HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-17; Planning Commission; Resolution 60671 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 6067
2
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
3 CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION
4 MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR A
SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
PERMIT TO ESTABLISH A 5-YEAR PROGRAM THAT
6 WOULD ALLOW FOR THE PLACEMENT OF UP TO 150,000
CUBIC YARDS (CY) PER YEAR OF OPPORTUNISTIC
7 BEACH FILL (SAND) ALONG THE ENCINAS BEACH
PORTION OF THE SOUTH CARLSBAD STATE BEACH,
8 LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF CARLSBAD
9 BOULEVARD AND SOUTH OF PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD,
IN LOCAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ZONE 22.
10 CASE NAME: CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL
PROGRAM
CASE NO.: SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02
12 WHEREAS, City of Carlsbad, "Applicant," has filed a verified application
13
regarding property owned by California Department of Parks and Recreation, "Owner,"
14
described as15
A Parcel of land being Rancho Agua Hedionda portion of 14.22
acres in Lot H of Map 823, and in Section 20, Township 12S,
17 Range 4W, San Bernardino Meridian in the City of Carlsbad,
County of San Diego, State of California, according to the
18 official plat
19 ("the Property"); and
20 WHEREAS, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared in conjunction with
21
said project; and
22
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 17th day of May 2006, hold a
24 duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request; and
25 WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony
and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information submitted by staff, and
27 considering any written comments received, the Planning Commission considered all factors
28
relating to the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning
2 Commission as follows:
3
A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
4
B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Planning
Commission hereby ADOPTS the Mitigated Negative Declaration (Exhibit
6 "ND") according to the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration
(Exhibit "NOI") dated February 2, 2006, and the EIA Part II (Exhibit "PII")
7 dated January 25, 2006, attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the
following findings and subject to the following conditions:8
Findings;
10 1. The Planning Commission has reviewed, analyzed, and considered the Mitigated
Negative Declaration for the CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL
PROGRAM (SUP 04-13 and CDP 06-02), the environmental impacts therein identified
for the project and any comments thereon prior to APPROVAL of the project.
13 2. The Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Guidelines, and the
14 Environmental Protection Procedures of the City of Carlsbad.
3. It reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad.
4. Based on the EIA Part II and comments thereon, there is no substantial evidence the
17 project will have a significant effect on the environment.
18 Conditions;
19 1. The applicant shall implement or cause the implementation of the Mitigation
20 Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill
Program.
21 "
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
PC RESO NO. 6067 -2-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning
Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 17th day of May 2006, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
Chairperson Montgomery, Commissioners Baker, Cardosa,
Dominguez, Segall, and Whitton
ABSENT: Commissioner Heineman
ABSTAIN:
MARTELL B. MONTGOMERY, Mirperson
CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION
DON NEU
Assistant Planning Director
PC RESO NO. 6067 -3-
City of Carlsbad
Planning Department
CASE NAME:
CASE NO:
PROJECT LOCATION:
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program
SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02
West of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of
the mouth of the Encinas Creek, along the Encinas Beach portion of the
South Carlsbad State Beach.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of establishing a program to allow for the placement of
up to 150,000 cubic yards (cy) per year of opportunistic beach fill (sand) along the Encinas Beach portion of
the South Carlsbad State Beach over a 5 year period.
DETERMINATION: The City of Carlsbad has conducted an environmental review of the above described
project pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act and the
Environmental Protection Ordinance of the City of Carlsbad. As a result of said review, the initial study
(EIA Part 2) identified potentially significant effects on the environment, and the City of Carlsbad finds as
follows:
[X] Although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a
significant effect in this case because mitigation measures, which will reduce potential impacts to a
level of less than significant, have been incorporated into the project and/or agreed to by the
applicant.
f~l The proposed project MAY have "potentially significant impact(s)" on the environment, but at least
one potentially significant impact 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant
to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier
analysis as described on attached sheets. (Mitigated Negative Declaration applies only to the effects
that remained to be addressed).
I I Although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there WILL NOT
be a significant effect in this case because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed
adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION
pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or
mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Therefore, nothing further is
required.
A copy of the initial study (EIA Part 2) documenting reasons to support the Negative Declaration is on file
in the Planning Department, 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008.
ADOPTED:
ATTEST:
Approved, pursuant to Planning Commission Reso No. 6067
MARCELA ESCOBAR-EC
Planning Director
1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us
City of Carlsbad
Planning Department
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CASE NAME:
CASE NO:
PROJECT LOCATION:
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program
SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02
West of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north
of the mouth of the Encinas Creek, along the Encinas Beach portion of
the South Carlsbad State Beach
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of establishing a program to allow for the
placement of up to 150,000 cubic yards (cy) per year of opportunistic beach fill (sand) along the Encinas
Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach over a 5 year period.
PROPOSED DETERMINATION: The City of Carlsbad has conducted an environmental
review of the above described project pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Protection Ordinance of the City of
Carlsbad. As a result of said review, the initial study (EIA Part 2) identified potentially
significant effects on the environment, but (1) revisions in the project plans or proposals made
by, or agreed to by, the applicant before the proposed negative declaration and initial study are
released for public review would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly
no significant effect on the environment would occur, and (2) there is no substantial evidence in
light of the whole record before the City that the project "as revised" may have a significant
effect on the environment. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration will be recommended
for adoption by the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission.
A copy of the initial study (EIA Part 2) documenting reasons to support the proposed Mitigated
Negative Declaration is on file in the Planning Department, 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad,
California 92008. Comments from the public are invited. Please submit comments in writing to
the Planning Department within 30 days of the date of this notice.
The proposed project and Mitigated Negative Declaration are subject to review and
approval/adoption by the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission. Additional public notice(s)
will be issued when a public hearing is scheduled. If you have any questions, please call Jennifer
Jesser in the Planning Department at (760) 602-4637.
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD February 2, 2006 through March 3. 2006
PUBLISH DATE February 2. 2006
1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • wwv\4«riuegr3fitaW3ca.us
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT - PART II
AND
DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR THE
CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL PROGRAM (SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02)
January 25,2006
Introduction
This document is an Environmental Impact Assessment and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)
prepared to address the potential environmental effects of placing up to 150,000 cubic yards (cy) per year
of opportunistic beach fill (sand) on a beach in the city of Carlsbad over a 5-year permit period.
Opportunistic beach fill is material that becomes available as a surplus from construction projects and is
therefore available at no or relatively low cost compared to costs of material used primarily for beach
enhancement or nourishment. Examples of opportunistic beach fill are the by-products of excavation for
upland development, transportation projects, wetland restoration, flood control projects, and harbor and
channel dredging.
The project site, referred to as the "South Carlsbad receiver site", is located along the Encinas Beach
portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach, as shown on Figures 1 and 2. The South Carlsbad receiver site
is located west of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the
Encinas Creek. This beach is narrow and backed by an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad
Boulevard. This is the same beach location where approximately 160,000 cy of sand was placed in
summer 2001 as part of the San Diego Regional Beach Sand Project (RBSP).
The quantity of material to be placed on the beach would be guided by the placement season (fall/winter
versus spring/summer) and the characteristics of the opportunistic material. This document evaluates a
maximum sand quantity of 150,000 cy of material with 25 percent or less fine matter (fine material is
defined as silt and clay particles small enough to fit through a number 200 sieve, or less than 0.064
millimeters in diameter).
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 1
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
1. Project title: Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program
2. Lead agency name and address:
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
3. Contact person and phone number:
Jennifer Jesser, City of Carlsbad
760-602-4637
4. Project location: The project site, referred to as the "South Carlsbad receiver site", is located
along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach, as shown on Figures 1 and 2. The
South Carlsbad receiver site is located west of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and
north of the mouth of the Encinas Creek. This beach is narrow and backed by an existing fill slope
embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard.
5. Project sponsor's name and address:
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
6. General plan designation: OS (Open Space)
7. Zoning: OS (Open Space)
CD
South Carlsbad
Receiver Site
Map crated IjyCarfetod GIS Department
Location Map Figure 1
Page 2 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
HWY. 78
BUENA -
VISTA
AGObN
SOUTH CARLSBAD
RECEIVER SITE
CARLSBAD
PACIFIC
OCEAN
BAT1QUITOS
LAGOON
SCALE IN FEET
I Fl H
2500 0 25OO SDOO
Moffott * Nfetwl
-01\COASTAL\DWG\|ooaHonmopiK).dwg
Carlsbad Opportunistic
Beach Fill Program
Location Map of Opportunistic
Beach Site in Carlsbad
Figure
2
8. Description of Project:
A. General
The project consists of establishing a program for the City of Carlsbad to pursue opportunities for
obtaining suitable sand for placement on South Carlsbad Beach for erosion control, recreational benefits,
and restoration. The program is designed to take surplus sand from upland construction, development, or
dredging projects in the area and place it on the City's beach to supplement on-going beach nourishment
activities in the region.
The purpose of the program is to:
• Renourish the Oceanside Littoral Cell (a littoral cell is a reach of shoreline in which all sediment
transport processes are related, and may contain several sand sources and sinks);
• Provide on-going maintenance of the large-scale beach nourishment project in North County
associated with regional beach-fill efforts;
• Improve protection to coastal structures and enhance beach recreation opportunities in the City;
and
• Restore sandy beach habitat.
The objective of the program is to capitalize on opportunities to obtain beach-quality sand from upland
construction projects when it comes available by obtaining one permit from each permitting agency for an
extended period of time (5 years) for beach placement, without having to reapply for individual permits
for each placement operation. The sand material would be deposited at a specific location in South
Carlsbad State Beach if it is determined to be beach-compatible, rather than having the applicant dispose
of it at an inland site.
The program would be monitored over time so that it may be modified, with agency consent, to maintain
minimal environmental impacts while maximizing nourishment of the littoral cell. This program
proposes similar criteria to those proposed for the Opportunistic Programs in the City of Oceanside, City
of San Clemente, and the Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment representing the
Counties of Santa Barbara and Ventura.
B. Background
Fill material placed on a beach can help nourish eroding shores. Opportunistic beach fill is material that
becomes available as a surplus from construction projects, and is therefore available at no or relatively
low cost compared to costs of material used primarily for beach enhancement or nourishment. Examples
of opportunistic beach fill are the byproducts of excavation for upland development, transportation
projects, wetland restoration, flood control projects, and harbor and channel dredging.
The proposed project is related to a previous beach nourishment project implemented in 2001 by the San
Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) called the Regional Beach Sand Project (RBSP). That
project placed over 2 million cy of beach-quality sand on 12 beach receiver sites from Oceanside to
Imperial Beach. The project site was one of those sites, and received 158,000 cy of sand placed along
2,000 feet of beach length in June/July 2001.
The potential environmental impacts of the RBSP were evaluated in the Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the RBSP. The EIR/EA concluded that the project
would not have any significant effects on the environment, but SANDAG was required to implement a
short-term (construction) and long-term (5 years) monitoring program to verify that conclusion, as well as
to provide additional data regarding actual beach nourishment sand transport compared to coastal
engineering models. Monitoring was conducted during construction for turbidity, spawning grunion, and
underwater archaeology resources, and no adverse construction impacts were identified. Post-
Page 4 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
construction monitoring of lagoons and offshore biological resources (kelp, rocky intertidal habitat, and
subtidal habitat) has confirmed no adverse impacts and has provided extensive information about marine
resources and sand transport.
Additional monitoring at specific locations was sponsored by individual jurisdictions. The City of
Encinitas sponsored biological monitoring at six locations (three that received sand as part of the RBSP,
and three that did not). The monitoring occurred for three years after the sand placement, and found,
overall, an improvement in biological resource use of beach habitat at receiver sites.
As stated above, the project site is the same beach location that received 158,000 cy of sand in June/July
2001 as part of the RBSP. Key differences between this project and the RBSP are: 1) the source(s) of
sand, 2) sand characteristics, and 3) method of transport.
C. Sand Quantities and Qualities
Government resource agencies establish criteria for sand placement for all beach nourishment projects in
California. These agencies include:
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA),
• NOAA Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
• California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG),
• California Coastal Commission (CCC),
• California State Lands Commission (CSLC), and
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB).
These agencies were consulted on several occasions during the early phases of project design to
determine the appropriate sand qualities and quantities.
The project consists of placing a maximum of 150,000 cubic yards per year (cy/yr) of sand on the South
Carlsbad receiver site. The maximum proportion of fine-grained particles (or fines, defined as silts and
clays passing through the number 200 sieve) is 25% with the remainder 75% sand during the winter
season (September 15 to March 15). The South Carlsbad receiver site is more suitable for placement of a
higher percentage of fines than a typical beach nourishment project because it is located adjacent to a
creek mouth, which historically delivers more fines to the coast during the rainy (winter) season. Initial
beach fill volume is limited to 30,000 cy.
