Executive Summary
Table ES-7. Continued
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
No Action
and rapid diluting capacity of the open ocean, turbidity would not
Alternative 2b. There would be longer construction periods for
result in significant impacts to water quality at any of the borrow
several receiver and borrow sites when compared to Alternative
sites. Water quality monitoring would be required as part of the
2a. Although the construction period would be longer at these
RWQCB 401 Certification Order. If monitoring indicates that
receiver and borrow sites, the same construction practices (e.g.,
suspended particulate concentrations outside the zone of initial
training dikes) and monitoring would be performed. Construction
dilution exceeds background concentrations by more than 20
would also still be short-term, and no significant impacts to water
percent, the dredging operation will be suspended and appropriate
quality would result with implementation of this alternative.
measures taken to ensure compliance with the California Ocean
Some monitoring would be required consistent with the RWQCB
Plan.
permit as described in Section 2.5.
Alternative 1b. Although the construction period would be longer
at several receiver and borrow sites, the same construction
practices (e.g., training dikes) and monitoring would be performed
as under Alternative 1a. Construction would also still be short-
term, and no significant impacts to water quality would result with
implementation of this alternative.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Alternative 1a. There would be no significant direct impacts from
Alternative 2a. As with Alternative 1a, there would be no
No change to onshore, nearshore or offshore
sand placement as biological resources at those locations are
significant direct impacts from sand placement or indirect
biological resources would occur. There would be
R
adapted to seasonal burial and would quickly recolonize. A
impacts due to turbidity or shorebird foraging. Sediment
no opportunity to improve shore bird and
R
monitoring program has been designed for the period of sand
transport patterns suggest areas of higher sedimentation risk
grunion habitat in currently cobble beaches.
R
placement to ensure no significant impacts to grunion. There
(based on duration and depth) at locations near Oceanside, North
would be no significant indirect impacts due to turbidity or to
Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Del Mar. Under the worst-case,
shorebird foraging. Sediment transport patterns predicted by the
partial sedimentation is predicted on less than 1.78 acres of reef,
model indicate areas of higher sedimentation risk (based on
near two receiver sites, which support some giant kelp and less
duration and depth) at locations near Oceanside, North Carlsbad,
than 0.24 acre of reef with surfgrass. These values are based in
Batiquitos, Moonlight Beach, Solana Beach and Del Mar. Under
part on worst-case, but unlikely, sediment deposition near North
the worst-case, partial sedimentation is predicted on up to 3.2 acres
Carlsbad from sand transported south from South Oceanside.
of reefs, near three receiver sites, which support some giant kelp,
This partial sedimentation would not result in long-term,
0.27 acre of reef with feather boa, and 0.24 acre of reef with
significant indirect impacts because surfgrass leaves would extend
surfgrass. Sedimentation would not result in significant, long-term
well above the sediment layer and allow for long-term recovery,
indirect impacts because the surfgrass leaves would extend well
and the kelp areas to be impacted areas are either sparse, subject
above the predicted sediment layer and allow for long-term
to only short-term coverage, and/or not within the historic areas
recovery, and the kelp areas to be impacted areas are either sparse,
of kelp persistence. No direct impacts would occur from
subject to only short-term coverage and/or not within the historic
dredging at the same borrow sites as proposed under Alternative
areas of kelp persistence. Dredging would impact up to 330 acres of
1.
surface area which is less than two percent of the available shelf
habitat. Biota in these locations would recover quickly and the
impact would not be significant. Dredging would create localized
turbidity plumes but buffers have been provided between the dredge
area and marine resources and the amount of turbidity reaching
reefs/kelp would be expected to be within normal ranges. There
would be no significant impacts.
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
Page ES-23
99-69\SANDAG EIREA es.wpd 7/17/00
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