Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02; Beach Preservation Commission; ; Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation ActivitiesMeeting Date: April 2, 2024 To: Beach Preservation Commission From: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director Staff Contact: Nick Stupin, Parks Planning Manager nick.stupin@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2527 Subject: Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Activities Recommended Action Receive an informational report on the activities of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation. Discussion Deb Mossa, Vice President of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, will discuss the foundation’s conservation, restoration, and enhancement efforts for the Batiquitos Lagoon. Ms. Mossa will also discuss the ecological benefits of the regular maintenance dredging of the lagoon, including the resulting sand replenishment at South Ponto State Beach. Exhibits None April 2, 2024 Item #2 1 of 1 BEACH PRESERVATION COMMISSION Staff Report Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation City of Carlsbad Beach Preservation Commission April 2, 2024 Chris Ross & Deb Mossa Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (BLF) Incorporated January 7, 1983, as a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation All-volunteer since inception Managed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by members Current membership: 350+ Four Directors serve as officers: President:Chris Ross chrisr@batiquitoslagoon.org Vice President:Deb Mossa debm@batiquitoslagoon.org Secretary:Jeff Regan jeffr@batiquitoslagoon.org Treasurer:Kevin Kienast kevin.kienast@hyatt.com “A pristine coastal wetland that forever connects people to nature and inspires all to protect it.” Vision Statement Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation “Preserve, Protect, Enhance the Batiquitos Lagoon.” Mission Statement Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Why Preserve and Protect? Less than 10% of US wetlands remain! When the lagoon was formed it was a big open bay, through development over time and sea level drop it became an estuary Pacific Coast Hwy, RR bridge & I-5 closed the lagoon to tidal flushing Tidal influence was diminished; over time it became stagnant & smelly Fish population was down to 5 species Endangered species such as least terns, snowy plovers, ridgeways rails were being threatened Port of Los Angeles To compensate for the destruction of coastal habitat during the dredging of San Pedro harbor, the Port of LA required to do mitigation In 1980 mitigation funds became available In 1984 Batiquitos Lagoon was selected for restoration with these funds The initial restoration cost over $55 million dollars and took three years. Restoration Project: 1994-1997 Lagoon was dredged to an average depth of 6-7 feet Sand was pumped out and spread onto the beach and nesting sites Then fortified with large rocks to protect from decomposition Batiquitos Lagoon now consists of 610 acres Watershed includes Carlsbad, San Marcos, Encinitas & Escondido Main tributaries are San Marcos & Encinitas creeks Today over 65 species of fish & 200+ bird species have been observed Over 250,000 visitors use the trail each year. Maintenance Dredging ~50,000 cubic yards of sand is washed into the lagoon each year Longshore current is responsible for a majority of this sand transfer Choke points at bridges cause sand deposits which reduce tidal flushing Dredging is required to maintain tidal flushing, which: Improves water quality & allows the transport of nutrients Provides beach replenishment opportunities CDF&W recognizes a dredge cycle is required November 2011: ~ 108,00 cubic yards of sand, mud & cobbles removed November 2019: ~ 114, 512 cubic yards of sand removed from central basin Next dredge: fall of 2024 - spring of 2025* (confirmation from CDF&W) BLF Key Initiatives Environmental Education Nature Center – open 7 days/week; 26,000 visitors in 2023 School Programs Monthly Speaker Series Public Policy and Advocacy Water Quality Testing 1997 Master Trail Plan Conservation and Preservation Habitat restoration projects Open-space land acquisition – currently hold title to 25 acres Open-space easements – monitoring compliance for 103 acres