4.4 Biological Resources
Potential Indirect Impacts Near Moonlight Beach. Sand and hard substrate habitats occur in the
vicinity of the Moonlight Beach receiver site (Figure 4.4-6). The Encinitas City Marine Life Refuge is
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located just south of the receiver site boundary. Refer to Section 3.6. The nearest intertidal hard substrates
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that support surfgrass are located north in Leucadia, south of the receiver site off F and G Streets, and
further south off I through K Streets near the surfing sites known as Boneyards and Swami's. Only the
intertidal surfgrass off F and G Streets is within the map boundaries of Figure 4.4-6.
Similarly, nearshore reef occurs offshore the receiver site, further north off Leucadia, and further south
towards Swami's. Historically, kelp has occurred offshore, north, and south of the receiver site at depths
of greater than -20 feet MLLW, which is typically at distances greater than1,200 ft from the backbeach.
The occurrence of kelp directly offshore the receiver site and extending south off H Street has been
characterized by relatively low persistence over the past 30 years.
As shown in Figure 4.4-6, the area of model-predicted persistent deposition is offshore south to I Street.
Under this alternative, sedimentation levels are within the historical average difference in sand depths
resulting from seasonal onshore and offshore migration of sand. Nearly two acres of intertidal reef
consisting of scattered rock with heights ranging from one to four feet occurs near F and G Streets. About
0.6 acres of intertidal surfgrass occurred in several discrete patches (15 feet diameter) on rocks with
heights of two and one-half to four feet at the more seaward portion of the reef (per low tide surveys in
January 2000). These heights are well above the maximum, worst-case persistent sand depth predictions
of 1.1 to 1.5 feet (for average and above average wave conditions, respectively). The nearshore reef with
sparse notation of surfgrass (1 turion per 10 square feet) would also not be overtopped under this
alternative. There would be no long-term significant impact to intertidal or nearshore surfgrass habitat.
Offshore of H and I Streets at depths -15 to -40 feet MLLW there are a variety of low relief reefs with
scattered sea fans, feather boas and at the greatest depths, giant kelp. Predicted sedimentation does not
overtop most of the reefs. Under worst-case model predictions, 0.27 acre of subclimax reef habitat with
sparse feather boa would experience sedimentation for up to two years. This potential impact, under
worst-case model predictions, would not be significant because sediment would not completely cover the
reef, feather boa kelp is tolerant of some sedimentation, and has life characteristics that favor rapid
recolonization. There would be no long-term adverse impact to the Marine Life Refuge.
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Potential Indirect Impacts Near Solana Beach. Sand and reef habitats occur offshore and to the
north and south of the receiver site. Intertidal hard substrate occurs in localized patches north and south
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