Heal the Ocean Helps to Cover Storm Drains During Fiesta
By Heal the Ocean
Fiesta is around the corner (August 4-7, 2022), which means we all need to be extra confetti conscious to ensure our streets, sidewalks, parks, creeks and ocean remain clean and safe from litter! Plastic, mylar, glitter, and sequin confetti does not biodegrade, instead, it goes down the storm drain and into the ocean where wildlife mistakes it for food.
A few Fiestas ago, HTO was approached by the City about covering storm drains to prevent confetti from getting into them, and consequently the ocean. Together we created a map of storm drains to cover before festivities start.
This year, HTO Operations Manager Jasmin Tupy and HTO Operations Intern Sydni Trigueiro are working with the City on an updated map since the Parade will be moved to Cabrillo Blvd. (between Castillo St. and the “Chromatic Gates” near the Fess Parker Hilton Resort). State Street is expected to get its usual share of confetti, too.
Additionally, Heal the Ocean is providing the services of Andrew Velikanje and his Earthcomb crew to work on keeping the streets clean during Fiesta.
All of us can help in this effort, to keep our streets and gutters clean. Thank you!
8 Comments
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Jul 21, 2022 03:46 PMDo I recall correctly that plastic or metallic confetti is banned? If so, how can violators be quickly reported? These materials are harmful to sea life and best efforts at blocking drains will not catch all of it.
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Jul 21, 2022 11:36 PMIt is no longer your parents fiesta. Confetti egg sellers come from out of town set up shop on State Street and sell thousands of litter eggs. This mess takes months to only partially clean up. It cannot fully be mitigated. This is no longer local families saving up eggs and having some traditional fun. It sucks and is no longer a tradition that should be allowed.
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Jul 22, 2022 07:53 AMI agree totally as a native of Santa Barbara. It’s gotten out of control. Why do we allow this to happen to our streets and ocean. Like most things it has gotten out of control. Plus you are right my neighbors family comes from chela vista brings 16 people up makes tons of tax tree money (you would be surprised on how much) they pay no permits to sell all ove t town foe price 5 days. Oh ye ah and they also bring food carts and roam our neighborhoods once again no license and no health dept checking.
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Jul 22, 2022 12:08 PMThe open door policy to food carts needs to be reconsidered, at the very least requiring regular public health inspections of the food sold, with permits displayed as restaurants are required to do!
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Jul 22, 2022 08:29 AMYour complaints, my complaints & the complaints of the ocean & inhabitants..
Means NOTHING when compared to MONEY!!..
MONEY MONEY MONEY !!!!
Santa Barbara would hock it's children for more money.
$$$$$$.
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Jul 22, 2022 11:26 AMGreat job Heal the Ocean! They also do cleanups on abandoned bum camps which greatly helps "heal the ocean"!
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Jul 22, 2022 12:06 PMThank you, Heal the Ocean! How can one volunteer with this organization that does so much good? (I know they want and need money, but I have more available time than money.)
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Jul 22, 2022 01:31 PMhttps://www.healtheocean.org/
Click "Community". Then "Volunteer"