4.8 Socioeconomics
by dredging at the borrow sites. Sand redistribution from the beaches to nearshore low-lying reefs could
temporarily cover some potential urchin habitat, however, these low-lying reefs are not prime habitat for
red urchins who prefer higher reefs offering shelter from predationand increased potential to trap drift kelp,
the preferred food source for this species. As described in Section 4.4, sedimentation on high relief reefs
(over three feet) is not predicted. Partial sedimentation may occur on up to 3.2 acres of reefs which
support some giant kelp at three locations (0.73 acre, North Carlsbad; 1.46 acres, Batiquitos; and 1.05
acres, Solana Beach). Another 0.27 acre reef near Moonlight Beach with feather boa kelp would also
experience partial sedimentation. As the sedimentation impact to kelp is minimal, the movement of sand
into the subtidal from the beaches would not be significant.
Localized decreases in visibility due to turbidity from borrow site dredging or from the beaches could affect
diving conditions. This effect would be localized and of limited duration, and would not be significant.
The rock crab/live fish fishery is another locally important commercial fishery. Rock crab was the third
most valuable resource in the San Diego county. Landings for rock crab were highest for Point Loma/La
Jolla area (58 percent), followed by the North County areas which were about 6 percent for Del
Mar/Torrey Pines, 7 percent for Encinitas/Solana Beach, and about 29 percent for Oceanside. Within the
North County area, crab is second in importance only to lobster. The majority of the crab fishing is in
water depths greater than 90 feet. Proposed borrow sites are located at water depths from 50 to 80 feet,
so there would be no significant impacts from the project to these resources.
Sheephead is an important emerging fishery. Sheephead are inhabitants of kelp and rocky habitats. These
habitats will not be affected by the borrow site dredging and therefore no significant effects are predicted.
Redistribution of sand from the beaches would temporarily cover some low lying reef areas causing some
short-term loss of potential sheephead habitat. However, sheephead are highly mobile and the amount of
low-lying reef that will be affected is small and the loss is only temporary. As noted in Section 4.4, three
small reefs totaling 0.24 acre south of the North Carlsbad receiver site, with surfgrass, may experience
partial sedimentation. Similarly, under worst-case assumptions, 3.5 acres of reefs supporting kelp or
feather boa from North Carlsbad to Solana Beach would experience partial sedimentation. Therefore,
while some temporary impacts to low-lying reef may occur, this effect to sheephead would be considered
less than significant.
California halibut utilize the nearshore area and lagoons as feeding and nursery areas. Thus, the project
could potentially affect this species. The project has been designed to avoid significant long-term impacts
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