6.0 Other Considerations Required by CEQA/NEPA
IRREVERSIBLE/IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES
6.3
Resources which are irreversibly or irretrievably committed to a project are those that are typically used
on a long-term or permanent basis; however, some are considered short-term resources that cannot be
recovered and are thus considered irretrievable. These resources may include the use of non-renewable
resources such as fuel, wood, or other natural or cultural resources. Human labor is also considered a non-
retrievable resource because labor used for the proposed action would not be used for other purposes.
The unavoidable destruction of natural resources which limit the range of potential uses of that particular
environment would also be considered an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources.
The proposed beach replenishment activities inthe cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach,
Del Mar, San Diego, and Imperial Beach would result in the placement of approximately 2 million cubic
yards of dredged beach-compatible fill material. The project is necessary to protect the existing beaches,
which provide recreational opportunities not only for residents, but also contribute to the regional tourist
industry. The proposed action would result in the consumptive use of nonrenewable energy sources and
labor required to operate dredges, trucks, pumping equipment, and grading equipment. These
commitments of resources could have otherwise been applied to projects other than the proposed action.
However, the proposed action would not result in the use of a substantial amount of resources and would
be short-term in nature. Additionally, no natural resources would be permanently destroyed and beach
replenishment would be considered beneficial to the region.
GROWTH INDUCEMENT
6.4
Under CEQA, an EIR must discuss the ways in which the proposed action and alternatives could foster
economic or population growth or the construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the
area of population growth or the construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the area
surrounding the proposed action. Analysis of growth-inducing effects includes those characteristics of the
action that may encourage and facilitate activities that, either individually or cumulatively, would affect the
environment. Population increases, for example, may impose new burdens on existing community service
facilities. Similarly, improvement of access routes may encourage growth in previously undeveloped areas.
Growth may be considered beneficial, adverse, or of no significance environmentally, depending on its
actual impacts to the environmental resources present.
Page 6-2
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
99-69\SANDAG EIREA 5 to 10.wpd 7/17/00
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