HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-08; Beach Preservation Committee; MinutesMINUTES OF: Beach Erosion Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 8, 1 995
TIME OF MEETING: 9:00 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Willaims called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Members Copley, Jackson, Meyers, Williams & Reasons
Absent: Member Hall & Howes
Guests: Councilmember Ann Kulchin
Mike Grim - Carlsbad Planning Department
Steve Turbin - West Consultants,
Mark Chomyn, Bill Dyson, Jim Dodson, Gerry Aiken and Paul O'Neal - SDG&E
Linda Tontini - Blade Citizen
Phil Dominguez - Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
By proper motion, the minutes of the meeting held on July 11,1995 were approved.
1. SDG&E: Mark Chomyn of SDG&E gave a presentation of their proposed 95/96
dredging program for the outer basin of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. SDG&E proposes
to use the large "La Encina" 18" inch dredge to deposit approximately 400,000cubic
yards of sand at two locations: 150,000 cu. yds. to the south beach (south of the
discharge jetty) and the remaining 250,000 cu. yds. between the two jetties.
Depending on the success of SDG&E in contracting other dredging projects within the
state this year, they are proposing two dredging operation scenarios: 1: Work a three
shift, six day work week which would complete the dredging operation in 21 days or
2: Work a single shift, five day operation completing the dredging operation in 45
days.
In order to proceed with this project, SDG&E has requested amendments to their
existing Army Corps 404 permit and a Coastal Development Permit with the Coastal
Commission. The proposed amendments would allow for the dredging and deposition
of 1,250,000 cu. yds of material over a five year period with a single dredging event
to not exceed 500,000 cu. yds. Secondly, SDG&E is requesting a two week
extension in the dredging window allowing commencement of the operation on
September 1 5 to April 15 with an option to extend the time an additional two weeks
to April 30th with the consent of the resource agencies. The Coastal Commission is
expected to consider SDG&E's request at their meeting scheduled for August 10,
1995.
Dr. Scott Jenkins, a consultant for SDG&E, gave an audio/visual presentation of the
health of the entire Agua Hedionda Lagoon system and the impacts of the wave
climate along the Oceanside Littoral Cell. Dr. Jenkins explained that due to the
southerly direction of the offshore currents and the velocity of the inlet channel,
approximately 50% of the sand in the littoral drift enters the mouth of the lagoon and
settles in the outer basin. In addition, upstream development has increased siltation
in the eastern basin and has diminished the capacity of the lagoon system. This
phenomenon has adversely affected the "flushing" ability at the outlet therefore
increasing the possibility of a closure at the mouth of the lagoon. A closure would
reduce or eliminate the cooling waters from reaching the plant. Dr. Jenkins concluded
MINUTES OF: Beach Erosion Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 8, 1995
PAGE 2
that no material should be placed northerly of the inlet until the entire lagoon system
is dredged to its original configuration in order to increase the flushing ability of the
inlet jetty and reduce to possibility of closure.
Councilmember Kulchin asked when SDG&E would know which shift option they would
use. Bill Dyson informed the Committee that they are bidding dredging projects in
other parts of state and they should know in early September. The final quantities of
this program would then be determined upon completion of soundings that would be
performed as part of pre-dredging requirements.
The Committee expressed their displeasure with the lack of time to review this
proposal due to the lack of time to fully review the application and provide input.
After considerable discussion, the Committee withheld their decision on the matter to
allow Committee members and staff ample time to review the proposed 95/96 dredging
program. The Committee requested the Dr. Sonu, consultant to the EEC, review
SDG&E's proposal and provide recommendations to the most appropriated disposal
site. The Committee also requested that a letter be forwarded to the Coastal
Commission and Army Corps of Engineers outlining the Committee's concerns and that
those comments be considered with the proposed amendments to SDG&E's existing
permits. This item will be included as part of the September BEC agenda.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
> Offshore Monitoring Scope of Work - Member Copley provided a memo
summarizing comments from a subcommittee tasked with reviewing a draft
scope of work for the continuation of the Committee's offshore monitoring
program. Member Copley asked that staff review the report and provide any
input. Staff member Jantz was directed to review the comments, format the
Request for Proposal on City letterhead and bring back to the Committee at the
September meeting.
