September 20^th Meeting Notes

WORKING GROUP NOTES

Better understanding of underlying erosion processes at G.B. (as basis for selecting an effective Long Term strategy).
Define “revetment”, “seawall”, “long term”, etc.
Managed retreat
Range of costs of possible solutions. (+ possible funding sources)
Moffatt & Nichol Study
Carrying Capacity Study
Upcoming Army Corps Sediment Transport Study.
How to maintain “status quo” during planning.
UCSB parking at west end.
Role of large debris on erosion.
Explore alternate methods of travel to GBCP (bus, etc.) to reduce parking lots.
Utilities (+ cost of relocation $6-11 M??)
Goleta Slough and Goleta Beach dynamic
Effectiveness of kelp beds.
California Resources Agency Study-underway.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST?

Love setting with grass, trees, family amenities, and ambiance.
Accessibility-ease of getting there, parking, no parking fees.
It’s free.
“I like its whole ‘song”-1,000 things to do and see
Big, wide sandy beach.
Convenient distance to home and work.
Blue heron rookery-natural resources
Low-income people-whole recreation without great expense.
Great place to walk.
Ambiance and walking opportunity-adjacent to UCSB (long, connected walk) + other areas.
(Biking)-Scenery is spectacular + wildlife you see.
Natural resource “crap shoot”-never know what you’ll see-surprising
Progression & succession of environments-offers so much to so many people.
“Cause its there.”
Outstanding restaurant, convenient parking & beautiful sunsets.
Pier-great access for fishing & boating; length is great & view-shore.
If mobility problems-good access.
World-class grunion run.
Interaction between Goleta Slough, watershed & Goleta Beach.
Convenient location for groups, camps, etc., has facilities.
Easy access for kayaking.
Safe, accessible, addresses needs of all age groups.
History-what Goleta once was, Native Americans, deep-water port, and schooners. Connection to mountains and watershed.
Park at beach, and when there is sand at beach like the volleyball courts.
Priceless.
Easy to access water for swimming.
Coastal experience year round.

CONCERNS

Lack of progress-seems similar to previous meetings.
Need to do something immediately. Should complete revetment across entire beachfront. Hope near-term plan to incorporate something long term. Afraid won’t be anything left.
Preserving natural ecosystems in area.
Risking losing park if don’t protect it.
Risking losing sandy beach if don’t protect it.
Risking losing recreational asset.
Inflexible or unwilling to see other options.
Unintended consequences on or off site.
Growing cost of continued studies and delays on ultimate project.
Need to study before take action.
Do something.
If don’t save park and beach now, won’t have anything for Beacon, etc. to help us.
West end parking lot impacted by large trucks and effect of UCSB parking. Shame University won’t cooperate. Enforcement.
Perceived misconception, what to do to save park must also save sandy beach. I think separate. “Time and tide waits for no one.”
Moving way too slow. Not rocket science. Suggest jetty. Sand brought in will wash away.
Complexity of site will make it difficult to solve.
Over reliance on engineering solutions.
Some think more complex than rocket science. Natural resource values underline most of concerns expressed.
Approach and study seems trying to solve international beach erosion problem-not needed for Goleta Beach.
Forgetting about people-most used by families and lower income people.
Supervisor Rose’s panel-UCSB professor said “Technology not a problem. Decide.” Susan Rose- “We as community have a choice. A question of values!”
County leadership role good, but regional nature of issue, need cities of SB, Goleta and UCSB to participate.
Economic-tourism is important to visitors, important to community. Tie to Old Town.
Main mechanical cause of erosion-tree trunks, etc., after storms. Debris clean up post storms would help. Chain reaction.
How much space-parking at Goleta beach County Park. Explore alternative methods.
Lack of sand-beach. Regional watershed perspective.
Not enough participants Moffatt & Nichol-e.g. UCSB, So. Cal. Gas, City of Goleta, especially regarding utilities.
We study things to death. Make a decision.
Goleta slough and Goleta beach dynamic
Cost to relocate utilities-economics
Projects increasing sewer outfall.
Save park so can discuss other stuff in casual way.

BETTER PLACE FOR RECREATION

Solution contributes to access-beach from park year round (not so now in winter).
View GBCP-larger area (both sides of slough mouth) and develop goals for resource protections and measurements to monitor.
Catalog environmental condition over time, carrying capacity and what we need to do to sustain.
Build stairs over/thru rocks so more usable in winter.
Bike racks to encourage bike riding.
Jetty (groins) and breakwater, or offshore rocks.
Create 2^nd slough mouth-interpretive opportunity.
Interpretive display/info of history.
Expand park/recreation area.
Maintain population of marine invert-sand crabs food for birds, fish, etc. Concern sand deposition interferes. Careful where sand is dumped.
Widen sandy beach-active-passive recreation and natural resource enhancement.
Don’t take away what’s there. Add to it.
Shuttle system (e.g., Devil’s Postpile).
Enhance natural resource as part of recreational experience.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Enhance natural resources.
Protect sandy beach (and water) to protect park.
More interpretive centers/info.
Consider measures to reduce/eliminate pollution-park maintenance and management.
Constraints map and calendar for natural resources to minimize impacts.
More soft scape, high beach and dune habitat.
Restore historical connection between slough and Goleta beach.
Set measurable goals and timetable.
Biology consultant’s involvement.

WORKING GROUP NOTES

“PARKING LOT”