During the spring and late summer placement period, a more stringent fines content is proposed. The
maximum fines content proposed during the Spring and Late Summer placement window is 15%, with
the remainder 85% sand. It is also proposed to limit initial beach fills during this time to approximately
20,000 cy. No sand placement is proposed for the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The rate of sand placement on the beach is designed to replicate nature as closely as possible. Natural
sediment delivery to the coast occurs during the wet season (fall and winter); therefore, up to 100% of the
sand placement is proposed to occur in the fall and winter seasons, between September 15 and March 15.
Coastal watersheds naturally yield sediment from rain runoff in the wet season and the coastal zone is
acclimated to this seasonal turbidity pattern.
No more than one-third of sand material will be placed on the beach in spring and summer months (see
table below), when natural sediment delivery to the coast is lower. This season has the highest beach
usage for recreation but is also the most active construction season. Restricting all placement to avoid
summer months could result in substantial missed opportunities. Therefore, a limited amount of sand
placement with a lesser percentage of fines is proposed for the spring and summer months (excluding the
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 5
highest summer recreation period between Memorial Day and Labor Day). The table below outlines the
proposed maximum fines content and volumes during each seasonal placement window.
TABLE 1
PROPOSED LIMITATIONS OF SAND PLACEMENT QUANTITIES
Season
Fall/Winter
Sept 15 -Mar 15
Spring
Mar 15 - last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
Summer
Memorial Day - first Monday in Sept (Labor Day)
Late Summer Option
Labor Day - Sept 15
Maximum Fines
Content
25%
15%
—
15%
Maximum
Annual Volume1
1 50,000 cy
40,000 cy
—
10,000 cy
Initial Maximum
Beach Fill Volume
30,000 cy
20,000 cy
—
5,000 cy
1 The cumulative maximum quantity of all sand in a calendar year, regardless of season, is 150,000 cy.
Allowing a higher percentage of fines during winter for this program is helpful because it offers the City
flexibility to consider a broader range of opportunistic beach-fill sources. Certain sand sources may have
a high percentage of fines, but may consist of very high-quality sand that would be beneficial to the
beach. Material with relatively high fines content would be placed below the Mean High Water (MHW)
line to allow the fines to be winnowed away by the rising tide and deposited offshore, leaving the sand
behind on the beach.
It is proposed that the program start with relatively small projects (up to approximately 30,000 cy),
followed by monitoring. Other criteria in determining suitable beach sand include that the material:
• Cannot be suspected of containing hazardous chemicals based on an EPA Tier I assessment and
appropriate testing;
• Must be free of trash and debris based on visual inspection;
• Must reasonably match the color of natural beach sand after exposure to the marine environment;
• Must be less than 10% manufactured sand; and
• Must not form a hardpan after placement.
Although sand color is not an engineering or environmental factor, it must be considered for aesthetic
reasons, hi July 1996, a private developer placed excavated sandy material over clean white sand at the
South Carlsbad receiver site, referred to for that project as the Ponto Beach site. The material was placed
above the reach of the tides and was not initially exposed to reworking by waves. While above the reach
of the tides, it formed a soil-colored (red) hardpan and was unsightly and uncomfortable to local beach
users. In April 1997, earthmoving equipment pushed the material into the water and the fines dispersed
leaving the beach-colored sand behind. If the City finds acceptable beach material that is significantly
darker-colored than the beach sand, it will be placed below the MHW line, within reach of the tides and
waves. As mentioned above, the City will require that the color reasonably match the color of natural
beach sand after exposure to the marine environment.
To determine that the material characteristics are suitable for beach placement, the City will require
sampling of the material, and will analyze it against a checklist of the above-listed criteria prior to placing
it on the beach. Any sample not meeting these pre-determined City standards would be rejected.
D.Beach Fill Design Options
There are three different beach fill design options for the Carlsbad beach fill program: 1) placement
directly into the surf zone; 2) placement as a beach berm; or 3) placement as a sand dike along the toe of
the bluff. The three design options are described as follows:
Page 6 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
i. Surf Zone Placement
Beach fill will be placed below the MHT line, directly into the surf zone, if the material is darker colored
than the existing beach sand. Sand will be delivered to the beach and pushed by bulldozers to the water's
edge. At low tide, the material will be pushed as far seaward as possible and left in a long, linear dike
parallel to the coast so that it will be reworked by waves during the following rising tide (see Figure 3).
The darker-colored clays will be winnowed out of the material by waves and currents and carried offshore
and sand will be left behind. Surf zone placement will likely be the design used most often for sand
placement. The berm and dike design options will only be used when there is beach quality sand that will
visually blend in with the natural beach sand and will not form a hardpan.
ii. Beach Berm
Beach fill may be placed as a layer over the existing beach as a berm. The beach-berm design is shown in
Figures 4 and 5. The berm would be a level surface extending a certain distance from the back of the
beach toward the ocean, then sloping gradually into the water. The elevation, width, length, and slope of
the berm will vary for each sand placement opportunity, depending upon the quantity of material to be
placed and its qualities. The geometry of the berm will depend on the quantity of material and the
condition of the beach at the time of material placement. An example of potential berm dimensions,
using the estimated initial fill quantity of 30,000 cy with 25% fines (the anticipated norm during
fall/winter) would be a berm that is 1,600 feet long by 100 feet wide, with a fill depth (height) of 5 feet on
average.
iii. Sand Dike along the Bluff Toe
Sand could also be placed as a dike along the bluff toe if appropriate. The sand dike design option could
be constructed if the City chose to apply the sand to the sea more gradually than would otherwise occur.
The sand dike concept is shown in Figure 3. The material would be piled up along the back portion of the
beach and extended along the lower bluff. The dike would be narrower and longer than the beach berm
design. A typical dike could reach up to +12 feet MLLW or higher, be only 20 to 30 feet wide, and slope
more steeply to the beach at 5:1 (H:V).
E. Construction Operations
Beach fill activities will occur on short notice and when material becomes available. Trucks will haul
material from construction sites along designated routes to the deposition site as shown in Figure 6.
i. Beach Access
For each opportunistic beach fill, a temporary truck ramp would be constructed adjacent to the west side
of Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the Encinas Creek Bridge and culvert structures. Although there is
existing vehicle access to the beach from the parking lot located south of the Encinas Creek Bridge,
access to the parking area would require trucks to travel south on Carlsbad Boulevard and cross the bridge
(no access to the parking area from northbound travel lanes). Trucks hauling a load of sand would exceed
the weight capacity of the bridge (due to the bridge's age and structural stability), and therefore, will be
prohibited from crossing the bridge. Trucks will be required to access the beach north of the bridge.
Carlsbad Boulevard north of the bridge is at a higher elevation than the beach; therefore, the construction
of a temporary truck ramp is necessary to provide access to the beach.
The ramp would be constructed by creating a wedge of fill material (opportunistic sand dumped from the
road shoulder and/or with existing beach sand) over the existing slope. The ramp would allow dump
trucks, carrying sand, and other vehicles to access the beach from Carlsbad Boulevard. The ramp would
be approximately 75 feet wide (from north to south), and would have an approximate height of 8 to 10
feet, depending on beach level (see Figure 7). Fill would be placed to raise the level of the ramp slightly
above the level of the existing grade at the top of the slope.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 7
20
15
10
1 5
^ o
1 5N~'
o
1 10
3
IRID
oc
~V^
-:•• : ' '\/
• . >$H>B^
0 100
Prepared by: Moffatt ft Nfehol Engineer*December 1999K: \3497-m\COASTAL\EN-OIKE.DWG
_DIKE AJ.ONG BAO
' SLOPE at 5:1 (H:
^BEL
4/_
. *. *
t
[ OF BEAC
v)
OW MHT L
• ^--v^^^
-.;"- '
H
NE
MLLW
• ••
--^
• > * *
. .• m '^^.-
/-CB-C
/ MEAS
f
^^-
760
URED 10/
^
200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
"x Range (Feet seaward of Range Line Monument)
Carlsbad Opportunistic
Beach Fill Program
Beach Fill Dike Along Back of Beach / Below MHT Line
Encinas Beach Typical Section
)7
1000 1
Figure
3
20
15
10
I °
* 0
1 Kg "5
1 10yUJ
1 R1 3
X
<J(\
-25
(
Prepared by MtottdtiS
"V^
'•••A
. .
• .
/.z^
*!':..•>>
-eEACH Fl
*c-">» "/sy
V.^0,
' ~*T .
•• ' ''
_L
*0,,
"^ ' fc
~^>
, % *
• ' •
^s.
1 i • ** "
MLLW
*\7
'•.
• ••'.
•^-^
• .. T~
, H * '^>-^
'' '.
• f \t •
^CB-C
/ ME AS
/
-"">>
••
760
URED 10/
^^
•
) 100 200 300 4-00 500 600 700 800 900
Range (Feet seaward of Range Line Monument)
offatt * Nichd Engineer*
lASTAL\pWC\EN-TYP.DWC
Carlsbad Opportunistic
Beach Fill Program
Encinas Beach Fill
Typical Section
37
1000
Figure
4
Prepared by: Moffatt & Nichol
April 2005
C:\Documents and 5ettings\glim\Locol Settings\Temporory Internet Files\OLK2\Encind
Carlsbad Opportunistic
Beach Fill Program
Encinas Beach Fill Plan
and Profile Locations
Figure
5
LOCATION MAP
LEGEND
NOT TO SCALE
ROUTES
PROJECT NAME CARLSBAD
TRUCK ROUTES
FIGURE
6
CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC
BEACH FILL PROGRAM
Maximum footprint of temporary truck ramp
to the beach site.
Fig
7
The ramp would be removed once each beach fill project is complete. When the ramp is removed,
portions of the material can remain, if desired by the City, to provide added protection to the existing
roadway embankment. There is no native or sensitive plant species within the project area, and temporary
access ramp will not result in a negative impact to the stability of the existing slope (roadway
embankment).
11.Truck Route
The trucks would drive south on Carlsbad Boulevard, exit onto the ramp and drive down to the beach.
The trucks would dump their load of material on the beach, where earth-moving equipment would then
distribute the sand to the appropriately selected beach placement footprint. The trucks would then egress
the site via the same ramp and head south on Carlsbad Boulevard. The estimated number of truck trips is
shown in Table 2.
Trucks will be provided a dedicated lane for dumping sand. There is an existing 6-foot bike lane adjacent
to the unpaved shoulder on the west side of the roadway. Carlsbad Boulevard also has two 12-foot
through lanes and a paved 10-foot shoulder on the east side of the road. In order to accommodate the
truck operations, the bike lane will be closed and the shoulder will be used for truck queuing. To allow
for queuing of trucks and dumping procedures, approximately 450 feet will be coned off along Carlsbad
Boulevard. Flagmen will direct traffic during construction operations to ensure traffic safety. This is a
typical traffic control plan outline. However, for each project, a specific traffic control plan will be
developed for approval by the City Engineer.
TABLE 2
PROPOSED MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRUCK TRIPS AND FREQUENCY
Season
Fall/Winter
Spring/
Late Summer
Maximum volume
of sand placed
weekly (cy)
20,000
10,000
Maximum number
of weekly truck
trips projected1
1,428
714
Maximum number
of daily truck
trips projected2
238
119
Maximum number
of hourly truck
trips projected3
29.8
14.9
Minimum time
between trips
(minutes)
2
4
1 Assumes a twin trailer belly-dump truck holding 14 cy total.2 Assumes a 6-day workweek, Monday through Saturday.3 Assumes an 8-hour workday.
F.Monitoring Program
A monitoring program is part of the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program. The monitoring
program will involve grunion, turbidity, beach profiles and surfing conditions, as follows:
TABLE 3
OVERVIEW OF MONITORING PROGRAM
Project Phase
Pre-Project
Baseline
During
Construction
Post-
Construction
Post-Project
Type of Monitoring
Beach profiles
Surf conditions
Grunion
(if appropriate season)
Turbidity
Surf conditions
Grunion
(if appropriate season)
Beach profile
Surf conditions
Beach profile
Timing/Duration
30 days prior (profile CB-0775)
14 days prior, 3 times per week (one day on a weekend)
Predicted grunion run closest to project initiation (2 to 3 weeks
and immediately prior to construction)
prior,
Daily during construction
5 times per week during construction
During predicted runs
Within 14 days after construction (profile CB-0775)
For at least 14 days, but need not exceed 30 days after construction
Over 1 year following construction; all profiles surveyed in fall
and spring (April/May)
(Oct)
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 13
i. Grunion Monitoring
The grunion spawning season is from March 1 to August 30 and grunion spawn during middle-of-the-
night spring high tides. The eggs incubate in the sand and hatch after approximately 2 weeks, when the
juvenile fish return to the sea during the subsequent spring high tides. Because the South Carlsbad
receiver site is a sandy beach, it provides suitable grunion spawning habitat. While grunion are not listed
as threatened or endangered, efforts are recommended to minimize impacts to this managed fish species.
