HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem NPAt7'ESi�kl`A:rc
STAFF REPORT
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
Attention: Don Mc Intyre, Interim City Manager
From: Stephen G. Badum, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Subject: STATUS REPORT - BEACH SAND MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM & WINTER BERM CONSTRUCTION
SUMMARY:
The annual beach sand backpassing operation and the construction of the winter berm is
currently underway.
DISCUSSION:
As a condition for State funding for the East Beach Sand Replenishment Project, the City
agreed to annual sand management. Per the recommendations of our coastal engineering
consultant, Moffat & Nichol Engineers, sand needs to be moved from the westerly
portions of our beaches to the easterly portions to counteract the natural transport of sand.
The annual transport of the larger grain sand back to the narrow portions of East Beach
will prevent us from losing this higher quality sand offshore. As many are aware, the
mouth of the San Gabriel River has been steadily filling with sand over the years. The
backpassing operation transports beach sand from the areas of accumulation adjacent to
the pier on the East Beach and along the waterline portions of the West Beach. Using
rental equipment, City staff will be moving approximately 10,000 cy of sand.
Some smaller amounts of fine sand have been moved from the areas adjacent to the
homes on West Beach. This sand will be mixed with the larger grain sand next spring.
Large amounts of fine sand has accumulated along these properties over the years due to
high prevailing winds. Staff is currently investigating ways to mitigate this problem.
Coast Rail Services, our import sand contractor, and Moffat & Nichol are investigating
the potential of selling some of this excess fine sand so that the City may purchase larger
grain sand.
The "backpassed" sand will be used to construct the berm for winter and will be spread to
widen the beach after the threat of winter storm events has subsided. As in past practice,
the berm will be constructed in accordance with the recommendations of Moffat &
Nichols Engineers. The berm channelizes or redirects ocean waters that have overtopped
the crest of the beach to prevent flooding from occurring adjacent to the homes on East
Beach and is not intended as a barrier to wave action. Ocean flooding generally occurs
when there is a combination of high tides and high ocean swells. In severe storms, the
AGENDA ITEM/ Y.
r'�
Status Report—Beath Sand
City Councd SwfjRepon
October 23, 2000
berm may fail and flooding will occur. City staff will be monitoring weather, tide, and
ocean swell data and will be working closely with the Orange County Fire Authority
throughout the winter season. When possible, the City will distribute warnings via flyers
and Channel 3 when severe weather and potential flooding events are identified. The
berm will remain in place throughout the winter and periodic maintenance will be
performed as well. The berm will be removed in the Spring after the threat of storms and
high tide events has subsided in accordance with past practice.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding to construct the berm and perform sand backpassing is currently available within
the City's 2000/01 budget in the amount of $30,000. Staff has researched equipment
rental rates and has obtained equipment at competitive rates from Joob t& Millar
Equipment Repairs t& Rental, Inc..
BY NOTED AND APPROVED
�en . Barium, Director on Mc Intyre,
Pu bl' orka Department Interim City Manager
C.Npwdkounci1trepostt2000-01\ Stems Repon — Beach Smd.dm