This May, volunteers from Surfrider Foundation chapters in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina had meetings with their Congressional representatives to join over 170 advocates from 28 states and territories for Surfrider’s 9th Annual Coastal Recreation Hill Day to advocate for the protection and enjoyment of our ocean, waves, and beaches for all people.
The Southeast delegation joined forces with our national network to speak with one clear message: our ocean and coasts are invaluable—and they need bold Congressional leadership to remain clean, healthy, and accessible for future generations.
Volunteers focused on Surfrider’s 2025 Federal Priorities, including:
Protecting Clean Water and Public Health
Beachgoers shouldn’t have to wonder whether it’s safe to swim. We called on Congress to support $15 million for the EPA’s BEACH Act grants, reauthorize the bipartisan BEACH Act (H.R. 503/S. 508), and ensure adequate staffing and funding for the EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act. These programs are essential to protect people from exposure to harmful pollution and bacteria at the beach.
Ensuring Healthy Communities and Economies in the Coastal Zone
Surfrider volunteers advocated for full funding and staffing of NOAA programs that support coastal management, marine sanctuaries, education, and estuarine research. As coastal threats like erosion, flooding, and storms intensify, we need Congress to strengthen—not weaken—tools like the Coastal Zone Management Act and support legislation like the Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act (H.R. 2786).
Preventing New Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling
Coastal communities overwhelmingly oppose offshore drilling, and Southeast volunteers made that known on the Hill. We urged Congress to oppose any efforts to expand offshore oil and gas leasing, and to support legislation like the COAST Anti-Drilling Act and Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act, which would permanently protect our waters from risky fossil fuel development.
From defending clean water to preserving coastal ecosystems and rejecting offshore drilling, our volunteers showed up powerfully and made sure coastal voices were heard.
Want to get involved?
You don’t have to go to D.C. to make a difference. Visit https://www.surfrider.org/action to check out our current action alerts, join your local chapter, and learn how you can continue advocating for the protection of our ocean and coasts.