This project will actually improve grunion spawning by adding sand to the beach. As a precaution,
grunion will be monitored before construction, and if present, during construction. No post-construction
monitoring is required for grunion. The presence of grunion should not result in a halt to construction,
due to the availability of a larger sandy area for spawning immediately up- and down-coast. The project
shall be allowed to proceed with modifications as needed to accommodate spawning.
A grunion monitor must be present to observe grunion runs two to three weeks prior to construction
during a predicted grunion run (according to the grunion calendar produced by the California Department
of Fish and Game), and immediately prior to construction. If grunion are not present during their
predicted runs, no further monitoring is required. If grunion are present during predicted runs, beach
nourishment will only occur above the spring high tide line/kelp line or in the nearshore until the
spawning season is over. As an alternative, grunion monitoring could continue throughout the sand
placement period, and if they do not spawn during a predicted run then sand could be placed below the
spring high tide line.
ii. Nearshore Reefs and Biological Monitoring
Monitoring of nearshore reefs or biology is not recommended for the South Carlsbad receiver site because
previous environmental analysis performed for the San Diego Regional Beach Sand Project show no
sensitive resources in the area. This is one significant consideration in selecting the South Carlsbad
receiver site for this program.
iii. Turbidity
Turbidity will be monitored throughout construction to qualify the effect on ocean water clarity from the
project. Conditions in the area are typically clear, with occasional storms causing turbidity. The project
will also cause turbidity, but the condition will be short-lived and should diminish immediately when
construction activities are halted. Turbidity will be monitored by an observer from a vantage point (such
as a bluff top landward of the placement site) noting the extent of turbid conditions. The observer will
map the area of turbidity each day on a base map and photograph the turbidity in the ocean. A map will
be created by the observer, and they will document all other pertinent environmental conditions such as
waves, wind, and weather. If monitoring indicates excessive turbidity (greater than ambient beyond one-
half mile offshore at or down-coast of the placement site) for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days,
then placement should be halted or modified to reduce turbidity. This judgment should be made by the
project engineer in consultation with the City and regulatory staff assigned to the project.
iv. Beach Profiles
Beach profiles will be monitored to quantify sand accretion or loss at the South Carlsbad receiver site. A
licensed surveyor experienced with the survey methods will survey the beach profiles. The survey is to
provide data that enables the City to determine the sand gain or loss at the placement site. Existing beach
profiles used for regional monitoring and for recent monitoring of the Regional Beach Sand Project are
suitable for monitoring of the City's program without the need to establish new beach profiles. There are
three established profiles that will be used for this project (see Figure 5). Tasks for beach profiling
include:
Page 14 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
a. Utilize the one existing beach profile transect within the beach fill footprint that is
designated as CB-0775. Utilize the two existing beach profiles adjacent to the site, with
one being up-coast of the site at CB-0780 and the other down-coast of the site at CB-
0760. All beach profiles should be surveyed each fall (October) and spring (April/May).
Profile CB-0775, however, should also be surveyed more frequently at the time of each
project. It should be surveyed within 30 days prior to construction, and within 14 days
after construction to record pre- and post-construction conditions, respectively.
b. Record beach and seabed elevation along the profiles from the back of the beach out to
the depth of 30 feet relative to mean lower low water. Survey equipment to be used
includes:
1. Standard survey equipment (level, Global Positioning System or GPS, and rod)
for work on land; and
2. A survey boat with a fathometer and GPS for work on the water to tie into the
land profile.
c. Produce receiver site profiles to compare pre-project with post-project profiles for
interpretation and reporting.
v. Surf Conditions
Monitoring of surfing is intended to provide qualitative information to understand if the project causes
negative impacts to surfing at the South Carlsbad beach. This monitoring is not required to be technical
nor precise, but rather to simply obtain a sense from observations and periodic interviews/questioning of
surfers if the program is problematic to the activity. If so, possibly more detailed data can be obtained to
verify concerns. If not, projects should be able to continue without modification. Simple counts of the
number of surfers in the water during the prime time for surfing in the morning should roughly indicate if
changed conditions from the project affected surfing.
General surfing conditions should be observed and noted over a period of 14 days prior to construction
and for at least 14 days after construction (no longer than 30 days after construction). The frequency of
observations should be 3 times per week with 1 day falling on a weekend. More frequent observations
should be made during construction, such as 5 times per week. Observations can be relatively short in
time, possibly for 15 minutes at some point between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Observations and
notes should recorded on data recording forms specifying the general conditions:
a. month/date/time;
b. approximate wave height and direction estimated by the eye;
c. tide from a tide book;
d. wind as roughly estimated by the observer;
e. water temperature obtained from lifeguards, newspaper, or the observer;
f. qualitative water clarity by the observer; and
g. number of surfers in the water
Short interviews would be conducted periodically (once during most visits) with local surfers to ascertain
effects of the project that may not be able to be determined from observations. For instance, asking how
frequently a person surfs that location and why they surf there rather than elsewhere should help solicit
their feelings and experience about the site.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 15
G. Additional Project Design Features
In addition to the monitoring program specified above, which would document beach and offshore
conditions before, during, and after project construction, the following design features would be
implemented to minimize adverse effects to the general public:
i. Truck operation shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
(fall/winter) and Monday through Friday (spring/summer) with no activity during holidays.
ii. A flagman shall keep pedestrians a safe distance from the truck, notify beach users of the
presence of the truck, and ensure that a clear and safe path is maintained. This system will be
codified in the traffic control plan required to be prepared for each beach fill project.
iii. Public streets used for hauling the material to the project site shall be cleaned via street-sweeper
every third day of truck delivery to the project site.
iv. Trucks shall only use haul routes approved by the city, and shall be specified in the traffic control
plan required to be prepared for each beach fill project.
v. A Spill Prevention, Containment and Countermeasures Plan shall be prepared by the contractor
prior to each beach fill project. The plan shall specify fueling procedures, equipment
maintenance procedures, and containment and cleaning measures to be followed in the event of a
spill. At a minimum, the plan shall include:
a. Use and refueling of equipment as necessary;
b. Handling and storage of construction and maintenance fluids (oils, antifreeze, fuels).
Fluids shall be stored in closed containers (no open buckets or pans) and disposed of
promptly and properly away from permeable areas to prevent contamination of the site.
c. Immediate control, containment, and cleanup of fluids released because of spills,
equipment failure (broken hose, punctured tank, etc.), or refueling, per federal and state
regulations. All contaminated materials shall be disposed of promptly and properly to
prevent contamination of the site. To reduce the potential for spills on the beach during
refueling, refueling of portable equipment shall occur within a contained area. Where
that is not possible, barriers shall be placed around the site where the fuel nozzle enters
the fuel tank. The barriers shall be such that spills shall be contained and easily cleaned
up. Someone shall be present to monitor refueling activities to ensure that spillage from
overfilling, nozzle removal, or other action does not occur.
9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting
The project site, referred to as the "South Carlsbad receiver site", is located along the Encinas Beach
portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach, as shown on Figures 1 and 2. The South Carlsbad receiver site
is located west of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the
Encinas Creek. This beach is narrow and backed by an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad
Boulevard.
During the winter months, the beach consists of sand and cobbles. In the summer and fall, the sand
moves from the offshore bar back onto the beach covering the cobbles. There is no development along
this site, but the beach is public with a parking area located off of Carlsbad Boulevard, approximately 650
feet south of the mouth of Encinas Creek.
The South Carlsbad receiver site is located within the limits of South Carlsbad State Beach. Surrounding
development consists of:
Page 16 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
• North of the site - Palomar Airport Road
• South of the site - continuation of Carlsbad State Beach, public parking lot, and State Beach
campground
• Bordering the east side of the site - Carlsbad Boulevard
• East of Carlsbad Boulevard/south of Palomar Airport Road/north of Encinas Creek - timeshare
resort, and residential development
• East of Carlsbad Boulevard/south of Encinas Creek - undeveloped with natural vegetation.
• West of the site - Pacific Ocean
The South Carlsbad receiver site is located on a low tide terrace, which lies in front of coastal cliffs
between Agua Hedionda and Batiquitos Lagoons. The steep coastal cliffs in this area have been
continually forming from wave action cutting against the marine terrace. This process has occurred since
the last relative still-stand of sea level, approximately 6,000 years ago. The project site comprises the flat,
rocky, shallow part of the shoreline.
10. Other public agencies whose approval is required (i.e., permits, financing approval or
participation agreements):
Implementation of the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Project will require approval and permits from a
variety of local, state, and federal agencies, as follows:
A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) - Sections 10 and 404 Permit
The proposed program involves placing sand on a beach receiver site. Section 10 of the River and
Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act require permits from the USAGE for transporting
and placing fill material into waters of the U.S.
B. Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWOCB) - Section 401C Certification
Any project in California that proposes placing fill materials into waters of the U.S. requires a Section
401C Certification from the RWQCB. Since the program involves placing sand on the beach below the
mean high tide line, a certification is needed from the RWQCB.
C. California Coastal Commission (CCC) - Coastal Development Permit
The proposed program is located within the Coastal Zone (both seaward and landward of the mean high
tide line). The part of the project located seaward of the mean high tide line is subject to the approval of a
coastal development permit (CDP) from the CCC. The part of the project that is located landward of the
mean high tide line is subject to approval of a CDP from the City of Carlsbad.
D. California State Lands Commission (CSLC) - Lease of State Land
The CSLC has jurisdiction over certain tidal zones and submerged lands, pursuant to Section 630.3
(Division 6) of the California Public Resources Code. This jurisdiction includes those areas located
seaward of the mean high tide line. The placement of beach fill material below the mean high tide line
requires a lease agreement with the CSLC.
E. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) - Encroachment Permit
The project site is owned by the CDPR and an encroachment permit from CDPR is necessary for access
to the State beach.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 17
F. City of Carlsbad - Approval of Mitigated Negative Declaration, Special Use Permit (SUP), and
Local CDP.
The City must approve the environmental determination made pursuant to CEQA (as indicated in this
document, a Mitigated Negative Declaration). The project site contains a special flood hazard area -
Zone VE (coastal flood with velocity hazard - wave action). A SUP is required by the City of Carlsbad
for the placement of fill material in a special flood hazard area. Also, the portion of the project that is
located landward of the mean high tide line is subject to City approval of a local CDP, which can be
appealed to the CCC.
Page 18 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The summary of environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project,
involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact," or "Potentially Significant Impact
Unless Mitigation Incorporated" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
|~| Aesthetics
[X] Biological Resources
|~| Hazards/Hazardous Materials
|~~| Mineral Resources
l~~l Public Services
PI Utilities/Service Systems
ED Agricultural Resources
l~~l Cultural Resources
£3 Hydrology/Water Quality
I I Noise
CH Recreation
£3 Mandatory Findings of Significance
D Air Quality
I I Geology/Soils
I | Land Use/Planning
I | Population/Housing
IXI Transportation/Traffic
DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency)
[~~1 I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
E<3 I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there
will not be a significant effect in this case because mitigation measures, which will reduce
potential impacts to a level of less than significant, have been incorporated into the project and/or
agreed to by the applicant. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I I I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
l~1 I find that the proposed project MAY have "potentially significant impact(s)" on the environment,
but at least one potentially significant impact 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier
document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation
measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. A Negative Declaration is
required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
l~~l I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there
WILL NOT be a significant effect in this case because all potentially significant effects (a) have
been analyzed adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE
DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated
pursuant to that earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE
DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed
project. Therefore, nothing further is required.
Planning Director's Signature
Date
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 19
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, Section 15063 requires that the City conduct an Environmental
Impact Assessment to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Environmental
Impact Assessment appears in the following pages in the form of a checklist. This checklist identifies any physical,
biological and human factors that might be impacted by the proposed project and provides the City with information
to use as the basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Negative Declaration, or
to rely on a previously approved EIR or Negative Declaration.
• A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported
by an information source cited in the parentheses following each question. A "No Impact" answer is
adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to
projects like the one involved. A "No Impact" answer should be explained when there is no source
document to refer to, or it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards.
• "Less Than Significant Impact" applies where there is supporting evidence that the potential impact is not
significantly adverse, and the impact does not exceed adopted general standards and policies.
• "Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated" applies where the incorporation of mitigation
measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less Than Significant Impact."
The developer must agree to the mitigation, and the City must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly
explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level.
• "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect is significantly
adverse.
