Submitted by Kristen Amyx – Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce

Goleta Beach Preferred Long-Term Project

Prepared for:

Goleta Beach Master Planning Group

Prepared by:

Kristen Amyx

Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce

April 14, 2004

INTRODUCTION

As a member of the Goleta Beach Master Planning Group, I am submitting the following preferred scenario for long-term solutions to the erosion problem at Goleta Beach Park.

I believe that this option is the most realistic, feasible and beneficial to all parties concerned.

Great care has been taken throughout this process to provide a comprehensive education to all Group Members and voluminous data has been studied in order to come to this sound conclusion. I appreciate the level of detail and the broad scope of study that we have undertaken and feel confident to choose a preferred scenario.

Therefore, the following aspects are considered in this scenario:

Infrastructure –

Structures used by Park visitors and underground utility structures are in good working order and would be very financially and environmentally costly to move. Benefits of moving these structures are extremely limited and the costs are large for visitors, the environment, and for the businesses who own them.

Park Users –

The park is a key asset to residents, visitors, students, elderly, people with disabilities, scientists, families, children, etc. and must be protected.

Social Responsibility –

Goleta Beach County Park is the only community park of its type in the area, and the only beach that is free to the public.

Economics –

The Goleta Beach County Park is an economic asset to the county, the businesses in the county, and to all residents in Goleta.

Environment –

We learned from experts that in its current state, Goleta Beach has the most healthy and diverse ecology in the world. Therefore all efforts should be made to change as little as possible about the current park conditions.

Long-Term Recommendation for Goleta Beach County Park

The existing use and infrastructure must be maintained. To the extent feasible, additional loss of parkland should be avoided by “holding the line” where it is now.

Furthermore, additional loss of parkland has irreplaceable costs to the community and would disenfranchise and/or relocated recreational users, impacting more environmentally sensitive or overused parks and open space in the area. Additionally, any relocation of infrastructure at the park has undetermined environmental, fiscal and legal ramifications that are unknown at present.

LONG-TERM

Goals:

· Preserve the park

· Preserve the beach

· Preserve the existing access and amenities

· Protect the infrastructure

Actions: