2.0 Alternatives Considered
Consistency With SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Strategy
2.1.1
SANDAG has developed the Shoreline Preservation Strategy for the San Diego Region (1993), which
identifies regional coastal areas with critical shoreline problems. Based on this study and input from local
communities, beaches in critical need of replenishment were identified. The SANDAG study was used to
determine site-specific alternatives for beach replenishment. Implementation of the proposed action reflects
the critical need for sand at the proposed receiver sites.
2.1.2
Avoidance of Sensitive Marine Resources
Beach sites along the San Diego coast were analyzed for onshore beach replenishment suitability. Areas
with significant sensitive marine resources, such as rocky intertidal reefs, subtidal vegetated reefs with
feather boa kelp, surfgrass, or sea palm, or nearshore reefs with giant kelp were avoided for direct sand
placement.
2.1.3
Compatibility of Material Between Receiver and Borrow Sites
Beach replenishment using dredged sediments is generally considered beneficial, assuming the dredged
material does not contain contaminants and consists primarily of sand of acceptable grain size (i.e., similar
to that ofthe beach to be nourished). The USACOE and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
generally require a minimum of 80 percent or greater sand composition for beach replenishment. To
determine if beach replenishment is feasible, core samples of the material to be dredged are compared to
samples from the existing beach replenishment sites. Compatible material can be placed directly onshore.
Based on results of grain-size analysis and sampling of the sediments within the proposed dredge footprints,
over 30 million cy of dredged sediment from six offshore borrow sites would be considered suitable for
beach replenishment. This volume does not consider environmental or engineering constraints which would
limit the actual quantity available for replenishment (Sea Surveyor 1999).
Budget Considerations
2.1.4
The funding for the Regional Beach Sand Project consists of .3 million from two sources. The federal
government has committed .63 million and the State of California has committed .7 million. The funds
from the state are authorized by special legislation. The funds from the federal government were
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Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
99-69\SANDAG EIREA 3.4.wpd 7/17/00
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