• Based on an "EIA-Part II", if a proposed project could have a potentially significant adverse effect on the
environment, but all potentially significant adverse effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier
EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or
mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration, including revisions or mitigation
measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, and none of the circumstances requiring a
supplement to or supplemental EIR are present and all the mitigation measures required by the prior
environmental document have been incorporated into this project, then no additional environmental
document is required.
• When "Potentially Significant Impact" is checked the project is not necessarily required to prepare an EIR
if the significant adverse effect has been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable
standards and the effect will be mitigated, or a "Statement of Overriding Considerations" has been made
pursuant to that earlier EIR.
• A Negative Declaration may be prepared if the City perceives no substantial evidence that the project or
any of its aspects may cause a significant adverse effect on the environment.
• If there are one or more potentially significant adverse effects, the City may avoid preparing an EIR if there
are mitigation measures to clearly reduce adverse impacts to less than significant, and those mitigation
measures are agreed to by the developer prior to public review. In this case, the appropriate "Potentially
Significant Impact Unless Mitigation Incorporated" may be checked and a Mitigated Negative Declaration
may be prepared.
• An EIR must be prepared if "Potentially Significant Impact" is checked, and including but not limited to
the following circumstances: (1) the potentially significant adverse effect has not been discussed or
mitigated in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards, and the developer does not agree to mitigation
measures that reduce the adverse impact to less than significant; (2) a "Statement of Overriding
Considerations" for the significant adverse impact has not been made pursuant to an earlier EIR; (3)
proposed mitigation measures do not reduce the adverse impact to less than significant; or (4) through the
Page 20 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
EIA-Part II analysis it is not possible to determine the level of significance for a potentially adverse effect,
or determine the effectiveness of a mitigation measure in reducing a potentially significant effect to below a
level of significance.
A discussion of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation measures appears at the end of the form under
DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION. Particular attention should be given to discussing
mitigation for impacts, which would otherwise be determined significant.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 21
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
I. AESTHETICS-Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including but
not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a State scenic highway?
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or
quality of the site and its surroundings?
d) Create a new source of substantial light and glare,
which would adversely affect day or nighttime views
in the area?
II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES - (In determining
whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant
environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the
California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site
Assessment Model-1997 prepared by the California
Department of Conservation as an optional model to use
in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland.) Would
the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural
use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or
a Williamson Act contract?
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment,
which, due to their location or nature, could result in
conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use?
HI. AIR QUALITY - (Where available, the significance
criteria established by the applicable air quality
management or air pollution control district may be relied
upon to make the following determinations.) Would the
project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
D
D D
D
D D
n m
Page 22 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of
any criteria pollutant for which the project region is
in non-attainment under an applicable federal or state
ambient air quality standard (including releasing
emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for
ozone precursors)?
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations?
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial
number of people?
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status
species in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian,
aquatic or wetland habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans,
policies, or regulations or by California Department
of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally
protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (including but not limited to marsh,
vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal,
filing, hydrological interruption, or other means?
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species
or with established native resident or migratory
wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native
wildlife nursery sites?
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state
habitat conservation plan?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
D
No
Impact
D
D
D
D D
n
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 23
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource as defined in
§15064.5?
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the signifi-
cance of an archeological resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontologi-
cal resource or site or unique geologic feature?
d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred
outside of formal cemeteries?
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS - Would the project:
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or
death involving:
i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or based on other
substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and Geology Special
Publication 42.
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
iv. Landslides?
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil?
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable,
or that would become unstable as a result of the
project, and potentially result in on- or off-site
landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction,
or collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soils, as defined in Table 18
- 1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1997), creating
substantial risks to life or property?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
D
EI
Page 24 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
VII.
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal
systems where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater?
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -
Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials?
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset
and accident conditions involving the release of
hazardous materials into the environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste
within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed
school?
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public or
environment?
e) For a project within an airport land use plan, or
where such a plan has not been adopted, within two
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would
the project result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area?
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area?
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with
an adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan?
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss, injury or death involving wildland fires,
including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized
areas or where residences are intermixed with
wildlands?
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY - Would the
project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
D D
D
n
D
D
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 25
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with ground water recharge
such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer
volume or a lowering of the local ground water table
level (i.e., the production rate of pre-existing nearby
wells would drop to a level which would not support
existing land uses or planned uses for which permits
have been granted)?
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would
result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-
site?
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river, or substantially increase
the flow rate or amount (volume) of surface runoff in
a manner, which would result in flooding on- or off-
site?
e) Create or contribute runoff water, which would
exceed the capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial
additional sources of polluted runoff?
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as
mapped on a Federal Flood Hazard Boundary or
Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood delineation
map?
h) Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures,
which would impede or redirect flood flows?
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss injury or death involving flooding, including
flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
IX. LANDUSE AND PLANNING - Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established community?
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or
regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the
project (including but not limited to the general plan,
specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning
ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
n n
D n
Page 26 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation
plan or natural community conservation plan?
X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral
resource that would be of future value to the region
and the residents of the State?
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally
important mineral resource recovery site delineated
on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land
use plan?
XI. NOISE - Would the project result in:
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels
in excess of standards established in the local general
plan or noise ordinance or applicable standards of
other agencies?
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive
groundbourae vibration or groundbourne noise
levels?
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing
without the project?
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
n EI
EI
n
n El
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within 2
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would
the project expose people residing or working in the
project area to excessive noise levels?
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project expose people residing or working
in the project area to excessive noise levels?
XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Would the project:
a) Induce substantial growth in an area either directly
(for example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example, through
extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing,
necessitating the construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
El
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 27
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating
the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES
a) Would the project result in substantial adverse
physical impacts associated with the provision of
new or physically altered government facilities, a
need for new or physically altered government
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to
maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or
other performance objectives for any of the public
services:
i) Fire protection?
ii) Police protection?
iii) Schools?
iv) Parks?
v) Other public facilities?
XIV. RECREATION
a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
D
D
D
D
D
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities, which might have an adverse physical
effect on the environment?
XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC - Would the project:
a) Cause an increase in traffic, which is substantial in
relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the
street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in
either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to
capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at
intersections)?
b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level
of service standard established by the county
congestion management agency for designated roads
or highways?
D D
Page 28 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including
either an increase in traffic levels or a change in
location that results in substantial safety risks?
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature
(e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
e) Result in inadequate emergency access?
f) Result in insufficient parking capacity?
g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs
supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turn-
outs, bicycle racks)?
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS - Would the
project:
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the
applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?
b) Require or result in the construction of new water or
wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of
existing facilities, the construction of which would
cause significant environmental effects?
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm
water drainage facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects?
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the
project from existing entitlements and resources, or
are new or expanded entitlements needed?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
D
n
D D D
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider, which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project's projected demand in addition to the
provider's existing commitments?
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted
capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste
disposal needs?
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
n n n
[XI
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 29
D D
XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or
wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, reduce the number or restrict the range
of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate
important examples of the major periods of
California history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumula-
tively considerable" means that the incremental
effects of a project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects, the
effects of other current projects, and the effects of
probable future projects?)
c) Does the project have environmental effects, which
will cause the substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
XVIII. EARLIER ANALYSES
Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or
more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section
15063(c)(3)(D). In this case a discussion should identify the following on attached sheets:
a) Earlier analyses used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review.
b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the
scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards,
and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier
analysis.
c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are "Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated,"
describe the mitigation measures, which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document
and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.
Page 30 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION
I. AESTHETICS - Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
b. Substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway?
c. Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its
surroundings?
d. Create a new source of substantial light and glare, which would adversely affect day
or nighttime views in the area?
No Impact (a, b, c, and d). The project involves placing sand on an existing beach, which will have a
beneficial aesthetic effect as existing eroded beaches gain sand cover. The project does not involve any
activity that would damage a scenic recource, degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site,
or create a new source of substantial light and glare.
II. AGRICULTRAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping
and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural
use?
b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c. Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use?
No Impact (a, b, and c). The proposed beach fill program site is not farmland, is not zoned for
agricultural use, and the location and nature of the project will not result in the conversion of farmland to
a non-agricultural use.
in. AIR QUALITY—Would the project:
a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?
No Impact. The project site is located in the San Diego Air Basin which is a federal and state non-
attainment area for ozone (Oa), and a state non-attainment area for particulate matter less than or equal to
10 microns in diameter (PM]0). The periodic violations of national Ambient Air Quality Standards
(AAQS) in the San Diego Air Basin (SDAB), particularly for ozone in inland foothill areas, requires that
a plan be developed outlining the pollution controls that will be undertaken to improve air quality. In San
Diego County, this attainment planning process is embodied in the Regional Air Quality Strategies
(RAQS) developed jointly by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the San Diego Association
of Governments (SANDAG).
A plan to meet the federal standard for ozone was developed in 1994 during the process of updating the
1991 state-mandated plan. This local plan was combined with plans from all other California non-
attainment areas having serious ozone problems and used to create the California State Implementation
Plan (SIP). The SIP was adopted by the Air Resources Board (ARB) after public hearings on November
9th through 10th in 1994, and was forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 31
approval. After considerable analysis and debate, particularly regarding airsheds with the worst smog
problems, EPA approved the SIP in mid-1996.
The project involves the placement of sand on an existing beach, which will not conflict with or obstruct
implementation of any air quality plan, strategy or standards. Measures required for construction activity
by the APCD and the City will be adhered to during project construction, thus ensuring consistency with
air quality standards.
b. Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or
projected air quality violation?
Less Than Significant Impact. The closest air quality monitoring station to the project site is in the City
of Oceanside. Data available for this monitoring site through April 2002 indicate that the most recent air
quality violations recorded were for the state one hour standard for ozone (one day in both 2000 and
2001) and one day in 2001 for the federal 8-hour average for ozone and one day for the 24-hour state
standard for suspended particulates in 1996. No violations of any other air quality standards have been
recorded recently. The project would involve minimal short-term emissions associated with material
transport and earthmoving activities involved with the construction of each beach fill. Such emissions
would be minimized through standard construction measures such as the use of properly tuned equipment
and watering roads and site during earthmoving to reduce dust. Long-term emissions associated with
travel to and from the project site will be minimal. Although air pollutant emissions would be associated
with the project, they would neither result in the violation of any air quality standard (comprising only an
incremental contribution to overall air basin quality readings), nor contribute substantially to an existing
or projected air quality violation. Any impact is assessed as less than significant.
c. Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for
which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state
ambient air quality standard?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Air Basin is currently in a non-attainment zone for ozone and
suspended fine particulates. The proposed project would represent a contribution to a cumulatively
considerable potential net increase in emissions throughout the air basin. As described above, however,
emissions associated with the proposed project would be minimal. Given the limited emissions
potentially associated with the proposed project, air quality would be essentially the same whether or not
the proposed project is implemented. According to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 (a)(4), the
proposed project's contribution to the cumulative impact is considered de minimus. Any impact is
assessed as less than significant.
d. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?
Less Than Significant Impact. It is likely that some children, the elderly, and those suffering from
respiratory problems may reside in the vicinity of the beach fill program site. During construction, their
exposure to contaminants in the air may be slightly greater near the site than at other locations within the
area. The project primarily involves the conveyance of sand, which would be moist and the potential for
dust generation would be very low. Activities on dry sand (mobilization, crew access) would be of a
relatively short duration. These impacts are not considered significant because of the short-term nature of
the activity and the relatively low incremental increase in emissions.
e. Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?
Less Than Significant Impact. The construction of the proposed project could generate fumes from the
operation of construction equipment, which may cause air emissions that generate standard odors
associated with these emissions. These odors tend to dissipate rapidly in the atmosphere, would be short-
Page 32 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
term, and are not considered significant. In addition, the number of people exposed to such short-term
impacts is not considered substantial.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications,
on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Less Than Significant Impact. As noted in the RBSP EIR/EA, the southern California coastal
environment is known habitat for three key species identified as threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act: 1) the California least tern; 2) the California brown pelican; and 3) the western
snowy plover. Part of the information summarized below is taken from the Biological Assessment for the
RBSP.
California brown pelicans are found in the open ocean and other coastal salt waters along the southern
California coast throughout the year. This species is tolerant of human activity near its daytime roosts
and readily utilizes various man-made structures (e.g., piers, breakwaters, buoys) as roosting sites.
Known breading locations include offshore islands such as Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands, and
islands off the coast of northwestern Baja California, Mexico.
The California least tern nest in colonies along the southern California coast on sandy beaches with sparse
vegetation. It forages in shallow open water, generally less than 60 feet deep and within one mile of
shore, and in wetlands nearby these nesting habitats. The tern nesting sites located nearest to the project
site are at Batiquitos Lagoon (just over 2 miles south of the site) and San Elijo Lagoon (approximately 3.5
miles north of the site). Least terns usually feed in waters within a two-mile radius of their nesting site,
but may forage as far as five miles away. The least tern nesting season is April 1 to September 15.
