SOUTH CENTRAL COAST BEACH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (SCCBEP)
Below you will find a narrative report on the
purposes and concept of SCCBEP, an opportunistic beach fill program sponsored by
BEACON. Or you can click here for a
graphic presentation. The graphic
presentation is more up to date.
Introduction
Santa Barbara and Ventura County beaches have been receding for many years. Coastal erosion is a natural process that can be aggravated by
man-made features which preclude the migration of sediment along the coast or the supply down rivers and creeks. It has been well documented that
the construction of harbors has a significant effect on the movement of sediment along our coasts. Severe coastal erosion has occurred after the
construction of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Channel Islands harbors. The harbor's effects on the migration of sediment along our coasts has been,
for the most part, negated by dredging by-pass systems which result in short term interruption of the movement of sediments downcoast. Although
the effects of recently constructed harbors on littoral drift has been significantly reduced, there is still a large amount of sediment that is not
delivered to the littoral cell resulting in the continuing erosion of our beaches and coastal bluffs.
Sediment carried by our creeks and rivers to the ocean are intercepted by man-made structures such as debris basins and dams. Debris basins are
very effective at reducing the debris loads associated with flood flows. The flood debris can plug bridges and culverts and fill channels resulting in
excessive flooding of urbanized areas therefore, debris basins are useful for flood control. Unfortunately, sediments that would otherwise be
transported to the ocean by creeks and rivers which would ultimately replenish our beaches, are trapped in debris basins and frequently disposed of
on land. This "short-stopping" of sediment also occurs in several creeks and estuaries where the grade is such that sedimentation is common and
sediment removal is necessary to restore flood capacity. Sediment trapped in debris basins, estuaries and other drainage courses, could be taken to
the beach and introduced into the littoral cell. This would replenish the littoral cell and would result in larger beaches which protect our coastal
resources. The fact that this sediment would be deposited in the ocean by natural processes if it weren't intercepted by man-made structures warrants
development of a program that would allow agencies to deposit this sediment in the ocean as part of basic flood control maintenance programs.
On January 10, 1995, a very strong storm hit Santa Barbara County filling 16 debris basins and the Goleta Sough in less than 12 hours. Over 400,000
c.y. of debris was deposited in the 16 debris basins. An additional 200,000 c.y. of sediment was deposited in the Goleta Slough. In addition, several
hundred thousand c.y. where deposited in Santa Barbara Harbor and tens of thousands of c.y. of sediment was also deposited in the streets of Santa
Barbara. Similar flooding and sedimentation occurred exactly 2 months later on March 10, 1995. Efforts were made immediately to remove the
debris and sediment. The Santa Barbara County Flood Control District (SBCFCD) already had a program in place for removing sediment from the
Goleta Slough with a hydraulic dredge discharging the sediment into the surf zone. The hydraulic dredge could not remove all the storm sediment in a
timely manner so the large volumes were removed by cranes and stockpiled nearby. With several hundred thousand c.y. of storm sediment to be
disposed of, the SBCFCD decided to dispose of the material from the Goleta Slough and several debris basins at the beach. By the end of April,
approximately 400,000 c.y. of sediment had been pushed into the surf zone at Goleta Beach.
The SBCFCD used their experience from previous surf zone disposal projects in selecting sites for beach disposal such that the sediment was most
similar to the receiving beach sands (coarse material as opposed to very fine material). Sediment that was too coarse or too fine was deposited at
various disposal sites on land. Despite the SBCFCD's best intentions, deposition of storm sediments in the surf zone at Goleta Beach was not
permitted by the ACOE which attempted to regulate and fine the SBCFCD after the fact. The lack of support from the ACOE and attempt at unfair
regulation after the fact, prompted the SBCFCD to consider a program whereby storm sediments could be deposited at the beach when appropriate
with pre-approved permits.
BEACON prepared an EIR in 1992 which identified several alternatives for beach nourishment. One of the alternatives identified and analyzed was
to truck debris basin sediment to selected beaches. This alternative was not the preferred alternative approved by the BEACON Board of Directors
but it had been considered in a certified CEQA document. Therefore, use of the BEACON EIR to pursue trucking of debris basin sediments to the
beach may be considered for those circumstances where it is appropriate and cost effective.
The BEACON EIR identifies the majority of the debris basins in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties as well as several areas which are typically
prone to sedimentation where desilting programs exist or are proposed. The EIR recognizes that the availability of debris basin sediment is sporadic
and is not available on an annual basis. The EIR also makes some assumptions that where somewhat proven by the 1995 floods in Santa Barbara.
The debris basins and other sources of sediment (Goleta Slough, Calleguas Creek, etc.). provide a tremendous amount of sediment every 5 to 10
years (e.g. 1969, 1978, 1983, 1995). The debris basins and estuaries in Santa Barbara County alone could supply approximately 500,000 c.y. in heavy
rainfall years as was demonstrated in 1995. This means that approximately 2,000,000 c.y. of sediment could have been placed on Santa Barbara
beaches over the past 25 years for an average annual contribution of 80,000 c.y. The annual average contribution to the Santa Barbara littoral cell
from the Santa Ynez Mountain Group is approximately 180,000 c.y. so placement of sediment from debris basins and other drainage courses subject
to sedimentation on Santa Barbara's beaches would be a significant benefit.
