HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Res 7144 2021-04-26- , RESOLUTION 7144
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL
REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS FUND AND PROCEED WITH SURFSIDE -SUNSET
BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECT STAGE 13 FROM ANAHEIM
BAY HARBOR TO NEWPORT BAY IN ORANGE COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, the longshore current carries beach sand southward along the
California coast, nourishing the beaches Orange County from Anaheim Bay
Harbor to Newport Beach; and,
WHEREAS, prior to onshore structural development between the San Gabriel
River outlet and Newport Bay, local beaches received sand from floor runoff of
the Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana Rivers; and,
WHEREAS, in 1942, the United States constructed jetties at Anaheim Bay to
serve the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, adjacent to Surfside Beach.
Waves reflected off the East Jetty combined with ocean waves, causing strong,
localized southward -flowing longshore currents near the jetty. These currents
cause severe down coast erosion. In response, and without any formal
J j Congressional action, the Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) initiated beach
replenishment in 1945, 1946, and 1956; and,
WHEREAS, the Army Corps conducted studies and issued a Report (House
Document 602, October 2, 1962) identifying three causes of Orange County
beach erosion:
1. The jetties at the entrance in Anaheim Bay.
2. Flood -control structures constructed on the Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and
Santa Ana rivers reducing sand delivery.
3. Construction of Los Angeles/Long Beach breakwater system.
The Army Corps acknowledged that all three causes of beach erosion were the
result of the Federal Government's own action. Accordingly, the Army Corps
recommended that the Federal Government provide sixty-seven percent (67%) of
the cost of initial deposition of sand, with periodic beach nourishment. Congress
authorized the Report's recommendation through the 1962 Rivers and Harbor
Act, Public Law 87-874, which the President signed; and,
WHEREAS, from 1964 through 1997, Beach Nourishment Stages 1 through 10
were completed. For 32 years, the Army Corps Commander considered beach
I nourishment a mandatory requirement. However, in 1995, the Army Corps
began a phase-out of nourishment without regard to its past practice and
Congressional declaration that periodic nourishment was unique and necessary.
Nourishment Stage 11 was completed in 2001, and Stage 12 was not completed
until 2009; and,
WHEREAS, in September 2018, the Army Corps issued a Draft Environmental
Assessment Nourishment Stage 13, indicating the project would begin in Winter
2019, and that Stage 14 would occur in 2023. The Environmental Assessment
acknowledged that Stages 13 and 14 were required pursuant to the 1962 Act of
Congress, Public Law 87-874, and that "Federal authority directs the Corps to
nourish the beaches between the Anaheim Bay jetties and the Newport Pier;"
and,
WHEREAS, if the nourishment is discontinued, Orange County beaches will
continue to erode as a result of federal actions, reducing recreation opportunities
and protection of shoreline facilities from storm damage; and,
WHEREAS, despite the warning that failure to nourish local beaches would not
only reduce recreation opportunities but also expose property to storm damage,
the Army Corps has failed to fund Stage 13 for 11 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE:
Section 1. The City Council finds all of the above Recitals true and correct.
Section 2. The City Council urges the United States Army Corps of Engineers,
South Pacific Division Los Angeles District to immediately fund and proceed with
Surfside -Sunset Beach Nourishment Project Stage 13.
Section 3. The City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to forward this
Resolution to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Section 4. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager to take all other
reasonable actions necessary to ensure Surfside -Sunset Beach Nourishment
Project Stage 13 proceeds immediately after the Army Corps of Engineers acts
to fund it.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Seal Beach City Council at a
regular meeting held on the 26th day of April, 2021 by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Kalmick, Massa-Lavitt, Moore, Sustarsic, Varipapa
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: None
ABSTAIN: Council Members: None
f.� R
r,;•, Joe Kalmick, Mayor
loris D. Harper, City Cie
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS
CITY OF SEAL BEACH }
I, Gloria D. Harper, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, do hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution is the original copy of Resolution 7144 on file in the office of
the City Clerk, passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a regular
meeting held on the 26th day of April, 2021.
loria D. Harpbr' City Clerk