2.0 Alternatives Considered
database. Persistence or change in habitat over time would be documented. Sediment markers would be
established and monitored as well. It will be important in the monitoring plan to design a standard method
for accurately recording changes in sand depth. Surveys would occur twice annually in spring and fall.
Annual reports would be provided, as well as a final report at the end of four years.
Kelp monitoring would be performed using divers at the study reefs to sample the kelp and reef biota within
R
established areas. Transects would be established and substrate mapped to characterize the percentage
of sand, rock, rock type, vertical relief and depth of sand cover. Key indicator species (plants and
invertebrates) would be inventoried for type and abundance. Photographs and video would be used for
recordation. Sediment markers and buoys would be established. For the first two years, monitoring would
occur periodically and thereafter annually. Sampling reports would be required as surveyed, annual reports
every year, and then a final report at the conclusion of monitoring (after four years).
Potential Impacts to Lagoons
R
R
The Navy committed to a four-year lagoon monitoring program at Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Batiquitos
Lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon, San Dieguito Lagoon, and Los Peasquitos Lagoon to evaluate lagoon mouth
closures and/or increased sand accumulation rates. SANDAG is currently participating in an annual lagoon
monitoring program as part of that program which has been ongoing since 1996. Under this program,
R
beach profile data has been measured in spring and fall at 32 transects perpendicular to the coast. The
R
transects we re originally established by the USACOE so there is historic data from the early 1980s
R
available. The five lagoon mouth entrances are also surveyed in the spring and fall seasons by aerial
R
overflight. Measurement of two cross-channel transects plus bathymetric soundings are provided at Agua
R
Hedionda and Batiquitos lagoons, which are jetty-stabilized.
R
All of these lagoons have been heavily modified and are subject to human intervention in terms of periodic
R
maintenance dredging and mouth openings. Table 2-7 outlines the current permitted levels of dredging at
each lagoon and the party responsible for dredging activities.
The intent of lagoon monitoring would be to determine to what extent sand deposition and lagoon mouth
R
closures are related to the Regional Beach Sand Project versus other sand sources and coastal processes.
The determination would be made by the USACOE in consultation with the resource agencies. Project
monitoring would rely on a comparison of surveyed beach transects which bracket each lagoon mouth
betweencurrent year changes and historical data, comparison of triangulated irregular network (TIN) maps
and transects to recent lagoon monitoring, aerial overflights, as well as an evaluation of non-project inputs
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
Page 2-59
99-69\SANDAG EIREA 3.4.wpd 7/17/00
Previous Page