There is currently no program for discharging sediment at Santa Barbara and Ventura beaches other than that established for routine dredging of
Goleta Slough, Santa Barbara Harbor, Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands Harbor. Developing a program where storm sediments and possibly
other opportunistic sources of beach quality sediment (i.e. excess construction fill) can be placed in the littoral cell could help our coastline to become
more stable.
Program Development
Developing a Storm Sediment Disposal/Opportunistic Beach Fill Program will require compiling existing information (BEACON EIR, Carlsbad
Program, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Reconnaissance Study) with additional information necessary to address regulatory agency
concerns. The program should; 1) identify all potential sources of sediment, 2) identify all potential receiving beaches, 3) establish testing protocol
and criteria for beach fill material, 4) placement techniques, and 5) determine regulatory agency authority and concerns as well as acquire long-term
permits from the appropriate agencies. Costs associated with the above mentioned program components should also be considered.
The BEACON EIR identifies the majority of potential sources of sediment. Those include debris basins in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and
other areas prone to sedimentation where desilting programs currently exist. Unfortunately, the EIR does not include all of the potential sources.
Additional potential sources should include but not be limited to, storm sediments wherever they may be deposited, newly constructed debris basins,
landslides, lake sediments, or excess construction fill. Identification of potential sources should include feasibility of transporting the material to the
beach or determine the best possible method for transporting the material to the beach for the least possible cost.
Alternatives to trucking sediment to the beach could include placing debris basin sediment on terraces along the creek immediately downstream of
the basin. This material would eventually be transported downstream by higher flows. Phased breaching of defunct dams allowing impounded
sediments to be transported downstream is another method of introducing material into the littoral cell without trucking the material to the beach.
There are at least 18 potential receiving beaches along the Santa Barbara and Ventura coastline. Each of these sites should be analyzed for access,
proximity to sensitive resources, downcoast benefits, impacts to infrastructure associated with transporting sediments to those beaches, and impacts
to recreation. Receiving beaches should be screened for constraints and prioritized to identify the best sites. When feasible, specific sources should
be constrained to specific receiving beaches to reduce costs associated with transporting the material as well as sediment testing costs.
Testing protocol and guidelines should be established to determine what material can be taken to which receiving beaches. The City of Carlsbad's
Opportunistic Beach Fill Program has expanded on existing beach fill guidelines that could be duplicated. Receiving beaches can be tested
periodically to determine the range of material suitable for disposal on specific beaches. This can be done in advance so that when material becomes
available, sediment testing will be limited to the source only. The City of Carlsbad's program has developed a checklist to determine the potential for
contaminants in the sediment which can be used to establish to what extent sediment should be tested. For example, sediment trapped far up in the
watershed is less likely to contain contaminants than material from a more urbanized setting and therefore should require less, if any, testing for
contaminants.
Placement techniques could vary for the various receiving beaches. SBCFCD has had found that placing sediment directly in the surf zone is feasible
and the most benign placement option. Recreation impacts are minimized as disturbance to the beach is very short term. Introduction of sediment into
the littoral cell benefits all beaches downcoast from the receiving beach but does not necessarily benefit a specific beach. Placement options should
be established to realize the maximum benefit from this program.
Once the program has been developed, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance should be initiated as well as acquisition of the
appropriate permits. The BEACON EIR should be used to the maximum extent feasible as it contains the majority of the information necessary to
develop this program. The CEQA process will allow for public comment on the program which will also improve the program. Many local, state, and
federal regulatory agencies will have jurisdiction over this program. Developing the program with their concerns in mind will greatly facilitate the
permitting process. Typically, a CEQA document is prepared and approved prior to applying for permits but regulatory review can begin concurrent
with the CEQA process. Long-term permits that can be used in emergency situations without additional regulatory agency review should be pursued.
The program should also contain information regarding costs associated with placing sediment on the beaches. A large amount of potential beach
sediment is handled as part of routine desilting operations. This material currently is not taken to the beach but to the nearest feasible disposal site.
Funding sources should be identified that would augment existing programs in order to haul the material to the beach for a small additional cost as
opposed to the nearest land based disposal site. Furthermore, sediment testing is very expensive and could be a deterrent to anyone wishing to
participate in this program. Determining the extent of testing necessary and costs will help determine the feasibility of this program.
An opportunity exists to increase the amount of material delivered to the Santa Barbara littoral cell along the Santa Barbara and Ventura coast.
Development of a program to accomplish this would benefit many beaches along the Santa Barbara and Ventura coast while only minor modifications
to existing sediment disposal activities would be required. Beacon's representation is regional and appears to be the best agency to pursue the
program described above.
