HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Questions from Jeannette AndrussGloria Harper
From: Patrick Gallegos
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2019 5:29 PM
To: Executive Team
Subject: FW: Sand Berm Story for The Sun
BCC: CITY COUNCIL
Good evening,
We recently received a question about the sand berm from the Sun. Below are the questions and staff's responses in
red. I wanted you to have them before we send them to the Sun for your reference. Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Thanks,
Patrick Gallegos, Assistant City Manager
City of Seal Beach - 211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 431-2527 Ext. 1308
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Jeannette Andruss <jeannetteandrussggmail.com>
Date: November 8, 2019 at 12:11:55 PM PST
To: Steve Myrter <smyrtergsealbeachca.gov>
Cc: Patrick Gallegos <PGallegosgsealbeachca.gov>, Charles Kelly <editor2gsunnews.org>
Subject: Sand Berm Story for The Sun
Dear Mr. Mryter,
I noticed the sand berm is going up on the beach and was hoping to get some facts about it for a
short story for next week's issue of The Sun. I'm hoping you can answer the following
questions:
1) How long does it take to build the sand berm? The sand berm typically takes around 2-3
weeks to build, depending if the current year includes a "back -pass" component which would
take sand from north of the pier and move it south of the pier (which is currently taking place)
2) How tall is it? How long is it? The berm extends from the pier all the way to just short of the
Navy fence line, almost a half of a mile long. At the tallest point of the berm, it is around nine
feet higher than the current beach height.
3) Why do we need it? How long have we been building it? The City has been building the
berm, to some extent, since the 1940's. It is used to protect against beach erosion and winter
storm/wave damage to the beach and adjacent structures.
4) Where does the sand come from to build it? For the most part, the sand is gathered from the
existing beach, south of the pier. Every other year, sand is transported from the north side of the
pier to the south side to help build the berm. And then, when certain economical sand
nourishment projects are available, the City may contract to have sand brought to the City from
an outside source, sometimes the ocean floor or a riverbed or an inland sand quarry.
5) How much does it cost to build and tear down? The price varies every season to build and take
the berm down. It is anticipated to cost around $215,000 to build and take the berm down this
year (with "back -pass) and around $150,000 to build and take the berm down next winter.
Feel free to call me with any questions. Our deadline is Tuesday.
Thank you for your time. I think Sun readers will love to learn more about the winter berm!
Sincerely,
Jeannette Andruss
Freelance Journalist/Contributor to the Sun
(310) 463-3911