Zuma Jay Named Environmentalist of the Year

Malibu  member Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner was named Environmentalist of the Year last week by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. He will be honored in August at the annual Waterman’s Weekend in Laguna Niguel.

The following is from the SIMA website:

Environmentalist of the Year Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner is a longtime advocate and protector of one of surfing’s sacred spots—Malibu. In addition to owning a surf shop and formerly serving as the city’s mayor, Zuma Jay is dedicated to the fight to preserve Malibu’s beaches and keep its waters clean.

He ended 20 years of Malibu city policy to avoid the implementation of advanced local wastewater treatment systems in the Civic Center, an area that is contiguous to Malibu’s Surfrider Beach. He is currently promoting the restoration of and worked with the California Coastal Commission and the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors to establish Malibu as the first World Surfing Reserve.

“The SIMA Environmental Board of Directors is thrilled to honor such a staunch advocate for our oceans and waves as the 2011 Environmentalist of the Year,” commented Paul Naude, chairman of the Waterman’s Weekend Event Committee and president of the SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors “Jay continues to fight to protect and preserve the beaches and breaks of Malibu, for which we are very grateful. Malibu is an important part of surf culture and we are fortunate to have someone as passionate as Jay dedicated to keeping Malibu clean and accessible for years to come.”

It should be noted, although Wagner has proposed , he is not “promoting” the controversial lagoon project that is set to begin June. Also, the statement about the city’s 20-year policy on wastewater treatment systems is not accurate for various reasons. Wagner, as well as the others on the council, last month supported .