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Frequently Asked Questions

• Why would you want to do this?
• Why is this project being undertaken now if the breakwater has existed since the 1940s?
• What purpose does the breakwater serve today?
• Why was it built in the first place?
• Exactly what is the plan? What does "Sink the Breakwater" mean?
• How will this project effect the Peninsula area of Long Beach?
• What about the houses?
• What about coastal flooding? Doesn't the breakwater protect Long Beach from this?
• Who is opposed to this plan?
• How much will it cost?
• Who will pay for this?
• How long before the breakwater is removed?
• Won't the beach disappear if we reconfigure it?
• What about the oil islands?
• What about the Port of Long Beach?
• What about the Belmont Pier?
• How much surf should be expected once the breakwater is removed?
• What are the benefits of keeping the breakwater in place?
• Is this realistic?

Why would you want to do that?

Long Beach is naturally located between the mouth of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers.  Consequently, all of the urban run off from the Southern California basin empties into the Long Beach Harbor.  The breakwater traps the urban run-off close to the shore.  The Surfrider Foundation is working toward creating cleaner water and cleaner sand.

Why is this project being undertaken now if the breakwater has existed since the 1940s?

When it was originally constructed, the Long Beach portion of the breakwater played a useful and important purpose in U.S. national security. However, in 1940, with the relocation of the Pacific Naval Fleet to Pearl harbor, the United States Navy began reducing its presence in Long Beach. The 1990s have brought the final removal of U.S. Naval presence in Long Beach waters with the closing of both the Long Beach Naval Base and the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

Since the breakwater was created, Long Beach's waterfront has deteriorated. The natural flow of the ocean current, which would typically assist in keeping the beaches and waters in Alamitos Bay free from long-standing pollutants, has been impeded by the breakwater.

Removal of the breakwater addresses several environmental and economic concerns in the City of Long Beach:

• This supports the City's economic plan to recover from defense industry contributions and focus more on tourism as a key revenue contributor.
• Residents, citywide and throughout the region, will benefit from increased property values. Long Beach real estate, on average, offers less return-on-investment than property in similar, coastal communities.
• The residents of California voted to create the California Coastal Commission and charged them with the protection and preservation of one of our most beautiful and vital resources. Restoring Long Beach's shores to their natural, healthy condition benefits everyone in the State and is in keeping with the Coastal Commission's directive.
• A robust oceanic environment requires large areas of clean, unpolluted habitat. Restoring balance to Californians coast involves a cooperative effort from all of the communities and people who share this great resource. Revitalizing Long Beach's coastal waters complements the efforts of other communities doing their part, from Santa Monica to Dana Point and points inland and upstream.

What purpose does the breakwater serve today?

It is firmly believed that if the Long Beach breakwater did not exist today, it would not be built today. As has already been noted, despite the existence of this structure, erosion and flooding is still a concern in parts of the community. The lack of tourism, the decline in property values, the loss of a natural resource and the environmental devastation linked with the breakwater cannot justify the "calm waters" which appears to be the only residual benefit the structure offers today to a limited number of pleasure craft and an occasional commercial vessel awaiting clearance into port.

Why was it built in the first place?

In the interest of national security, the United States Navy commissioned the construction of the breakwater to provide safe anchorage for the portion of its Pacific Fleet which was housed in Long Beach during and shortly after World War II.

The Long Beach portion of the breakwater was constructed by the United States government for use by the United States government -- and for no other reason. It no longer serves is original purpose.

Exactly what is the plan? What does "Sink the Breakwater" mean?

The "Sink the Breakwater" project is being led by the nationally recognized and respected environmental group Surfrider Foundation. With Surfrider guidance, a grassroots effort involving hundreds of Long Beach residents has sprung.

The slogan "Sink the Breakwater" was selected for its representation of the project's goal; to remove the current breakwater obstruction preventing the natural flow of ocean currents into Long Beach's Alamitos Bay.

There are several ways this can be done and no single approach has been settled upon at this time. Here are some options for removing or reconfiguring the breakwater.

It is very important to note that the Sink the Breakwater project involves only the "Long Beach" portion of the existing structure. This piece of the breakwater sits at the easternmost edge of Alamitos Bay and is bordered by Queen's Way Gate to the west (one of the primary entrances to the Port of Long Beach) and the Alamitos Channel to the east (the entrance to Naples Island).

The western portions of the breakwater extend as far as San Pedro Bay and are not effected by this project. These western extensions protect the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and are considered vital to their operation. Surfrider wishes to work in cooperation with the Port of Long Beach and has and continues to carefully evaluate any impact environmental restoration along Long Beach's shores will have on Port operations.

How will this project effect the Peninsula area of Long Beach?

The southeasternmost end of Ocean Boulevard runs through the middle of Long Beach's Peninsula neighborhood. This narrow stretch of land separates Naples Island and its inner channels from the Pacific Ocean.

