Submitted by Ed de la Torre – Public Member

GOLETA BEACH & PARK PRESERVATION PROPOSAL

Submitted by Ed de la Torre

Member at Large

Given that opinions on how to preserve Goleta Beach and Park differ, and that the community's tax dollars have been invested in both infrastructure and study, I want to advance the following solutions: 1. to mitigate the agreed-upon sand depletion cause of erosion; 2. to protect the beach and park from future destruction. These suggested solutions also restore and enhance some historic environmental features of the area.

After careful study of all the materials provided, I conclude that any solution must be site-specific to Goleta Beach and its surrounding environs, i.e., only a few solutions will serve the desired goal of preserving the beach and park as it now exists. Synthesizing ideas from previous studies and recommendations, and drawing on my own personal historical recollections, I suggest implementing the following elements.

To solve the West End "hot spot" erosion and beach scour problem.

· Beach nourishment should be used as an interim action, whether sand is drawn from nearby available slough dredging activities or from Santa Barbara west beach and harbor area. This would serve to protect the park, provide safe access and maintain a desirable beach width of perhaps 200 feet.

· Sand depletion is the main cause of erosion! The most important element in this solution is to mitigate the West End wave energy and to prevent or slow down sand depletion at this "hot spot". This can be accomplished by restoring the historic size and extension of the headland existing at the beginning of the U.C.S.B. bluffs. Furthermore, prefill sand behind this naturalized enhanced headland, which had a counterpart in nature. This would allow the downdrift of sand flow to points beyond Goleta Beach. Sand retention in this area would negate the need for armoring the park bank because sand would provide the needed protection. It would also provide a habitat for the reestablishment of endangered abalone as well as Pacific Spiny Lobster. These species existed in this area prior to the erosion of this headland. Also, west of the extended headland, there could be benefits to the beach area at the base of the U.C.S.B. bluffs as well as protecting the U.C.S.B. pump station.

At times perceived problems affecting down coast beaches lead to objections from the community. With thoughtful and detailed design efforts, however, these issues can be resolved. The headland I advocate here would be engineered and constructed in order to blend in naturally with the coastal landscape and be aesthetically acceptable.

· Employ the suggestion offered by the Moffatt Nichol Report, complementing this West End solution to create a pseudo pocket beach, i.e., the installation of an artificial groin located under the wharf. The updrift area also should be prefilled to allow sand to bypass down coast. This element would provide subsequent sand enhancement and serve to protect the restaurant area. Also, it would provide an expanded habitat for Pacific Spiny Lobster and other species out towards the Goleta Sanitary outflow pipe covered by rocks.

· Additionally, the far east revetment structure should be repaired and maintained as required.

· As an additional protection from wave energy, an artificial submerged reef constructed of sand-filled geo-textile material should be located within the 35°-wave energy window that impacts the beach. This element would serve to protect the beach as well as provided an offshore reef break.

· At the same time, efforts to maintain and enhance the ESH of Goleta slough should be pursued by the Santa Barbara County Parks Dept.

All of the above recommendations are site-specific solutions to the Goleta Beach and Park problems. These elements will establish an average stabilized beach width, which will provide protection of an unarmored Park perimeter, satisfy recreational needs, and maintain a dynamic equilibrium for the entire beach and park. Thus the unique character of this wonderful facility can be enjoyed and appreciated by the entire community of Goleta Valley. The permitting and implementing of these solutions needs to be done as expeditiously as possible to provide the much-needed long term plan, and to protect the investment of the current Beacon Beach Nourishment Program.