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Proposals for sinking the breakwater

Here's a map of the portion of the breakwater that would be removed in any scenario:

• Proposal 1: Remove the top 20-30 feet of rock and spread the excess boulders.
• Proposal 2: Gather boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater and create an island.
• Proposal 3: Redeploy boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater to other breakwater projects.

For reference, here's a simplified cross-section of the current breakwater configuration. It extends about 13' above the water at low tide, and about 50-60' below the water to the bottom.

Proposal 1:

Remove the top 20-30 feet of rock and spread the excess boulders flat along the ocean floor close to the area of the existing breakwater, thus creating an underwater marine sanctuary while still allowing ocean currents and pleasure craft to flow freely in and out of Alamitos Bay.

Proposal 2:

Gather boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater and create an island in the vicinity of the existing structure. The island would serve as both a submerged and above-ground habitat for marine life and a bird sanctuary.

Proposal 3:

Redeploy boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater to other breakwater projects currently underway or being considered by the Port of Long Beach. The rocks which comprise the existing breakwaters in the Long Beach and Los Angeles harbor areas were quarried on Santa Catalina Island at substantial cost. Redeploying this material within the harbor would significantly reduce the costs of projects planned or underway.