Snowy plovers nest on bay fill and beaches around bays and lagoons, spits and alkali flats at river mouths,
and on salt evaporators. Plovers typically forage in areas with little or no human activity, and prefer to
forage on sandy beaches with kelp washed ashore. Plover nest sites located nearest to the project site
have been found around Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos, and San Elijo Lagoons. Plovers forage close to their
nests probing in the sand for invertbrates or running along the sand snatching up insects in the air. The
plover nesting season extends from March 1 to September 15.
The proposed beach fill project consists of the placement of sand on the South Carlsbad beach (Encinas
Beach), which would result in short term increases in turbidity in the project vicinity. Fish eating birds
such as the California brown pelican and California least tern could be impacted in the vicinity of the site
by temporary reduction in their prey base if fish move away from the turbidity plume. Temporary
impacts may also include an increase in noise from beach fill construction activities. These impacts
(turbidity, noise) are short term and the birds will likely forage in the waters outside of the beach fill
construction activities. Turbidity from the project would be localized and temporary, and would not
extend beyond the normal foraging distances for either of these species. Since ample alternative forage
areas would be available to these species during receiver site construction, no adverse impacts to these
species are anticipated. However, as a precaution, measures are incorporated into the program to reduce
least tern and brown pelican impacts. Such measures include turbidity monitoring, and limiting the beach
fill activities mainly to times other than least tern breeding season (maximum annual volume of sand is
limited to 40,000 cy between March 15 and Memorial Day, and 10,000 cy between Labor Day and
September 15).
The proposed beach fill project may also temporarily reduce (within the fill area) the invertebrate
populations that the snowy plover forage on. This impact is not considered significant since there is
unaffected shoreline near the site and recolonization of the site would be rapid. As a precaution,
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 33
measures are incorporated into the program to reduce potential impacts to snowy plovers. The City will
direct a qualified biologist to examine the beach area prior to any fill activities. If no snowy plovers are
detected, no further measures will be taken. However, if birds are present, any planned beach fill
activities will be temporarily halted until the monitor determines that the birds have moved away from the
fill area.
b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian, aquatic or wetland habitat or
other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations or by California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service?
Less Than Significant Impact. As noted in the RBSP EIR/EA, the intertidal habitat of the project site is
predominantly sand with localized cobble bands extending from the upper intertidal zone from 10 to 100
feet seaward to the mid tide zone. Nearshore waters are characterized by mostly sandy bottom with a
patch of high-relief reef in the northern/central part of the site. The high-relief reef begins 525 feet
offshore in -6 feet MLLW at a distance of about 225 feet from the seaward boundary of the fill site.
Feather boa kelp and sea palms were noted on the reef in 1997. No surface canopy of kelp was mapped in
the vicinity in 1999, and the closest kelp bed in 1997 was approximately one mile south. Historically,
kelp has occurred offshore at a depth greater than 20 feet above MLLW.
The project may cause limited sedimentation around the reef, which may temporarily impact intertidal
and shallow nearshore subtidal reef plants due to a temporary increase in sediment elevation and/or
turbidity resulting from beach fill activity. Turbidity from the project will have a less than significant
impact to kelp and reef plants. In addition, the RBSP EIR/EA indicates that there is a low risk of
sedimentation impact to intertidal habitat when a beach receiver site is located at offshore coastlines that
curve outward as headlands or have a steeper depth profile. The project site was identified in the RBSP
EIR/EA as one of five sites that would have a low risk of sedimentation impact to intertidal habitat.
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including but not limited to marsh, vernal pool,
coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filing, hydrological interruption, or other
means?
No Impact. The project site is a sandy beach, and no federally protected wetlands exist within the project
area. No impacts to protected wetlands will occur from the project.
d. Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish
or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project consists of the placement of sand
on the South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach). The sand placement would result in burial impacts to
marine life within the footprint area. The loss of benthic organisms within the beach fill footprint is an
expected and unavoidable impact during beach replenishment project. However, as indicated in the
RBSP EIR/EA, due to the widespread occurrence and rapid recovery rates of these types of organisms,
direct impacts to marine life within the beach fill footprint are expected to be less than significant.
Migratory fish and marine mammals occur within the nearshore waters. The beach fill material may
cause slightly higher turbidity than ambient conditions during construction. However, any increase in
turbidity will be very limited and within natural winter to spring season sedimentation rates. Impacts are
considered less than significant.
California grunion spawn on sandy beaches in the San Diego region between March and August and have
the potential to be affected by the beach fill project. The grunion spawn during middle-of-the-night
Page 34 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
spring high tides, and their eggs incubate in the sand and hatch in approximately 2 weeks when the next
spring high tide occurs. Grunion have the potential to be impacted by beach fill activities if the eggs are
buried by beach fill material, thus preventing eggs from hatching. The project includes a monitoring
program designed to ensure that no significant impact to grunion will occur.
e. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such
as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
No Impact. There are no local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources that the project
would conflict with.
f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
No Impact. The project site is not located within a designated local regional or state habitat or natural
community conservation plan area, and therefore, will not conflict with any conservation plan.
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as
defined in §15064.5?
No Impact. There are no known historical resources that would be impacted by the project. The project
site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the beach and causes heavy
erosion. No impact to historical resources will occur.
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
No Impact. The archaeological site located nearest to the project site is at the 50-foot contour above and
across (east of) Carlsbad Boulevard from the project. The project site is subject to repeated wave action
that continually brings sediments onto the beach and causes heavy erosion. No impact to archaeological
resources will occur.
c. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
No Impact. The project site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the
beach and causes heavy erosion. There are no known paleontological resources or unique geologic
features at the site. Also, the project will not result in subsurface excavation that may impact buried
resources. No impact to paleontological resources or unique geologic features will occur.
d. Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
No Impact. The project site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the
beach and causes heavy erosion. There are no known human remains interred at the site. Also, the
project will not result in subsurface excavation that may impact interred human remains. No impact to
human remains will occur.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 35
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS - Would the project:
a. Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury or death involving:
i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist
for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer
to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42.
No Impact. There are no Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault zones within the City of Carlsbad and there is
no other evidence of active or potentially active faults within the City. The nearest known active fault is
the northern extension of the Rose Canyon Fault located approximately 8 miles west (offshore).
Therefore, there would be no potential adverse effect due to fault rupture.
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project would not result in, or expose people to seismic ground
shaking beyond the conditions that currently exist throughout the region. This exposure is the general
exposure that all person in Southern California experience because of the high seismic activity level of the
region. The project will replenish South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach) and will not increase exposure
to seismic activity because no development is proposed.
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project is primarily limited to valley bottoms and shoreline areas.
Exposure of people to seismic ground failure, including liquefaction, may occur at the project site but
would not increase beyond existing conditions because the project would only add sand to an existing
beach, not new structures.
iv. Landslides?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas
Beach), which involves the construction of a temporary access ramp (constructed from a portion of the
beach fill material) from the top of the slope located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard down to the beach.
Based on the Geologic Reconnaissance for the project (URS, September 2, 2005), construction of the
temporary beach access ramp will not result in a significant impact to the existing slope.
According to the Shoreline Erosion Assessment and Atlas of the San Diego Region (Department of
Boating and Waterways and SANDAG, 1994), the entire stretch of beach along the project site is an area
of "High Risk" due to unfavorable geology, inadequate setback, and recreation sensitivity. However, the
shoreline reach indicated as being "High Risk" primarily includes natural coastal bluffs, whereas the
proposed beach access ramp is proposed in an area where the beach is backed by a stretch of an existing
fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard.
The road embankment in the project area consists of an 8 to 10 foot high fill slope with a near vertical
inclination. Based on the project geologic reconnaissance, the road embankment appears to have been
placed in layers, and was likely placed in an engineered manner. Therefore, it is unlikely that the
proposed fill placement would result in increased and/or renewed slope instability as there are no
indications of recent or ongoing slope movement along the road embankment.
The proposed ramp would create a wedge of new fill extending seaward from the face of the road
embankment. The new fill slope would have a buttressing effect, and at least temporarily offer some
protection from high waves. Given the distance between the top of the slope and the road edge, the
Page 36 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
embankment potentially could slope back at an approximate inclination of 1:1 without impacting the road.
Therefore, the placement of a wedge of fill over the edge of the slope is not likely to result in
embankment instability that could undermine the roadway.
Heavy equipment utilizing the temporary slope could potentially cause shallow slope failures along the
outer edge of the existing road embankment if the equipment were to operate near the outer edge of the
embankment. Therefore, equipment used in the fill operation will be sequenced to avoid heavy vehicle
activity near the outer edge of the embankment. Also, the fill operation will be monitored to avoid
making notches or other cuts into the slope along the area. Even with proper monitoring of the operation
however, some minor degradation of the upper edge of the embankment may be unavoidable. However,
it is anticipated that any minor distress to the embankment could be readily repaired by recompacting the
fill.
The proposed temporary beach access ramp will not result in significant impacts on the existing road
embankment. Therefore, the potential for the project to expose people or structures to adverse effects
caused by a landslide is less than significant.
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas
Beach), which involves the construction of a temporary access ramp (constructed from a portion of the
beach fill material) from the top of the slope located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard down to the beach.
The purpose of the project is to replenish an eroding beach. As such, the placement of sand on the beach
will not result in erosion and is intended to reduce existing beach erosion conditions. The project will
result in minor changes to topography and ground surface relief features at the beach, but in an
insignificant and potentially beneficial manner.
With regard to the temporary beach access ramp, as indicated above in item "a.iv." of this section
discussing potential impacts to "geology and soils", construction of the temporary ramp will not result in
a significant impact to the existing road embankment located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard.
Therefore, the potential for the project to result in substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil is less than
significant.
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable
as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas
Beach), which involves the construction of a temporary access ramp (constructed from a portion of the
beach fill material) from the top of the slope located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard down to the beach.
As indicated above in item "a.iv." of this section discussing potential impacts to "geology and soils", the
entire stretch of beach along the project site is designated by the Shoreline Erosion Assessment and Atlas
of the San Diego Region as an area with unfavorable geology, inadequate setback, and recreation
sensitivity. However, the proposed beach access ramp is proposed in an area where the beach is backed
by a stretch of an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard, and the geologic reconnaissance
conducted for the project determined that construction of the temporary ramp will not result in a
significant impact to the existing road embankment located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard.
The project will not result in a significant impact to, nor be significantly impacted by, the stability of soil
conditions at the site. The site is located within a potential liquefaction area, but the project will not
change this existing condition.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 37
d. Be located on expansive soils, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building
Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property?
No Impact. The project site is a sandy beach. Expansive soils are not documented to exist at the site, nor
will they be created by the project. Therefore, the project will not create substantial risks to life or
property due to expansive soils.
e. Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative
wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of
wastewater?
No Impact. The project does not include or require the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater
disposal systems. Therefore, the project will have no impact due to soils being incapable of supporting a
septic or wastewater disposal system.
VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - Would the project:
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials?
No Impact. The project consists of the placement of sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
hazardous materials will be transported to or from the site, or used or disposed of on the site.
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of the placement of sand on South Carlsbad beach
(Encinas beach). No hazardous materials will be used in the project operations, except conventional types
of fuels to power equipment and trucks. Containment for potential leaks and spills from construction
equipment are addressed as a project design feature (Spill Prevention, Containment and Coutermeasures
Plan) as detailed in the project description. Therefore, the project will not create a significant hazard to
the public or environment involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment.
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?
No Impact. The project consists of the placement of sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
hazardous materials will be used in the project operations, except conventional types of fuels to power
equipment and trucks. There are no existing or proposed schools within one-quarter mile of the site.
Therefore, the project will not emit or handle hazardous materials within one-quarter mile of a school.
d. Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or environment?
No Impact. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites, and therefore, will not
create a significant hazard to the public or environment.
e. For a project within an airport land use plan, or where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area?
Page 38 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
No Impact. According to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the McClellan-Palomar Airport
(CLUP), the project site is located within the airport's Influence Area. McClellan-Palomar Airport is
located slightly more than 2 miles east of the project site. The airport's Influence Area encompasses
those areas adjacent to the airport that could be impacted by noise levels exceeding the California State
Noise Standards or where height restrictions would be needed to prevent obstructions to navigable
airspace. The northern portion of project site is located within the airport's 60 CNEL noise contour, the
southern portion is outside the 60 CNEL. The existing recreational beach use is a compatible use within
the 60 CNEL noise contour. The project will not change the existing use. Also, the project does not
include the construction of any structure that would obstruct navigable airspace. Therefore, the project
will not result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area.
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a
safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area?
