Petition to ban single-use plastic bags from Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

We, the undersigned residents, respectfully request that the each city within the County of Santa Cruz and the County of Monterey adopt an ordinance that would place a ban on single use plastic bags coupled with a fee on all other single use bags such as paper and compostable. 

From Spring 2007 to February 2011, Save Our Shores cleanup volunteers removed over 26,000 plastic bags from local beaches and waterways, though countless other plastic bags have made their way into the Monterey Bay. 
Plastic bags pose a serious environmental risk. Plastic is not biodegradable. In the marine environment, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces that absorb toxic chemicals, are ingested by wildlife, and enter the food chain that we depend on.  
Around 100 billion petroleum-based plastic checkout bags are used each year in the United States, requiring an estimated 12 million barrels of oil each year. A ban on plastic bags would help preserve the integrity of our local ecosystems, reduce the burden on landfills, and cut back litter within the city premises.  
There are many alternatives to single-use plastic bags, such as reusable cloth bags, bags made from recycled products, bags made from starches, biodegradable polymer and other renewable resources.
For these and other reasons, The Central Coast Sanctuary Alliance, Save Our Shores, The Surfrider Foundation and the undersigned residents support a ban on single-use plastic bags coupled with a fee on all other single use bags within all cities within the County of Santa Cruz and the County of Monterey.
We thank all local representatives for their time on this and hope we can quickly and effectively establish this small change here in the Monterey Bay Area. 
Sincerely, The Undersigned