HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-19; City Council; 16986; US Army Corps of Engineers Section 227 ProgramMTG. 11/19/02 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
SECTION 227 PROGRAM
I RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council, by minute motion, support the development of an innovative sand retention
project offshore of Carlsbad in connection with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Shoreline
Erosion Control Development and Demonstration Program (Section 227), and direct staff to send a
letter to the Army Corps promoting the South Carlsbad Beach site.
I ITEM EXPLANATION:
The National Shoreline Erosion Control Development & Demonstration Program (Section 227) is a
program that seeks to demonstrate prototype-scale "innovative" or "non-traditional" methods of
coastal shoreline erosion abatement. Section 227 is aimed at advancing the state-of-the-aft in
coastal shoreline protection and sand retention technologies. The Section 227 legislation provides a
vehicle by which shore protection, devices, designs, and methods can be constructed, monitored
and evaluated based on "functional" performance.
Hydraulics Lab (CHL) in Vicksburg, Mississippi are administering the Section 227 Program. Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Coastal and
The researchers are also guided by an Oversight Committee and receive considerable input from
staff at various US. Army Corps Districts throughout the nation. The Civilian members of the
Coastal Engineering Research Board (CERB), all experts in the field of Coastal Engineering,
provide technical review for the Program Oversight Committee. A significant amount of time has
already been spent framing and defining important issues such as site selection criteria,
device/methodology selection criteria, and appropriate project monitoring
A minimum of seven project sites were mandated in the legislation that established the Section 227
Program. Two (2) sites are designated for the Pacific Ocean with one (1) to be located in Southern
California. The four potential research area sites in Southern California are the oil piers in
Ventura County, South Carlsbad State Beach, Moonlight State Beach, and Fletcher Cove.
Proposals for these four sites are being accepted through November 20, 2002.
The South Carlsbad State Beach site is south of Terramar Point and north of the South Carlsbad
State Beach campground facilities near Encinas Creek (approximately 0.7 miles). The existing
beach in this area consists of an eroded and flat sandy beach with scattered cobbles and vegetated
bluffs varying in height from 60 to 80 feet.
The Army Corps has announced the acceptance of concept proposals for all four sites through their
The project schedule established by the Army Corps is a follows:
Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) procedures - similar to a Request for Proposal (RFP).
BAA open for submittals 2"d week of October
BAA closed 2"d week of November
ERDC processes proposal (Vicksburg) November 8-1 5,2002
Proposal referred to L.A. District November 18,2002
Proposal to evaluation group November 22,2002
Proposal evaluation workshop December 24,2002
Recommendation for further design December 16,2002
Detailed design and environmental assessment January-September, 2003
Initiate construction FY 2003/04
Page 2 of Agenda Bill No. 16.986
The Army Corps is currently accepting proposals for potential projects at the four Southern
California locations. Each project proposal will be evaluated based on the site selection criteria, device/methodology selection criteria, and appropriate project monitoring. The Army Corps, as lead
agency, will complete the required design plans and secure the necessaly resource agency permits.
Construction is projected to begin in federal FY 2003/04.
The Army Corps strategy is to accept proposals describing conceptual sand retention methods.
The most viable concept will be further pursued through the development and design stages.
According to the guidelines established by the Corps, the following design parameters will be
considered:
The design should include an innovative design and initial placement of beach fill material.
0 The design should preserve and enhance existing environmental resources and recreation
opportunities.
0 The design features can have no detrimental effects to down coast beaches.
The design will also include logistics for beach fill placement, project monitoring, success criteria,
as well as methodology and estimated cost for removal of the demonstration features if any
detrimental effects are observed. The goal of the demonstration feature is not necessarily to
advance the existing shoreline seaward of the adjacent shores, but to stabilize the shoreline and
retain a placed beach fill volume.
The purpose of the BAA is for the scientific, academic, and/or governmental agencies to submit
of its own. It is not necessary, nor is it required, that only coastal engineering firms prepare
innovative coastal project for consideration. The City of Carlsbad has the ability to submit a proposal
goals and objectives of the Section 227 Program.
proposals. The CERB will evaluate each proposal separately and chose the project that meets the
Issues:
This demonstration project is new to the California coastline and as such, the project objectives and
selection parameters are not well defined. In addition, the project schedule is extremely optimistic
and compressed. The schedule does not include time for public workshops and may not allow for
significant community involvement. Since this project is intended to be an innovative prototype
coastal structure, the schedule may not lend itself to typical levels of professional and technical
scrutiny with regards to expected outcomes or potential impacts.
Another consideration is the location and ownership of the project site. The area of coastline
seaward of the high tide line is under the jurisdiction of the California State Lands Commission.
At this time, the project area is outside the jurisdiction of the City of Carlsbad. It would not be
owner. The composition and role of the project's "local sponsor" should be secured with the full
prudent to plan or design a structure on non-city property without the involvement of that property's
support of the property owner. It is suggested that a regional forum be initiated so that the
stakeholders can discuss issues and responsibilities with the selected project.
The risks involved in these potential projects are currently undetermined. A provision of the
227 Program would be that the local sponsor commit to the ongoing maintenance of the project,
and commit to its modification and removal if not performing as expected. Because projects
submitted are innovative and conceptual, the full impacts from a maintenance and political
standpoint may not be known until after design is well undetway. The financial risks have yet to be
determined.
Page 3 of Agenda Bill No. 16 I 986
Action Alternatives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
No Action: The Army Corps of Engineers will continue with their process of project
determination and site selection. The City would only be in a position to monitor its progress
and advise where appropriate. This position could limit any influence or involvement the City
may have with the selection of the project.
Promote Site: The City would notify the Army Corps of Engineers providing support for the
concept of sand retention along the coastline. The City would also identify the
South Carlsbad Beach area as a potential site due to our understanding of the environment
and coastal dynamics. We would further request that CERB include the City in the selection
process since the site will be adjacent to the Carlsbad coastline.
Prepare and submit Proposal: City staff, in conjunction with Coastal Environments, Inc.,
prepare a project proposal to be considered by CERB. The proposal would include a project
that is credible and has the potential for success based on the site-specific coastal
dynamics.
Support other design projects: Various coastal engineering firms have contacted staff and
requested support for other innovative project types. City staff can prepare a statement that
supports all types of innovative projects that would enhance the Carlsbad coastline.
The consultants would include this letter of support within their respective proposals.
Staff is recommending Action Alternative #2 directing staff to send a letter of support to the Army
Corps of Engineers.
Fiscal ImDact:
There is no fiscal impact at this time. None of the action alternatives listed above implies a
commitment to pursue the chosen concept. The purpose of the BAA is to consider innovative ideas
for shoreline enhancements. The Army Corps of Engineers will be administering and funding the
construction of the chosen project.
However, the Corps has indicated that the local sponsor will be required to fund and implement any
any structure if it doesn't meet the expected results. Since the submitted concepts are innovative
necessary maintenance activities. In addition, the local sponsor will be required to modify or remove
and conceptual, the potential risks and liabilities cannot be determined at this time. The full impact
of maintenance obligations may not be fully known until the design is substantially completed.
agreement establishing the responsibilities of both agencies. At that time, the financial obligations
In any event, the Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Carlsbad must enter into a cooperative
will be determined in greater detail. The Council will have the ability to fully consider the final project
and make the appropriate decisions whether to enter into an agreement with the Army Corps of
Engineers.
3