For many years, Peninsula residents have suffered from rapid and continual beach erosion. In some years the problem has become so bad as to threaten homes and cause localized flooding. The City of Long Beach spends thousands of dollars annually to replenish sand, which is carried from the Peninsula northwesterly to the beaches around Belmont Plaza.

In the 1950s an engineering study focusing on the Peninsula erosion problems concluded that it was likely that the breakwater contributed to a more rapid and unnatural deterioration of the beaches in this area. The inconclusive study suggested that the breakwater caused currents to "swirl" in such a way as to actually pull more sand from the Peninsula's shores than under normal ebb and tide conditions.

With or without the breakwater, Peninsula residents face erosion and flooding concerns. Surfrider is sensitive to these problems and has agreed to include finding a solution to the Peninsula's problems as part of the basic scope of the Sink the Breakwater project.

Several proposals, all in the investigatory stages at this time, offer hope for a solution to these long-standing problems. Ideas range from creating a wider, gradually sloping beach to adding an offshore, underwater break to prevent the full force of incoming waves from crashing directly upon shore. While these approaches, and possibly others, require further study, Surfrider and the Sink the Breakwater Task Force is committed to including the concerns for protecting the Peninsula in the overall project to restore Long Beach's coastal health.

What about the houses?

Human beings have altered the natural coastal wetland environment into urban neighborhoods.  Therefore, removal of the breakwater without significant sand replenishment would mean some houses would experience water damage.  The Surfrider Foundation is working hard to secure a responsible, on-going sand replenishment plan.

What about coastal flooding? Doesn't the breakwater protect Long Beach from this?

Our research thus far has shown that flooding before the breakwater was constructed was not a common threat to Long Beach's coastal areas. In fact, the city has had more to be concerned with from surge effects on the Peninsula and potential flooding from the Los Angeles River channel.

Historical records do indicate that severe flooding has effected parts of Long Beach in the past. However, the conditions under which this flooding occurred (i.e., tide level, surge, wind direction, amount of rain, etc.) were unique and would likely result in flooding again -- even with the breakwater in place -- should the same set of conditions manifest themselves.

Much of Long Beach's coastal area is low lying but, benefits from wide beaches, which would continue to exist without the breakwater. It is important to remember that the Long Beach breakwater was NOT BUILT TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY FROM FLOOD DANGERS and, under the right set of circumstances, such as those which have occurred in the past, flooding can still be a problem. The best example of this is the Peninsula. Despite the breakwater and the Army Corps of Engineers' best efforts to build sand berms to protect this area, flooding has recently been and will likely continue to be a real threat to this section of Long Beach. Surfrider believes that the Sink the Breakwater project, by encompassing the concerns of the Peninsula, will help draw attention and possibly offer solutions to the current flood issues.

Who is opposed to this plan?

A few residents living near the waters edge have expressed concern over their homes being flooded as a result of reconfiguration.  Some officials from the Port and the City of Long Beach have rejected the idea.  The City of Long Beach has not seen the “cost- effectiveness” of the plan, and the Port would like to secure the area for their business.

Despite the fact that the Long Beach breakwater is a man-made, artificial barrier, which has dramatically altered the natural environment, it has become an accepted and "comfortable" fixture in the minds of many people. As with any proposal that involves radical change, even change for the better, there are those who are reluctant to lend their full support to the effort until viability and impact studies are completed.

Even though we are confident that this project is "the right thing to do" and will produce innumerous, positive benefits, we appreciate and welcome questions from those with concerns. This project is truly a community effort and, unlike its construction, we hope to make the removal of the breakwater something that everyone in the community has input to.

The Sink the Breakwater Task Force is tremendously grateful and has been pleasantly surprised with the outpouring of support from the community. Several key political figures and area business people have also communicated their positive interest in this effort. An example of the grass-roots momentum this project has taken could best be evidenced by the number of people who have signed our petition and stopped by our information booths setup at different times throughout the city. In one weekend alone, over 500 signatures were collected from supporters in Belmont Shore.

How much will it cost?

Because an exact approach for reconfiguring the breakwater has not been decided upon yet, cost estimates are difficult to make. However, preliminary studies suggest a total price between $20-$30 million dollars.

Who will pay for this?

There are several sources of funding being explored. The most likely source is “mitigation” funds. Current laws require projects that destroy the environment during development to mitigate the damage incurred. Large organizations, such as the Port of Long Beach, that have significant impact upon the environment are required to establish Environmental Mitigation Accounts. Funds from these accounts must be used in strict accordance with guidelines created and overseen by the California Coastal Commission.

Surfrider feels confident that this project would qualify for these types of funds. Furthermore, the Port of Long Beach has recently contributed a significant amount of mitigation money to the preservation and restoration of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. What better project could the Port of Long Beach support than one, which benefits its own city, and the residents who support its operation?