> Opportunistic Sand - Staff Member Jantz provided a status report on the
Opportunistic Sand Program. The permit applications have been delayed due
to necessary revisions to the Bio report and comments received from EPA staff.
Assistant Planner Mike Grim discussed the misunderstanding from the
environmental consultant regarding the scope of work. Mr. Grim has explained
the intent of the program and the bio consultant is currently making the
appropriate changes to the report. Staff has asked the consultant to complete
all the documents to be submittal ready by the end of the month. Once
received, staff will forward the reports for review by the BEC sub-committee.
Staff has targeted the September meeting for review and recommendation by
the Committee.
> Proposed Public Noticing methods - Staff Member Jantz provided a draft list
of various public noticing methods intended to notify the public of proposed
Opportunistic Sand events. After discussion, staff member Jantz suggested
that this list be included in the technical note as part of the Opportunistic Sand
Program. By consensus, the suggestions was accepted by the Committee.
MINUTES OF: Beach Erosion Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 8, 1995
PAGES
3. PUBLIC COMMENT: Phil Dominuqez of the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation offered
the foundation's support to the Beach Erosion Committee in the mater of the SDG&E
deposition of dredged sand on our local beaches. Mr. Dominguez also stated that the
City should be concerned about impacts to the Lagoon system created by upstream
developments.
ADJOURNMENT
By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next meeting of the Beach
Erosion Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 1995, at the Housing and
Redevelopment office.
Respectfully submitte
Belinda Guzman
Administrative Secretary
SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
PROPOSED DREDGING CYCLE SEPTEMBER 1995 TO APRIL 1996
BACKGROUND
SDG&E's last dredging cycle occurred between October 1993 to April 1994. During that
cycle SDG&E was able to dredge approximately 160,000 yards of the 235,000 yards
which was allowed under existing permits. The spoil from the last dredge cycle was
placed as follows:
South beach 50,000 yards
Middle beach 25,000 yards
North beach 85,000 yards
Several factors contributed to SDG&E's inability to reach the maximum yardage allowed
under its existing permits:
o Due to permit negotiations, dredging did not commence until December of 1993.
o Winter storms and equipment repairs caused delays.
o Outer lagoon sand influx rates were higher than normal (450 ydsVday).
o A full two week extension (to April 30,1994) of the dredge period was not
granted by the resource agencies.
As a result of all the above factors, SDG&E realized only a 40,000 yard net gain in
removal of dredged dredged spoil in the outer lagoon.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Current soundings for the outer lagoon indicate that approximately 400,000 yards of
material need to be removed from the outer lagoon. The material to be removed would be
placed as follows:
South beach 150,000 yards
Middle beach 250,000 yards
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To accomplish the work SDG&E is proposing to use the 18" La Encina dredge, with an
output of 1,000 yards per hour. Depending on pending outside contracting work, SDG&E
is proposing to work either a three shift, six day work week or a single shift, five day
work week. The three shift work schedule would take approximately 21 working days
and the single shift schedule would take approximately 45 working days. All spoil would
be moved to the Carlsbad State Beach using the existing underground pipes beneath
Carlsbad Boulevard. Spoil would then be moved on the beach using conventional
earthmoving equipment.
STATUS OF DREDGING PERMITS
SDG&E has submitted applications to amend its current Corps of Engineers 404 permit
and its Coastal Permit The amendments are currently in process and should be completed
by September IS, 1995. The amendments would allow the following:
o A maximum of 1,250,000 yards of dredging over a five year period.
o A maximum of 500,000 yards of dredging in any single event (dredge cycle).
o Ability to dredge from September 15 to April 15 and retaining the option to
extend dredging for a two week period (to April 30) with the approval of the
resource agencies.
STJMMARY
The proposed 1995 - 1996 dredge cycle will permit SDG&E's dredge division to
accomplish several critical goals while providing important public benefits:
o Create the optimum tidal prism for the outer lagoon and decrease the possibility
for inlet closure assuring the continued health of the outer, middle and inner
lagoons.
o Rebuild the Carlsbad State Beach area south of the discharge jetty and between
the intake and discharge jetty, increasing recreational and tourism opportunities.
o Support the transport (littoral drift) of sand to south beaches and supplement the
positive impacts of the dredging and spoil placement at the Batiquitos Lagoon.
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