Stop Chemical Spraying on Hollywood Beach

What’s Happening?

The California Coastal Commission has approved a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that allows repeated applications of glyphosate‑based herbicides on the sand dunes of Hollywood Beach—without first consulting the residents and visitors who use the beach daily.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many weed‑killers. Extensive legal settlements and medical studies link exposure to cancer. That chemical does not belong on recreational sand.

The planned spraying of chemicals will cover a wide swath of Hollywood Beach:

The surveying work for the spraying of these chemicals on Hollywood Beach has already begun! Here is a video of a contractor running an ATV on top of the dunes where the spraying will occur:

Here is a 60 Minutes documentary on glyphosate and its link to cancer:

This chemical does not belong on our beach. It is a known carcinogen and has been linked to many other health issues. We need to stop this spraying before it starts.

Why Glyphosate Is a Problem

• World Health Organization (IARC) classification: “Probably carcinogenic to humans” (since 2015).
• California Proposition 65 listing: Added as a known human carcinogen in 2017.
• $10+ billion in payouts so far: Bayer/Monsanto settlements with cancer plaintiffs.
• 67,000 cancer cases still pending & $6 billion reserved for litigation expenses.
• Wall Street Journal (Apr 14 2025): The main manufacturer of glyphosate, Bayer, announced that it will stop making the chemical within a matter of months due to extensive cancer litigation, and anyone who wants to continue using the chemical will have to import it from China.
• Children, surfers, and pets play on these dunes: None can reasonably consent to carcinogenic exposure.
• Mechanical removal of beach weeds works: State Parks and Point Reyes have proven weed control without chemicals.

You should not need a hazmat warning before building a sandcastle. Help us keep chemicals off the beach—permanently.

Specific health problems linked to glyphosate

Glyphosate is linked to many health problems. Here are some of the most serious:

1. Overall increased cancer risk.
2. Breast cancer.
3. Multiple myeloma
4. Endocrine disruption
5. Neurotoxicity
6. Birth defects
7. Heart disease.
8. Hodgkin lymphoma
9. Parkinson's disease
10. Immune system dysfunction.
11. Reproductive health effects.
12. Genotoxicity

Sign the Petition

Your signature tells decision‑makers to revoke glyphosate approval and commit to chemical‑free maintenance. Add your name now.

Sign the Petition

Call Your Representative

Evidence & Resources

• Coastal Commission Letter granting glyphosate use (PDF)
• IARC Glyphosate Classification
• California Prop 65 listing
• Bayer/Monsanto lawsuit settlement overview
• Wall Street Journal report on Bayer halting production of glyphosate
• Mechanical-only removal at Point Reyes
• Mechanical-only removal at Little River SB
• Adverse effects of glyphosate exposure on Snowy Plover reproductive success.
• A flyer to spread the word. Print it out and post it around the neighborhood!

Miscellaneous Resources