THEY SAY

*****THEY SAY…On page 6 of the Grant request…” Enhance natural beauty and RECREATIONAL opportunities” Also, the last paragraph of the plan proposed in May of 2023 (current proposed plan). “The objectives should also include strategies to protect sensitive habitat areas and maintain public beach access and recreational opportunities.” FACT…. On page 5, Last paragraph of the plan prepared in May 2023 (current proposed plan)..” the California Coastal Commission staff would prefer the City prepare a dune system With native plantings” As to width, “the Shore Drive right of way (40 ft wide) would be maintained, and a back dune, lower in height, would be present between Shore drive right of way and the frontal dunes.” In the 2013 plan, the dunes would extend from San Pedro Street to Marthas Vineyard. The widest area is 216 ft from property lines to high tide lines. Then, the commencement of the dune was 20 ft. from the property line extending 102 ft., leaving 94 ft. of unplanted sand to the high tide line. Under the current proposed plan, the commencement of the dune would be 40 ft. (Shore Drive) from the property line…leaving only 84 ft. of unplanted recreational sand. A major portion of the beach is 154 ft. in width, which would leave only 55 ft. of unplanted beach.

***** THEY SAY…On page 4 of the Grant Request…The project will permanently address the management challenges associated with sand lost, costal erosion….” FACT…Page 4 of the 2013 Pierpont Beach Sand Management plan…” The Pierpont groins are relatively effective at trapping a volume of sand from the longshore transit system. The effect of this trapping has been to widen the beach until it reached an equilibrium shape like its current configuration. The onshore winds are responsible for transporting the sand from the beach into the dunes.” In other words, there is ongoing nourishment from this “littoral draft”. Additionally, Pierpont beach width can be enhanced in the following ways.. 1. Push the sand back toward the ocean. This stopped in 1999 when the California Coastal Commission would no longer issue a permit to do so. The Sand accumulated and poured into the streets and over property walls. It took a lawsuit to haul it away, and this practice continued until this day. It is “stockpiled in City lots outside the coastal zone” (page 2 of the current proposed SMP) 2. Update and extend the groins. 3. Costal engineers have been suggesting directing excess sand from the Harbor to Pierpont Beach.

*****THEY SAY…. they want to “achieve a low height to accommodate private property views”. Page 5 of 2023 Sand Management Plan draft. FACT…. Native plants have deep fibrous root systems that allow dunes to grow vertically. As sand buries the plants, native dune species grow upward through the sand, trapping even more sand. Growth rate is 1-3 feet per year and heightened if sand supply is strong. Any google search will provide verification. We have an inordinate amount of onshore wind constantly blowing sand. ***** THEY SAY…. Page 6 of the 2023 sand management plan draft…”State Parks staff seemed supportive of the possibility of relocating cobble adjacent to the Kalorama ditch out fill which has accumulated against the groin on the Pierpont beach to reinforce the dunes” …”creation of cobble beach living shoreline will be considered” FACT….Cobble beach living shoreline consists of rounded cobbles (2-6 inches) layered that shifts during waves. See AI for expanded explanation.

***** THEY SAY…. On Page 13 of their May 2023 Sand Management draft…”an alternative design could be transporting the sand from Pierpont to existing dune projects such as surfers point as local dynamics move sand predominantly from north to south. Another option that can be discussed with the SAT would be placing the sand south of Pierpont (ex. South Ventura Harbor) to reduce sand returning to Shore drive and would also benefit local beaches currently experiencing an erosion shoreline trend’. FACT…. They are concerned about beach erosion, but they put forth this suggestion. As we have always advocated…push the sand back toward the ocean!!

***** THEY SAY… On page 16 of their 2013 Sand Management Draft, they recite Section 30240 of the California Coastal Act “environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area shall be protected against any significant disruption of habitat values and only uses dependent on those resources shall be allowed within the area’ FACT…. Yes, and the planting of the dunes with native plants will create an ESHA wherein recreation will not be allowed.

***** THEY SAY…Pierpont is a “recreational beach” FACT…for now…. Section 30221 of the California Coastal Act reads…” Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall be protected for recreational use and development …UNLESS…present and foreseeable future demand for public or commercial recreational activities that could be accommodated on the property is already adequately provided for in the area’ (page 16 of the 2023 PBMP draft.). In other words, it’s Recreational unless there is an adequate recreational beach in the area. The entire beach North of Pierpont is designated “recreational”. They could designate the entire Pierpont beach an ESHA. Also consider, they are planning to create planted dunes and designate them an ESHA while keeping the balance of the beach “recreational”. Practically speaking, this may not be practical with football and volleyballs in evidence!