, affecting photosynthesis and smothering marine organisms.
Some commercial fisheries temporarily halted shellfish harvesting due to concerns about contamination from wildfire-related toxins.
2018 Woolsey Fire – Malibu & Ventura County)
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay)
Debris Flow into the Ocean: After heavy rains, toxic ash and debris from the Woolsey Fire washed into the Pacific Ocean, affecting beaches from Malibu to Ventura.
Reports found high levels of heavy metals, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and other toxins in runoff reaching the ocean.
Surfers and swimmers were advised to stay out of the water for weeks due to high bacterial levels and contamination risks.
Impact on Marine Life: Studies detected hydrocarbons and toxic compounds in coastal waters, which can harm fish and shellfish populations.
The Santa Monica Baykeeper and Heal the Bay raised concerns about long-term contamination of marine food webs.
2018 Camp Fire (Paradise, California)
2017 Thomas Fire (Santa Barbara & Ventura County)
Toxic Ash and Debris: The Camp Fire, which destroyed nearly the entire town of Paradise, left behind hazardous ash and debris containing heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury), asbestos, and toxic compounds from burned homes, vehicles, and industrial sites.
Public Health Concerns: Residents and cleanup crews were warned about inhaling particulate matter and exposure to toxic debris. Testing revealed elevated levels of arsenic and lead in some areas.
Water Contamination: The fire melted underground plastic pipes, leading to benzene contamination in the town’s water supply. It took years and extensive remediation to restore safe drinking water.
2017 Thomas Fire (Santa Barbara & Ventura County)
2017 Thomas Fire (Santa Barbara & Ventura County)
Massive Debris Flows into the Santa Barbara Channel: Heavy post-fire rains triggered massive debris flows (mudslides) in Montecito, dumping tons of burned debris and sediment into the Santa Barbara Channel.
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary reported ash and sediment deposits smothering rocky reefs, potentially affecting biodiversity.
Airborne Toxic Particles: Fire-related air pollution settled over the ocean, raising concerns about PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and dioxins entering marine food webs.
2015 Valley Fire (Lake County, CA)
2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, California)
Hazardous Debris Management: The fire destroyed thousands of structures, leading to massive amounts of toxic debris. FEMA and the EPA had to coordinate large-scale hazardous waste cleanup efforts to prevent public exposure.
Wildlife Impact: Testing showed elevated heavy metals in nearby lakes and rivers, affecting fish populations and potentially posing risks to humans who consumed them.
2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, California)
2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, California)
Airborne Asbestos and Lead: Burned structures, particularly older homes, released asbestos and lead-based paint particles into the air and soil. Cleanup efforts had to follow strict hazardous waste protocols.
Water System Damage: Like Paradise, the fire melted PVC pipes, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the water supply. Some areas had water contamination for over a year.
2007 Witch Creek Fire (San Diego County, CA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
Soil and Waterway Contamination: The fire burned through land containing industrial and agricultural sites, leading to the release of pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants into the soil and waterways.
Health Effects on First Responders: Firefighters and cleanup workers experienced respiratory issues due to prolonged exposure to toxic ash and airborne contaminants.
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
Toxic Stormwater Runoff into Santa Monica Bay: The fire burned large areas in the San Gabriel Mountains, and later rains washed toxic ash, debris, and charred vegetation into the LA River and storm drains.
This led to a surge in contaminants reaching Santa Monica Bay, raising bacteria and heavy metal levelsbeyond safe swimming thresholds.
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz Mountains, CA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz Mountains, CA)
Threats to Drinking Water: Post-fire rains caused ash and debris to wash into reservoirs and watersheds, increasing turbidity and introducing harmful chemicals.
Heavy Metal Contamination: Tests found lead, arsenic, and other metals in burned vehicle and building debris, prompting state officials to issue strict disposal guidelines.
Media
Santa Monica Daily Press
Over the past few days, it’s been impossible to avoid seeing the tell tale signs of wildfire ash and debris accumulating along the coastline of Santa Monica. At low tide in particular, endless thick lines of ash particles are easily visible against the golden sands that form our big, beautiful beaches.
Santa Monica Mirror
Protesters marched against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to use the Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a hazardous waste processing site for debris from the Palisades Fire on Sunday.
Westside Current
Westside Current
Over a hundred demonstrators gathered at Will Rogers State Beach on Sunday morning to protest the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial decision to use the area as a toxic waste sorting site to process debris from the Palisades Fire.
CBS News
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
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about us
President, Ashley Oelsen
Ashley is a passionate advocate for environmental justice, sustainability, and community well-being. With a background in earth and environmental science from the University of Pennsylvania, she has dedicated her career to protecting biodiversity, promoting responsible conservation policies, and fighting for ethical governance. Her fieldwork has taken her across the globe, studying chimpanzees in Tanzania, orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra, and orcas in Iceland.
A longtime Santa Monica resident, Ashley has served as the Chair of the City of Santa Monica Clean Oceans and Beaches Measure V Oversight Committee and is currently a commissioner on the Environmental Justice, Sustainability, and Environment Commission, where she advises on policies that shape the city's future.
She has also worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, lobbied Congress on environmental policy, and was a Directorate Fellow for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Ashley founded the Coastal Alliance in response to the condition of the coastal areas following the Palisades Fire.
Beyond conservation, Ashley is deeply committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in local governance with science-driven, and community-first approach to policymaking.
Ashley believes that true progress comes from informed activism, ethical leadership, and a relentless commitment to protecting both people and the planet.
Elizabeth Kahn Baum, Vice President
Elizabeth is a strategic communications professional and leads public relations and digital marketing for nonprofits, brands, and environmental media entities. Her passion for personal and planetary health started while she was an undergraduate student studying advertising and environmental systems & society at Syracuse University.
Over the last decade, Elizabeth has worked on the most pressing issues facing our planet as well as some of the most promising solutions to them including regenerative agriculture, conservation genomics, geothermal energy, and carbon dioxide removal. She is committed to decarbonizing the built environment, regenerating ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring Indigenous science & knowledge is respected and deployed as the world faces a biodiversity and climate crisis.
Elizabeth grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and currently resides in Santa Monica with her husband and dog. The lack of recognition of the disaster unfolding on the beaches by elected officials compelled her to join other locals taking action. In her volunteer capacity with California Coastal Alliance, she hopes to empower others to want to use their voice to demand action from their state and federally elected officials to prioritize the health of the Santa Monica Bay ecosystem and greater Pacific Ocean.
As a music enthusiast, she hopes to collaborate with her favorite musicians with the intention of uniting people and deepening their commitment to being stewards of this previous blue planet we all call home through the power of music. Learn more about her background here.
Alliance
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Venice Neighborhood Council
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Venice Neighborhood Council
Protect Calabasas
Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society
Venice Neighborhood Council
Venice Helping Hub
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Helping Hub
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Helping Hub
Protect Topanga
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Helping Hub
Santa Monicans United
Santa Monicans United
Santa Monicans United