No Impact. The project site is not located within the vicinity of a private airstrip, and therefore, the
project will not result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area.
g. Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
No Impact. Material transport as part of the project will follow designated haul routes capable of
conveying the traffic, while maintaining access for emergency response and evacuation. Also, the project
site is located in an area where adequate circulation and access is provided to address emergency
responses. Therefore, project implementation will not interfere with an emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan.
h. Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving
wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where
residences are intermixed with wildlands?
No Impact. The beach (project site) is not within or adjacent to a wildland fire area, and therefore, will
not expose people or structures to risk involving wildland fires.
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY - Would the project:
a. Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. All proposed sand sources will be clean,
beach-quality sand material and beneficial for the environment and public. The proposed Opportunistic
Beach Fill Program includes a requirement that all potential sand sources be tested for bulk chemistry,
trash, color, and sand percentage to verify that the sand is free of contaminants prior to placement on the
project site. Background research will also be conducted to determine the potential for the material to
possess contaminants based on Tier I testing protocol as specified by the USAGE and USEPA.
Water conditions in the project area are typically clear, with occasional storms causing turbidity. The
project may cause a low-level turbidity plume in the water, but the condition will be short-lived and
should diminish immediately when construction activities are halted. Turbidity could temporarily exceed
water quality standards, but will be mitigated to less than significant by restricting the silt and clay
content to 25% maximum during winter placement and 15% during summer placement, and by restricting
sand placement rates on the beach as specified in the project description.
Turbidity will be monitored throughout construction to qualify the effect on ocean water clarity from the
project. Turbidity will be monitored by an observer from a vantage point (such as a bluff top or lifeguard
tower) noting the extent of turbid conditions. The observer will map the area of turbidity each day and
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 39
photograph it. A map will be created by the observer, and they will document all other pertinent
environmental conditions such as waves, wind, and weather. If monitoring indicates excessive turbidity
(greater than ambient beyond one-half mile offshore at or downcoast of the placement site) for a
prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days, then placement will be halted or modified to reduce turbidity.
b. Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with ground
water recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a
lowering of the local ground water table level (i.e., the production rate of pre-
existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land
uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). The project
will not deplete groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge in any way.
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would
result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site?
No Impact. The project will not result in changes to existing drainage patterns at the beach fill site. The
purpose of the project is to place sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach), which will help reduce
existing erosion problems and may minimize future erosion.
d. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase
the flow rate or amount (volume) of surface runoff in a manner, which would result
in flooding on- or off-site?
No Impact. The project will not result in changes to existing drainage patterns or the amount of surface
runoff at the site. Drainage at the site may improve as the beach is widened to reduce coastal flooding
from high tide events.
e. Create or contribute runoff water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff?,
No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach and will not contribute runoff water that would
exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems, and will not create additional
sources of polluted runoff.
f. Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project consists of placing sand on South
Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). As the waves work the sand into the littoral system, the fine-grained
sediment will stay in suspension as the coarser-grained sediment settles to the bottom in the nearshore.
During this time, the turbidity levels in the surfzone may temporarily increase above ambient levels.
However, this increase in turbidity is expected to be short-lived as the fine-grained sediments settle to the
bottom in deeper water. Since this impact is temporary, impacts are considered less than significant with
mitigation incorporated as discussed in item "a" of this section discussing environmental impacts to
"Hydrology and Water Quality", above. As mitigation, turbidity will be monitored and if significant
turbidity occurs above ambient conditions, the project will be modified to reduce turbidity by reducing
sand delivery rates.
The proposed Opportunistic Beach Fill Program includes a requirement that all potential sand sources be
tested for bulk chemistry, trash, color, and sand percentage to verify that the sand is free of contaminants
Page 40 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
prior to placement on the project site. Background research will also be conducted to determine the
potential for the material to possess contaminants based on Tier I testing protocol as specified by the
USAGE and USEPA. No other changes to water quality, such as to temperature, dissolved oxygen, or pH
will occur because the beach fill material will be sand that is chemically inert and not possess
characteristics that would affect these parameters.
g. Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a Federal Flood
Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood delineation map?
No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach. No housing is involved in the project, and
therefore, the project will not place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area.
h. Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures, which would impede or redirect
flood flows?
No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach. No structures are involved in the project, and
therefore, the project will not place structures within a 100-year flood hazard area.
i. Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss injury or death involving
flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach. No development is proposed. The project may
offer added protection from flood hazards since the project would raise and widen the existing beach.
Therefore, the project will expose people or structures to a significant risk from flooding.
j. Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
No Impact. Implementation of the proposed project would not result in the increased exposure of people
or property to seiche, tsunami, or mudflow. All coastal locations are potentially exposed to tsunamis and
the project would not change this existing condition. It may offer greater protection for oceanfront
residences if the beach is wider. No lakes or bays exist for the creation of a seiche condition and the
project would not affect this situation.
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the project:
a. Physically divide an established community?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
development is proposed and no aspect of the project will physically divide an established community.
b. Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with
jurisdiction over the project (including but not limited to the general plan, specific
plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of
avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect?
No Impact. The project site is a public beach owned by the California Department of Parks and
Recreation, and is located within the Coastal Zone of the California Coastal Commission. The City of
Carlsbad General Plan designates the project site as Open Space (OS). The OS land use designation is
defined as "any area of land or water which, for whatever reason, is not developed for urbanized uses and
which therefore enhances residents' quality of life. The open space may be in its natural state or modified
in such a way that the modification itself contributes to this enhancement." The Carlsbad General Plan
specifies that coastal beaches are a category of open space that should be preserved and protected.
The project will place sand on an eroded beach, which will enhance the quality of the beach and improve
its recreational use as a public beach. Also, the project is consistent with California Coastal Act
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 41
requirements to place suitable excess fill on the beach. The project does not conflict with any applicable
land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project.
c. Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community
conservation plan?
No Impact. The project site is not located within a habitat or natural community conservation plan area,
and no aspect of the project will conflict with any such plan.
X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of future
value to the region and the residents of the State?
No Impact. The project will not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource. In fact, the
project will make use of a valuable resource (beach quality sand) that may otherwise be lost in a landfill.
Once placed in the beach system this resource would be part of the natural littoral system and would
benefit the region and residents along the Oceanside littoral cell area.
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan?
No Impact. The project site is not delineated as a mineral resource recovery site in any general, specific
or other land use plan, and therefore, will not result in the loss of availability of a locally important
mineral resource.
XI. NOISE - Would the project result in:
a. Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards
established in the local general plan or noise ordinance or applicable standards of
other agencies?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project may result in a temporary increase in the existing noise
levels during construction as vehicles will deliver sand to the project site, and construction equipment will
be required to construct the temporary beach access ramp and spread sand on the beach. This activity
may result in short-term construction noise from the mechanical equipment used to transport and spread
the beach fill material. Diesel engine noise levels for construction equipment are estimated at 85-90 dBA
measured at 50 feet from the engine.
The City of Carlsbad does not have an established noise standard for construction activities. City policies
do limit the hours of construction to between 7:00 am and sunset Monday - Friday, and between 8:00 am
and sunset on Saturday, and construction equipment operated within 1,000 feet of a dwelling or noise
sensitive use must be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers. Equipment used during
project construction will be required to comply with these regulations.
The closest residences to the project site are 550 to 750 feet from the beach area. Most of the beach area
where sand would be distributed is not directly visible from the residences because of topography. As
stated in the RBSP EIR/EA, line of site construction equipment noise would be at least 20 dBA less
(approximately 65 to 70 dBA) at the residences than at the beach, and would not likely be discernable
above the traffic noise from Carlsbad Boulevard. Based on the short-term nature of the construction
activities, and the distance from residences, the noise impact from the project will be less than significant.
Page 42 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
b. Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundbourne vibration or
groundbourne noise levels?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project may result in a temporary increase in groundbourne
vibration and noise levels during construction as vehicles will deliver sand to the site, but this effect
would be minimal and short-term. Exposure from the project to groundbourne vibration and noise will be
less than significant.
c. A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
above levels existing without the project?
No Impact. The project will not result in the construction of a permanent noise-generating source. Any
noise generated from the project would be temporary during construction activities. Therefore, the
project will not result in a permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity.
d. A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project
vicinity above levels existing without the project?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project will result in temporary increases in noise levels created by
construction equipment used to haul and spread sand on the beach. However, the nearest sensitive
receptor to the site is residences located 550 to 750 feet east of the beach. As stated in the RBSP EIR/EA,
temporary noise generated from construction equipment at the site would be at least 20 dBA less
(approximately 65 to 70 dBA) at the residences than at the beach, and would not likely be discernable
above the existing traffic noise from Carlsbad Boulevard. Also, in accordance with City requirements,
construction activity will be limited to between 7:00 am and sunset Monday - Friday, and between 8:00
am and sunset on Saturday, and equipment mufflers will be required to be properly maintained, which
will minimize potential noise impacts. Therefore, the temporary increases in ambient noise levels
generated by the project will be less than significant.
e. For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not
been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise
levels?
No Impact. McClellan-Palomar Airport is located slightly more than 2 miles east of the project site.
According to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLUP), the project
site is located within the airport's Influence Area. The northern portion of project site is located within
the airport's 60 CNEL noise contour, the southern portion is outside the 60 CNEL. The existing
recreational beach use is a compatible use within the 60 CNEL noise contour. The project will not
change the existing use. Therefore, the project will not expose people residing or working in the area to
excessive noise levels associated with air traffic.
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose
people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
No Impact. The project site is not located within the vicinity of a private airstrip. Therefore, the project
will not expose people residing or working in the area to excessive noise levels associated with air traffic.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 43
XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Would the project:
a. Induce substantial growth in an area either directly (for example, by proposing new
homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or
other infrastructure)?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No aspect of
the project will induce substantial growth either directly or indirectly.
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). There is no
housing on the project site. Therefore, the project will not displace any housing.
c. Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). There is no
housing on the project site. Therefore, the project will not displace people, and will not necessitate the
construction of replacement housing.
XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES
a. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the
provision of new or physically altered government facilities, a need for new or
physically altered government facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios,
response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services:
i. Fire protection?
ii. Police protection?
iii. Schools?
iv. Parks?
v. Other public facilities?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach), which will
widen the beach and improve the quality of the beach for public use. No development is proposed.
Therefore, the project will not result in the need for new or altered government facilities, and will not
impact the performance objectives for fire or police protection, schools, parks, or other public facilities.
XIV. RECREATION
a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or
other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the
facility would occur or be accelerated?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project would not cause an increase in the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks, as it does not involve any development. During construction of the
project, the site would be closed, creating a temporary minor adverse impact on the availability of existing
recreational beach opportunities during the construction phase. Temporary closure of the beach within
the project site area would occur during construction, but several miles of other beaches would be
available for public use. Once the beach fill construction is completed, recreational activities would
resume and may be enhanced by the additional sand and widened beach.
Page 44 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Surfing occurs throughout the beaches along the City of Carlsbad coastline. Surfable wave peaks occur
throughout the project area. Surfing near the site could potentially be impacted by:
• Modification of existing sand bars and reefs by sand placement and deposition;
• Access being denied during construction; and
• Poor water quality caused by turbidity generated during construction of the beach fill.
Each potential impact is addressed below:
• Modification of existing sand bars and reefs by sand placement and deposition.
The project could add a relatively large sand "slug" to the system over a short time frame, thereby
changing bottom conditions at the site. This impact could be adverse and significant if sand deposition
caused waves to close out over a long period of time (months) rather than peak, or resulted in a perpetual
shore break at the beach rather than a nearshore bar for waves to break over. Due to the expected low
sand material quantity of individual projects, it would likely not create a long term close-out or
shorebreak condition. It may, however, cause such conditions over a temporary short-term period while
the sand is naturally redistributed over the bottom.
The project may also result in potentially beneficial impacts to surfing by contributing sand to the
nearshore that would be deposited in bars. More sand in the system provides material for enhanced sand
bar formation and may result in larger or longer lasting bars, and improved surf conditions. Informal
observations of SANDAG RBSP showed surfing conditions improved at each sand placement site after
construction because of sand bar formation.
To determine any substantial change to surfing conditions, a monitoring program will be instituted as
described in the project description. Monitoring will occur before and after construction. Due to the
short-term nature of any potential impact, the projects will have a less than significant, and possibly
beneficial, impact to surf conditions.
• Access being denied during construction.
Public access to the construction site will be denied during construction, but this restriction will be short
term and temporary, with access being restored at completion of the construction activity. Also, surfers
will be able to access surfing sites by moving around the construction site area and entering the water
from an alternate location. The water may not be closed by the City during construction, but the City has
the discretion of closing off the site to surfing if the safety of surfers could be affected during sand
placement. Impacts would be less than significant.
• Poor water quality caused by turbidity generated during construction of the beach fill.