Funding for sand-replenishment is being sought from the State of California, as is the case for all other sand-starved California beaches.

How long before the breakwater is removed?

This is a difficult question to answer until a commitment to pursue this issue is made by the Long Beach City Council. The next step in the process is to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to determine the effects of various alternatives. After the EIS is completed, more detailed cost analysis can be conducted and funding sources secured. Completion of the EIS is expected to take approximately one year from the start date.

Removal of the breakwater is expected to be completed within six months to a year from the date work commences. Again, the actual completion date is dependent upon which option is selected.

Won't the beach disappear if we reconfigure the breakwater?

Some areas of Long Beach experience severe sand erosion problems.  This is a common problem along California beaches. Sand replenishment has always been an integral part of the proposed project.  In most cases, the State of California replenishes the sand along the California coast.  Long Beach is not currently in need of additional sand.  However in the event the breakwater is reconfigured, and natural waves are returned to the area, the need will arise.  There are currently talks in the works with representatives from the State of California to obtain needed state resources for a responsible sand replenishment and maintenance program. 

What about the oil islands?

Initial discussions with engineers from THUMS, the operators of the islands, suggest that there is no need for concern. The islands were designed to withstand the normal forces of unimpeded surf and are not expected to be adversely affected by the removal or reconfiguration of the breakwater.

After the 1983 El Nino, the islands were reinforced in response to damage. However, this damage was caused by storm surge coming down the LA River and not from open-ocean swells.

THUMS has expressed a concern that during larger wave activity, their personnel transport to and from the islands may be inconvenienced.  This is expected to be the exception; not the rule.

What about the Port of Long Beach?

Port engineers have not decided to budget resources to study this proposal. However, the section of breakwater being addressed by this project does not contribute significantly to Port operations. Tankers and cargo ships bunker (ship-to-ship refueling) and secure cargo inside of the breakwater. By law, bunkering must be conducted in protected waters. However, the vast majority of bunkering and cargo lashing in the Ports of LA and Long Beach occurs at berth (dockside). Furthermore, these seagoing vessels routinely accomplish repair and maintenance at sea -- they do not need this luxury of a calm achorage.

In fact, despite existence of the much more important western portions of the breakwater, the Port has major surge problems to deal with today. Construction of a mini-breakwater was required to protect the Maersk operation at Pier J and other surge issues are being addressed at this time.

One Surfrider proposal involves the redeployment of breakwater rocks within Port areas where this type of barrier could be more effectively used. As previously mentioned, this would also save the Port considerable money as they are currently quarrying and transporting rocks from Santa Catalina Island for their ongoing landfill expansions. This is only feasible if the Port has a construction project underway requiring boulders in concert with  the reconfiguration of the breakwater.

What about the Belmont Pier?

Various groups have discussed redevelopment plans on numerous occasions yet, a definite design and long-term use for the pier has yet to be presented. The City of Long Beach is remodeling the pier in a desire to make it more appealing to the general public; rather than allowing its continued, primary use as a fishing wharf.

While structural studies will have to be completed to determine the impact natural surf will have on the current structure, it is felt that the type of wave activity anticipated without the breakwater will have minimal, if any, negative impact on the pier.

How much surf should be expected once the breakwater is removed?

Because of its south facing position, Long Beach is naturally protected from the heaviest surf conditions along the Southern California coastline. There is a natural shadowing effect, dimishing south swells, by the San Clemente Islands and an unnatural west swell attenuator in the modern port landfills, especially Pier J. Otherwise, historical research indicates that Long Beach once enjoyed waves large enough to support moderate surfing conditions.

What are the benefits of keeping the breakwater in place?

In research conducted thus far, no significant benefits to keeping the breakwater in place have been identified. Several hypothesis have been presented as to the potential benefit of the structure, such as protection from storm surge, but, these concepts appear to lack definition or hard facts showing that the breakwater has ever served in this capacity or would make any significant, positive contribution should such a situation arise in the future.

Is this realistic?

YES! Simply put -- the Long Beach portion of the breakwater was constructed to meet the needs of an organization that no longer exists in Long Beach. Its has outlived its original purpose.

All Long Beach residents are affected by its existence. Not only has it impacted the quality of our beaches, reduced property values, detracted tourist revenues and denied us use of a natural asset which belongs to each and every one of us.

Furthermore, the "ripple effect" of negative impact is being felt throughout the Southern California community. Aside those things already noted (such as the diversion of tourism), money is being spent on various projects indirectly tied to the breakwater's existence.

From artificial beach restoration to dredging and cleaning of the channels used to navigate through some of Long Beach's waterways, the impact from altering the natural balance of tidal flow along the coast has wide reaching implications.

Itıs becoming more clear than ever; the number of people resolute to no change in the breakwater (pro status quo) is a fixed number while those of us for positive change grow steadily.

The time has come to do something about this! Join us in SINKING THE BREAKWATER!