3.6 Land and Water Use
LAND AND WATER USE
3.6
This section describes existing land uses in the project areas and in the surrounding communities, and
identifies pertinent general plan designations for the cities ofOceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach,
Del Mar, San Diego, and Imperial Beach.
Proposed land uses are described in Chapter 5.0 (Cumulative Impacts). In general, proposed land uses
in vicinity of the receiver sites include beach replenishment projects and road improvements.
This section also describes existing and designated recreational uses within the project areas. The Pacific
Ocean and its shores are the focus of recreational activity which also define land uses in the project areas.
Recreation and other beneficial uses are protected by the California Ocean Plan which establishes
standards to preserve the quality of ocean waters for use and enjoyment by the people of the State
(SWRCB 1997). At all proposed receiver beaches, most of the same recreational activities occur and are
therefore not discussed separately. Unique recreational activities are noted under the discussion of that
particular receiver beach. Most recreational pursuits occur during the warmer spring and summer months,
but are also popular during the fall and winter months due to the San Diego region's mild climate.
Additional information regarding the value of recreational fishing and diving is provided in Section 3.8.
Each jurisdiction is responsible for maintaining a quality environment for its citizens and users through
adoption of long-range planning documents. These documents contain goals, policies, implementation
procedures, and regulatory controls, including permitting requirements, to guide and enforce conformance.
State and federal agencies rely on executive orders, various laws, codes, mandates, management plans,
and master plans to govern land use decisions within their jurisdiction. The most common guide used by
local jurisdictions to define land use patterns is the general plan, which is, in turn, consistent with local
ordinances. Land use elements of general plan documents typically contain those policies and maps
governing land use compatibility within the jurisdiction. LCPs are also key planning documents guiding land
use within the Coastal Zone, as defined by the California Coastal Act (Cal. Code Regs. Title 14, 30000).
Coastal Plans and Policies
Under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 C.F.R. 1451 (1997)), long range planning
and management of California's coastal zone was conferred to the state with implementation of the
California Coastal Act in 1977. The California Coastal Act (Cal. Code Regs. Title 14 30000) created
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
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