As a requirement of the project, the fill material will be clean and suitable for placement on the beach.
The project will generate turbidity, but it is anticipated to be short term in duration and relatively
localized. Surfers have many other options for surfing in similar wave conditions up and down the coast
where project turbidity would not be noticeable. The impact would be less than significant.
b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or
expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on
the environment?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is an existing recreational facility (public beach).
However the project will not result in any new or expanded recreational facility that will have an adverse
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 45
physical effect on the environment. In fact, the purpose of the project is to add sand to the beach and
improve the physical condition of the beach, thereby enhancing the sites use as a recreational facility.
XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC—Would the project:
a. Cause an increase in traffic that is substantial in relation to the existing traffic load
and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in either the
number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at
intersections)?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project will result in a temporary increase in vehicular traffic when
beach fill material is hauled to the site. Trucks hauling the fill material will be limited to the City's
designated truck route roadways. The table below shows the maximum project truck trips per day. The
trucks will follow designated truck routes to the site and flagmen will direct traffic. The designated truck
route and required traffic control plan for each project will be determined and approved by the City traffic
engineer to minimize potential traffic impacts. Based on the short-term, temporary nature of the increase
in traffic caused by the project, and as determined by the Traffic Impact Analysis prepared for the project
(RBF Consulting, 2002), impacts to traffic will be less than significant.
Table 4
Proposed Maximum Number Of Truck Trips And Frequency
Season
Fall/Winter
Spring/
Late Summer
Maximum volume
of sand placed
weekly (cy)
20,000
10,000
Maximum number
of weekly truck
trips projected1
1,428
714
Maximum number
of daily truck
trips projected2
238
119
Maximum number
of hourly truck
trips projected3
29.8
14.9
Minimum time
between trips
(minutes)
2
4
1 Assumes a twin trailer belly-dump truck holding 14 cy total.
2 Assumes a 6-day workweek, Monday through Saturday.
3 Assumes an 8-hour workday.
b. Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established
by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways?
Less Than Significant Impact. SANDAG acting as the County Congestion Management Agency has
designated three roads (Rancho Santa Fe Rd., El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Rd.) and two highway
segments in Carlsbad as part of the regional circulation system. The Existing and Buildout average daily
traffic (ADT) and Existing LOS on these designated roads and highways in Carlsbad is:
Rancho Santa Fe Road
El Camino Real
Palomar Airport Road
SR78
1-5
Existing ADT*
17-35
27-49
10-57
124-142
199-216
LOS Buildout ADT*
"A-D" 35-56
"A-C" 33-62
"A-D" 30-73
"F" 156-180
"D" 260-272
*The numbers are in thousands of daily trips.
The Congestion Management Program's (CMP) acceptable Level of Service (LOS) standard is "E", or
LOS "F" if that was the LOS in the 1990 base year (e.g., SR 78 in Carlsbad was LOS "F" in 1990).
Accordingly, all designated roads and highways are currently operating at or better than the acceptable
standard LOS.
Page 46 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
The project does not propose any development that would increase traffic on any designated roadway.
The project will cause a temporary increase in traffic during construction when trucks haul beach fill
material to the site. However, this is a short-term, temporary increase in traffic that will not occur after
the project is completed. Therefore, the project will not individually or cumulatively cause traffic to
exceed levels of service established by the CMP.
c. Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels
or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks?
No Impact. The project does not involve changes to air traffic and is not located in an area that will
affect or be affected by air traffic. Therefore, the project will not result in a change in air traffic patterns,
or increase air traffic levels, or change air traffic location that would result in a substantial safety risk.
d. Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature or incompatible uses?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. Truck transport of sand to the project site may
increase hazards along haul routes and at the beach site during construction due to conflict between
people and trucks. To mitigate this potential hazard to a less than significant level, a traffic control plan
approved by the City traffic engineer will be required for sand delivery to the site. A system of signs and
flagmen will be necessary to prevent accidents/conflicts with other vehicles and pedestrians while
construction vehicles access and egress from the site. The traffic control plan will ensure the project does
not significantly increase traffic hazards.
e. Result in inadequate emergency access?
No Impact. Trucks transporting sand to the site will use designated truck routes and will not block or
impede emergency access. Also, the placement of sand on the beach will not impact emergency access to
the site or nearby uses. Adequate emergency access will continue to be provided. The project will not
result in inadequate emergency access.
f. Result in inadequate parking capacity?
Less Than Significant Impact. Truck hauling and construction activities associated with the project
may cause several parking spaces on Carlsbad Boulevard to be temporarily unavailable during beach fill
activities at the site. The beach would be cordoned off to users during construction periods, so the
temporary loss of parking should not adversely affect beach use at the site. The loss of parking will be
short-term and temporary. Therefore, the project will not result in a significant impact to parking
capacity.
g. Conflict with adopted policies, plans or programs supporting alternative
transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks, etc.)?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No aspect of
the project will conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation.
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS - Would the project:
a. Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water
Quality Control Board?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
wastewater will be generated by the project. The project will not impact wastewater service systems or
exceed wastewater treatment requirements.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 47
b. Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities
or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which would cause significant
environmental effects?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
wastewater will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not require or result in the
construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities.
c. Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
development is proposed. Therefore, the project does not require and will not result in the construction of
new storm water drainage facilities or the expansion of existing facilities.
d. Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing
entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No new
demand on local or regional water supplies will be created by the project. With the exception of
relatively small quantities of water that may be needed at the site for dust control during construction, no
water will be needed to serve the project. Therefore, the project will not impact water supplies.
e. Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, which serves or
may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected
demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No
wastewater will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not adversely impact any
wastewater treatment service capacity.
f. Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the
project's solid waste disposal needs?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No solid
waste will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not adversely impact solid waste
disposal capacity at any landfill. The project could result in a beneficial effect to landfill capacity if
material otherwise disposed of in a landfill were instead used as beach fill material.
g. Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No solid
waste will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not conflict with any federal, state, or
local statutes and regulations related to solid waste.
XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
a. Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered
Page 48 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California
history or prehistory?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project consists of the placement of sand
on the South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach). As discussed in the Biological Resources discussion,
above, the sand placement would result in burial impacts to marine life within the footprint area. The loss
of benthic organisms within the beach fill footprint is an expected and unavoidable impact during beach
replenishment project. However, as indicated in the RBSP EIR/EA, due to the widespread occurrence
and rapid recovery rates of these types of organisms, direct impacts to marine life within the beach fill
footprint are expected to be less than significant.
Migratory fish and marine mammals occur within the nearshore waters. The beach fill material may
cause slightly higher turbidity than ambient conditions during construction. However, any increase in
turbidity will be very limited and within natural winter to spring season sedimentation rates. Impacts are
considered less than significant.
California grunion spawn on sandy beaches in the San Diego region between March and August and have
the potential to be affected by the beach fill project. The grunion spawn during spring high tides, and
have the potential to be impacted by beach fill activities if the eggs are buried by beach fill material. The
project includes a monitoring program designed to ensure that no significant impact to grunion will occur.
Other wildlife that have the potential to be impacted by the project include: 1) the California least tern; 2)
the California brown pelican; and 3) the western snowy plover. The project would result in short term
increases in turbidity in the project vicinity. Fish eating birds such as the California brown pelican and
California least tern could be impacted in the vicinity of the site by temporary reduction in their prey base
if fish move away from the turbidity plume. Temporary impacts may also include an increase in noise
from beach fill construction activities. These impacts (turbidity, noise) are short term and the birds will
likely forage in the waters outside of the beach fill construction activities. Turbidity from the project
would be localized and temporary, and would not extend beyond the normal foraging distances for either
of these species. Since ample alternative forage areas would be available to these species during receiver
site construction, no adverse impacts to these species are anticipated. However, as a precaution,
measures are incorporated into the program to reduce least tern and brown pelican impacts. Such
measures include turbidity monitoring, and limiting the beach fill activities mainly to times other than
least tern breeding season (maximum annual volume of sand is limited to 40,000 cy between March 15
and Memorial Day, and 10,000 cy between Labor Day and September 15).
The proposed beach fill project may also temporarily reduce (within the fill area) the invertebrate
populations that the snowy plover forage on. This impact is not considered significant since there is
unaffected shoreline near the site and recolonization of the site would be rapid. As a precaution,
measures are incorporated into the program to reduce potential impacts to snowy plovers. The City will
direct a qualified biologist to examine the beach area prior to any fill activities. If no snowy plovers are
detected, no further measures will be taken. However, if birds are present, any planned beach fill
activities will be temporarily halted until the monitor determines that the birds have moved away from the
fill area.
Based on the short-term, temporary nature of the project, the sand quality/quantity control measures
incorporated into the project, and the proposed monitoring programs, the project will not significantly
degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause
a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal. In fact,
placement of sand on the beach is intended to widen the beach and improve the quality of the beach
environment.
In addition, there are no known cultural resources at the project site. Therefore, the project will not result
in the elimination of important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 49
b. Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects,
the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects?)
Less Than Significant Impact. A wide variety of beach replenishment projects are proposed in the
Oceanside littoral cell coastal area, and a list of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects is
provided in Table 5. No significant, unmitigable environmental impacts have occurred from the past
beach replenishment projects. In the last large project (RBSP), over 2 million cy of sand were placed
along the Oceanside littoral cell coastline over a period of several months, which included 160,000 cy
placed on this project site. Monitoring after the RBSP project has not indicated any adverse effects at the
project site as a result of the project. This project will not exceed 150,000 cy of sand placed on the site
each year. Potentially significant impacts from implementation of the project would be mitigated to
below a level of significance by mitigation measures and monitoring programs. None of the potential
impacts identified would result in cumulatively significant impacts. Potential adverse impacts from other
future beach fill projects may be incrementally increased from this project, but the level of increased
impact will be immeasurably small.
Two similar Opportunistic Beach Fill Programs are proposed for the North County region, including sand
placement at South Oceanside, and Encinitas and Solana Beach. Due to their relatively even spacing
along the coast and distance from one another (average of 5 miles), the effects of these projects are not
likely to cumulatively impact any particular areas of the North County coast. Measurable impacts from
sediment dispersion of these projects will be contained to coastal areas immediately adjacent to the sites,
based on modeling and monitoring done for the RBSP, and they will therefore not cause a significant
cumulative impact from sedimentation. The cumulative turbidity area from several projects occurring
simultaneously will expand in area to be larger than from one project, but measures are included for each
program (specified in Section VHI.a. herein as "...to limit turbidity if levels exceed ambient beyond one-
half mile offshore at or downcoast of the placement site for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days...")
to limit turbidity to the nearshore and adjacent alongshore areas, so impacts will be less than significant.
Thus, cumulative impacts from the local Opportunistic Beach Fill Programs will less than significant.
c. Does the project have environmental effects, which will cause the substantial
adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?
Less Than Significant Impact. No significant adverse effects are anticipated to occur to human beings,
either directly or indirectly, as a result of the project. Potential beneficial effects could occur to humans
(e.g., recreation) and the environment (e.g., more sand habitat) from this project.
Page 50 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Table 5
List of Cumulative Projects in Oceanside Littoral Cell
Project
Sand Compatibility and
Opportunistic Use
Program (SCOUP)
Oceanside Harbor
Maintenance Dredging
Oceanside Beach Hotel
Project
Buena Vista Lagoon
Weir Replacement
Project
The Bandstand Sewer
Lift Station
Replacement
La Paz County Sand-
for-Trash Pilot Program
Pacific Street Bridge
Widening
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Maintenance Dredging
Bristol Cove Dredging
Project
Precise Development
Plan and Desalination
Plant
Jurisdiction
Oceanside
Oceanside
Oceanside
Oceanside
Oceanside
Oceanside
Oceanside
Carlsbad
Carlsbad
Carlsbad
Description
A five-year program for the placement of up to 150,000 cy/year of opportunistic fill material on Oceanside beach
between Oceanside Boulevard to just north of Loma Alta Creek.
Oceanside Harbor is dredged annually by the USAGE to maintain sufficient depth for boat traffic. Dredged
material is typically disposed of by placing it on Oceanside beaches south of Tyson Street. The average amount
of material placed on the beach is 175,000 cy. The most recent activity (Spring 2005) placed an estimated
260,000 cubic yards.
This proposed project is anticipated to be submitted for approval and must complete the CEQA process. This
replaces the Manchester Resort Project. Preliminary plans for the project include approximately 300 hotel rooms
and 70 timeshare condos on two city blocks south of the Oceanside Pier. Some retail uses may also be
developed.
The City of Oceanside has proposed to replace the existing weir at the mouth of the Buena Vista Lagoon located
at the border of the cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad. The project would replace the existing 50 foot long weir
with an 80- by 10-foot weir. The new weir design would decrease beach erosion downstream and increase flows
through the mouth of the lagoon during storm events while maintaining the freshwater characteristic of the
lagoon.
