GOLETA BEACH SEAWALL UPDATE
GOLETA BEACH EIR RELEASED
PROJECT DETAILS:
The Goleta Beach Long-Term Protection plan proposed to evaluate two
projects within the EIR at co- equal levels, the Beach Stabilization / Permeable
Groin alternative and the Managed Retreat alternative.
1. The
Beach Stabilization / Permeable Groin alternative would build a
coastal structure that would create and maintain a wider beach for shore protection
and recreation, while minimizing or eliminating potential adverse down coast
effects. The permeable pile groin would be perpendicular to the shoreline,
adjacent to and just east of Goleta Pier, consisting of several rows of surface-piercing
timber piles driven into the seabed and extending seaward approximately 20 feet
wide by 500 ft long, from the landward end of the Pier. Once beach equilibrium
is reached, the piles would be covered by means of extending the existing pier
deck, providing a wider public pier along the first 500 linear feet.
2. The
Managed Retreat alternative proposes to allow the shoreline position
to evolve naturally over time and involves landward relocation of some Park facilities
and utilities, removal of sections of the existing rock revetments, and creation
of a lawn/sand “buffer zone.” A proposed “backstop” rock
revetment, located at the landward edge of this zone, would provide a last line
of defense for the relocated utilities, lawn, parking areas, and amenities and
would only be installed if erosion was anticipated to retreat landward of the “buffer
zone”. The width of the buffer is a compromise between providing space
for the beach to evolve, the constraints posed by existing utilities, and the
desire to maintain recreation facilities and parking capacity.
Notice of Availability
http://www.sbparks.org/GoletaBeach/docs/DEIR%202007/DEIR%20pdfs/DEIR%20Notice%20of%20Availability.pdf
Executive Summary
http://www.sbparks.org/GoletaBeach/docs/DEIR%202007/DEIR%20pdfs/Executive%20Summary%2021Mar.pdf
The Entire EIR
http://www.sbparks.org/GoletaBeach/docs/DEIR%202007/DEIR%20TOC.htm
Surfrider's Take
In general, the seawall (rock revetment) option violates
the Local Coastal Plan and California Coastal Act because it
adversely impacts sensitive habitats, impairs coastal access,
and because there are viable options to managing the park that
avoid these impacts. Another point is that
the County should only study environmentally superior alternatives
in the EIR and should not seriously consider any option, such
as seawalls, that needlessly damage the environment when less
damaging alternatives are available.Surfrider will only support
a project that preserves and restores Goleta's only sandy beach
while also providing ample recreational opportunities for people
at Goleta Beach County Park.
HISTORY
In the 1940's fill was
placed on top of a natural slough mouth creating an area to
become Goleta Beach County Park today. In December 2002 a temporary
600-foot long, ten-foot high rock seawall was placed on the
beach to protect the park from erosion during large storms.
Despite a required May 15, 2003 deadline for removal by the
Coastal Commission, the rock seawall still remains. A coalition
of conservation organizations and university experts agree
coastal armoring may compromise the sandy beach, therefore
soft solutions or managed retreat would be a more favorable
option to protect the park. The County Board of Supervisors
has requested a two-year extension and is seeking a more environmentally
friendly long-term solutions in a facilitated visioning process
with local stakeholders called the Goleta Beach Working Group.
Now after the two year extention, the County has again requested
yet another extention in which the chapter opposes.
PHOTOS
January 2005