The proposed project would relocate the existing sewer lift station near the Oceanside Pier south to Tyson Park.
The project would involve lift station construction, as well as extensive construction along the Strand for pipe
installation.
This project involved an exchange of San Diego trash for Arizona sand. Solid waste was shipped to Arizona and
the sand displaced was used to replenish San Diego regional beaches. Approximately 1,000 cy of sand were
placed on the beach at the foot of Oceanside Boulevard. This project has been discontinued and no additional
phases are planned.
The approved project involved widening the opening under the Pacific Street Bridge at Loma Alta Creek to allow
improved movement of water both from the creek and tidal flushing.
This lagoon has undergone maintenance dredging since 1955 and in that period, over 5.9 million cy may have
been removed. This dredged material has been placed on adjacent beaches in Carlsbad. In 1998, over 59,000 cy
were dredged from the middle basin, and over 214,000 cy were dredged from the inner basin. In 1999, an
estimated 155,000 cy were dredged from the outer basin.
Dredging of 20,000 cy of silt from the Bristol Cove boat channel at the intersection of Park Drive and Cover
Drive to restore it to its original -9 MSL elevation. Although this dredged material was not directly placed on
Carlsbad beaches, it was placed in a future borrow pit within the outer basin of the Agua Hedionda lagoon which
displaced sand for placement onto nearby Carlsbad beaches.
A seawater desalination facility at the Encina Power Station (south of Agua Hedionda Lagoon) with the capacity
to deliver 50 million gallons of drinking (potable) water per day. The project also involves new pipelines to
deliver desalinated water to Carlsbad and possibly other nearby cities. Source water for the project will come
from filtered seawater in existing cooling water pipelines at the Encina Power Station. Up to 100 mgd of
seawater would be diverted from the combined outlet of the power plant condensers and piped to the desalination
facility. The source water will be pre-treated and filtered through Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes to produce
high quality drinking water.
Timing
To Oceanside
City Council
Spring 2006
Annually in
the spring
Not yet
scheduled
Sept. 2006
Not yet
scheduled
March 1997
2000
Dredging
occurs every 2
years
May 1998
To start public
hearing
process in
early 2006.
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 51
Table 5 (continued)
List of Cumulative Projects in Oceanside Littoral Cell
Project
Batiquitos Lagoon
Enhancement Project
Carlsbad Boulevard/
Descanso Lot Subdivision
Moonlight Beach
San Elijo Lagoon Mouth
Opening
Encinitas/Solana Beach
Shoreline Protection
Feasibility Study and
EIS/EIR
San Elijo Lagoon
Restoration Project
Encinitas Resort Hotel
Lomas Santa Fe Drive
Grade Separation
Fletcher Cove Master
Plan
Cedros Crossing Mixed
Use Project
Jurisdiction
Carlsbad
Carlsbad
Encinitas
Encinitas
Encinitas and
Solana Beach
Encinitas
Encinitas
Solana Beach
Solana Beach
Solana Beach
Description
A phased project to restore Batiquitos Lagoon was initiated in 1995, which has resulted in the dredging of
1.8 million cy of sediment from the lagoon. Dredged material was used as beach nourishment material for
Carlsbad, both south of Agua Hedionda Lagoon and north of Batiquitos Lagoon. Approximately 1.6
million cy of sand were placed on Encinas Beach (near proposed South Carlsbad receiver sites) and
200,000 cy were placed adjacent to the lagoon inlet (proposed Batiquitos receiver site). Continued
dredging and placement is planned to maintain the lagoon, and may need to be conducted annually.
Dredging and placement in May 1999 yielded 10,000 cy; half of which were placed on Carlsbad beaches
and the other half of which were placed in least tern nesting areas in the lagoon. Dredging in February
2000 placed an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 cy at Encinitas/South Ponto Beach. Another dredge event
occurred in the 2003/2004 season. Anticipated maintenance dredging may result in 50,000 cy available in
2006.
As a by-product of a condominium construction project, 20,000 cy of sand were placed at Ponto Beach.
The city sponsors yearly beach replenishment to place approximately 1,000 cy of sediment on Moonlight
Beach. The sand is purchased and trucked to the site. For example, 1,327 cy of imported sand was placed
in Spring 1999.
This project dredges the mouth of the San Elijo Lagoon to maintain the opening and places the cobble and
sand material south of the mouth on Cardiff Beach. Dredging occurs on an as-needed basis. An average of
6,000 cy has been placed on the beach annually. Dredging in May 1999 resulted in the placement of
approximately 10,000 to 15,000 cy of sand. In 1999, the mouth was opened three times.
Feasibility study to evaluate methods of shoreline protection. The preferred alternative is approximately
1 million cy of beach nourishment material, combined with erodible concrete to fill notches at the base of
cliffs.
Conceptual plans to restore the lagoon via major infrastructure changes (e.g., elevate railroad tracks and
Coast Highway 101 as well as remove fill at 1-5 bridge) plus dredging. Establish lagoon as a mitigation
bank for 1-5 widening and other major infrastructure projects with impacts to coastal wetlands.
Development of a 125+ room hotel on bluffs west of Coast Highway 101, south of Batiquitos Lagoon.
Possibly 45,000 cy of beach nourishment material available. MND approved, permits in process.
As a by-product of a roadway project, 51,000 cy of material were placed at Fletcher Cove and 3,000 cy was
placed at Tide Beach Park.
Redevelopment of Fletcher Cove Beach Park and surrounding business district including construction of a
parking garage, new lifeguard station, additional open space, pedestrian paths, and other upgrades. Being
constructed in 5 phases, the first phase (restroom) was built in 2005. Others still in conceptual phase.
Proposed mixed use development at the Solana Beach train station. Consists of approximately 140
residences and 70,000 cubic feet of commercial use. Both CEQA and NEPA are in process. Estimated
opportunistic beach material of 100,000 cy.
Timing
Possibly yearly
or every other
year
July 1996
Possibly
annually, prior
to Memorial
Day
At a minimum,
annually in the
spring
EIS/EIR
available in
mid to late
August 2005.
Implementation
in 2008.
CEQA/NEPA
document
anticipated in
2007.
Implementation
time not known.
Fall 2006.
1999
Phase 1 - 2005.
Other phases at
least 2010
Unknown,
possibly 2007
to 2010
Page 52 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Table 5 (continued)
List of Cumulative Projects in Oceanside Littoral Cell
Project
Various
Opportunistic
Beach Nourishment
Pilot Project Sites
within San Diego
Region
Regional Beach
Sand Project
U.S. Navy
Homeporting
Project
Jurisdiction
Encinitas, Solana
Beach, Coronado,
Imperial Beach
Oceanside,
Carlsbad, Encinitas,
Solana Beach, Del
Mar, San Diego,
Imperial Beach
Oceanside, Del Mar
and San Diego
Description
If the SCOUP plan process is successful, than other jurisdictions may decide to proceed with less-than-
optimum opportunistic programs in their jurisdictions. Potential for up to 150,000 cy per year at each site,
two of which are located in North County.
Dredged over 2 million cy of beach-quality material from 5 offshore borrow sites and replenished 12
receiver sites. Implemented 5-year monitoring program.
As part of a project to dredge the North Island berthing area and the main navigation channel into San
Diego Harbor, up to 5.5 million cy were permitted for beach nourishment at 1 1 receiver sites in the San
Diego region. The project was discontinued in 1997 when munitions were found in the dredged material.
Before termination, Oceanside received 102,000 cy of sand that was placed onshore. Approximately
170,00 cy were placed in the nearshore zone off Del Mar and 12,000 cy were placed in the nearshore off
Mission Beach.
Timing
Anticipated
program in late
2007.
Spring/Summer
2001
Ended October
1997
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 53
XVIII. LIST OF MITIGATING MEASURES
The following environmental mitigation measures will be incorporated into the Conditions of Approval for this project in order to mitigate
identified environmental impacts to a level of insignificance for biological resources (grunion), water quality (turbidity), and traffic (truck hauling
operations). Section 8 of this MND provides a description of the monitoring program that incorporates these mitigation measures. The monitoring
program also requires monitoring of beach profiles and surf conditions, which are not listed below because they are not associated with any
identified potentially significant environmental impact.
Table 6
List of Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure Monitoring
Type
Monitoring
Department
(Biological Resources)
Grunion monitoring will occur before construction, and if grunion are present, during construction. No post-construction
monitoring is required for grunion. The presence of grunion should not result in a halt to construction, due to the availability of
a larger sandy area for spawning immediately up- and down-coast. The project shall be allowed to proceed with modifications
as needed to accommodate spawning.
A grunion monitor must be present to observe grunion runs two to three weeks prior to construction during a predicted grunion
run (according to the grunion calendar produced by the California Department of Fish and Game), and immediately prior to
construction. If grunion are not present during their predicted runs, no further monitoring is required. If grunion are present
during predicted runs, beach nourishment will only occur above the spring high tide line/kelp line or in the nearshore until the
spawning season is over. As an alternative, grunion monitoring could continue throughout the sand placement period, and if
they do not spawn during a predicted run then sand could be placed below the spring high tide line.
Project
(conducted
for each
beach fill
project)
City of
Carlsbad
Engineering
Department
(Hydrology /Water Quality)
Turbidity will be monitored throughout construction to qualify the effect on ocean water clarity from the project. Turbidity
will be monitored by an observer from a vantage point (such as a bluff top landward of the placement site) noting the extent of
turbid conditions. The observer will map the area of turbidity each day on a base map and photograph the turbidity in the
ocean. A map will be created by the observer, and they will document all other pertinent environmental conditions such as
waves, wind, and weather. If monitoring indicates excessive turbidity (greater than ambient beyond one-half mile offshore at
or down-coast of the placement site) for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days, then placement should be halted or modified
to reduce turbidity. This judgment should be made by the project engineer in consultation with the City and regulatory staff
assigned to the project.
Project
(conducted
for each
beach fill
project)
City of
Carlsbad
Engineering
Department
Page 54 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND
Table 6 (continued)
List of Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure Monitoring
Type
Monitoring
Department
(Transportation/Traffic)
Truck/hauling operations will be subject to the following:
a. A traffic control plan will be prepared for each beach fill project;
b. Truck operations shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday (fall/winter) and
Monday through Friday (spring/summer) with no activity during holidays;
c. A flagman shall keep pedestrians a safe distance from the truck, notify beach users of the presence of the truck, and
ensure that a clear and safe path is maintained. This system will be codified in the traffic control plan prepared for
each beach fill project.
d. Public streets used for hauling the beach fill material to the project site shall be cleaned via street-sweeper every third
day of truck delivery to the project site.
e. Trucks shall only use haul routes approved by the city, and shall be specified hi the traffic control plan prepared for
each beach fill project.
Project
(conducted
for each
beach fill
project)
City of
Carlsbad
Engineering
Department
Applicant Concurrence With Mitigation Measures
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE ABOVE REFERENCED MITIGATING MEASURES AND CONCUR WITH THE
ADDITION OF THESE MEASURES TO THE PROJECT.
Date Signatu
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 55
XIX. EARLIER ANALYSIS USED AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION SOURCES
California Coastal Commission
California Coastal Act of 1976.
City of Carlsbad
Geotechnical Hazards Analysis and Mapping Study, November 1992
Final Master Environmental Impact Report for the City of Carlsbad General Plan Update (MEIR
93-01), March 1994
City of Carlsbad General Plan. 1994
City of Carlsbad Haul Route Plan. 2005
City of Carlsbad Municipal Code
City of Carlsbad Noise Guidelines Manual. 1995
MEC Analytical Systems, Inc.
Review and Update of Potential Nearshore Biological Impacts for the City of Carlsbad
Opportunistic Beachfill Program, Memorandum, April 2, 1998
Moffatt & Nichol Engineers
Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Criteria and Concept Design. Revised Final Technical
Report, February 2000
Final Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program Plan. June 2005
San Clemente Beach Replenishment Program Technical Report. January 2002
RBF Consulting
Traffic Impact Analysis for Carlsbad Beach Sand Project. 2002
Operational Analysis for Carlsbad Beach Sand Project. 2002
SANDAG
Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the San Diego Regional
Beach Sand Project. June 2000
Regional Beach Sand Project Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Intertidal. Shallow
Subtidal. and Kelp Forest Resources. Prepared by AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., July
2002
2004 Regional Beach Monitoring Program Annual Report. Prepared by Coastal Frontiers
Corporation, April 2005
University of Southern California Department of Geography
The Fate of Fine Sediments in a Suspension Plume: Ponto Beach. California. April 1998
URS Corporation
Geologic and Biological Reconnaissance and Temporary Access Ramp for Opportunistic Beach
Fill Program Carlsbad. California. September 2005
Page 56 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND